Lancom wins Microsoft Azure migration specialisation

Lancom Technology has achieved Microsoft's Azure Infrastructure and Database Migration Specialization, allowing the Auckland-based company to certify its work migrating enterprise production workloads to Azure.

The Specialization sits within Microsoft's partner programme and is awarded after a third-party audit of delivery standards, customer references, and technical expertise. Microsoft introduced the category to validate specialist knowledge within broader Solutions Partner designations.

The recognition covers migration of production environments, including Windows Server, SQL Server, and open-source databases, to Azure. Lancom's submission included evidence from multiple customer projects spanning infrastructure and database migration, deployment automation, testing, and operational handover.

According to audit findings described by Lancom, assessors reviewed its use of standardised templates, Infrastructure-as-Code deployments, and governance practices. The assessment also covered Azure Migrate, Azure Database Migration Service, and monitoring, backup, and governance tools used for migration and ongoing operations.

Technical Director Gregor Blaj led the certification effort and said Lancom met the benchmarks for both foundational cloud work and more specialised migration work.

"The new designation underpins our position as a cloud-first managed services provider with a strong focus on application modernisation, automation, and data-driven transformation," Blaj said.

He said the designation also fits into Microsoft's wider partner structure.

"Specializations complement Solutions Partner designations," Blaj said. "It's proof that the partner, in this case Lancom, has delivered in the particular area at a level Microsoft recognises as best-in-class."

Lancom already holds several Microsoft Solutions Partner designations, including Azure Infrastructure, Digital & App Innovation, Security, and Modern Work Enterprise. The new accreditation adds a more specific marker focused on infrastructure and database migration to Microsoft's cloud platform.

Audit focus

The review process for this Specialization is designed to test whether partners can demonstrate repeatable delivery on customer projects, rather than relying only on certifications or sales criteria. In Lancom's case, customer examples were used to show transitions from on-premises systems to Azure while maintaining performance, security, and compliance standards.

The audit highlighted consistent delivery methods across projects, including documented processes for planning, deployment, and handover, alongside governance controls intended to support migration work at scale.

Customer angle

Chief Executive Officer Priscila Bernardes said the accreditation is intended to give customers greater assurance when selecting a migration partner.

"We view these efforts through a customer lens. With migrations delivering benefits in efficiency and new functionality, our ability to deliver across a wide range of database technologies helps customers take advantage of modern technology, including AI," Bernardes said.

She added that Microsoft's validation should help reduce perceived delivery risk for cloud migration projects.

"Microsoft's validation confirms our repeatable success in real-world scenarios, rather than theoretical capability, offering greater assurance around project outcomes. It also means customers benefit from structured delivery methodologies that accelerate migration timelines while minimising disruption," Bernardes said.

Microsoft lists more than 30 Specializations across areas including Azure, Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation, Infrastructure, Business Applications, Modern Workplace, and Security.