Microsoft Releases Microsoft Dynamics POS 2009

Microsoft on Aug. 3 released Microsoft Dynamics POS 2009, a platform for midmarket companies designed to boost employee productivity and provide data for business solutions. The software includes a number of features designed to take advantage of current IT trends, including optimization for touch-screens and the ability to create custom buttons.

Microsoft Dynamics POS 2009's features include:

Smart search: This feature allows employees and managers to scour databases quickly for relevant information.

Security-enhanced payment processing: A layer of PCI (Payment Card Industry) Security Standards Council industry standards and guidelines is designed to help lock down a business's cardholder information against fraud.

SDK (software development kit): The kit provides add-on solutions for companies, including multichannel and mobility capabilities.

Real-time inventory management and flexible reporting tools: Data provided through integration with Microsoft SQL Services and Microsoft Office.

Given the rapid contraction and expansion inherent in midmarket companies, the product is designed to be scalable, and integrates with a broad range of Microsoft products.

On the enterprise level, Microsoft has introduced several features for its Dynamics CRM suite that allow the enterprise to pull data from social networks such as Twitter, centralize sales management across multiple channel partners through a common Website and integrate Dynamics CRM with Web portals.

As part of its battle against Salesforce.com and other cloud-based competitors, Microsoft has been promoting Dynamics CRM throughout 2009, issuing a variety of free CRM accelerators and updates to its existing software. In March, Microsoft opened its Convergence conference by offering eight free CRM Accelerators and an SLA (service-level agreement) for CRM online customers.

In addition to powering businesses, Dynamics CRM also powers Microsoft's Public Sector On-Demand Solutions for government and education.