Office technology and IT solutions provider, Midshire, have reaffirmed their status as a Microsoft Authorised Education Partner (AEP), allowing them to purchase and resell Microsoft licences to schools and academies with approved expertise.

Midshire undertook and successfully passed Microsoft’s competency test in academic licensing and market expertise to become part of the AEP programme. Members of the IT departments from Midshire’s Stockport and West Bromwich offices completed the necessary assessment to become fully qualified in the programme, giving them access to key information about new products, events, tools and resources.

Anthony Salcito, VP of Education for Microsoft Corp’s Worldwide Public Sector said, “by becoming AEPs, partners show themselves to be committed and trained in providing discounted Microsoft academic products to the education market. This authorisation, along with our other education partner initiatives, gives partners recognition of their areas of expertise and our academic customers the confidence that they are buying from academic IT specialists.”

The resellers already supply over 4,000 schools across the UK, providing an extensive range of products and services including photocopiers and printers, managed print services, telecommunications, IT equipment, hosted desktop and IT support. This latest recognition will equip them with a team of specialists to provide tailor-made solutions for the education sector including offering a free IT audit.

Stephen Pettitt, IT Solutions Specialist for Midshire added, “understanding licencing can be tricky, with many schools not getting the best out of the licencing hat they have, or even knowing what is available. At Midshire we will work closely with you, helping you to recognise the benefits that Microsoft licensing can provide to your institution.”