Microsoft opens Info centre @ Computer Village

In a bid to increase awareness among consumers, Microsoft Nigeria, over the weekend opened its information centre in the popular Computer Village, Ikeja in Lagos.

The centre which opens Monday to Friday, is a one-stop-shop where the company’s new and existing partners could go to access information and training they need to successfully build their businesses as distributors and traders of Microsoft products.

Speaking at the occasion, the company’s Channel Compliance Manager for Microsoft Anglophone West Africa, Mrs. Uzo Okpaka said, the vision for the centre was on the premise that the market remains the hub for information technology (IT) activities in the country.

“We observed that most of these partners are usually very busy and may not have the means to send their staff for training and for the consumers, many of them lack the necessary information on the danger of pirated software, so, this centre offers them opportunity to access this information at no cost to them,” she said.

Also, she said it would provide opportunities for partners to develop and expand their businesses so they could better serve their customers, underscoring the fact that it is equipped with PCs and internet access, where partners could access their partner account and information relevant to their business.

“As part of Microsoft’s continued commitment to serve the needs of its partners and help them reach their full potential, the centre will also incorporate a training facility where partners will have access to training programmes designed to strengthen their skills and support their business needs,” she said.

Mrs. Okpaka expressed appreciation to the management of Nexusoft Solutions and Headstone Technologies for supporting the project.

“There will be no sale of Microsoft products at the centre and PCs and internet use are not available for public use. Ultimately, we want our partners and customers across Nigeria to see that the Microsoft Information Centre is about them and for them,” Okpaka declared.

Equally speaking, Mr. Abel Odje of Ruthabel ICT, said as a Microsoft partner, he is looking forward to utilising the information centre to access the world class training which would take place there.

“The knowledge that we gain through consistent training is passed on to our customers, enabling them to adopt technology solutions which would help transform their businesses,” he said.

ITRealms Online learnt that the centre would also, provide recommendations on where to buy genuine software, how to spot signs your software may be counterfeit and guidance on what to do in the event you have already unknowingly purchased pirated software.

Microsoft sells the vast majority of its products through over 640,000 partners worldwide. These partners - ranging from those who sell hardware to those who write software, provide IT services and serve as IT distribution channels, operate locally in every market where Microsoft products are sold.


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