Motorola extends Microsoft ERP partnership

MOTOROLA and Microsoft have extended a relationship that lets joint partners develop Microsoft ERP applications for Motorola mobile computing devices.

The relationship, which was announced as part of a launch of new development tools for the Microsoft Dynamics enterprise resources planning software, paves the way for the Motorola partners to port their existing enterprise mobility platforms to the Microsoft Dynamics platform.

Because enterprise mobility solutions require both hardware and software applications, the relationship between Motorola and Microsoft presented new opportunities for both vendors' channel partners, the companies said.

As a result of the agreement, Motorola and Microsoft partners will now be able to join the other vendor's partner community following a qualification process. Alternatively, partners will also be able to work collaboratively with each other to create more comprehensive solutions for their customers.

Motorola is encouraging Microsoft resellers to join its highly-regarded enterprise mobility PartnerSelect program.

"We have been working very closely with Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions in the development of our tools and applications for well over a year," Microsoft Dynamics Mobile product unit manager Bjarne Schøn said.

"We are very excited about teaming with Motorola and its mobility solutions partners on a global basis. As a leader in enterprise mobility, Motorola has a strong partner program and the broad coverage needed to support Microsoft Dynamics' efforts to provide mobility solutions to our customers."

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Microsoft extends Dynamics ERP to Office

MICROSOFT has unveiled new client software for its flagship enterprise resource planning platform Dynamics that uses the familiar Office software to deliver ERP function to more customer employees.

Called Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office and SharePoint Server, the software is contains a collection of self-service applications built into Office designed to simplify access to business information and better connect employees to business processes.

The applications include things like Time and Attendance for Microsoft Dynamics, Project Time and Expense, Snap Business Data Lookup, and DrillDown Viewer.

Also included in the launch at the company’s Convergence 2007 conference was new licensing rights that lets customers, value-added resellers and business partners build their own Office business applications that use Office as the front-end to the Microsoft Dynamics back-office ERP system.

“This … package is aimed at helping our customers improve the situation they face today, where on average 85 per cent of their employees do not have direct access to critical information, such as data on customers, costs, orders and schedules contained in their ERP application,” said Microsoft Business Solutions Group corporate vice-president Satya Nadella.

This new offering demonstrates “Microsoft’s vision” of connecting people across a company with the business processes and information they need to be successful, and to do that within the context of their existing productivity tools, Ms Nadella said.

The company says the new package has been priced to facilitate companywide deployment. pricing for Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office and Windows SharePoint Services is US$195 per user and Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office and SharePoint Server is $395 per user.
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