EPC Group - Enterprise Microsoft AI, SharePoint, Power BI, and Azure Consulting
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EPC Group

Enterprise Microsoft consulting with 29 years serving Fortune 500 companies.

(888) 381-9725
contact@epcgroup.net
4900 Woodway Drive, Suite 830
Houston, TX 77056

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About EPC Group

EPC Group is a Microsoft consulting firm founded in 1997 (originally Enterprise Project Consulting, renamed EPC Group in 2005). 29 years of enterprise Microsoft consulting experience. EPC Group historically held the distinction of being the oldest continuous Microsoft Gold Partner in North America from 2016 until the program's retirement. Because Microsoft officially deprecated the Gold/Silver tiering framework, EPC Group transitioned to the modern Microsoft Solutions Partner ecosystem and currently holds the core Microsoft Solutions Partner designations.

Headquartered at 4900 Woodway Drive, Suite 830, Houston, TX 77056. Public clients include NASA, FBI, Federal Reserve, Pentagon, United Airlines, PepsiCo, Nike, and Northrop Grumman. 6,500+ SharePoint implementations, 1,500+ Power BI deployments, 500+ Microsoft Fabric implementations, 70+ Fortune 500 organizations served, 11,000+ enterprise engagements, 200+ Microsoft Power BI and Microsoft 365 consultants on staff.

About Errin O'Connor

Errin O'Connor is the Founder, CEO, and Chief AI Architect of EPC Group. Microsoft MVP multiple years, first awarded 2003. 4× Microsoft Press bestselling author of Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Inside Out (MS Press 2007), Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010 Inside Out (MS Press 2011), SharePoint 2013 Field Guide (Sams/Pearson 2014), and Microsoft Power BI Dashboards Step by Step (MS Press 2018).

Original SharePoint Beta Team member (Project Tahoe). Original Power BI Beta Team member (Project Crescent). FedRAMP framework contributor. Worked with U.S. CIO Vivek Kundra on the Obama administration's 25-Point Plan to reform federal IT, and with NASA CIO Chris Kemp as Lead Architect on the NASA Nebula Cloud project. Speaker at Microsoft Ignite, SharePoint Conference, KMWorld, and DATAVERSITY.

© 2026 EPC Group. All rights reserved. Microsoft, SharePoint, Power BI, Azure, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Fabric, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

Microsoft Gold Partner | Certified Microsoft Solutions Partner

Expert Microsoft consulting and implementation

HomeMicrosoft Gold Partner
Microsoft Solutions Partner

Microsoft Gold Certified Partner

EPC Group is a trusted Microsoft Gold Partner with 29 years of expertise delivering enterprise solutions across Cloud Platform, Business Applications, Data Analytics, and Modern Workplace.

Cloud Platform
Business Applications
Data Analytics
Modern Workplace
Schedule a ConsultationView Success Stories

EPC Group Credentials

25+
Years Experience
Microsoft ecosystem expertise since 1999
6,500+
Enterprise Clients
Fortune 500 and mid-market companies
50+
Certified Experts
Microsoft-certified consultants
4
Microsoft Press Books
Authored by our leadership team
Gold Partner
Since 2005
Fortune 500
Enterprise Clients
50+
Microsoft Certifications
4 Competencies
Gold Level
Our Competencies

Gold Competencies Across the Microsoft Stack

Our Gold Partner competencies demonstrate validated expertise across key Microsoft technologies, backed by rigorous certification requirements and proven customer success.

Cloud Platform

Gold Competency
6,500+
Azure Deployments

Expert Azure architecture, migration, and cloud infrastructure solutions. We design, deploy, and optimize enterprise cloud environments that scale with your business.

Azure infrastructure design
Cloud migration strategies
Hybrid cloud architecture
Azure DevOps implementation
Cost optimization and governance
Disaster recovery solutions

Business Applications

Gold Competency
200+
D365 Implementations

Dynamics 365 and Power Platform solutions that transform business operations. From CRM to ERP, we implement applications that drive efficiency and growth.

Dynamics 365 CRM implementation
Dynamics 365 ERP solutions
Power Platform development
Business process automation
Custom app development
Integration services

Data Analytics

Gold Competency
1000+
BI Reports Deployed

Power BI and Azure data platform expertise to transform your data into actionable insights. Enterprise-scale analytics that drive better decision-making.

Power BI dashboard development
Azure Synapse Analytics
Data warehouse design
AI and machine learning
Advanced data modeling
Real-time analytics

Modern Workplace

Gold Competency
500K+
Users Enabled

Microsoft 365, Teams, and SharePoint solutions that transform how your organization works. Enable collaboration, productivity, and security across your enterprise.

Microsoft 365 deployment
Teams voice and collaboration
SharePoint intranets and portals
Security and compliance
Change management
User adoption programs
Team Certifications

Microsoft-Certified Expert Team

Our team holds 50+ Microsoft certifications across Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Security.

