with Advanced Teamwork Deployment Specialisation
Microsoft awards Chess
Chess has been awarded Microsoft’s Advanced Specialisation status for Teamwork Deployment.
Chess has been awarded Microsoft’s Advanced Specialization status for Teamwork Deployment.
This is a testament to Chess’ dedication and expertise in helping companies and their people to work better together from anywhere.
Microsoft advanced specializations build on gold competencies that a partner can earn. Earning advanced specializations, allows partners to further differentiate their capabilities to customers.

To earn an advanced specialization, a partner must obtain customer references, conduct a third-party audit, display their relevant skill set, and meet specific performance measurements.
By meeting these strict requirements, partners can validate their deep knowledge, extensive experience, and proven success at delivering tailored, customer solutions.
The specialization recognises Chess’s success in creating a collaborative environment and adds to our existing Microsoft Gold Partner Status as Digital Workplace, Security, Collaboration, and Communication experts.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, countless businesses were unprepared for the new way of working, struggling to create a collaborative environment. Looking for a solution, many companies wanted to have a trusted partner with advanced skills to help create a hybrid working culture.
Chess accomplished a Hybrid Working environment by promoting teamwork using the wide variety of Microsoft products. This includes Microsoft Teams, Sharepoint, Microsoft Defender, etc., to create an environment where communication and collaboration are seamless.
Stephen Dracup, COO, had this to say on the recent accomplishment:
“We are proud to be recognised as an advanced specialist in Teamwork Deployment by Microsoft. It’s a credit to our hard-working team and confirms our customers are in safe hands.”
Colin Aitkenhead, Microsoft Consultant at Chess, added:
“Receiving another Microsoft Specialization award beyond our gold level status is incredibly satisfying, to say the least, and recognizes the outstanding ability of our team at Chess.”
For businesses looking to improve their working environment or collaboration tools to assist in creating an efficient workplace, Chess’ team of consultants can help.
So please get in touch on 0344 770 6000 and select option 4 for sales.
About the author
Stephen Dracup
Stephen is an experienced telecoms & IT professional with over 35 years industry experience. After graduating from the University of Manchester, Stephen started his career with Lister and Co PLC working for them for 12 years, rising to the position of Head of IT.
Stephen then set up Hoodpoint Communications, specialising in providing ICT, Data and Voice communications and business phone systems. The business was sold to Chess in 2005.
Stephen stayed on at Chess, rising to the role of Group Managing Director in 2012. He became Chief Operating Officer in 2020 and runs the operational teams day to day as well as Marketing and Commercial. He is also closely involved in Chess M&A activity.