Microsoft Dynamics Generic Differentiators

Safe Bet

With Microsoft, there is not the worry that the vendor will go out of business or be sold. Many accounting and ERP systems have been recently sold, which can potentially lead to problems when the purchaser intends to convert clients to their system.

Deep Pockets

It takes deep pockets to invest in technology that is continually changing. A product's success depends not just on functionality and technology. It also takes a significant investment in marketing to compete in today's competitive marketplace. It also takes deep pockets to weather downturns in the economy.

Microsoft Capital

Microsoft Capital has been created in the US to finance the purchase of not only the Microsoft Business Solutions' software, but also the costs of implementation services and hardware. Microsoft Capital should be available in Canada before the end of 2003 pending regulatory issues.

.NET

Microsoft is making a huge R&D investment in their .NET strategy, which is Microsoft's technology to implement Web Services. Web Services has the potential to let different systems communicate with each other easily over the internet. .NET systems will be entirely web based and all you will need is a browser on your computer or any device connected to the internet. In a few years, if a system is not Web Services/.NET compliant, it will suffer the same fate as many DOS based systems that did not convert to Windows. If any company can succeed with Web Services/.NET, it's Microsoft.

CRM

Microsoft launched Microsoft Business Solutions CRM system on January 21, 2003. The new product supports and automates the CRM strategies of mid-market organizations, helping them build lasting and profitable relationships with their most important constituency: their customers. CRM is Microsoft's first .NET product so that you can bet it will be under a lot of pressure to get it right. In the past, CRM was mostly implemented by large companies. Microsoft will likely make CRM popular with mid-market companies too. In order for CRM to be effective, it must be integrated tightly with an accounting or ERP system. Microsoft will first integrate CRM with Great Plains followed by the other Microsoft Business Solutions.

Upgrade Protection

Microsoft will guarantee that clients’ investment in Microsoft Business Solutions' technology will be protected. There will be no charge to update to the next generation of product as long as the customer keeps current with the upgrades and there is functional equivalence between the existing and new product.

Strength in Numbers

Microsoft Business Solutions includes 3,800 team members worldwide, 4,500 business partners, and 250,000 customers.