Next wave of Microsoft ERP applications tracking on time
When new versions of Microsoft software are on schedule, it's news. At Microsoft's Convergence 2007 conference in San Diego on March 12, Microsoft officials confirmed that three (count 'em, three!) of its forthcoming ERP apps are still tracking on the schedule that the company outlined a year ago.
(As a result of various acquisitions, Microsoft actually has four ERP app suites: Axapta, Great Plains, Navision and Solomon.)
Here's what's on deck:
• Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0 will ship some time in March 2007. The product will new features, such as "managing inter-company transactions, purchase cost distribution, inventory costing, service order handling and advanced item tracking," according to Microsoft.
• Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) 10.0 will ship in June. The product will include "more than 100 new core application features"; a new interface similar to that in Windows Vista and Office 2007; and "integrated structured and unstructured search capabilities all based on the Microsoft Dynamics Office Client." (I've got more about the Dynamics Office Client in another post.)
• Microsoft Dynamics SL (Solomon) 7.0 will ship in June. That release includes the .Net-ificiation of the product so that it supports Visual Studio 2005 development tools and business processes; a new, more Vista/Office-2007-like interface and "RoleTailored" business-intelligence views.
There's no new word (so far this morning) on Dynamics AX (Axapta) 5.0, the next version of Microsoft' high-end ERP offering. But a build of Dynamics AX 5.0 went to private beta testers in January 2007.
At last March's Convergence conference, a gathering of Microsoft ERP and CRM customers and partners, Microsoft said to expect GP 10..0 some time in 2007; SL 7.0 in the first half of 2007; and Dynamics NAV 5.0 in March.
Speaking of Dynamics, what's the latest on Dynamics CRM 4.0, code-named "Titan"? Last Convergence, Microsoft was predicting its CRM suite would hit in the first half of 2007. Microsoft made a closed beta of Titan available to select partners earlier this year. Final availability, currently, is looking like Q3 2007. If there's a further update at the show on expected timing, I'll let you know.