Microsoft Dynamics Acquisitions Accelerate Industry Innovation for ERP Customers

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Some big news coming from the Microsoft Dynamics AX team earlier this week. I've included part of the press release below.

REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 22, 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.

"With these acquisitions we are investing in building industry functionality directly into the Microsoft Dynamics AX application, while other ERP vendors are cutting corners or trying to reconcile multiple industry offerings as a result of acquiring several companies," said Crispin Read, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics ERP. "We are a safe haven for customers and partners who depend on us to drive continuous innovation in our products and lower the total cost of ownership."

The following acquired technology will be offered as part of Microsoft Dynamics AX, which will give partners the opportunity to drive deeper vertical solutions for customers in manufacturing, professional services and retail.

  • 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 fact, IDC research shows that Microsoft Dynamics ERP partners with vertical focus outperform those without in several key areas including higher overall customer growth, a higher proportion of revenue from new customers, larger deal sizes, and a trend toward higher operating profit margins. 

--Kevin