SPOKANE, Wash., Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cerium Networks, Inc, a leading integrator of unified communications has achieved status as a Lync Certified Support Partner. This certification allows Cerium to offer Microsoft backed, single-point-of-contact support services to clients who rely on Microsoft Lync voice systems.

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Microsoft Lync combines different forms of communication such as telephony, mail, chat, document sharing and videoconferencing into one singular communication solution. Support for Lync was previously a part of Microsoft's Premier Support Program, which covers all their products. Starting in July 2012 Microsoft began outsourcing Premier Support for Lync Enterprise Voice to its UC Gold partners that have completed the additional training and certification by Microsoft.

"This certification places Cerium in a very exclusive category as one of a few partners worldwide to have certified in this program," said Roger Junkermier, President of Cerium Networks. "As our Lync practice continued to expand we committed to the rigors of this certification process to build the skills that would enhance our customer service capabilities. This latest achievement will provide streamlined support for our Lync customers that is backed by Microsoft expertise."

Lync Certified Support Partner status enables Cerium to meet the need for a simple, consistent process that provides maintenance and support for complex systems. Cerium now has access to Microsoft Premier Support escalation engineers, account management assistance, and a commitment from Microsoft to efficiently resolve problems. Other organizations that deploy Lync, who are not Certified, do not have the same access and support from Microsoft.

"When you deploy a Lync voice solution alongside instant messaging/presence, and conferencing, you need a partner that understands the complete solution – software, hardware and network," said Rob Husted, Cerium's Microsoft Practice Leader. "Cerium Networks has developed partnerships with leading manufacturers of Microsoft Lync qualified endpoints, gateways and services so that we can be that single point of contact to support your entire UC infrastructure built on Microsoft Lync."

About Cerium Networks

Cerium Networks, Inc. is a Washington corporation with its headquarters in Spokane. The company began operations in October of 2000. Today the company employs approximately 125 technology professionals located in one of its seven offices throughout the Northwest: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.

The company's core business is the design, implementation and support of unified communication solutions; IP telephony, unified messaging, contact center, wireless, network security, virtualization and video teleconferencing. Cerium is able to deliver "best in class" end-to-end solutions because of its unique set of strategic alliances with leading manufacturers: Microsoft, Cisco, Avaya, Polycom, RSA, EMC, VMware and Zeacom. Cerium maintains the highest levels of certifications within each manufacturer to ensure design, implementation, and support integrity.

For more information:

Michelle Rice, Cerium Networks, Inc, (509) 536-8659, mrice@ceriumnetworks.com

SOURCE Cerium Networks, Inc.