HDI® Recognized in Microsoft’s New Generation Certification

HDI announces an agreement with Microsoft Corp. that recognizes HDI Support Center Analyst Certification along with Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) Certification as a new generation of Microsoft certification.

Colorado Springs, Colo. – May 8, 2007 – HDI, (http://www.thinkhdi.com) the world's largest membership association for IT service and support professionals and the premier certification body for the industry, today announced an agreement with Microsoft Corp. that recognizes HDI Support Center Analyst Certification along with Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) Certification as a new generation of Microsoft certification.

Microsoft’s New Generation Certification program for IT service and support professionals focuses on both technical expertise in designing, developing, implementing and supporting solutions with Microsoft products, as well as the customer service and IT service management skills including business processes, trouble shooting and communication that are core elements of HDI Certification. IT service and support professionals who currently possess HDI Support Center Analyst are eligible to apply for Microsoft’s New Generation Certification.

“The evolving support industry demands that IT service and support professionals be not only technically qualified to solve problems, but also have the customer service and IT service management skills necessary to satisfy the customer. Microsoft recognizes that delivering high quality service and support requires more than just technical abilities and understanding. Customer service and IT service management skills are also vital,” said Bill Wall, director of certification, Microsoft. “Selecting a certification to meet these requirements was done with careful consideration. In HDI we chose a recognized global industry leader that was focused on service management skills and that was technology neutral. HDI Certification combined with the MCITP Certification meets the needs of the support industry.”

“We are very pleased to have participated in this effort with Microsoft, a worldwide leader in IT software, services and solutions,” said Ron Muns, founder and CEO, HDI. “HDI and Microsoft have determined the essential skills for well-rounded IT service and support staff and has delineated the optimal certification career path for these professionals. This new certification is in part the result of that collaboration. Microsoft’s New Generation Certification demonstrates that the support industry is maturing and that IT support professionals need to have both technical skills and customer service skills. This new certification will help to further strengthen the profession.”

For more information, visit – http://www.thinkhdi.com/microsoft

About HDI Certification

HDI Certifications are built on standards determined by an independent committee of global industry experts and practitioners. Achievement of HDI Certification demonstrates that individuals understand the customer service skills and support center processes required to provide quality IT service and support. Each HDI Certification is designed to reflect the level of knowledge required for that specific role, ranging from Customer Service Representative to Support Center Director.

About HDI

HDI, a Think Service, Inc. company, is the world’s largest IT service and support membership association and the industry’s premier certification and training body. Guided by an international panel of industry experts and practitioners, HDI is the leading resource for help desk/support center emerging trends and best practices. HDI provides members with a vast repository of resources, networking opportunities and the largest industry event - the HDI Annual Conference and Expo. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA, HDI offers training in multiple languages and countries. For more information, visit http://www.thinkhdi.com or call +1 719.268.0174. (Think Service, Inc. and HDI are not affiliated with Customers International Limited or HDI Europe.)

###

Media Contact:
Allison Wroe
HDI, Director of Marketing
719.785.5355
[email protected]