Fusion Connect Celebrates 23 Years as a Microsoft Partner

The tech world has changed a lot since 2002, but one thing that has endured is Fusion Connect's partnership with Microsoft. For more than 23 years, Fusion Connect has been a key player in creating and implementing Microsoft solutions that bring the latest tech advancements to customers.

"Celebrating 23 years as a Microsoft partner is an impressive milestone for Fusion Connect. Before the release of Microsoft Teams Operator Connect, Fusion Connect was one of our preview partners, helping us test and ensure we met both customer and partner requirements, with ongoing feedback still a key focus today. As a leading Operator Connect partner, we regularly hear from Fusion Connect customers about the great value they deliver to customers," said Leon Wright, Senior Product Marketing Manager for Teams Phone at Microsoft.

Decades of Innovation and Partnership

The Microsoft-Fusion Connect partnership goes back to the beginning of cloud computing. "Fusion's management team saw early on that there was a gap in the market for comprehensive cloud services," shares Elka Popova, Vice President at industry analyst firm Frost & Sullivan. "Today, they're a leading cloud services provider in the U.S., boasting a strong team, a wide network, and a hefty customer base."

When Microsoft rolled out new features for Windows Server Active Directory in 2002, Fusion Connect (known then as Apptix) jumped on the opportunity and helped pave the way for multi-tenant cloud infrastructure. This pioneering work delivering Microsoft Exchange applications in the cloud set the stage for today's enterprise cloud and collaboration solutions.

Fusion Connect has been at the forefront of unified communications as Microsoft evolved from Office Communications Server, to Lync, then Skype, and now Teams. Doug Seitsinger, Director of Platform Engineering at Fusion Connect, shared, "I've been part of Fusion Connect for over two decades. We saw that integrated UCaaS would revolutionize business communications very early, and our experience with enterprise customers gave us key insights into what was needed for large-scale deployments."

Evolving with the Microsoft Partner Program

Over the years, the Microsoft partner program has changed, too. Fusion Connect has gone from a Gold-Certified Microsoft Solutions Provider to a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) with three key designations that showcase its expertise.

• The Microsoft Solution Provider for Modern Work: This designation recognizes partners with documented, proven expertise in transforming workplaces using Microsoft 365 technologies. Partners earn this credential by demonstrating their ability to implement and support solutions that enhance collaboration, productivity, and security in real-world work environments.
• Microsoft Co-Sell Ready Partner: This means Fusion Connect works alongside Microsoft's sales teams, offering customers access to Fusion's managed services along with Microsoft's direct support, helping with complex implementations.
• Microsoft FastTrack Partner: This allows Fusion Connect to offer FastTrack benefits that ensure smooth deployments of Microsoft solutions, including help with Microsoft 365 rollouts, migration assistance for qualifying customers, and direct access to Microsoft engineers.

These designations showcase Fusion Connect's solid experience designing, implementing, and supporting Microsoft solutions.

Looking forward

Fusion Connect is excited to continue its close partnership with Microsoft, focusing on new technologies and better integration to shape the future of communication and collaboration and deliver exceptional value for our joint customers.