Microsoft invites York’s PowerOn into its Elite Partner team

IT automation specialist PowerON, has become one of only a few firms in the world to join Microsoft’s Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) Elite Partner Team, and will now assist the world’s largest software maker in developing both new and existing products.

The invitation only team of partners consists of just 70 companies globally and PowerON is only the sixth UK based firm to join the exclusive, handpicked programme.  This coup is the latest in a long line of successes for York headquartered PowerON, which provides powerful, high quality, IT management and cloud automation solutions to organisations of all sizes.

As part of its involvement, PowerON will now participate in Microsoft-hosted face to face events and regular conference calls covering everything from product releases and deep dives through to engineering updates.  It will also have access to technical content and early product announcements via a private Yammer group, as well as engaging in private previews, early product testing and contributing to an Intune UserVoice group.

Microsoft EMS is an integrated set of tools that enable businesses of all shapes and sizes to administer, manage and secure all types of devices including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, in a single system.

Stewart McLaughlan, PowerON’s EMS Mobility Consultant, explains: “Being invited to join Microsoft’s prestigious EMS Elite Partner Team is a major feat and reinforces our credentials as one of the world’s leading players in the IT automation field.  It gives us direct access to Microsoft’s product development team and its decision makers, so we can share feedback from our customers and other end-users, as well as supporting them as they plug potential gaps and develop new products.

“This means we’ll be completely up to date with Microsoft’s latest software developments, as well as helping to shape their future, which will further enhance the levels of service, knowledge, expertise and opportunities that we can offer our customers.”

Suzanne Grant, Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, adds: “We are pleased to welcome PowerON into the EMS Elite Partner Program and look forward to collaborating to drive EMS deployment and usage to ensure our customers get the most value out of our products and services.”

Microsoft revealed PowerON was invited onto the programme in recognition of it earnestly building its EMS practice and investing deeply in technology to ensure it delivers maximum value to customers.  The software giant also praised PowerON’s desire to continually innovate with the EMS stack and actively provide considered feedback on ways to improve the technology based on practical engagements with customers.

PowerON has seen a surge in turnover to almost £2 million since its inception less than three years ago, and has grown staff numbers from just four people to 30 within that timeframe.  The company now works for a wide range of public and private sector organisations including City of Wolverhampton Council, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital NHS Trusts, Stena Group, Drax Group, Tesco, British Land and GHD.