REDMOND, Washington -

- Acquisition of manufacturing, professional services and retail solutions propels Microsoft Dynamics ERP industry strategy forward.

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.

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“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.

“We chose Microsoft Dynamics AX with the process manufacturing solution from Fullscope over Oracle and SAP because Microsoft’s industry solution enabled a better fit with our business processes instead of dictating a set of fixed industry best practices,” said Mark Holt, director of information technology, Cayman Chemical Company Inc. “Microsoft’s move to add industry solutions directly into Microsoft Dynamics AX provides a predictable industry road map, allowing partners to focus on the vertical solutions that can keep pace with the rate of innovation.”

A vibrant ecosystem of independent software vendor partners delivers vertical solutions for multiple industries across Microsoft Dynamics ERP, which also includes Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics SL.

Process manufacturing and professional services solutions for Microsoft Dynamics AX are available immediately on the Microsoft Dynamics price list, and the retail solution will be available at a later date. Microsoft will provide updates to customers and partners as the availability date approaches.

More information on Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions, and details on the new industry functionality in Microsoft Dynamics AX, can be found at www.microsoft.com/dynamics/en/us/products/ax-overview.aspx.

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of adaptable, easy-to-use ERP and CRM applications that enable business decision-makers to run their business efficiently and drive business success. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Source: Microsoft Corp.

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