Software giant will support association in its efforts to raise industry standards

The Professional Computing Association (PCA) has the muscle of Microsoft to help it more than double its membership figures.

The PCA currently has 450 members, but its target is to grow this figure to 1,000 by the end of 2006. To assist the organisation, Microsoft has agreed to offer a one-year free Confidence Assured membership to the first 100 system builders new to the PCA that pass the Microsoft OEM System Builder Licensing exam between 1 and 30 April 2006.

Simon Steggles, PCA vice-chairman responsible for overseeing recruitment practices, said: “We are delighted that Microsoft is promoting the benefits of being part of the PCA, and helping us to recruit new Confidence Assured members by supporting first-year subscriptions. Confidence Assured membership is our entry-level membership and gives members access to the PCA logo [for branding], newsletter, and meetings.”

Karl Noakes, director of channel development and marketing at Microsoft, told CRN: “We are delighted to support the PCA in its efforts to promote best practices among its members. Supporting associations that work to raise industry standards helps us all to deliver a higher level of service for customers.”

Steggles said: “As a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the highest standards, it is right for us to work with software vendors in this way.”

Carolyn Worth, external relations manager at Evesham, said: “We were one of the founding members of the PCA, so we support it fully. It is a good organisation that provides us with a voice in terms of political activity.

“It provides us with services that help us in customer situations, such as mediation experts. It also seems to have a way of motivating the larger players in the industry, which is very worthwhile.”