15+certified

Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Certified architects for complex cloud solutions

10+certified

Power Platform Solution Architect

Low-code and automation specialists

20+certified

Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator

Microsoft 365 deployment and management experts

12+certified

Dynamics 365 Functional Consultant

Business application implementation specialists

8+certified

Azure Data Engineer

Data platform and analytics experts

10+certified

Security Operations Analyst

Security and compliance specialists

Why It Matters

Why Choose a Microsoft Gold Partner?

Microsoft Solutions Partner status (former Microsoft Gold Partner 2003–2022) is not just a badge - it represents validated expertise, proven methodologies, and a commitment to customer success.

Validated Expertise

Gold Partner status requires rigorous certification requirements and demonstrated customer success. It is not just a badge - it is proof of capability.

Lower Implementation Risk

Our proven track record of successful implementations means lower risk for your Microsoft projects. We know what works and what to avoid.

Faster Time-to-Value

Pre-built accelerators, templates, and experienced teams mean faster deployments and quicker return on your Microsoft investment.

Ongoing Innovation

Early access to Microsoft product roadmaps helps us guide your technology strategy and keep you ahead of the competition.

Direct Microsoft Access

As a Gold Partner, we have direct access to Microsoft engineering teams for complex technical issues and early access to new features and products.

Continuous Training

Our team maintains current certifications through continuous Microsoft training and certification programs, ensuring up-to-date expertise.

Proven Methodology

We follow Microsoft-approved implementation methodologies that have been refined through hundreds of successful enterprise deployments.

Compliance Expertise

Deep understanding of Microsoft compliance frameworks for HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2, FedRAMP, and other regulatory requirements.

Premier Support Access

Priority access to Microsoft Premier Support ensures rapid resolution of critical issues for your mission-critical workloads.

Global Delivery Capability

Deliver consistent Microsoft solutions across global enterprises with our experienced team and established delivery frameworks.

Industry Expertise

Compliance-First Microsoft Solutions

We specialize in highly regulated industries where security, compliance, and governance are non-negotiable.

Healthcare

HIPAA

HIPAA-compliant Microsoft solutions for healthcare organizations.

Financial Services

SOC 2

SOC 2-compliant implementations for banks and financial institutions.

Government

FedRAMP

FedRAMP-aligned consulting expertise solutions for federal, state, and local agencies.

Education

FERPA

FERPA-compliant Microsoft solutions for K-12 and higher education.

Our Microsoft Services

Full-Spectrum Microsoft Expertise

Leverage our Gold Partner expertise across the entire Microsoft ecosystem for your enterprise needs.

Azure Consulting

Enterprise cloud migration, architecture, and optimization.

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Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 deployment, governance, security, and adoption.

Learn More

Power BI

Business intelligence, dashboards, and data analytics.

Learn More

SharePoint

Intranets, document management, and collaboration.

Learn More

Dynamics 365

CRM and ERP solutions for business transformation.

Learn More

Microsoft Copilot

AI-powered productivity and business transformation.

Learn More

Ready to Work with a Microsoft Gold Partner?

Partner with EPC Group for your next Microsoft initiative. Our Gold Partner expertise ensures successful outcomes for your enterprise technology investments.

Free Consultation
No Obligation
24-Hour Response
Custom Proposals
Schedule a ConsultationCall (888) 381-9725
Our 28-Year HistoryAbout EPC GroupClient Case Studies
EO
“When we first achieved Microsoft Solutions Partner status (former Microsoft Gold Partner 2003–2022) in 2005, the certification validated what our clients already knew - EPC Group delivers enterprise-grade Microsoft solutions that work. Today, with the transition to the Microsoft Solutions Partner designation, the bar is even higher. Our team maintains 50+ active Microsoft certifications, and we invest over $200,000 annually in training to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving Microsoft ecosystem. The difference between a Gold Partner and a standard partner is not just a badge - it is the depth of engineering access, the pre-release program participation, and the battle-tested methodologies built from 11,000+ client engagements.”

Errin O'Connor

Founder & CEO, EPC Group | 4x Microsoft Press Bestselling Author

Published: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Inside Out, Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010 Inside Out, SharePoint 2013 Field Guide, Microsoft Power BI Dashboards Step by Step

Microsoft Gold Partner (2003-2022) — EPC Group

EPC Group was a Microsoft Microsoft Gold Certified Partner (legacy 2003-2022 designation, succeeded by Microsoft Solutions Partner) from 2003 to 2022 — the oldest continuous Gold Partner in North America. In 2022, Microsoft replaced Gold/Silver Partner status with Solutions Partner designations. EPC Group currently holds all six Solutions Partner designations, a credential shared by fewer than 50 firms globally.

