From Canadian Fashion Designers To Office Supply Retailers, Microsoft Canada Co. Recognizes Businesses Using IT To Help Stay Competitive
Second annual Heroes of Innovation Event showcases Canadian businesses that leverage Microsoft-based technologies to help increase productivity and competitiveness
MISSISSAUGA, ON, February 2005 - Microsoft Canada Co. today announced it is recognizing Canadian IT professionals at its second annual Heroes of Innovation event, for helping make their companies more competitive by improving productivity with innovative solutions based on the Microsoft-based platform. The Microsoft Heroes of Innovation event showcases how Canadian companies across a range of industries are using the Windows Server System™ integrated server software, which integrates with Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system, Microsoft Business Solutions, Microsoft Visual Studio® development system, the Microsoft Office System and technology partner solutions, to help increase productivity and competitiveness.
From helping customers find the right designer dress to getting prime seafood from ocean to table even faster, Canadian companies are using Microsoft-based technologies to help improve employee and system productivity, making them more competitive overall. Alliance Atlantis, Benjamin Moore, Chubb Insurance, Comsense, The Credit Valley Hospital, ESCADA Canada, Frontier Adventure Racing, Grand & Toy, London Drugs, National Fast Freight, Niagara Health Systems, Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan, Pembina Trails School Division, Shoppers Drug Mart, Source de Sport, Stolt Sea Farm, and Webcom Limited have all overcome unique business challenges, and are doing more with less using the integrated innovation of the Microsoft-based platform.
"Pembina Trails School Division will save $2 million by moving from a mix-match of Linux, Macintosh and Windows NT® operating system to Windows Server™ 2003 operating system," said Don Reece, Director of IT, Pembina Trails School Division. "Microsoft-based technology has enabled us to create a consistent IT environment that lets teachers and students across 33 schools communicate and collaborate with one another, while allowing us to handle 50 per cent more services calls without expanding our IT team."
The Microsoft Heroes of Innovation event also recognizes technology partners like NexInnovations, CMS Consulting, LegendCorp, Clarity Systems, Axentia, GHI Technologies, Sunaptic Solutions, Dakis Decision Systems Inc., Charon Systems, Raymark Xpert Business Systems Inc., VOX Wireless, Lanworks, Ideaca and ObjectSharp, who work with small, medium and large businesses to help solve their unique IT challenges.
"Canadian companies are looking for new ways to drive business value and better compete in the marketplace," said John F. Payés, Vice President Marketing and Corporate Development, Dakis Decision Systems Inc. "Leading software vendors and technology partners are working with every size of enterprise to develop technology solutions that will help businesses overcome their challenges, and increase productivity and operational efficiencies."
"Customers are telling us they need tools that enable them to help reduce network complexity, so they can develop proactive business solutions that help increase worker productivity, provide exceptional customer service, and improve operational efficiencies," said Jordan Chrysafidis, Director, Windows Server System, Microsoft Canada Co. "The integrated innovation of the Microsoft Windows Server System and the extensive technology partner ecosystem helps customers focus less on managing network infrastructure, and more on using IT as a competitive business advantage for their organizations." The Canadian Heroes of Innovation use the Windows Server System, Microsoft Windows XP SP 2, Microsoft Business Solutions, Microsoft Visual Studio and the Microsoft Office System to help solve different business challenges.
