PowerObjects reportedly has announced that Charles McIntosh and Pratima Surapaneni have earned their Microsoft (News - Alert) Dynamics CRM certification, identifying both individuals as “expert” in the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

 

The Microsoft Dynamics CRM certification process was developed to equip IT professionals with the ability to install, configure and administer Microsoft Dynamics CRM products.

 

“We place a tremendous value on our employees delivering technology products and applications to our customers,” said Jim Sheehan, chief operating officer of PowerObjects, adding that these certifications will help “offer our customers best-of-breed CRM products.”

 

Established in 1993, PowerObjects is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner specializing in CRM products. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the vendor sells services to businesses and non-profit organizations in multiple industries including insurance, financial services, publishing, distribution, manufacturing and professional services.

 

In May, PowerObjects announced POGO, a video conferencing unit on wheels described as “the Business Robot.”

 

Described by company officials as “a self-made, computer-based robot,” POGO links the Minneapolis-based PowerObjects company with its offshore office in Islamabad, Pakistan, and performs a variety of functions. The robot is “able to transmit video images and audio of those who interface through it on either side of the world. It can also be maneuvered from Pakistan through the local IT office of PowerObjects to sit in on meetings among staff or with clients,” PowerObjects officials say.

 

The five-foot tall, battery-powered robot with a laptop screen and a Web cam for a head allows communication in real time, which “enhances and encourages real-time communication between the two offices on a variety of issues,” PowerObjects officials say, adding that the machine “speeds up various business processes” and “boosts morale in both locations.”

 

POGO “allows us to talk directly to our employees in Pakistan who do much of our development work,” says Sheehan, who is technically POGO’s father. “I read an article about telecommuting recently and wanted to take that a step further, since POGO is really a combination of telecommuter and telecommunicator.”