Microsoft + ERP =??? by Onuora Amobi 8/08/2006

I have worked in the world of ERP technology for the past 10 years. I have seen the tremendous shifts in technology that have occurred in this space. The tools have become increasingly sophisticated in an attempt to simplify the execution of business processes for end users.

There have been shifts from pure client server based computing to application server based architectures. Software vendors also simplified the deployment and maintenance of ERP applications by moving to web based applications. The use of a web server to deploy content was pretty revolutionary and exciting back then.

Yeah, it's been pretty amazing to see these changes occur but through all this though, one thing hasn't changed.

Microsoft still has no well defined ERP strategy.

Walk with me for a second. Microsoft is uniquely placed to create some of the most exciting ERP products.

Like Oracle, they have a wonderful database platform. They have an abundance of cash and they (debatably some would say) understand the software development life cycle.

They also have the vision to create revolutionary applications and the ability to acquire companies if need be to get started.

To the critics, yes I said Microsoft has vision. Their problem has never been vision, more execution...but I digress..

With all these attributes in place, I remain baffled why Microsoft has been as quiet as a mouse in the ERP arena. I remember when Oracle (the big bad wolf) was knocking on PeopleSoft's door and we all thought IBM or some other white knight would come to the rescue.

Back then, we also thought that it would be a PERFECT opportunity for the folks at Redmond to get into the ERP game.

Oh just think if Microsoft had bought PeopleSoft. To me, the pros would have far outweighed the cons.

That was my fun, alternate universe. Let's see what reality holds instead.

You go the Dynamics site and you are greeted with Supply Chain, CRM and Financials options.

You delve deeper and you see that there are a whole bunch of module names and descriptions that border on brand confusion..

Some of the nuggets of gold on the site..

????????

Now maybe it's just me but it sounds like they just said the same thing five times in five different ways.

Now I don't really want to go into detail and nit pick the site because quite frankly, that's another thing altogether. It's very dull but whatever. It's also very confusing and I found it interesting that they don't provide an HR solution but that's just me.? The problem is their strategy ( or lack thereof ) is just totally confusing. I am trying to figure out what their next step is.

Are they building an exciting set of tools that we don't know about? Do they plan to acquire more companies? Is Project Green over or when's that going to happen? The ERP sector would love a new exciting player.

I spoke to a bunch of analysts (off the record) who cover this sector and they were unable to articulate where the company is going with their different efforts to consolidate/redesign ERP applications.

One of the analysts told me that Enterprise Apps were not Microsoft's core competency and as such they were not making a major push into the arena. I countered that neither was video gaming when they jumped right into the X-Box arena (with no track record) and now, they're standing toe to toe with Sony.

It's crazy to me that Oracle, not know for it's innovation in the applications sector has dominated not only in ERP acquisitions but in setting direction (FUSION, MIDDLEWARE etc) for the ERP industry.

Sometimes, I think of what could have been.

Then I have another drink..

Till next time...

Onuora
WindowsVistaUpdate

P.S. I want to get your feedback about this article. Please send me your thoughts and be as candid as you want to be, I can take it.  :-)

Please use the feedback form here