Microsoft has acquired four technologies for its Microsoft Dynamics enterprise resource planning (ERP) product, which provides software to help businesses manage their financial accounting, supply chain, project accounting, field service, and human resources business processes. In a press release, Microsoft says that the new technologies will “extend the core capabilities” of one of Microsoft’s ERP products, Microsoft Dynamics AX.
The four technologies Microsoft has acquired are: a manufacturing technology acquired from Fullscope, which helps business processes in the manufacturing industries; technology from Computer Generated Solutions, focuses in managing billing and project management operations; and two retail-oriented technologies from LS Retail and To-Increase, that offers point-of-sale, and merchandising functionality.
Microsoft Dynamics ERP includes several sub-products in addition to Microsoft Dynamics AX, such as Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics SL. It appears that Microsoft’s move to add more vertical technologies to Dynamics ERP is part for a strategy to recruit customers who are using competitive ERPs from Oracle and SAP.