Minneapolis (Sept. 19, 2002) -- Microsoft Business Solutions unveiled a grand strategy Wednesday to dominate the small and midsized business software market, which includes a rebranding of products, an overhaul of pricing, several new product releases and a financing program provided by parent company Microsoft Corp.
The announcements were made to some 4,000 attendees at the vendor’s Stampede conference here. Company officials proudly noted that the conference is far larger than any of the "Stampedes" held by the former Great Plains Software company which Microsoft acquired in 2000 to launch its business solutions company.
"What we are doing is making sure our customers have what they want and when they want it," said Jodi Uecker-Rust, corporate vice president. Microsoft’s financing plan, which can cover all the products and services a customer buys, took effect Sept. 18. New pricing policies include discounts to customers based on their loyalty to Microsoft Business Solutions products.
Under the rebranding of accounting and enterprise products, Microsoft is combining Dynamics and eEnterprise into a single product called Great Plains and rebranding Attain as Navision. Its remaining accounting enterprise product lines are Axapta, Solomon and Small Business Manager.
New research and development initiatives announced include a "Business Portal" that Rust said will "deliver integration over all our solutions."
-- John M. Covaleski
