A Shipley-based IT consultancy has been made a gold partner by software giant Microsoft for deliver-ing high standards of service.

It means Altrigen Solutions has cemented its place in the top three per cent of IT companies in the UK.

Paul Frear, former IT director at the Drummond textile group, who launched Altrigen with two partners in 2000, said the gold partnership set the firm apart from other companies and confirmed its commitment to best practice.

He said: “We are delighted to be awarded gold partner status and we will continue to work closely with Microsoft to provide our clients with the best IT solutions and comprehensive technical support.

“This has involved a lot of hard work and effort by all of our staff but the end result is a solid gold assurance of quality for everyone we work with.”

Achieving the Microsoft gold status was the result of a year-long process that included providing case studies, feedback from clients and stringent verification by Microsoft to ensure Altrigen was operating to the highest standards.

Mr Frear said: “The very fact there are so few Microsoft gold partners underlines the value and importance of gaining this award.”

Paul Craft, Microsoft corporate partner account manager, said: “Gold certified partners are our very best business partners. They have the knowledge, skills and commitment to help implement technology solutions that match our exacting business needs.”

Altrigen employs 12 staff at offices in Ashley Lane, Shipley. It works with a wide range of clients including the National Media Museum and Clough and Company chartered accountants of Cleckheaton and Keighley, offering hardware, software, cost effective maintenance, disaster recovery, server monitoring, cabling and free IT health checks.

National clients include Damartex, DAF Trucks and The National Rail Museum.