Source : Procurement Leaders

IT giant Microsoft yesterday named its top-performing suppliers for 2011.

The recipients of the 2011 Microsoft Preferred Supplier Programme (MPSP) Excellence Awards have, according to the software company, demonstrated superior performance, service and innovation.

MPSP, previously referred to as the Microsoft Vendor Programme, is designed “to build long-term relationships with a select group of strategic vendors that create long-term value for Microsoft”.

Winners of the 2011 MPSP Excellence Awards were nominated by Microsoft employees. The results were announced during the 10th Annual MPSP Executive Briefing on Microsoft’s corporate campus in Redmond.

Microsoft’s Service Excellence Award and Supplier of the Year Excellence Award was given to management consultancy Accenture.

“Accenture has proven to be an exceptional partner, enabling Microsoft to drive a best-practice business process outsourcing (BPO) model in which three critical finance processes across 96 countries were outsourced. The BPO model led to efficiencies, which resulted in savings of more than $30m for both companies; in parallel,” Microsoft said.

Winners were announced in seven categories: Diversity, Environmental, Quality, Service, Technology, Value and Supplier of the Year.

Diversity Excellence Award and Technology Excellence Award went to Zones, which was awarded Microsoft’s US hardware peripheral business in 2009. The Environmental Excellence Award went to Hyatt Hotels Corp.

The Quality Excellence Award was picked up by Moravia IT, a company specialising in e-learning, life sciences, localisation and product testing services.

"I am very excited and honoured to recognise this year’s winners for their outstanding performance," said Chris Drews, general manager and chief procurement officer at Microsoft.