Microsoft Business Solutions, a division of Microsoft Corp., announced Thursday the next iteration of its Small Business Manager suite, geared toward helping small organizations manage their business functions.
SBM 7.0 provides a number of new features, including enhanced integration within the modules as well as integration to third-party applications, streamlined sales and purchasing, and tighter inventory and fiscal control.
While the midmarket business sector might expect one software package to run its business, the small business sector looks to several different software options for its overall functionality, according to Business Solutions officials in Fargo, N.D. Because of this, Version 7.0 comes with an integration wizard.
With the built-in integration tool, users can import records and transactions and export data and reports to Microsoft Excel and other applications.
For its developer community, Microsoft has added an SBM tool kit to 7.0 that enables developers to more easily link disparate, vertically aligned apps to the suite.
With sales and purchasing capabilities that integrate with inventory functionality, Version 7.0 provides integrated quotes, sales orders, invoices, statements and payments that enable users to manage a customers life cycle.
To manage the vendor life cycle, SBM 7.0 brings to the table integrated purchase orders, item receipts and payment processes.
The inventory control features in 7.0 integrate with sales, purchasing and financial tasks. Businesses can choose from multiple cost methods, assign multiple cost methods, assign multiple price levels to an item, track serial and lot numbers, run physical inventory checklists, track costs and quantities, and perform adjustments.
In regard to tighter fiscal control, 7.0 helps users track and forecast cash flow, post transactions to the correct fiscal year and electronically file payroll information with the government, officials said.
SBM 7.0 is available now through reseller partners. Pricing begins at $995 for single users and $2,495 for up to five users. A U.S. payroll suite is available for an extra $500. .