Microsoft extends hands to Sage Software customers

Crispin Read, general manager for Microsoft Dynamics ERP, says that on July 6, MIS Group, Sage's largest partner in 2007 and 2008, suddenly closed its doors. Hence the invitation for those concerned about its stability to say hello to Microsoft. "Microsoft Dynamics offers innovative products and strong return on investment, which is exactly what customers and partners are looking for – especially when questions have arisen about Sage's ability to deliver ongoing innovation and investment in its ERP portfolio and remain competitive in this marketplace," says Read. He says that Microsoft is helping companies to move more easily from what it describes as outdated business applications to Microsoft's modern ERP solutions. Since May 2009, he says, qualified partners have been able to extend to their customers an offer to move to a Microsoft Dynamics ERP solution with a 50% discount on licensing and receive a rebate equal to 25% of the suggested retail price of the Microsoft Dynamics solution to help offset the costs of switching from Sage MAS 90 or MAS 200. Read also cites $55 million revenues CTS Cement Manufacturing, which chose Microsoft Dynamics ERP over Sage MAS 90. Fred McKay, CFO for CTS Cement, puts I thus: "We needed a system that would align with the third-party solutions that are out there, so that we can take advantage of those add-ons rather than having to build them from the ground up. "Microsoft Dynamics ERP gives us the flexibility to do things that our MAS 90 package couldn't do. It has a lot of potential that we can tap into as we continue to grow."