MINNETONKA, Minnesota – February 15, 2010 – Solution Design Group, a local Twin Cities based IT consulting company, today announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in Business Intelligence & Data Management Solutions, recognizing Solution Design Group’s expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, Solution Design Group has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a proven ability to meet customers’ needs. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the channel.

Founded in 1989, Solution Design Group, Inc. (SDG) is an IT consulting and software application development firm dedicated to business success through building long-term relationships with our clients and employees. Based in Minnetonka, SDG is locally recognized for providing outstanding customer service and a unique, fun, and engaging environment for our employees. SDG has been recognized multiple times by the Business Journal as one of Minnesota’s Best Places to Work. SDG has been recognized for the 2008 and 2009 as one of the Fast 50, a recognition awarded to fast growing privately held companies in the Twin Cities.

“We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program. This allows us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers,” said Doug Rhodes, Director of Sales. “The benefits provided through our Gold Certified Partner status will allow us to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide for customers.”

“Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities,” said Allison Watson, corporate vice president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corp. “They need to trust in a company that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, which have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, can build a positive customer experience with our technologies. Today, Microsoft recognizes Solution Design Group as a new Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise in providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology.”

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, Solution Design Group had to declare a Microsoft Competency. Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. Each Competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the technology industry. Within select Competencies, there are Specializations that focus on specific solution areas that recognize deeper expertise within that Competency. Serving as a specialized path to earning those Competencies, Specializations give direct access to the tools and resources that support that specific area of focus.

The Business Intelligence Competency is designed for partners that specialize in Microsoft Business Intelligence Platform and Performance Management. These partners are fully equipped to help customers leverage the data they’re already collecting to build more-effective business strategies.. For customers, accurate business intelligence often equals a competitive advantage, which is why robust business-intelligence solutions are always in demand.

“Partners are essential to delivering Microsoft Business Intelligence solutions to our customers helping them grow their business and ensure they can evaluate trends in their business and act upon them,” said Tom Casey, general manager SQL Server Business Intelligence at Microsoft Corp. “Solutions competencies give Microsoft partners the resources and training they need to meet their customers’ needs. And for partners, the opportunity to highlight their expertise to customers is tremendous in the fast growing business intelligence market.”

“We are committed to working with industry partners to take advantage of Microsoft’s business intelligence (BI) platform,” said Tom Casey, general manager SQL Server Business Intelligence at Microsoft Corp. “In today’s complex business environment, BI is one of the first priorities of CIOs. Achieving Gold Partner status is an indication that a partner strives to bring real-world solutions to our joint customers.”

The Data Management Solutions Competency is designed for partners that have proven their competency in end-to-end data-management reporting and analysis solutions based on Microsoft technologies, including Microsoft SQL Server, Windows Server, and Microsoft Office System client tools. These partners have also proven expertise in implementing solutions focused on delivering migration tools and services, database- administration tools and services, and performance tools using SQL Server technology.

“Through the Data Management Solutions Competency we can assist our industry partners’ proficiency in helping them develop enterprise solutions that range from industry specific line of business applications to next generation Software + Services solutions and applications for the mobile workforce,” said Mark Jewett, director of SQL Server marketing at Microsoft Corp.  “Only SQL Server 2008 provides dynamic development to accelerate time to solution, supports all data types, and provides pervasive business intelligence, accessible to everyone.”

The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in October 2003 and represents Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners’ businesses be successful.

Founded in 1989, Solution Design Group, Inc. (SDG) is helping customers deliver Information Technology solutions. SDG has expertise in implementation, delivery, and custom application development.  The company is dedicated to business success through building long-term relationships with our clients and employees.  SDG is locally recognized for providing outstanding customer service and attracting the best consultants with a unique and engaging employment experience.

Doug Rhodes, Solution Design Group, (952) 278-2548, doug.rhodes@solutiondesign.com