As a Gold Certified Partner, Cypress has demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft technologies and a proven ability to meet customer needs. Microsoft partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support that give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

"Achieving Gold Certified Partner status is a considerable achievement for Cypress, and illustrates our commitment to industry-best development standards and excellent customer service," said Stephen G. Sargent, president and CEO of Cypress Software Systems. "This accomplishment also assures our clients that our Mark IV, BizMark and AppMark loan automation software meet and exceed the design and programming principles established by Microsoft. In addition, the benefits provided through the membership will further enhance future offerings and positively impact our client base."

"Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities," said Allison Watson, corporate vice president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corp. "They need to trust in a company that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, which have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, can build a positive customer experience with our technologies. Today, Microsoft recognizes Cypress Software Systems as a new Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise in providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology."

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, Cypress had to declare a Microsoft Competency. Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner's capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. Each Competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the technology industry. Within select Competencies, there are Specializations that focus on specific solution areas that recognize deeper expertise within that Competency. Serving as a specialized path to earning those Competencies, Specializations give direct access to the tools and resources that support that specific area of focus.

The ISV/Software Solutions Competency recognizes the skill and focus partners bring to a particular solution set. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners that have obtained this competency have a successful record of developing and marketing packed software based on Microsoft technologies.

The Business Intelligence Competency is designed for partners that specialize in Microsoft Business Intelligence Platform and Performance Management. These partners are fully equipped to help customers leverage the data they're already collecting to build more-effective business strategies. For customers, accurate business intelligence often equals a competitive advantage, which is why robust business-intelligence solutions are always in demand.

The SOA and Business Process Competency is for systems integrators, solutions and services providers, and software developers with proven proficiency in implementing and deploying integrated, interoperable, and agile solutions that connect information, systems, people, and processes.

Cypress' products include Mark IV, a loan software platform that automates the consumer loan application and decisioning process. With Mark IV, service associates electronically input application information while interviewing customers. The software then quickly retrieves credit reports, efficiently reviews sources of repayment, and deploys the institution's loan policies. The result is a fast, quality loan decision.

Similarly, the company's BizMark software processes small business loan applications, enabling lenders to efficiently handle small business commercial credit requests for lines of credit, term loans, corporate leases and corporate credit cards. The software gathers principal and financial statement data; retrieves and interprets consumer and business credit reports; performs ratio analysis; and scores the results.

Cypress' AppMark product is designed for community banks with assets of $250 million or less, automating all aspects of the consumer loan application process from data entry to underwriting to decisioning. The software is hosted and delivered through Cypress' application service provider (ASP) network, eliminating the need for Cypress clients to purchase additional hardware, software and IT staff to run and maintain the application.