Accela, Inc. Achieves Gold Certified Partner Status in Microsoft Partner Program

Leading Provider of Web, Mobile Solutions to Governments Earns Microsoft Competency in ISV/Software Solutions

SAN RAMON, Calif., June 3, 2009 - Accela, Inc., the leading provider of web-based software applications that make government services available around the clock, today announced that it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program, with a competency in ISV/Software Solutions. As a Gold Certified Partner, Accela has demonstrated its 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.

Accela’s solutions open up new and better ways for governments to serve the public. Accela’s flagship product, Accela Automation, provides government departments and agencies with a solution to automate workflow, forms management, activity tracking, cashiering, and other important tasks, including: permitting, building, licensing, planning, public works, transportation, and more. Accela’s solutions are showcased at the company’s annual User Conference, which provides hundreds of government professionals with the tools to realize greater efficiencies and more cost-effective delivery of their services.

“We are extremely gratified to have attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program, which reflects the high standards we place on developing and supporting innovative products,” said Darrell Lewis, Vice President of Product Management at Accela. “The benefits provided through our Gold Certified Partner status will help Accela continue to enhance the solutions we deliver to customers every day.”

“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 Accela as a new Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise in providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology.”

Gold Certified Partner Requirements
As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, Accela 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.

The ISV/Software Solutions Competency recognizes the skill and focus partners bring to a particular solution set. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners that have obtained this Competency have a successful record of developing and marketing packed software based on Microsoft technologies.

“Solutions competencies are an important way for Microsoft to better enable ISVs to meet customer needs,” said Walid Abu-Hadba, Corporate Vice President of the Developer and Platform Evangelism Group at Microsoft Corp. “They allow ISVs to keep and win customers through their deep knowledge of solutions-based Microsoft platform technologies. Microsoft has a long history of working closely with ISV partners to help them deliver compelling solutions and applications to our mutual customers, and the Microsoft Competencies are an important step in continuing to enhance vital relationships with ISVs worldwide.”

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.