SMART Appointed As Microsoft's MTC Global Technology Partner

SMART Technologies Inc., a provider of collaboration solutions, has announced that it has become a Global Technology Partner in the Microsoft Technology Center (MTC) Alliances Program, an initiative that includes industry leaders in hardware, software and services. SMART joins just 10 other industry leaders in achieving this recognition from Microsoft. The company has been a member of the MTC Alliance program since 2010 with products installed in 18 MTCs spread across the globe. By the end of 2012, SMART’s products will be installed in all 11 U.S. centers and 16 international centers including Microsoft’s technology centre in Hyderabad, India. With SMART products in these MTCs, thousands of Microsoft business customers can learn about and experience the benefits of SMART business solutions.

MTCs provide business customers with access to innovative technology products and industry expertise and offer strategy briefings, architecture design sessions and proof-of-concept workshops to help them determine which solutions will best meet their needs. Other MTC Global Technology Partners include Fortune 500 companies such as Intel, Dell and HP. Each center has installed a variety of SMART products to meet its needs, including a selection of SMART Board interactive whiteboards, SMART Board interactive displays, SMART Podium interactive pen displays, SMART Meeting Pro software and Bridgit conferencing software.

“We are delighted to have SMART Technologies become a Global Technology Partner to our MTCs worldwide,” says Chuck McCann, Director, and Worldwide MTC Alliance Program. “SMART products have enabled us to eliminate the need for extensive travel due to enhanced in-room and remote collaboration when delivering customer engagements that span multiple MTCs, thereby increasing the effectiveness of our offerings. A positive reception from both customers and staff has prompted us to work with SMART to expand their presence within the MTC program.”

“By naming SMART an MTC Global Technology Partner, Microsoft is recognising that together, SMART and Microsoft are bringing superior collaboration solutions to business customers,” says Linda Thomas, Vice President, Products, SMART Technologies. “As SMART products continue to be added to MTCs worldwide, more Microsoft customers have the opportunity to experience how SMART’s industry-leading products can reduce costs and enhance collaboration and productivity.”

“India is expanding rapidly and companies from around the world are exploring business opportunities in the region,” says Sanjiv Pande, Managing Director, India & South Asia, SMART Technologies. “Such a dynamic business environment demands innovative business solutions which facilitate seamless collaboration between businesses and their customer-base dispersed across the globe. This working relationship with Microsoft allows a greater number of business users to experience the extraordinary collaboration and cost saving that can be achieved through using SMART business solutions.”

Pande added that SMART currently works with over 1,000 companies in its ecosystem network. He emphasised that SMART is committed to continuing partnering with leading companies in order to afford business users increased productivity and efficiency.

As part of this alliance with Microsoft, SMART offers after sales support to all MTCs across the globe. SMART also offers extensive trainings ranging from self-paced online courses to on-site training for Microsoft customer so they may optimise their use of SMART products and services.