Microsoft offers industry-specific guidance and IT

Modern business practice and consulting based on lean thinking and Theory of Constraints (TOC) is coming to manufacturing SMEs in all industries – not necessarily through the DTI’s Manufacturing Advisory Service, but courtesy of Microsoft. Mike Frichol, who leads Microsoft Business Solutions’ manufacturing technology team globally, says the MBS partner network is gearing up to deliver lean and TOC consultancy and advice on getting out of outdated cost accounting. “Our view is different from most [software] vendors. There are a lot of good ERP systems out there, but systems and consulting need to be geared to specific industries… We are a 100% channel organisation going to market through VARs and ISVs, and that is what they will provide.” To an extent, they always have, but Frichol indicates that Microsoft is investing in specialists in industries like life sciences, high tech, automotive and industrial equipment, to provide additional focus and thought leadership. “They know the business processes and pain points in their industries.” The implication is not only that MBS will build sector- and methodology-specific functionality into the core Navision, Axapta and Great Plains ERP offerings, but that VARs and ISVs will build on that – and then feed it back into the community. Just as important, he makes the point that users can expect big system and big consultancy solutions at SME prices. And he suggests that Microsoft is making good inroads as a result: “We’re growing multiple times faster than the overall market.” The best example so far is lean IT and consultancy eBECS’ software modules, which are now being taken up by MBS ISVs and VARs around the world. “18 months ago, we were domain-orientated,” says Frichol. “Now we’re aligned industry by industry.”