(Charlotte, N.C.) Mariner today announced its recognition as a 2010 Microsoft U.S. Public Sector Partner of the Year. The award honors Mariner’s innovative use of Microsoft technology in support of K12 Education clients. Winners and finalists were nominated and selected by Microsoft’s U.S. Public Sector team working throughout the nation.

“We rely on our education partners to implement and customize our technology to meet the needs of schools, educators and students across the country,” said Sig Behrens, general manager for U.S. Education at Microsoft. “We’re honoring Mariner because of their incredible commitment to innovation on behalf of public education over the past year.”

Microsoft Corp. selected Mariner as the 2010 U.S. Public Sector Partner of the Year for K12 Education. Awarded for Mariner’s SeeChangeTM Performance Management System which is currently being deployed across the county, Mariner is empowering educators, superintendents, parents and the community to see data in new ways and create the changes necessary to ensure students are college- and career-ready. Based on easy-to-use dashboards, teachers, principals and superintendents are able to quickly understand what is happening with their students; your educators do not need to become data analysts, nor do they need to spend time aggregating and disaggregating data to get the information they need to help the students reach their potential.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for our work in the education sector,” beams Mariner’s Education Group Vice President, David “Fitz” Fitzgerald. “This is further validation that our hard work is paying off for our client districts, their leaders, administrators, teachers and ultimately, the students themselves.”

Microsoft honored 21 government, education and healthcare industry partners during its Worldwide Partner Conference 2010, which is being held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center July 11–15. Award winners and finalists were selected from nominations received from Microsoft’s U.S. Public Sector team working throughout the nation.

“Our incredible partner community helps to support, implement and customize Microsoft innovations that meet the unique needs of the public sector markets we collectively serve,” said Vince Menzione, general manager of U.S. Public Sector Partner Strategy at Microsoft. “Not only are Microsoft partners helping public sector organizations realize the enormous benefits of cloud computing, their success is driving economic growth and creating jobs in communities around the country.”

The Microsoft Partner Program is designed for all partners who develop and market solutions based on Microsoft platforms, provide consulting or technical services on Microsoft systems, or recommend Microsoft technology purchases. Microsoft partners include consulting services providers, independent software vendors (ISVs), independent hardware vendors, large account resellers (LARs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), support providers, system integrators, system builders, training providers, value-added resellers and value-added providers.

About Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference
Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference provides Microsoft’s partner community with access to key marketing and business strategies, leadership, and information regarding specific customer solutions designed to help partners succeed in the marketplace. Along with informative learning opportunities covering sales, marketing, services and technology, the Worldwide Partner Conference is an ideal setting for partners to garner valuable knowledge from their peers and from Microsoft. More information can be found at http://www.digitalwpc.com and on the Partner Network home page at http://microsoftpartnernetwork.com.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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About Mariner
Mariner, Microsoft’s 2008 Worldwide Partner of the Year in Performance Management Solutions and TDWI’s 2009 Best Practices Award Implementation Partner, specializes in business intelligence, data warehousing, business scorecards and performance dashboards that help clients improve productivity and decision making across industries, including education, utility and healthcare. Mariner helps organizations translate strategy into action. Mariner-Insight to Achieve. www.mariner-usa.com.