Local network integration and infrastructure management specialist Integr8 IT recently took advantage of the opportunity to engage with internationally recognised technology vendors. The South African company is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner in two key competencies, namely Advanced Infrastructure Integration and Enterprise Networking and is looking to acquire accreditation in an additional two focus areas of business.

Robert Sussman, joint-MD at Integr8 IT, attended the event and was complimented by Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer for Integr8 IT's exceptional organic growth and success within the managed services arena.

Sussman noted Gartner's prediction that 40% of the companies at the convention would be out of business within five years, if they failed to reinvent themselves, as well as the forecast that by 2010 more than 40% of IT services that are currently delivered by humans will be delivered, in part or whole, by software.

"This prediction is a major wake-up call for all businesses. We cannot afford to take opportunities for granted and we must always keep in mind the changing dynamics of international information and communication technology and the subsequent changing requirements of customers," says Sussman. "We relish the opportunity to interact with partners such as Intrasight because it broadens our perspective as far as the industry as a whole is concerned and increases our knowledge of current and emerging trends within technology and strategies around application and integration."

Zulfiq Isaacs, MD at LiquidThought, described the conference as "a fantastic platform for Microsoft centric technology providers to expose themselves and their business to a global audience and engage in structured networking with other international partners."

"This is significant for local partners because they gain first hand exposure to emerging hot trends and, as a result, are in a far better position to prepare accordingly. The right positioning and early adoption can secure greater advantage and more support from Microsoft directly for competitive wins," says Isaacs. "As a result of the conference, we have concluded two significant partnerships with US based companies focussed on the information worker and mobile competency. These partnerships have been established to distribute product, deliver offshore services to the US market and extend our footprint globally."