Procano achieved a Microsoft Designation in a year with Unlimited Training…

How Procano achieved a Microsoft designation in less than a year with Readynez’ Unlimited Training…

Introduction

Procano, an IT specialist for Nordic SMBs, deliver cloud-based services for approx. 4,000 end-users and robust security IT systems for their 200 clients. With their core services being tied to Microsoft products, it was an obvious choice to become a Microsoft partner. This gives them access to a wide range of benefits and incentives that are critical in their daily operations.

Challenge

After Microsoft changed their partner model in 2022/23, it forced existing partners to seek out new competencies and training to advance current skills and certifications, to meet the new and updated requirements from Microsoft.² And Procano was no different. After having evaluated which Microsoft designations matched their strategy and operational activities, the planning began… 

In the pursuit of obtaining the Partner Solution Designation from Microsoft, to help them differentiate themselves from their competitors, Procano needed to fulfil the performance, skilling and customer success criteria set forward by Microsoft. With regard to skilling, Microsoft demands companies to achieve a specific number of intermediate & advanced Microsoft certifications respective to the designation, an area where Procano had a significant gap to be closed.  

Solution 

Previously, Procano had worked with local Microsoft training providers to educate and certify their employees, but the solutions were costly and inflexible. With guidance from Pax8, Procano was introduced to Readynez, an IT training provider, who would help them navigate the training requirements including the most optimal and cost-effective way for Procano to reach these. Specifically, this involved workshops and being onboarded to Readynez’ Unlimited Training offering.  

Unlimited Training is a subscription-based license provided by Readynez, where you can attend all the instructor-led Microsoft courses you want - all for the price of less than a single course. With the flexibility and cost effectiveness of the licenses and the guidance of Readynez experts, Procano has been able to tailor the training program for the individual employees in regard to their position and skill level. The licenses have given the individuals access to a wide range of Microsoft training resources including courses and certifications, providing them with the necessary foundation to prove their competencies in delivering Microsoft Solutions. “We can make a plan for six months for one consultant and take them through two or three courses with the exams, without any additional costs. That suits us very well,” says Bjørn Riis, Operation Director at Procano. 

Additionally, whenever new hires are onboarded to Procano’s team, they immediately ensure their new team members have the prerequisites for succeeding in their position, but without a long, time-consuming course planning process. As Bjørn Riis said, “[I] use less time to plan, book and manage all the courses, and it’s an affordable, fixed price, no matter how many courses they need.” Thus, Procano ensures their entire team remains skilled to provide top-tier IT support to their customers. 

Results  

Out of the six new Solutions Partner designations, Procano identified Modern Work and Infrastructure (Azure) as the most aligning designations to pursue. By this upcoming summer, Procano expects to have achieved all the necessary certifications to qualify for the Azure specialization, one of the six total Microsoft Partner designations. This means that they within a year of getting in contact with Readynez, Procano will have been able to achieve yet another Microsoft designation by certifying their teams within their respective fields of operations. 

Besides obtaining the designation badges as a Microsoft Partner, the training from Readynez has given Procano significant benefits in the quality of their daily work. “It’s important for us that we have the baseline of knowledge,” says Bjørn Riis. With workshops and access to a wide range of courses & certifications, consultants’ level of expertise has increased. With a unanimous level of foundational knowledge across the entire team of consultants, it has empowered their technicians and consultants to resolve customer issues efficiently and faster, without necessarily escalating problems to senior consultants. Delivering faster resolutions is a result of improved productivity which further enhances customer satisfaction. 

The future 

With constant technological and market developments, Procano is aware of the need to continuously adapt to the changes and demands arising in the IT field. From AI specialization and business applications to IT security, continuous training can make or break the difference in a highly competitive and fast-paced market.  

“I think we have just started the partnership, and we will continue with the Unlimited Training,” said Bjørn in a closing statement.