How Omegapoint Took Control of Certifications and Strengthened Their Microsoft Partner Status

With Cinode’s Certification Management, Omegapoint moved from manual Excel spreadsheets to a centralized, real-time overview. Today, they can win tenders in minutes instead of days.

For consulting firms that are Microsoft Partners, certifications are more than proof of expertise — they are business-critical. Without the right certifications in place, firms risk losing partner status, missing out on deals, and falling behind competitors.

Omegapoint, a leading Swedish consulting firm specializing in security, IT, and digitalization, experienced this firsthand. Sebastian Rimsch, Microsoft Partner Manager, shares how the company transitioned from fragmented, manual certification management to a strategic, data-driven approach — with support from Cinode’s Certification Management.

The Challenge: Excel Spreadsheets, SharePoint, and Ad-Hoc Processes

Before Cinode, Omegapoint managed its certifications manually. Information was stored in Excel spreadsheets. The result was data that was frequently outdated, difficult to locate, and hard to quality-assure.

– We never knew for certain whether a certification was active, about to expire, or whether a consultant already had the required skills. This created unnecessary administration and put our ability to meet Microsoft’s partner requirements at risk, says Sebastian Rimsch.

The lack of visibility had clear business consequences. Planning skills development was difficult, and identifying which certifications had the greatest impact on partner status was largely reactive. 

In client dialogues, verifying which consultants actually held the required certifications was time-consuming. Both managers and consultants experienced unnecessary stress from chasing information instead of working proactively.

For a Microsoft Partner, certifications form the backbone of the partner program. Microsoft’s Partner Capability Score depends on specific certifications being held at both foundational and advanced levels — and the requirements are continuously updated. Without a real-time overview, Omegapoint risked losing both points and status.

The Solution: A Unified Platform Integrated Into Competence Development

The choice was made to leverage Certification Management within Omegapoint’s existing consulting platform, Cinode. The deciding factor was the ability to get a consolidated, automated, and up-to-date overview of all certifications across the organization — linked directly to individuals, roles, project needs, and Microsoft’s partner requirements.

– We saw great value in having certification management integrated into our competence platform — not as a side track, but as a strategic part of our competence and partner development, says Sebastian.

Today, Omegapoint uses Cinode as its central hub for all certification data. Employees can easily add new certifications themselves, the system flags upcoming expiration dates, and managers can plan competence development based on real-time data.

Sebastian puts it simply: – Everything is one-click accessible.

The Result: From Days to Minutes — and More Business Won

The impact has been clear and measurable. In several RFPs and tenders, Omegapoint has been able to produce certification overviews in minutes rather than days.

– A client requested documentation of Microsoft 365 expertise to lead a major Teams project. Thanks to Cinode, we were quickly able to present a complete certification profile for the team — which was a directly decisive factor in winning the assignment, Sebastian continues.

But it goes beyond individual deals. The certification overview has made the entire competence development process more strategic. It is now possible to plan training initiatives based on data-driven needs, avoid duplication of effort, and ensure that employees invest in the right certifications at the right time. The company can even build internal career paths aligned with both individual goals and Microsoft’s requirements.

Critical to Microsoft Partner Status

To maintain and achieve new Microsoft Solutions Partner Designations, firms must continuously stay current and meet all skilling requirements. With full control over certifications, Omegapoint ensures they never lose points due to expired certifications, can quickly close competence gaps when Microsoft updates its requirements, and can maximize their Partner Capability Score.

– Control over our certifications is a key component in both maintaining and strengthening our partner status. We can present a stable and professional partner profile to both clients and Microsoft, says Sebastian.

“Take Certification Management Seriously — and Centralize It”

Sebastian Rimsch is clear in his advice to other consulting firms struggling with certification management: Microsoft’s partner requirements are only getting more demanding, and Designations require continuous follow-up. With the right tools, firms are better positioned to grow within the partner program, respond faster in tenders, keep employees more motivated, and deliver higher-quality work.

– It’s not just about keeping track of certifications — it’s about staying competitive over the long term, Sebastian concludes.