Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News

      Microsofts Burgum Takes Partner Heat

      By
      eWEEK EDITORS
      -
      July 11, 2004
      Share
      Facebook
      Twitter
      Linkedin

        TORONTO—Microsofts channel partners here grilled Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) chieftain Doug Burgum more pointedly than did lawyers in the Oracle-PeopleSoft antitrust trial.

        Burgum kicked off the opening day of Microsofts annual worldwide partner conference with an open, hour-and-a-half question-and-answer session. And questioners were not shy about expressing their concerns about Microsofts partner-program directions involving MBS.

        A number of partners voiced publicly their disenchantment with Microsofts efforts over the past year to bring MBS under the auspices of its “classic” partner program.

        Partners asked Burgum for clarification on Microsofts attempt to steer them into vertical markets, as well as about its MBS pricing policies vis-à-vis those of its competitors.

        In late June, Burgum took the stand as a witness in the Department of Justice vs. Oracle trial over Oracles attempt to acquire PeopleSoft.

        There were surprisingly few partner questions pertaining to the trial—and Microsofts admission during the proceeding that it had held potential merger talks with SAP. Some company watchers said the talks proved that Redmond had designs on the high-end ERP market, contrary to its claims. But Burgum told partner confab attendees that Microsoft was interested in SAP because Redmond wanted to tie Office more tightly into SAP, rather than because it wanted to acquire and sell enterprise-level ERP software.

        Burgum characterized himself as “an unwilling participant” in the trial. “We dont care” whether Oracle buys PeopleSoft, he claimed. “Thats their gig.”

        The most unusual “question” during the Q&A session came in the form of a song from a Seattle-based ISV. The ISV sung a commentary on Microsofts channel changes to the tune of Don McLeans “American Pie.” The gist? The ISV was none too happy about the direction that Great Plains has taken in the past couple of years since Microsoft bought the company.

        The first couple of years after Microsoft bought Great Plains in 2002, Burgum and his team focused on trying to integrate the MBS elements into the larger Microsoft organization. But now, “our jobs today are to transform Microsoft into a global leader in applications,” Burgum told attendees.

        /zimages/6/28571.gifClick here to read more about Microsofts efforts to expand its MBS unit.

        Another partner complained that as a result of price cuts and packaging changes made by SAP, Microsofts Axapta and Navision ERP products are losing their competitive edge. Burgum said Microsoft was looking into the issue.

        Burgums overriding message to partners was that its time to stop digging their heels in the sand, and instead to embrace change. He said that without change, the MBS partners wouldnt be able to enjoy the same advantages as Microsofts other integrators, resellers and ISVs.

        “People can worry so much about whether the rules are going to change that they quit playing the game,” Burgum told Saturday afternoon keynote attendees.

        /zimages/6/28571.gifTo read the full story, click here.

        eWEEK EDITORS
        eWeek editors publish top thought leaders and leading experts in emerging technology across a wide variety of Enterprise B2B sectors. Our focus is providing actionable information for today’s technology decision makers.

        MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

        Cybersecurity

        Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

        James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
        I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
        Read more
        Cloud

        Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

        James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
        Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
        Read more
        Big Data and Analytics

        GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

        James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
        I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
        Read more
        IT Management

        Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

        James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
        I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
        Read more
        Applications

        Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

        James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
        I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
        Read more
        Logo

        eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

        Facebook
        Linkedin
        RSS
        Twitter
        Youtube

        Advertisers

        Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

        Advertise with Us

        Menu

        • About eWeek
        • Subscribe to our Newsletter
        • Latest News

        Our Brands

        • Privacy Policy
        • Terms
        • About
        • Contact
        • Advertise
        • Sitemap
        • California – Do Not Sell My Information

        Property of TechnologyAdvice.
        © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

        Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

        ×