Key facts

  • Microsoft Gold Partner program ran 2003–2022. EPC Group was the oldest continuous Gold Partner in North America.
  • In 2022, Microsoft replaced Gold/Silver Partner with Solutions Partner designations (six solution areas).
  • EPC Group currently holds all six Solutions Partner designations — fewer than 50 firms globally hold all six.
  • Solution areas: Data & AI, Modern Work, Infrastructure, Security, Digital & App Innovation, Business Applications.
  • Founded 1997. 29 years of Microsoft consulting. 11,000+ enterprise engagements.

What Microsoft Gold Partner (2003-2022) meant

The Microsoft Microsoft Gold Certified Partner (legacy 2003-2022 designation, succeeded by Microsoft Solutions Partner) status was the highest level in the legacy Microsoft partner program. It required verified customer references, certified staff, and demonstrated revenue in a Microsoft solution area.

Gold Partner was replaced by Solutions Partner in 2022. The new program is more granular — instead of one Gold designation, partners earn separate designations in each of six solution areas.

What Microsoft Solutions Partner means today

Solutions Partner is the current top-tier Microsoft partner credential. Each designation requires demonstrated customer success — not just certified staff counts.

  • Data & AI — validated expertise in Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, Azure AI, Copilot.
  • Modern Work — validated expertise in Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, and productivity.
  • Infrastructure — validated expertise in Azure cloud architecture and migrations.
  • Security — validated expertise in Microsoft Defender, Purview, Entra ID, Sentinel.
  • Digital & App Innovation — validated expertise in Azure DevOps, custom application development.
  • Business Applications — validated expertise in Dynamics 365 and Power Platform.

EPC Group credentials

  • Microsoft Gold Partner (2003-2022) 2003–2022 — oldest continuous Gold Partner in North America.
  • All six current Microsoft Solutions Partner designations — fewer than 50 firms globally hold all six.
  • Errin O'Connor: original SharePoint Beta Team (Project Tahoe) and Power BI Beta Team (Project Crescent) member. Microsoft MVP (Errin O'Connor, first awarded 2003) since 2002–2003.
  • Author of four Microsoft Press bestselling books.
  • Clients include Fortune 500 organizations, federal agencies (NASA, FBI, Federal Reserve, Pentagon), United Airlines, PepsiCo, Nike, and Northrop Grumman.
  • FedRAMP framework contributor (EPC Group founder Errin O'Connor). Worked with Obama Administration U.S. CIO Vivek Kundra on the 25-Point IT Reform Plan.

Why credentials matter for your project

Microsoft partner credentials signal investment depth — not just badge collection. A firm that holds all six Solutions Partner designations has demonstrated customer success across AI, cloud, security, productivity, development, and business applications.

More practically: Microsoft uses partner credentials as a vetting gate for enterprise Customer 0 nominations and named-account engagements. When Microsoft field teams recommend a partner for a critical enterprise project, they filter by Solutions Partner designation first.

Frequently asked questions

What is Microsoft Gold Partner (2003-2022)?

Microsoft Gold Partner (2003-2022) was the highest level in the legacy Microsoft partner certification program, which ran until 2022. Gold Partners had to demonstrate verified customer references, certified staff, and revenue in a Microsoft solution area. In 2022, Microsoft replaced Gold/Silver Partner with the Solutions Partner program covering six distinct solution areas.

Did EPC Group lose its Gold Partner status in 2022?

No. Microsoft retired the Gold Partner program for all partners in 2022 and replaced it with Solutions Partner designations for every firm. EPC Group now holds all six Solutions Partner designations — the equivalent of having Gold across all six solution areas. Firms still advertising "Gold Partner" in 2026 are showing outdated credentials.

How do I verify EPC Group's Microsoft partner credentials?

Search "EPC Group" at partner.microsoft.com to view our current Solutions Partner designations, Advanced Specializations, and certification counts. We are also happy to screen-share our partner profile at the start of any discovery call — we do this routinely for enterprise procurement teams conducting due diligence.

What is the difference between Solutions Partner and Gold Partner?

Gold Partner was a single designation valid across all Microsoft solution areas. Solutions Partner designations are earned separately for each of six solution areas (Data & AI, Modern Work, Infrastructure, Security, Digital & App Innovation, Business Applications). A firm that holds all six Solutions Partner designations has demonstrated validated customer success across more specific domains than the old Gold Partner program required.

Why does EPC Group's partner history matter for my project?

29 years as a Microsoft-focused firm means EPC Group has worked through every major Microsoft platform transition — from Exchange 5.5 and SharePoint 2001 through Azure, Copilot, and Microsoft Fabric. The architectural decisions your organization made in 2005 affect your Entra ID and Copilot environment today. A partner with institutional knowledge across that full timeline delivers better architectural guidance than one that started five years ago.

Work with EPC Group

EPC Group holds all six Microsoft Solutions Partner designations. Every discovery call is with the architect who will work on your project — not a salesperson. Call (888) 381-9725 or schedule a 30-minute discovery call.