New BIO for Microsoft Dynamics SL Sharpens Insight Into Business Performance

REDMOND, Wash. — March 15, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today unveiled BIO™ for Microsoft Dynamics™ SL, an operational analytics application that gives decision-makers throughout an organization unique and relevant insight into business drivers. Slated for release to manufacturing in May, BIO (Business Intelligence Optimization) for Microsoft Dynamics SL provides personalized, role-based business performance scorecards that empower employees to help increase the value of their customer interactions, lower product and service delivery costs, and create strategic plans for expanding their business. BIO for Microsoft Dynamics SL extends the solution to include a robust strategic, operational and financial analytics solution.

Where traditional business intelligence products geared toward larger enterprises tend to be highly complex, BIO for Microsoft Dynamics SL is designed to provide a repeatable lower-cost solution catering to the specific information and technical requirements of small and midsize businesses. Through delivering role-based business intelligence capabilities, BIO for Microsoft Dynamics SL advances Microsoft’s overall business solutions road map for delivering next-generation innovation by providing 60 unique perspectives for analyzing the business data across 14 common organizational roles. People can view the analytical reports from the tools they are used to using, including Microsoft Excel®, Microsoft Office SharePoint® Services, Microsoft Office Business Scorecard Manager and the rest of the Microsoft Office system product lineup, or directly within the BIO for Microsoft Dynamics SL application. Built on Microsoft® SQL Server™ Analysis Services, it also fully integrates with SQL Server 2000 and 2005.

“When we saw the speed and flexibility of BIO, we were amazed,” said Sharon Smith, director of accounting operations for Delta Power, a privately owned U.S. independent power producer based in New Jersey. “With just one click we can access data from six years ago — or six minutes ago. We needed a solution to help consolidate and manage information coming in from our 25 plant locations, and provide it back out to the managers for their own analysis. We think the return on investment on BIO will be almost immediate after the full rollout.”

Microsoft worked closely with channel partner NexVue Analytics Corp. to develop the new business intelligence capabilities for Microsoft Dynamics SL. NexVue, a business intelligence development and consulting organization, is focused specifically on delivering out-of-the-box business analytic solutions specific to the requirements of midsized businesses. NexVue has designed and developed both a business and technical model (BIO) that build on the Microsoft business intelligence development environment for the midmarket that reduces the technology gap and the cost of implementing BI solutions.

“Companies recognize that their most important resource is the intellect of the people who work there, yet this intellectual capital often gets trapped in mountains of data and disconnected systems. This results in different guesses and interpretations of what is really going on in the business, which hampers accurate decision-making,” said Eric de Jager, director of Microsoft Dynamics SL at Microsoft. “BIO for Microsoft Dynamics SL unlocks information to help people discover the ‘one truth’ for their business by presenting it at the right time, in the right format and in the right context from a common source to guide more-effective decisions by people at all levels of a company.”

Pricing and Availability

BIO for Microsoft Dynamics SL is scheduled for general availability to customers in June. Pricing for the BIO Foundation, an entry-level solution, starts at $3,600 (U.S.) and includes financial analytics and a two-user license. Additional users as well as project, distribution and field service analytics solutions may be licensed for additional fees. All prices are in U.S. dollars and do not include the price of other modules or user licenses that may be required.*

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply chain management solutions that helps businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* Estimated reseller prices. Reseller prices may vary.

Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics, Excel and SharePoint are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.

Related Posts