In July 2007, TiGra Networks' owner and technology consultant Tim Long was given Microsoft's coveted Most Valuable Professional award, with the competency of Windows Server System - Small Business Server, underscoring his commitment to help smaller businesses and his technical excellence in the field of small business computing.
According to Microsoft: The Microsoft MVP Award recognizes exceptional technical community leaders from around the world who voluntarily share their high quality, real world expertise with others. Microsoft MVPs are a highly select group of experts representing technology's best and brightest who share a deep commitment to community and a willingness to help others. Worldwide, there are over 100 million participants in technical communities; of these participants, there are fewer than 4,000 active Microsoft MVPs.
Long is one of only 4 MVPs in the UK who specialise in small business information technology and computing, and likely the only MVP in Wales. This award demonstrates TiGra Networks' passion for technology and their engagement with the community in Wales, the UK and worldwide.
Long said: Technology has always been my passion. Having lived in California's high-tech Silicon Valley for several years, it became clear to me that UK businesses could be making much better use of computers. Many businesses suffer from a failure of imagination when it comes to IT. They use computers as glorified typewriters and fail to comprehend the huge benefits that a properly planned and orchestrated IT system can bring to their business - even the smallest business can benefit. Some regions of South Wales are particularly poor in their understanding and use of technology. My mission as founder of TiGra Networks is to work with business owners to help them understand the possibilities, to embrace IT as a cornerstone of their daily business life, but without them needing to worry too much about the technical details. Our whole philosophy is to make technology as simple and trouble-free as possible, so the business gets all the benefits of productivity and profitability without having to become IT experts themselves.