Equipos Achieves a Microsoft Gold ISV/Software Competency in the Microsoft Partner Network

Equipos Earns Distinction through Demonstrated Technology Success and Customer Commitment

LONDON, UK and BOSTON, MA, Jan. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Equipos, the leading provider of financial client communications and reporting solutions for wealth and asset management firms, today announced it has achieved a Gold Independent Software Vendor (ISV)/Software Competency in the Microsoft Partner Network, demonstrating its ability to meet Microsoft customers' evolving needs in today's dynamic business environment. To earn a Microsoft Gold Competency, organizations must complete a rigorous set of tests to prove their level of technology expertise, have the right number of Microsoft Certified Professionals, submit customer references and demonstrate their commitment to customer satisfaction by participating in an annual survey.

The Equipos Coric™ client communications suite is an end-to-end client reporting solution, controlled by client services professionals via a range of easy-to-use dashboards and automated workflow tools. Client services teams can respond quickly and efficiently to constantly changing reporting requirements, with little or no recourse to technical staff. Coric generates premium quality reports, incorporating customized data, formats and personalized commentaries. Multi-channel delivery is provided for client convenience, to reduce cost and minimize environmental impact.

"We are very proud that Microsoft has validated our commitment to developing solutions and serving clients to the highest standard. Microsoft Gold competency differentiates us from the competition and establishes Equipos as market leader in client reporting and communications," said Alan Hamilton, CEO at Equipos. "Every Coric implementation leverages the power and versatility of the Microsoft platform. To earn Gold competency we proved to a panel of independent assessors that our technology and processes comply with exacting standards, and that client satisfaction is high. Gold ISV/Software competency assures wealth and asset management firms that Coric is a world-class reporting and communications solution."

"The Microsoft Partner Network is designed to empower solution providers to succeed in today's business environment. By achieving the prestigious Gold competency, participating companies are provided  with a rich set of benefits, including increased customer visibility through branding and accessibility, training and support," said Jon Roskill, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corp. "We are proud to put forth a program that provides the right resources to  help a company develop the expertise customers demand in today's competitive market and also provides the community and infrastructure that can connect them to one another, lowering costs for all parties."

The Microsoft Gold Competency signifies to the market that a company has demonstrated the highest level of skill and achievement within a given technology specialization. All 29 Microsoft competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner's specific technology capabilities, helping customers find solution providers quickly and easily. Each competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the industry.

The Microsoft Partner Network is designed to equip organizations that deliver products and services based on the Microsoft platform with the training, resources and support they need to provide their customers a superior experience and outcomes.

With Microsoft Gold ISV/Software competency, Equipos has gained access to the latest technology, market opportunities, and sales and marketing resources that have been specifically created by Microsoft with ISVs in mind. From planning the development cycle to supporting customers, Equipos has the tools and resources required to build innovative solutions and bring them to market.

About Equipos Coric

Coric™ automates the client communications and reporting process for buy-side investment firms. Client services staff can create visually appealing client reports, fund fact sheets, UCITS IV KIID, meeting packs and presentations, and other client communications without involving IT staff. Operational savings are achieved through business process automation and client reporting best practice. Coric delivers unlimited scalability, business-user-definable workflows and layouts, and global multi-tenant solutions for third-party administrators. Coric was recently named Waters Buy-Side Client Reporting Platform of the Year 2011 and is used by more than fifty large private banks, institutional investment firms and third party administrators in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. http://www.equiposgroup.com

Nicola Cowburn, [phone], [email protected]

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