Gemalto Attains Gold Certified Partner Status in Microsoft Partner Program

Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, today announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program. As a Gold Certified Partner, Gemalto has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a proven ability to meet customers’ needs.

"Gemalto’s Gold Certified Partner status represents our close relationship with Microsoft and our commitment to integrating our digital security products with Microsoft technology," said Marvin Tansley, director of Gemalto’s global alliance with Microsoft. "The benefits of this designation will allow Gemalto to continue to provide customers with enhanced and tightly integrated digital security solutions that protect identities and secure data."

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

Gemalto’s digital security solutions empower employees, partners, customers or individual citizens to reach the highest levels of security available for information, identities and personal privacy. Digital security products that Gemalto has integrated with Microsoft technology include the Gemalto .NET smart card, the Protiva Strong Authentication Server and other Protiva credential devices that use either one time password (OTP) or digital certificates. All are compatible with the Windows Smart Card Framework for secured access to assets, improved productivity and regulatory compliance within the enterprise. The Protiva security platform was also recently certified with the Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006, part of the Microsoft Forefront Edge Security and Access suite. These Microsoft products provide enhanced network edge protection and application-centric, policy-based access to corporate IT infrastructures.

Microsoft employees worldwide use Gemalto .NET smart card technology embedded in their corporate badge to enable secure, two-factor authentication for access to Microsoft’s own information systems.

About Microsoft Gold Partners and Microsoft Competencies As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, Gemalto had to declare a Microsoft Competency. Gemalto distinguished itself by earning a Microsoft Competency in OEM Hardware Solutions with a Device Manufacturing Specialization. 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. Within select Competencies, there are Specializations that focus on specific solution areas that recognize deeper expertise within that Competency. Serving as a specialized path to earning those Competencies, Specializations give direct access to the tools and resources that support that specific area of focus.

The OEM Hardware Solutions Competency is intended for partners that build and deliver desktop or server hardware systems, and those that design and manufacture hardware devices used as computer parts, peripherals or accessories. Partners that attain the OEM Hardware Solutions Competency are recognized for their expertise in delivering high-quality hardware solutions and are provided with information and tools needed to expand their market opportunities and maintain a competitive advantage in the industry.

"Partners that acquire the OEM Hardware Solutions Competency have demonstrated expertise and have a track record of building high-quality hardware solutions that are designed and configured with Microsoft technologies according to customer needs and supported to help ensure customer satisfaction," said John Ball, general manager of the U.S. System Builder Partners Group at Microsoft Corp. "These partners are able to closely engage with Microsoft and have access to specialized resources to help them meet and even surpass customer expectations."

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. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the channel.