An analysis of Microsoft Corporation, its ERP products and the relevant issues

Microsoft happens to be the Top most IT Company in the world. However they are not the undisputed leaders in ERP Market. The ERP market is a clustered and segmented one. This is not to deny that they do command a respectable Position in the ERP Market.

Some of the issues to be considered in this regard are as follows:

The ERP solution of Microsoft comes with the tag Techtura. This software is not solely dedicated to Enterprise Resource Planning. On the other hand it purports to provide business solutions for enterprise operation and any commercial issue. Another package that bears the same characteristic feature is Microsoft Navision. Microsoft being a premier company in the market it is easy to assume that the company offers products and services at a very high price. However the reality reflects a different scenario. Microsoft's ERP products be it Navision or Techtura are cater to a wide range of customers be it small and Medium Enterprises or Large corporates.

Strategy

Microsoft Corporation manufactures these products from the shoes of a vendor who knows what to give and what not to give, than anybody else (ERP customer or the company that manufactures ERP products).The Vendor being a middleman knows the advantages and limitations of the manufacturers and end-users. Therefore his views will be balanced and not biased. It is therefore evident that Microsoft can offer the best solution compatible in this industry.

Restructuring

It was announced recently that Microsoft Corporation's has proposed to postpone the Move to introduce Microsoft ERP software Apexa 4.o version. The apparent reasons being the attempts to add more features and imbibe the latest technologies so that it becomes more user friendly and attracts high demand in the industry. Constant efforts are being taken to bring more applications and packages in the fray. In addition some exercises are carried on to improve the working pattern of the existing ERP software programs namely

Microsoft ERP Navision Software
Great Plains
Solomon
Axapta

In addition Microsoft has purchased ERP complete to improve the functioning of Axapta software. This is an attempt to bring more domains and functions under the scope of the software. The advancements of ERP complete is likely to be incorporated when Axapta is released in the market (in its latest version 4.0).Microsoft ERP Navision Software is also slated for release in the market with many additional features.

SCM Functions

The four ERP software programs of Microsoft (Great Plains Solomon Navision Axapta ) does not have Supply Chain Management Functions .Microsoft does not ask the user to outsource these functions. They allow them to purchase software exclusively and for this purpose. The beneficiary has also been limited to one of its distributor namely Vis.align y who is now authorized to sell Prescient Applied Intelligence Inc.'s in this.

Merger

It has also been reported that the company was holding talks with ERP giant S.A.P. for amalgamating their ERP business. Even though Microsoft is known to offer services for both the large and medium players they are more inclined to offer products for the smaller companies. This proposal itself was aimed at making use of SAP's credibility and comfort level with small and medium enterprises. This also disappointed customers of Microsoft. They were worried by the increasing attention of Microsoft towards SME'S.

The merger of Oracle and people soft is also citied to be one of the reasons. Microsoft intention to with SAP is backed by the fact that already many companies are switching over to Microsoft Applications from other Popular Software programs. This also sounds to be an indication and adds color of the popular speculation that Microsoft is poised to enter the vendor Market.

The challenge

Microsoft ERP still has got a long way to go in the enterprise market. They need to do well extremely and offer the best services in the industry. Microsoft is received well in the ERP market. Microsoft has to be at par with the specialized functions and additional features offered by the other players. In addition it will do more than good if they can implement some innovative measures.

What Lies Ahead?

Microsoft has come up with a great move to amass the entire ERP customer segment in its kitty. It has also introduced another novel feature whereby the current users of the software can gain more advantages and overcome the drawbacks of the existing systems. This will be implemented gradually. According to the company the users will not have to use different codes anymore for their system. The company will provide them a common or uniform code.

The basic objective is to integrate Microsoft ERP products and Microsoft non ERP products. The non ERP products will become friendly to ERP. This will ensure and justify Good returns for both of them. This idea will benefit those customers who want everything from Microsoft whereas the others will not find this to be interesting move. This proposal is an opportunity given to Microsoft customers who are at liberty to refute or accept it on the basis of their requirements. Whatsoever is the decision this new service itself could add value to Microsoft's Portfolio.

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