The ProfitStars division of Jack Henry & Associates was named the 2012 Microsoft (News - Alert) ISV-Windows Azure Partner of the Year. The annual award ceremony honors Microsoft partners for delivering innovative solutions within the past twelve months that directly address customer issues. This particular award recognizes independent software vendors (ISVs) that together or independently incorporated Windows Azure and SQL Azure.

The Windows Azure Platform allows ISV’s to run their applications and store data within the Microsoft Datacenter rather than within their own on-premise network. Companies benefit from transferring over their applications and data to Microsoft because it allows new customers to gain faster access to the application, reduces the administration burden on the ISV companies, helps companies avoid purchasing hardware/software licenses and even comes with Microsoft’s full support and troubleshooting team.

This year’s winner is a provider of technology solutions and payment processing specifically for the financial industry. According to a press release, the company’s ProfitStars division was recognized for “demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology…ProfitStars received the award for Margin Mazimizer Interactive (MMi), a completely re-engineered, Web-based version of ProfitStars’ loan and deposit pricing solution. MMi leverages Silverlight as the application framework and Windows Azure as the cloud computing platform.”

Bill Hilf, general manager, Windows Azure, Microsoft Corporation, said ProfitStars has really showed immense potential.

“We are excited to name ProfitStars and Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. as the ISV-Windows Azure Partner of the Year for developing its MMI Web-based solution. The organization continues to showcase innovation, competitive differentiation, and customer value with this computing platform,” said Hilf.

MMi, which can be implemented within a week and completed within 60 days, offers commercial loan training that can be completed within two hours. The company can then allow users to calculate the ROE, ROA and net income for the loan, the deposit and the relationship within two minutes. This will allow financial institutions to quickly and efficiently evaluate pricing alternatives, present forecasts, and supply users with the ability to obtain higher pricing on small loans.

David Foss, president of ProfitStars, said the company won this award because it not only cares about streamlining financial business operations, but also its customers.

“Jack Henry & Associates understands how the cost savings and productivity gains associated with cloud-based solutions can boost the overall performance of financial institutions and other corporate entities,” said Foss. “With Microsoft’s assistance, we are committed to providing products and services that help the financial services industry to further enhance profitability and efficiencies. We are honored to receive this award from Microsoft, which has been an invaluable partner in our success.”

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