July 2006 DataKraft, an innovative rapid software development house, has joined Microsoft’s Touchdown programme. Touchdown is designed to provide Microsoft ISV partners with in-depth training, insight and support while developing applications on the Microsoft platform including hands-on training and extensive guidance throughout the early adoption process.

DataKraft are already working towards supporting Windows Vista and 2007 Office system.

“One of our key focuses in the run up to the introduction of new products to ensure that our partners get the latest information, knowledge and training,” commented Mike Hughes, Windows Business Group Leader at Microsoft Ireland. “Partners like dataKraft play a key role in the success of our new products and we’re delighted they are joining the Touchdown programme.”

DataKraft is the brainchild of Jacques Lefebvre and was borne out of a frustration of not being able to create database applications quickly. “I wanted to develop professional database applications quickly that could be amended and extended without any coding or development,” says Lefebvre.

At the heart of the company is dataKraft Studio, a software platform based on Microsoft .NET technology, which is used to design database applications without coding and development. Designing any database solution with dataKraft Studio is 20 times faster than traditional development.

DataKraft has recently been attracting attention from large International Companies that need a platform for integration, data management and reporting in one easy to use solution. The application supports multiple databases (Microsoft Access, SQL Server, SQL Server Express, My SQL, Oracle) ensuring that clients are not tied to any one database vendor and allowing for future migrations.

Carol McKeon, Account Manager, DataKraft, says: “We were delighted to join the Touchdown programme. This is a world class Microsoft programme which allows us to learn from Microsoft experts, obtain detailed training and gain access to advanced hands-on development labs, events and testing tools.

“We will be taking advantage of Microsoft VSTO 3 to further integrate our product with Microsoft Office and we are using WinFX to significantly improve the User Experience. We believe that participation on this programme will leapfrog our development and ensure commercial success for our software.”

In addition to training, early access and support, DataKraft will also benefit from increased visibility and reduced time to market. As early adopters, Touchdown participants will be among the first partners recognised for building and deploying applications and taking advantage of these new products and technologies. This in turn will lead to lower development costs as dataKraft has the opportunity to build the best and most stable applications using Microsoft’s latest tools and technologies.

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