Altman Architectural Wins Microsoft and Dell Technology Prize

Microsoft Corp. (www.microsoft.com) and Dell Inc. today awarded the owners of Altman Architectural Group of Beaufort, S.C., the second of two grand prizes in a national Microsoft® small-business technology makeover contest.

Altman Architectural Group was chosen from among 499 national entries to receive up to $75,000 worth of Dell hardware and Microsoft software, along with local IT consulting services to assist in its business analysis, technology design, installation and training.

"Altman Architectural Group represents the dedication of American small businesses to achieve success through high quality and professional service," said Bill Forsyth, Southeast area general manager of the U.S. Small and Midmarket Solutions & Partners Group at Microsoft.

"Dell holds fast to its small-business beginnings and is eager to help others reach the next level of success through smart investments in technology," said Frank Muehleman, general manager of the Small and Medium Business Segment at Dell.

The winner, an educational facility design firm, is involved with school district facility updates throughout South Carolina and Georgia. In the past four years, Altman Architectural Group has managed projects valued at more than $55 million for elementary classroom additions, core facility improvements and high-school campus expansions.

"Winning this makeover is great for our employees, our clients and our community," said Don Altman, president of Altman Architectural Group.

As part of the nomination process for the contest, Microsoft Certified Partners across the country identified business problems faced by their clients along with potential technology solutions.