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Beefing up the core horizontal functionality of its Great Plains ERP software, Microsoft Business Solutions announced Wednesday the acquisition of accounting software code from Encore Business Solutions Inc. The acquisition brings not-for-profit accounting capabilities that will enable Microsoft to compete on deals within schools and not-for-profit organizations, according to news reports.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Extending the not-for-profit accounting capability, the acquisition brings to Microsoft intercompany payables management and requisition management modules—all which Microsoft currently offers through a reseller agreement with Encore, of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The next version of Microsofts Great Plains software—8.0, due this summer—will have the Encore code integrated to help MBS better pinpoint the public sector.
The upgraded release will include applications for grant management, fund accounting and encumbrance, which tracks and monitors the commitment of funds prior to invoicing, officials said.
Microsoft, of Redmond, Wash., has laid out a twofold vision for its suite of business applications for small and midsized companies: to develop applications with an ERP (enterprise resource planning) and CRM (customer relationship management) focus; and to extend its applications platform at the horizontal level.
Microsoft officials said Wednesdays announcement pings both areas of its strategy by providing specific application functionality, and by allowing ISVs to build on top of that public sector foundation.
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