Congratulations to the 2023 Designed for Surface Award Winners

The Microsoft Designed for Surface team is delighted to announce the winners of the 2023 Designed for Surface Partner of the Year, Product of the Year, and Innovator of the Year Awards. Over the past year, our diverse partner ecosystem has extended the capabilities of Surface to meet unique scenarios, enhance the customer experience, and enable more customers to choose Surface. Across consumer and commercial use cases, our partners have delivered exceptional value and helped customers stay productive in new and innovative ways.

We are thrilled to celebrate these achievements with ViewSonic, Kensington, and Salamander Designs. As the rate of change in how and where our customers work evolves at an increasing velocity, we have seen partners adapt at pace to the opportunities to serve our customers. Through the strength of collaboration, our winners this year include a new Partner, a key industry solution, and an ergonomic product design ready to support Surface Hub innovation at launch.

The Designed for Surface Partner of the Year, ViewSonic, is known for vivid displays and dedication to customer experience. As a new Designed for Surface Partner this year, ViewSonic has actively engaged, and their product line has made a significant impact. “We’re honored to be selected as Partner of the Year,” said Jeff Muto, Business Line Director at ViewSonic. “This partnership ensures that Microsoft and ViewSonic users have a suite of products and devices that can work together seamlessly at home or in the office. All three ViewSonic Designed for Surface monitors come with features and functionality that are essential for productivity, and with the Designed for Surface designation, consumers will have a system that fits with their work style.”

The Designed for Surface Product of the Year - Kensington’s BlackBelt™ Rugged Case with an integrated Smart Card Reader - offers an important solution for customers in the Public Sector, Banking, Insurance, and other sensitive workplaces. Integrating this critical feature within their popular rugged case met customers’ needs across multiple dimensions. “We’re excited and honored to have one of our innovative Designed for Surface products as Product of the Year for the second year in a row,” explained Giovanni Sena, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Kensington. “This award is particularly special to our team because it not only recognizes the strong partnership with the Microsoft Designed for Surface team and the innovative design of the BlackBelt™ Rugged Case, but also validates our ongoing efforts to deliver best-in-class customer experience and engagement.”

When Surface Hub 3 launched with a vertical orientation in Fall 2023, the Designed for Surface Innovator of the Year, Salamander Designs, was ready with their elegant Electric Lift and Tilt Stand to support the new portrait mode. “The Salamander Electric Lift and Tilt Stand offers the ultimate ergonomic experience for the Microsoft Surface Hub. Our commitment to user satisfaction is reflected in the overwhelming positive feedback we've received, culminating in the prestigious recognition as the Most Innovative Surface accessory of the year.” said Scott Srolis, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Salamander Designs. “We are truly honored by this acknowledgment.”

“We congratulate this year’s winners and finalists and would like to express our gratitude to all our partners who have demonstrated innovation and dedication to our mutual customers,” said Allison Cargill, Accessories Product Lead at Microsoft. “We look forward to working with each of you on new opportunities as we move forward together.”