Microsoft Dynamics Acquisitions Accelerate Industry Innovation for ERP Customers

Acquisition of manufacturing, professional services and retail solutions propels Microsoft Dynamics ERP industry strategy forward.

REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 23, 2009 Building on the Microsoft Dynamics enterprise resource planning (ERP) strategy to drive industry-specific innovation for customers and enable partners to deliver repeatable, vertical solutions, Microsoft Corp. today announced the acquisition of four industry solutions that will extend the core capabilities of one of Microsoft’s ERP products, Microsoft Dynamics AX. This move supports Microsoft’s promise to enable the Dynamic Business, which includes offering flexible business applications that remain relevant as business needs evolve.

“The acquisition of four additional industry solutions ensures Microsoft Dynamics AX offers even greater choice, value and flexibility for our customers and partners to ensure a lower total cost of ownership and faster return on investment” says Brian Holder, Director, Microsoft Dynamics. “These additional solutions ensure that Microsoft and our partners can meet the specific vertical needs of our customers with easy to implement, flexible and easy to maintain product.”

The following acquired proven technology will be offered as part of Microsoft Dynamics AX. Manufacturing, professional services and retail customers will be able to purchase Microsoft Dynamics AX industry solutions through partners with support from Microsoft.

• A process manufacturing solution acquired from Fullscope Inc. which provides tight integration of business processes across discrete manufacturing and process manufacturing.
• A professional service solution acquired from Computer Generated Solutions Inc. which delivers a single system to manage projects and resources, execute financial transactions and customer billing, and match resources with client assignments.
• Retail solutions from LS Retail EHF and To-Increase Denmark A/S, a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbus IT Partner A/S, that enable Microsoft to provide an end-to-end retail solution including store management with point-of-sale, merchandising and ERP capabilities
  
  

With these technology acquisitions Microsoft is providing core industry functionality embedded into Microsoft Dynamics ERP applications, allowing partners to focus on the last mile of innovation, which has been shown to have the greatest impact on a customer’s business.

“In order for P&N Beverages Australia Pty Ltd to be a dynamic and agile force in the beverage market we need to be able to quickly analyse the market and respond immediately to the ever changing needs of consumers. We therefore required a solution that was both flexible and easy to use and met our critical business needs” said Devendra Ladva, National Accounting Manager, P&N Beverages Australia Pty Ltd. “We worked closely with our MS partner, Scalable Data Systems, and chose Microsoft Dynamics AX with the process manufacturing solution from Fullscope. We’ve found running the system is easy and users like the familiar Microsoft interface which means they can be up-and-running quickly, while minimising our training costs and letting us get on with beverage innovation.”

A vibrant ecosystem of independent software vendor partners delivers vertical solutions for multiple industries across Microsoft Dynamics ERP, which also includes Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics SL.

Process manufacturing and professional services solutions for Microsoft Dynamics AX are available immediately on the Microsoft Dynamics price list, and the retail solution will be available at a later date. Microsoft will provide updates to customers and partners as the availability date approaches.

More information on Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions, and details on the new industry functionality in Microsoft Dynamics AX, can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/en/us/products/ax-overview.aspx.

About Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is a line of adaptable, easy-to-use ERP and CRM applications that enable business decision-makers to run their business efficiently and drive business success. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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