HDI(R) Recognized in Microsoft's New Generation Certification

HDI(R) Recognized in Microsoft's New Generation Certification

May 09, 2007

    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
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 have 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.) 



    For more information, please contact:

     Allison Wroe, 
     Director of Marketing,
     HDI
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]