Australia's Second Microsoft Regional Director Appointed

February 2000

President of the Sydney-based Microsoft Access/SQL Server/ASP.Net Users Group, Adam Cogan, has been appointed to one of only two local Microsoft Regional Director roles.

In the voluntary role, which is not compensated by Microsoft, Mr Cogan will provide an important sounding board between the software giant and its developer community according to Nick Abbott, Product Manager of developer tools and the Microsoft Regional Director program at Microsoft Australia.

By day, Mr Cogan is Managing Director of SSW, an 11-year-old database consulting firm based in Sydney.

“The role speaks a lot about Adam and his role in the developer community,” Abbott said. “It’s one thing to be a good developer, but it’s another to be well known and respected within your community and Adam is rapidly gaining an international reputation.” The role involves traveling to Microsoft’s Redmond campus every 6-12 months, and as such, Adam was quite excited by the possibilities.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime.” Adam said, adding that Regional Directors are generally privy to Microsoft software and directions before the rest of the developer community, which will assist in his numerous public speaking appearances and internal training of staff at SSW.

Cogan is filling the role recently vacated by Dr Richard Hunter of Brisbane-based software developer, Fair Play, perhaps best known for software such as ‘The Cricket Analyst’ used by sports coaches and competitors. Australia’s other Microsoft Regional Director is Brian Walsh, director of Praxa’s .Net practice.

Microsoft works with around 140 Microsoft Regional Directors worldwide.

About SSW

Established in 1990, SSW is a premier Microsoft Certified Partner, specialising in building, implementing and maintaining "rich-client" and "browser-based" database applications using Microsoft technologies.

With proven expertise in Access, Visual Basic, VB.NET, ASP, ASP.NET, SQL Server and Exchange Server, SSW offers comprehensive solutions required for projects - from strategic planning of systems and solutions, architecture, development and implementation. We also look after clients long after the project is finished, offering hosting, support and upgrading services.

SSW has worked with powerful clients including Cap Gemini, Accor, Media Monitors, Woven Image, Magna Data, and also run the Sydney .NET Users Group in co-sponsorship with Microsoft. Adam Cogan, Managing Director of SSW, was appointed as one of only two Australian Regional Directors of the Microsoft Developer Network in 2000.

SSW Press Contact

Tim Fletcher
+61 2 9953 3000