Global Knowledge shows commitment to Microsoft with MVP appointment

_{11 juli 2007}
^{Global Knowledge, Europe’s leading independent training company, is demonstrating its commitment
to deliver the very highest standards of training in Microsoft technologies to its customers in Belgium with the appointment of Microsoft Most Valued Professional (MVP), Ilse Van Criekinge as Microsoft Business Development Manager.}

Ilse, who specialises in Microsoft Exchange, became a Microsoft MVP earlier this year, having proven her extensive knowledge of the vendor’s technologies through a series of projects – including the founding of the Belgian professional user group for Exchange and related technologies, and technical collaborations with the company.

She gained most of her expertise in Microsoft technologies during a five and a half year period with Global Knowledge and is now returning to the company having spent a nine month period working as
a specialist consultant with Atos Origin. “I have gained valuable experience of working closely with large enterprises on specific projects but I am very pleased to be returning to Global Knowledge
where I will be able to put my expertise to the best possible use by showing customers how they
can get the very best from their implementations of Microsoft Exchange”, said Ilse.

“Microsoft certification is becoming much more important for both organizations and individuals and with her extensive experience in certification training and skills validation, Ilse is ideally placed to
help Global Knowledge develop Microsoft training programs that meet customer needs”, said Karin Selleslagh, Country Manager for Global Knowledge Belgium.

Global Knowledge is one of only a handful of fully accredited Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Learning Solutions (CLPS) in Belgium and offers a full schedule of Microsoft courses at its offices in Mechelen.

“Many companies in Benelux are now looking to adopt Microsoft Windows Vista and the new Office 2007 and Exchange 2007 solutions”, stated Selleslagh. “When they make that commitment, they want to be sure of getting the very best and fastest return on investment possible. The best way to be
sure of achieving that is to train users at the earliest stage so that they know how to get the best from these new solutions.”

Ilse will be responsible for liaising with Microsoft and Global Knowledge’s own staff, to ensure the right courses and content are being delivered to customers. In addition, she will work to raise awareness of the comprehensive schedule of courses Global Knowledge offers in Microsoft technologies amongst enterprise organisations in Belgium.

“Being a Microsoft MVP will be a tremendous advantage in this” she noted, “My job is all about understanding what new developments and technologies really mean to professionals and managers, and identifying where we will need to focus our efforts in order to help them develop their own capabilities.”

The MVP scheme represents a significant investment by Microsoft in its customers. “Through the
MVP initiative, Microsoft is ensuring that knowledge and support of all its technologies are accessible freely to all Microsoft customers and users. The help MVPs provide helps customers maximise their productivity and get the best value and return on investment in Microsoft products”, said Ilse.

Microsoft describes the MVP Award as its way of acknowledging and supporting the significant contributions that individual professionals make to Microsoft communities through the open and objective exchange of knowledge, and the active sharing of their real-world expertise with users
and with Microsoft itself. 

About Global Knowledge
^{Global Knowledge is the largest privately held provider of training and enterprise learning services for information technology (IT) and management professionals. The company offers a broad array of hands-on IT, project management, and professional skills training featuring proprietary core and custom curriculum, as well as content from leading companies, including Cisco, Microsoft, Nortel, and Red Hat. Delivered in classrooms, at private facilities, or over the Internet, Global Knowledge has helped Fortune 500 companies, organizations and government agencies leverage learning to turn knowledge into productivity for employees, customers, and channel partners. Founded in 1995, Global Knowledge employs more than 1,200 people worldwide and is headquartered in Cary, N.C. The company is owned by New York-based investment firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson, and Stowe. For more information visit www.globalknowledge.net}

Pressekontakt
Rickard Hagenstam
Nordisk markedssjef Global Knowledge
Tel: +46 70 579 16 62
e-post: rickard.hagenstam@globalknowledge.se