Microsoft – The Platform for Innovation

ERP Systems, like SAP or Oracle, attempt to integrate all the data and processes of an organization into one system. The goals of ERP are a unified database (supporting reporting), integrated workflow (improving organizational productivity), a consistent look and feel and a single set of controls (improving employee productivity and reduced support requirements). And while there have been many challenges, ERP Systems have provided bottom-line benefits by vastly improving the speed and quality of business transactions while reducing costs. Where ERP Systems fail is when they are relied upon to support the needs of information workers - leaders and innovators.

In today’s global information economy, the employees that matter most in an organization are the leaders and innovators - the people who move the organization forward – creating value by developing and strengthening profitable customer relationships, creating and marketing innovative products and services, improving operations and finances, and building high-value connections with partners and suppliers.

The Microsoft Office System, leveraging SharePoint Technology, offers the key benefits of an ERP platform solution – an integrated database, integrated workflow, consistent look and feel, and a single set of controls – designed to support the needs of information workers. These products make up the Microsoft Business Productivity Infrastructure and provide a central point of access for employees, customers and partners to get the information and services they need to support the innovation process and an integrated way for IT organizations to provide these services and manage these systems. Rather than deploying new applications providing various capabilities and supporting different business processes, the Business Productivity Infrastructure allows organizations to provide common capabilities addressing multiple processes through a standard interface and tools that information workers already use – the Microsoft Office Suite and corporate websites.