Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards and Recognition

What Microsoft Says

“These partners were outstanding among the exceptional pool of nominees, and I’m continuously impressed by their innovative use of Microsoft Cloud technologies and the impact for their customers.”
— Nick Parker, CVP, Global Partner Solutions, Microsoft (2022)

“It’s an honor to recognize winners and finalists... These companies are building intelligent solutions, addressing complex business challenges, and making more possible for customers around the world.”
— Gavriella Schuster, CVP, One Commercial Partner, Microsoft (2019)

Why It Matters

Each award reaffirms our ability to:

• Solve industry-specific challenges with real business solutions, not just technology
  
• Lead enterprise transformation with ERP, CRM, and Supply Chain capabilities
  
• Accelerate time-to-value with Sunrise 365 and tailored IP
  
• Serve global brands through innovation, expertise, and execution

These honors reflect both the impact Sunrise delivers for customers and our strategic alignment with Microsoft’s ecosystem.

What It Means to Sunrise

“Winning these awards—especially at a global level—speaks to the strength of our team, our long-standing alignment with Microsoft, and our ability to deliver for our customers. We’re grateful for this recognition and excited for what’s ahead.”

— John Pence, Founder & President, Sunrise Technologies

Across more than a decade, Sunrise has consistently ranked among Microsoft’s top-performing partners—demonstrating strength in delivery, customer success, innovation, and co-sell collaboration.

Recognition Over the Years

In addition to Partner of the Year and Inner Circle honors, Sunrise has received several other standout awards and recognition designations throughout our long-standing partnership with Microsoft. While some of these programs are no longer active, they reflect the consistent performance, innovation, and strategic alignment that have defined our journey.

 Microsoft Solutions Partner

As of 2022, Sunrise transitioned from Microsoft Gold Competency status to the new Solutions Partner designations, meeting all enhanced performance, skilling, and customer success requirements.

This updated program reflects Microsoft’s commitment to deeper alignment with solution areas—validating Sunrise’s proven ability to deliver across Dynamics 365, Azure services, AI, Power Platform, and industry-specific innovation.

“We are on a mission to offer industry-specific solutions, and this builds on our ability to deliver global, omni-channel, Tier 1 supply chain capabilities—without all the cost and complexity.”
— John Pence, President, Sunrise Technologies

Microsoft President’s Club

• Awarded multiple times, including:
  • 2010: President’s Club recognition alongside PoY honors
  • 2014: Earned while attending WPC the same year as winning Distribution Partner of the Year
• Represents the top 5% of Microsoft Dynamics partners worldwide
• Honors consistent revenue achievement, customer satisfaction, and partner engagement

Microsoft Distinction in Marketing Award

• 2010 Winner: Best Overall Marketing Campaign
• This award recognized partners for innovative and results-driven marketing execution aligned to Microsoft’s go-to-market strategies.

Historical Microsoft Gold Competency

Sunrise first earned Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status in 2006 for ERP—based on rigorous requirements including:

• Sales performance
  
• Certified consultants
  
• Technical excellence and delivery capacity in Dynamics and Azure
  
• Strong customer references

“Sunrise Technologies has demonstrated a clear partnership and an ability to promote and deploy Microsoft Dynamics AX. Their Gold Certification includes a referenceable customer base, which speaks volumes about their capabilities.”
— Bill Forsyth, Microsoft General Manager, Southeast Area (2006)

“We are very pleased to have been recognized by Microsoft as a Gold Certified Partner. We strongly believe in the Microsoft Dynamics product line, and our ability to implement the best ERP solution in the market.”

— John Pence, 2006

Customer Excellence Award – Business Visionary Category

• Awarded to a Sunrise customer (David Giambruno at Revlon) with direct attribution to Sunrise’s implementation work
• Showcases outstanding client success outcomes enabled by Sunrise solutions

 

Explore More

• Microsoft Inner Circle Recognition
• Triad Fast 50 Recognition
• Accounting Industry Recognition