REDMOND, Wash. — July 6, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that The Spring Air Co., the world’s fourth-largest bedding manufacturer, has chosen Microsoft Dynamics™ AX as the technology to power its new and soon-to-be-implemented manufacturing, distribution and financial IT solution. Spring Air required a solution that could help it streamline communications and key line-of-business processes in its main corporate office, its 18 U.S. licensee manufacturing locations, and the dozens of top furniture and department stores that carry its products, including leading department stores.
Headquartered in Elk Grove Village, Ill., the 80-year-old company sought to change its IT solution because of its need for increased flexibility and performance, as well as reduced support from the vendor of its previously implemented technology set. Microsoft Dynamics AX became the technology of choice based on its deep functionality, ease of deployment and maintenance, and the strong product support available from Microsoft and its worldwide network of Microsoft® partners.
“Spring Air is a proven and successful brand that will continue to grow,” said Matt Petersen, IT manager for Spring Air. “We need a technology that can grow with us, and Microsoft Dynamics AX provides a solution that can last for the life of our business.”
The Oak Brook, Illinois, office of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC, a Microsoft Gold partner and member of Microsoft Business Solutions President’s Club, provided a tailored road map for Spring Air’s new IT solution, based on the mattress-maker’s highly specific manufacturing style. The configuration flexibility of Microsoft Dynamics AX allowed Crowe to develop a solution far exceeding the functionality and return on investment of other products also under evaluation by Spring Air that were developed specifically for the mattress industry.
“It’s not common for a general-market technology solution to have such a degree of flexibility that it can beat industry-specific solutions,” said Jeff Shaffer, delivery executive at Crowe Chizek and Company. “But that’s what we are experiencing with Microsoft Dynamics AX. We believe that focusing on the technology that offers such great value in a variety of industries has been a good choice for us, and we are finding that our ability to develop that level of expertise means positive results for our clients.”
Also key to the selection of Microsoft Dynamics AX for Spring Air was its analysis capabilities, which will save the company significant time and resources considering its previous need to run multiple queries across several disparate systems. The product complements Spring Air’s existing Microsoft SQL Server™ database, and provides a similar interface to its Microsoft Office-based desktops.
“Businesses need to focus on utilizing their data to gain competitive advantage, not waste precious time and resources to extract it and interpret it,” said Mark Jensen, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics AX at Microsoft. “We’ve worked hard to ensure that our business products can quickly and effectively work for our customers, rather than the other way around. Welcoming a brand like Spring Air to our roster shows the proven ability of Microsoft Dynamics AX to immediately add value to an established player in a key vertical industry.”
Microsoft Dynamics AX is an adaptable business management solution that enables companies and their workers to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and with familiar Microsoft Office software, with comprehensive features that help automate and streamline business processes, and connect users with global customers, business partners and subsidiaries in a way that helps drive business success.
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.
Microsoft and Microsoft Dynamics are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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