Continental Resources Renews Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Status

January 3, 2006 - Bedford, MA, USA — Continental Resources, Inc. (CRI), today announced it has renewed its Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in both Microsoft Advanced Infrastructure Solutions and Networking Infrastructure Solutions, recognizing Continental Resources’, expertise and total impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified partner, CRI has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and 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 marketplace.
 
“We are extremely pleased to have renewed our Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program. This allows us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers,” said Kevin McCann, Vice President of Continental Resources. “The benefits provided through our Gold Certified status will allow us to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide for customers.”
 
“Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities. They need to trust in someone 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,” said Allison Watson, Vice President of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp.
 
As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Status, Continental Resources 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. Continental Resources obtained a competency in not one but two separate categories, Advanced Infrastructure Solutions and Networking Infrastructure Solutions.
 
The Advanced Infrastructure Solutions Competency is designed for partners with proven expertise in designing and/or implementing complex infrastructure solutions such as Active Directory®-based and Microsoft Integration Server design and deployment solutions, or Microsoft Exchange Server migration or deployment solutions. Because customers are increasingly asking to do more with less, partners with the Advanced Infrastructure Solutions Competency can identify their unique skill in helping customers access management solutions, improving operational efficiency and reducing security risks.
 
Microsoft Gold Certified Partners enrolled in the Networking Infrastructure Solutions Competency have proved their competency in implementing technology solutions based on either the Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 or Windows® 2000 Server operating system, with a particular focus on Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 and Windows Small Business Server 2003. These implementations may include crafting solutions that connect Windows-based servers, PC locations and the Internet; installing a server farm; or building a small-business Windows Server stand-alone solution that includes file and print capabilities.
 
The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in December 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.
 
About Continental Resources
Since 1962 Continental Resources (CRI) has been a stable and vital force in meeting the ever-changing technology requirements of Fortune 2000 businesses. I.T. professionals rely on CRI as a trusted partner in assessing technical requirements. With offices in major metropolitan areas around the country, CRI delivers cost-effective IT solutions which include: Systems, Storage, Security, Wireless, DR, HA, Backup, Networking, IP Telephony (VoIP), Messaging, Managed Services, Databases, and Directory Services. Vendor relationships include: Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, IBM, Cisco, Symantec, Oracle, HP, EMC, and more. CRI also provides branded and private label custom computing solutions to ISVs and OEMs.
 
For more information, press only:
Ann Dempsey – Marketing Director, Continental Resources, Inc.
(781) 533-0269 or adempsey@conres.com