Shrewsbury-based internet web mapping specialists Shoothill has been named among the top finalists in a worldwide Microsoft awards scheme.

The company was announced as a 2009 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Awards finalist in Information Worker Solutions, Data Visualisation.

Shoothill managing director Rod Plummer said: “We are totally delighted that we have been recognised by Microsoft for our efforts in the past year with this nomination. Despite the gloomy economic climate, Shoothill has grown exponentially these past 12 months as we have built on our core Bing Maps visualisation technology VE-Locity and have allowed our customers to unlock more power from complex data through new Microsoft technologies.

“This is the icing on the cake for 2009.”

The awards will be presented in a number of categories, with winners chosen from a pool of nearly 2,000 entrants worldwide.

The Information Worker Solutions, Data Visualisation Partner of the Year award recognises exceptional partners who have excelled in offering breakthrough Microsoft Office system solutions that help customers view and explore information visually.

Allison L Watson, corporate vice-president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft, said: “Congratulations to the 2009 WPC Award finalists who have demonstrated a superior level of expertise as well as a focus on delivering customer value.

“We look forward to seeing these partners fulfil their limitless potential as they continue to provide customers with world-class Microsoft solutions.”

Shoothill, which was a runner-up in the Shropshire Star’s Star Idea competition this year, is a highly specialised developer of Geo Spatial business applications using Microsoft Bing Maps and Silverlight at its core.