Software and product engineering services firm, Symphony Services, has announced that Microsoft has chosen its SymTest service to provide validation services for independent software vendors (ISVs) seeking Windows Server 2008-R2 Platform Ready Test for their Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) or Hosted applications.

The announcement, on the heels of Symphony Services celebrating five years of Microsoft Gold Partner status, advances Symphony’s partnership with Microsoft in successfully delivering software test toolkits and other Microsoft platform solutions.

 SymTest portal is a sophisticated solution to longstanding problems that ISVs have been facing in efficiently managing their applications’ validation and certification process. SymTest is a simple, secure, easy-to-use, real-time status tracking portal. The portal enables Symphony to offer quick turnaround time (less than five business days), and it accepts both Gold and Silver requests.

Also, available today for ISVs seeking Gold validation is SymTest’s Pass-Assist service that helps ISVs confidently prepare for the validation program. As part of the service, the SymTest team verifies the SaaS application’s readiness by pinpointing where the application is failing to meet validation criteria. Providing the ISV with a Pass-Assist test report, the SymTest team’s analysis helps ISVs understand and correct the issues to help them confidently face the validation process.

As an inaugural offer for ISVs seeking Gold validation, the Pass-Assist service will be delivered at no additional cost (a total retail value of U.S. $3,000) to the first 50 ISVs that register their applications and pay for Gold validation by March 31, 2012.

“Microsoft is very pleased to work with Symphony Services on tools and solutions that help our joint partners continue to drive innovation and quality solutions into the market. Microsoft was looking for a validation partner for SaaS Platform Ready Tests and found Symphony as a best fit based on its track record in successfully delivering self-test toolkit solutions, and its proven broad and deep understanding of the Microsoft platform and products,” said Karl Noakes, general manager, Worldwide Partner Group, Microsoft Corporation

“Our launch of the Microsoft Validation Program for SaaS applications enables Symphony—in partnership with Microsoft— to define the industry standard for world-class software validation services,” said Sanjay Dhawan, CEO, Symphony Services Corp.  “We look forward to continued collaboration with Microsoft to deliver the strongly differentiated, best-in-class engineering services our clients expect from us.”

The validation program recognizes ISVs’ SaaS solutions that are independently validated to meet Microsoft Corporation’s highest standards for security, stability, reliability and platform compatibility. Some of the benefits of the program for ISVs, include:

·         Enables development of “Windows Server 2008-R2” compatible Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions

·         Increases customer confidence

·         Quickens time to market of the solutions

·         Increases quality and reduced support costs

·         Required for Microsoft Gold and Silver Competencies*

·         Increases global market visibility and stand out from the competition

Unidev was one of the first ISVs to complete the validation program’s pilot.  Commenting on the experience, Derek Bemis, Application Systems Architect of Unidev Development Inc., said, “Unidev’s experience with Symphony Services has been excellent. Throughout the process we have been kept in the loop as to how our test was progressing.”

Bemis added, “The validation program drove tremendous value for our organization.  Not only did we gain the competency that allows our organization to remain as a featured Gold Partner, but we gleaned strategic insight and confidence from Symphony that our application meets and/or exceeds the highest of standards.  I was thoroughly impressed with how quickly Symphony learned our application and began the testing process. This efficiency not only underscore’s Symphony’s expertise but also validates for Unidev that our flagship application “Auctori” is easy-to-use.”