Westcon Group Achieves Microsoft Gold Communications Competency in EMEA

- First Distributor Globally to Achieve Designation for Microsoft® Lync® Based on Rigorous Standards for Unified Communications Competency

BURGESS HILL, England, Feb. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Westcon Group, a value-added distributor of category-leading unified communications, network infrastructure, data center and security solutions with a global network of specialty resellers, today announced the company is the first value-added distributor (VAD) worldwide to achieve Microsoft's Partner Network Gold Communications competency. This designation is based on the company achieving rigorous standards for revenue, service support, and customer satisfaction throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

By achieving Gold Level in the Communications competency, Westcon has demonstrated its ability to meet stringent technology and customer satisfaction requirements set forth by Microsoft -- providing best-in-class Microsoft Lync®-based solutions to customers.

"Being the first VAD worldwide to achieve Gold Communications certification is a tremendous achievement for our EMEA business -- and testament to Westcon's commitment to Microsoft and its Lync solutions," said Guy Koster, Director of Microsoft Lync Business Practice EMEA, Westcon Convergence. "Microsoft's most recent earnings report showed its Lync business growing at 35%. We look forward to capitalising on this momentum with our customers, our Lync eco-system vendors, and Microsoft to fully exploit resulting opportunities utilising our powerful 'Simplification, Orchestration, Acceleration' messaging and partner enablement programmes."

"Partners with Gold status in the Communications competency have demonstrated the highest, most consistent capability within a targeted business solution area. We are committed to supporting Gold-Level members with the right set of tools, training, and information to empower their partners with leading-edge Microsoft-based solutions and services," said Scott Brown, Senior Director Worldwide Lync Enterprise Voice at Microsoft. "As the first global VAD to achieve Gold Communications certification, Westcon has clearly demonstrated its value -- delivering integrated and customised sales and marketing, pre-and post-sales support, and services to support today's channel demand for Lync."

Westcon has one of the broadest Lync eco-systems in distribution, which now includes: Active Communications, Acme Packet, Advatel, Altigen, AudioCodes, Jabra, Plantronics, Polycom, snom and Sonus.  Combined with the Gold Communications competency and broad UC expertise, the distributor is ideally positioned to support partners with complete and successful Lync solutions to grow their business.

To learn more about Westcon's Lync offers please visit www.westcon.com/go/lync.  For more information on Westcon, please "Like" our Facebook page or track our LinkedIn page.

About Westcon Group
Westcon Group, Inc. is a value added distributor of category-leading unified communications, network infrastructure, data center, and security solutions with a global network of specialty resellers. Westcon's teams create unique programs and provide exceptional support to accelerate the business of its global partners. Strong relationships at every level of the Westcon Group organization enable partners to receive support tailored to their needs. From global logistics and flexible customized financing solutions to pre-sales, technical and engineering assistance, the company works with partners to respond with agility and speed to changing market conditions so they can achieve the fastest time to revenue. Westcon Group's portfolio of market-leading vendors includes: Cisco, Avaya, Brocade, Polycom, Check Point, and Blue Coat. For more information, please visit www.westcongroup.com.

Media Contact: 
Runa MacLeod
Westcon Convergence (Europe)
+44-1444-872557
Runa.macleod@westcon.co.uk    

Craig Librett
Westcon Group
+1-914-357-1747
craig.librett@westcon.com