VEDBK, Denmark, and ATHENS, Greece, Feb. 14, 2003 — Microsoft®
Business Solutions today announced that it is continuing to expand its global reach and capabilities by establishing a physical presence in Greece. The first expansion since Microsoft Corp. acquired Navision a/s in July 2002, Microsoft Business Solutions’ Greek presence will be part of Microsoft’s Greek subsidiary. Building on existing synergies, Microsoft Business Solutions plans to provide greater value to customers, partners and independent software vendors (ISVs) throughout Greece.
The expansion comes at a pivotal time for the Greek IT industry. Greece recently received a substantial round of structural funding from the European Union, part of which is reserved for the country’s IT industry. The expansion also marks the realization of Microsoft Business Solutions’ goal of having a physical presence in every country in the European Union.
“I consider all expansions to be significant steps in Microsoft Business Solutions’ continuing effort to offer top-level services and technologies to our customers and partners on a global basis, and the division’s decision to expand into the Greek market will result in a significant addition to our existing European business,”
said Yannis Rondiris, managing director of Microsoft Greece.
Medium-sized businesses in Greece will have access to a fully localized version of Microsoft Business Solutions–Navision® 3.60 beginning this summer. Microsoft Business Solutions–Navision (formerly known as Attain®
) is an integrated business management solution that comes with a proven track record for its cost-effectiveness and quick and easy implementation.
“I am confident that Microsoft Business Solutions’ track record for delivering outstanding design and flexibility, low total cost of ownership and quick implementations will make it the preferred technology solution for the midsize business market in Greece,”
said Niels Theilmann Mller, managing director with Microsoft Business Solutions.
“I am very much looking forward to the major opportunities that lie ahead for our partners and customers in Greece.”
Establishing a physical presence in Greece will also play a significant role in Microsoft Business Solutions’ ongoing commitment to building deeper and more comprehensive relationships with its worldwide network of certified business partners and ISVs. Microsoft Business Solutions plans to build on its already existing and healthy network of Greek partners and is looking forward to expanding partnership opportunities with local ISVs in Greece to give medium-sized businesses throughout the country the tools that will help them transform the vision they have for their businesses into reality.
In the future, Microsoft Business Solutions will offer medium-sized businesses in Greece a more extensive menu of technologies and services developed to help them integrate, automate and consolidate elements of their business that were previously incompatible.
One of Microsoft’s seven business groups, Microsoft Business Solutions is the evolutionary result of merging Great Plains Software Inc., Microsoft bCentral (TM) , Navision a/s and the creation of new offerings such as Microsoft Business Solutions Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Microsoft Retail Management.
About Microsoft Business Solutions
Microsoft Business Solutions is a division of Microsoft and offers a wide range of business applications designed to help small, midmarket and corporate businesses become more connected with customers, employees, partners and suppliers. Microsoft Business Solutions’ applications automate end-to-end business processes across financials, distribution, project accounting, electronic commerce, human resources and payroll, manufacturing, supply chain management, business intelligence, sales and marketing management, and customer service and support. More information about Microsoft Business Solutions can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/businesssolutions/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, Navision, Attain, Great Plains and bCentral are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Business Solutions ApS or their affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.
Great Plains Software Inc. and Microsoft Business Solutions ApS are subsidiaries of Microsoft Corp.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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