Microsoft Expands Launches Business Management Initiative

Today at Convergence 2005, Microsoft Corp. announced Industry Builder, an independent software vendor (ISV) initiative designed to deliver business management solutions that meet companies' business-specific needs. As part of the Industry Builder initiative, select ISVs will develop industry modules in accordance with Microsoft's quality standards and package them with a Microsoft® customer support offering.

The Industry Builder initiative will first be introduced for ISVs developing vertical applications for Microsoft Business Solutions--Axapta® and is planned to be extended to other Microsoft Business Solutions applications later this year.

Companies that need a business management suite often find themselves working with multiple solutions from a number of solution providers to meet their specific business needs, which can often result in slower implementation times and, potentially, higher costs. Industry feedback indicates that these customers want a single source for product support and a reliable point of contact from the solution providers they work with.

"Today's customers demand complete solutions that can be easily and affordably modified to meet their organizations' unique needs," said Mark A. Jensen, general manager of Microsoft Axapta at Microsoft.

The Industry Builder initiative will provide the Microsoft partner ecosystem with a more comprehensive and robust set of industry-enabled solutions based on Microsoft Axapta, expanding competitive selling opportunities into new segments. "Partners can add highly valued consulting in delivering that 'last mile' of vertical-specific functionality, which today is so important for customers," Jensen said.

To meet Microsoft's high standards and global business structure, prospective ISVs will be required to demonstrate overall stability, financial strength and a corporate composition that can deliver application code and provide customer support globally.

The Industry Builder initiative coupled with Microsoft Axapta helped Maple Lodge Farms Ltd., one of the largest privately held poultry processors in Canada, decide on a Microsoft Axapta-based solution using process manufacturing components rather than a competing solution.

For Manhattan Associates Inc., recently named the top supply chain execution vendor by AMR Research, it was a matter of picking the winner when evaluating expansion into the middle-market segment.

Tom Galambos, vice president for Industry and Vertical Solutions, Tectura Corp., also sees the benefits of Industry Builder. "We believe that Industry Builder provides a great advantage for Microsoft Axapta customers as well as for Microsoft partners and ISVs.

Microsoft Business Solutions products and services are integrated, adaptable business applications and services that allow small and midsize businesses, large organizations, and divisions of global enterprises to connect employees, customers and suppliers for improved efficiency.