PROVIDENCE – Ananke IT Solutions has been certified by software giant Microsoft Inc. as one of its Gold-Certified Desktop Deployment Planning Services (DDPS) partners.

“Sooner or later, all organizations upgrade to the next Microsoft desktop operating system, and standardize their Microsoft Office software on one version,” said John Conway, CEO of Ananke. “The key questions are, when is the right time for an organization to upgrade, who should help them and will Microsoft pay for all or part of the plan?”

DDPS provides organizations with vouchers and technical assistance as they prepare to migrate to current and future versions of Microsoft products, including Windows and Office. Microsoft has encountered some resistance from companies about switching to Windows Vista, the latest version of their dominant operating system, because of design and performance concerns.

Ananke says it is the first business in southeastern New England to receive DDPS certification. The firm will deliver DDPS via its Ananke Upgrade Center.

Ted MacLean, Microsoft’s regional manager for the Northeast, said that “with certification in Microsoft’s Desktop Deployment Planning Services, Ananke’s consultants are able to assist Microsoft customers to create a comprehensive deployment plan that includes analysis, business case, process, and technical procedures ensuring successful deployment of Microsoft Office and/or Microsoft VISTA software.”

Ananke IT Solutions is a provider of IT management, consulting and staffing services to companies of all sizes. The Providence-based firm, founded in 1994, has a second office in Lake Success, N.Y. Additional information is available at www.ananke.com.