Smart421, specialists in integration and managed services for business critical systems, announced today that it has become one of the first UK companies to receive certification as Oracle Gold partner. The global launch of a restructured channel certification, the Oracle PartnerNetwork Specialised program ("OPN Specialized"), by the Oracle Corporation took place yesterday (01 December 2009). OPN Specialised represents a more stringent approach to certification, including assessment and accreditation in commercial as well as technical criteria.

Robin Meehan, chief technology officer at Smart421 said: "Our strategy is to be a member at the highest possible level of membership in each partner programme and, therefore, to hold the relevant specialisations and supporting staff certifications to operate at that level for our customers. There's a noticeable trend at the moment in the partnering world that our key technology partners (Microsoft, IBM, Oracle etc) are all becoming more selective in the companies they will work with and the qualification criteria that they place upon them."

For more information, please visit www.smart421.com/aboutus/
email info@smart421.com
or call +44 (0) 1473 421 42

Notes to editors

Smart421 is an information and communications technology company specialising in systems integration and managed services of business critical systems. It is best known for its work with FT UK 500 companies, especially among leading financial institutions, power utilities and tier one telcos.

Smart421's agile business approach is solving business problems for companies more reliably than offshore outsourcing and more cost effectively than many of the big names in IT consulting.

Founded in 1989, today Smart421 is part of the KCOM Group, a public limited company with an annual turnover of over £500M, 2,200 staff and offices in major locations across the UK. The KCOM Group delivers communications services to a range of businesses and consumers, with an emphasis on exceptional service delivery.

Smart421 applies independent thinking and a passion for delivery across two key specialities: Architecture and Design Consultancy, and Managed Services.

A rapid overview of Smart421's technical and intellectual competencies

Architecture and Design Consultancy - Optimisation of your enterprise architecture through its consultancy, business integration and data management practices. This means that you benefit from clearer future direction, greater ability to adapt dynamically to change and more compelling return on your IT budget.

Managed Services - Maximisation of your system performance and reliability through its end-to-end managed services provision. This means that you benefit from reduced operational costs, enhanced business continuity and fully managed risk.

For more information, please visit www.smart421.com/aboutus/ email info@smart421.com or call
+44 (0) 1473 421 421