Microsoft has updated its small business accounting software,
targeting customers who need an entry-level accounting package that
leaves them room to upgrade.
Small Business Manager 7.0 is an upgrade to a product first
released in November last year. The latest release adds features
that allow customers to manage inventory and purchase orders, in
addition to the existing general ledger features in the previous
product, said Karen Engel, lead product manager with Microsoft's
Business Solutions division.
Microsoft Business Solutions offers a range of software and
services including products it gained through the acquisitions of
Great Plains Software and Navision. Small Business Manager 7.0 uses
the same base technology as Microsoft's Great Plains financial
software, but has a different "fit and finish", Engels said.
Another feature is that tasks started in Small Business Manager can
be completed in Word and Excel. Customers can also link the
software to Microsoft's online accounting service, bCentral.
A software development kit will be available to third-party
accounting software makers so they can integrate their
software.
Wayne Viener, chief executive officer of Groupfive., an accounting
software integrator, agreed many customers in the middle market go
underserved.
Small Business Manager 7.0 is available immediately through
Microsoft partners and integrators. Prices range depending on the
number of users and features purchased.
The basic suite for a single user costs $995 (£633), and $2,495 for
up to five concurrent users. An upgrade and support package, called
the Foundation Services Plan, is priced at $275 per year, and is
required for the first year.
An add-on module for managing payroll is available for $500.
Existing Small Business Manager customers can upgrade for free.