Since November 2004, when Milestone Systems introduced its Partner Program for authorized Milestone Value-Added Resellers (VARs) and Systems Integrators (SIs), the business channel and number of partners has grown significantly. At that time Milestone had partners in 50 countries, and the first certification training sessions took place in four cities across America, rolling out to Europe and Asia thereafter. As of July 2007, Milestone has even more partners implementing their IP video management software platform in 63 countries. This month also marks the training head count of 1,000 for the company.
"We are proud to be contributing so significantly to the education of security professionals in the industry: our certification program supports the Milestone vision to globally drive the convergence of video surveillance and IP-based business systems," says Lars Thinggaard, CEO at Milestone Systems. "XProtect certification qualifies Milestone partners with the ability to implement IP surveillance projects that have greater needs. This differentiates them in the market with higher expertise, so customers know where they can get the best."
Distinguishing partners; protecting customers
The Milestone qualification process is designed to ensure that customers get successful deployment of their XProtect Enterprise and XProtect Corporate solutions - giving them an official stamp of approval that customers can look for in a partner. By making these solutions available exclusively through certified partners, customers receive the most accurate technical advice, the best possible pre- and post-sales support, and the most professional treatment with regards to their Milestone IP video surveillance.
The certification seminars are hands-on and intense in multiple, full-day sessions, with a final exam that is confirmed upon successful completion with a diploma. Partners also receive a special ‘Milestone Certified Partner' logo for display on their websites and marketing material.
Milestone XProtect IP video management software runs on standard PCs with Microsoft. XProtect is very flexible, supporting the largest choice in network hardware (300 different models) - an important factor for satisfying diverse customer needs. The Milestone platform also has open architecture that allows integration with other systems like Access Control, Point-Of-Sale, Automatic Teller Machines or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).