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

      Problems in Microsoft MBS Land

      By
      eWEEK EDITORS
      -
      April 23, 2004
      Share
      Facebook
      Twitter
      Linkedin

        Microsofts hefty legal expenses arent its only financial challenge. If you peek behind the Redmond earnings curtain, it quickly becomes apparent that all is not rosy in Microsoft Business Solutions land.

        Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) — the Microsoft division comprised of the Great Plains, Navision, bCentral and Microsoft CRM teams — is Microsofts small and midsize business (SMB) unit.

        For Microsofts FY 2004 Q3, MBS had $153 million in revenues, down from $190 million in Q2. MBS is the second smallest (revenuewise) of Microsofts seven business units. (The only one thats smaller is mobile and embedded.)

        Microsoft execs on the companys Q3 earnings call this week acknowledged that MBS results are nothing to crow about. They attributed the weak showing to too many new district sales folk in the U.S., as well as a slow start for the companys merged MBS/corporate sales team. (Microsoft officially merged the teams as of July 1, 2003.)

        In fact, the only real bright spot for MBS in the quarter were strong Navision and Axapta ERP sales outside the U.S.

        MBS has other challenges on its plate, too, which it didnt detail during this weeks analyst call:

        • Dampen the chilling effect of Green: After spending countless hours talking up its long-term ERP strategy (Project Green) a year ago, MBS officials are now doing their best to distance themselves from it. Instead, MBS execs this year made a point of emphasizing all the interim Great Plains, Solomon, Navision and Axapta releases the unit plans to roll out before Green comes to fruition. MBS needs to assure customers they wont have to wait three-plus years for Green in order to get new features/functionality.
        • Clarify which of its ERP products makes sense where. How is a customer supposed to choose from among MBS four seemingly competing ERP products? MBS needs to do a better job explaining the distinctions between Axapta, Navision, Solomon and Great Plains (if there really are any, beyond the arbitrary).
        • Broaden the MS CRM customer base: MBS has 1,600 MS CRM customers, according to Microsoft. But the majority of these are in the “upper midmarket.” Microsoft needs to find a way to make MS CRM more appealing and affordable to the much larger SMB customer base.

        To 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

        Android

        Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

        Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
        Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
        Read more
        Cloud

        Why Data Security Will Face Even Harsher...

        Chris Preimesberger - December 1, 2020 0
        Who would know more about details of the hacking process than an actual former career hacker? And who wants to understand all they can...
        Read more
        Cybersecurity

        How Veritas Is Shining a Light Into...

        eWEEK EDITORS - September 25, 2020 0
        Protecting data has always been one of the most important tasks in all of IT, yet as more companies become data companies at the...
        Read more
        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
        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
        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.

        ×