Microsoft Will Release Dynamics AX for Retail in August
Earlier this year, Microsoft Corp. announced the future release of their new retail management software named Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail 2010, at the National Retail Federation Annual Convention. This software offers retailers an integrated solution where they can manage sales, supply chain, merchandising and financials in one place. This will help companies improve customer service and productivity.
The Dynamics ERP Retail AX builds on Microsoft’s Dynamic Business vision to connect the retailer with an end-to-end solution that lowers the total cost of ownership, simplifies the sales process, and improves data accuracy. The software was specifically designed for midsize retailers. Retailers will be able to gain insight about customers so that they can customize their chain of operations from sales to supply for maximum optimization. This retail management software will prevent the duplication of data and effort, saving time and money. It will also help reduce training times.
Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail even supports a payment service, which allows customers to process transactions with payment processing service providers, like First Data Merchant Services Corp. Dynamics AX will also support commerce service.
Major retail companies look forward to deploying Microsoft Dynamics AX for retail, including HDS and Avanade. The Senior Business Development Director at Avanade, Michael Merfeld, said, “Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail is a comprehensive solution because it provides a solid, scalable foundation to build the specific vertical functionality our retail customers need, while focusing on the low total cost of ownership for the retailer with measurable ROI.”
Microsoft consulted with Aldata to produce the advanced retail management solution. The Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail is targeted to be released on Aug. 1, 2010, in 16 countries, including the United States.
No commentsMicrosoft Dynamics Management Reporter is Now Available
Microsoft announced the availability of Management Reporter for Microsoft Dynamics ERP. Microsoft’s Management Reporter is a corporate performance management solution with real-time financial reporting for midsize businesses. Management Reporter will give companies greater visibility across their organizational operations. The new addition to the Microsoft Dynamics ERP will replace Microsoft FRx, which was a financial reporting and analysis tool.
Microsoft Dynamics ERP was designed to give businesses the ability to manage business processes, respond to market shifts, increase competitive edge and drive business success. The new Management Reporter tool is step one in increasing the capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics ERP. “Management Reporter retains many elements of the Microsoft FRx product but it is built on a completely updated architecture that will provide a new level of scalability and reliability for customers,” said GM of Microsoft Dynamics ERP, Crispin Read.
Microsoft Dynamics ERP’s new tool will extend the functionality of Microsoft FRx and will give users the ability to create, secure and publish professional-grade financial statements, like profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow reports.
Microsoft’s Management Reporter also features:
- Custom reports without IT assistance
- Deep cross-functional analysis
- Reduced training time and increased productivity
- Strong data integrity and report accuracy
“Mangement Reporter is like Microsoft FRx on steroids- it takes the familiar building blocks of Microsoft FRx and revolutionizes the way reporting and business intelligence can be delivered,” said Les Wright from BDO, a Microsoft Dynamics ERP partner. “This is something customers have been asking for and provides even more value to their Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions.”
Microsoft FRx users will enjoy Management Reporters new features like direct integration to the Microsft Dyanmics ERP general ledger, reusable building blocks, and a report library. The report library is a database for reports to be secured, stored and viewed.
Management Reporter is now available for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 users for free. Management Reporter will be released with future Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions. To make the move from Microsoft FRx to Management Reporter, visit: http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/en/us/products/management-reporter.aspx.
No commentsMicrosoft Releases Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 with Enhanced ERP Features
Microsoft has announced the new release of its business management solution, Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2″. Microsoft has launched the new solution to enable its customers to enjoy the benefits of the software-plus-services vision through the R2 release with the aim to provide enhanced enterprise resource planning (ERP).
Microsoft Dynamics includes integration with Microsoft Dynamics CRM and online Payment Service. With its seamless integration with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, the solution helps enterprises in eliminating redundant data entries, keeping information up to date in both ERP and CRM solutions, and enabling the salespeople to quickly access detailed business information about contracts, pricing and product availability. Most conveniently, users can access Microsoft Dynamics CRM either on-premises or in an online mode, being able to migrate to either option over time.
With the integrated Online Payment Service, customers can process payment transations from the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 interface across multiple channels including e-commerce, point of sale and call center transactions.
Microsoft Corporation has introduced Windows 7 user experience improvements into the new release of the solution, which enables the enterprises to open recently accessed customers and vendors using jump lists. This feature offers increased business productivity and efficiency, and the icon overlay functionality provides information on system events and status streamlined with the Windows 7 user experience.
The remote or roaming users can leverage the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 through RoleTailored interface access, as the solution supports direct access from the Microsoft Dynamics RoleTailored experience over the Internet. Using this option, remote or roaming users can integrate the solution with their local resources, such as the operating system and Microsoft Office simplifying overall process for the users, and provides them with a more streamlined workflow when compared to other applications such as Citrix System Terminal Services.
According to Crispin Read, general manager, Microsoft Dynamics ERP at Microsoft Corporation, the company is delivering this release in response to customer and partner feedback, as it is committed to continuously bringing forth innovation in its ERP solutions, including the integration with cloud services. Read noted that the latest enhancements to Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 are an important step in delivering solutions that drive real business productivity.
No commentsMicrosoft ERP Aims to Dominate the SMB Market
Microsoft’s Dynamics ERP may never have the enterprise-market potential touted by SAP and Oracle, but the company is aiming to dominate the small- to medium-sized business market.
Microsoft doesn’t break down revenue reports from its Dynamics line by segment, but Ray Wang, a partner at the Altimeter Group analyst firm, estimates that Dynamics ERP brings in between $1.1-$1.2 billion per year. Dynamics EMEA’s director of ERP field marketing, Phil Battersby, calls the midmarket their “sweet spot,” and states that Microsoft isn’t trying to poach enterprise customers from SAP and Oracle. Battersby acknowledges that those companies have been giants in that market for a while, and now Microsoft wants to carve its niche in the SMB space.
According to Computer World, there is plenty of room for Microsoft in the SMB market. For one, many midsize companies are looking for on-demand replacements for legacy systems. In addition, smaller companies who are expanding will likely be looking for unified ERP systems, and here Microsoft Dynamics ERP has an advantage: their user interface closely resembles that of the MS Office Suite applications these businesses are likely already using for business management.
Another factor boosting sales in Dynamics ERP: it’s done entirely through a partner system, where partners polish the system for local sales. This locality also adds a personal touch that is apt for dealing with SMBs. Of the partner system, Battersby also noted that it helps Dynamics ERP expand into more verticals.
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