Achievement
Cipher obtained the designation in February 2026, with official activation in May 2026.
SoftwareOne partner story
A partnership that delivers: Cipher reaches Microsoft top-tier status with SoftwareOne
Cipher is a forward-thinking IT partner based on Norway’s west coast with ambitious goals for its customers. Through close support and proactive guidance from SoftwareOne, Cipher achieved Microsoft Solutions Partner for Modern Work status, a distinction held by only a small number of SMB partners in Norway. The result is a stronger market position, improved standing with Microsoft, and a partnership that continues to grow and evolve.
Recognition
The Microsoft designation strengthens Cipher’s position with both customers and Microsoft.
Benefits
Access to internal-use licences, demo environments, and new opportunities within the Microsoft ecosystem.
- Client
- Cipher Bergen AS
- Industry
- Information technology
- Services
- Channel
- Country
- Norway
Founded in 2020, Cipher Bergen AS has grown into a successful IT company with ten employees and continued expansion. The company helps customers with IT operations, Microsoft solutions, server infrastructure, process automation, and other systems. Its customers span industries including construction, travel, and insurance.
The relationship between SoftwareOne and Cipher dates back to before Cipher was founded. One of Cipher’s founders, Thomas Abelsen, had previously worked with Crayon, which became part of SoftwareOne in 2025. When Cipher launched in 2020, continuing the collaboration was a natural choice. Since then, the companies have built a partnership based on trust, transparency, and easy access to support.
A major goal, unfamiliar territory
According to Anders Bjånesøy, who works in customer success, project management, and service development at Cipher, achieving Solutions Partner status was about much more than recognition.The most important thing is that we now have a much stronger relationship with Microsoft and a stronger position with both existing and potential customers
Cipher
The path was not straightforward. Microsoft's partner programme evaluates certifications, customer acquisition, and growth through a complex points system that can be difficult for smaller IT service providers to navigate.
A proactive push in the right direction
The turning point came when Jonas Egeberg, Business Development Manager at SoftwareOne, contacted Cipher and suggested they evaluate their readiness for Solutions Partner status.SoftwareOne monitored Cipher’s progress in Microsoft’s reporting systems, identified when the company was close to qualifying, and developed a clear action plan to help them reach the required criteria.
More than a partner programme
The collaboration extends beyond Microsoft partner competencies. During a tender process, SoftwareOne provided expertise, resources, and support to strengthen Cipher’s proposal and improve its chances of success. SoftwareOne also conducted a Copilot Workshop in Bergen, demonstrating the ongoing development of the partnership.Our role is to ensure our partners succeed. When they grow, we build a stronger ecosystem together.
Business Development Manager, SoftwareOne
Looking ahead
With its new status, Cipher now benefits from:
- Stronger positioning with customers and Microsoft
- Internal-use Microsoft licencing benefits
- Access to demo environments
- New opportunities within the Microsoft ecosystem
SoftwareOne believes Cipher is well positioned for continued growth thanks to its strong customer relationships, technical expertise, and newly achieved Microsoft designation.softwareone
Project summary
SoftwareOne guided Cipher Bergen through Microsoft’s partner programme and helped the company achieve Solutions Partner for Modern Work status, one of the most sought-after recognitions in Microsoft’s partner ecosystem. The company is now among the few SMB partners in Norway to hold this designation.
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Join a leading cloud-first partner community
Strengthen your cloud practise and benefit from SoftwareOne’s unique expertise by signing up today. Complete the form and one of our experts will be in touch as soon as possible.