Microsoft Announces Forthcoming Availability of Microsoft Dynamics SL 2011

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp.(Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced that Microsoft Dynamics SL 2011, its enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution designed for midsize project-driven organizations, will be generally available in the second quarter of 2011 in English in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. Availability of a Spanish version for Latin America will be announced later.

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The new solution, which is particularly well-suited for the construction, professional services, government contracting, architecture and engineering fields, features a broad range of new enhancements and innovation to support increased productivity, business value and insight across an organization, helping it become a more dynamic business.

Enhance Productivity

Microsoft Dynamics SL 2011 delivers a RoleTailored user experience for customers. This significant update features the familiar Microsoft Office look and feel and role-specific dashboards that give people a comprehensive view across their organizations. This helps reduce the time required for people to learn how to use it and allows them to focus on the information that matters most to them. Other new productivity-enhancing features include Quick Query, which provides more than 50 predesigned search options to find information faster, and the ability to Quick Send documents, such as invoices and purchase orders from within Microsoft Dynamics SL to customers and vendors.

"Microsoft Dynamics SL 2011 will drive significant value for midsize, project-driven businesses with its ease of use and ability to extend connections across the entire business ecosystem," said Crispin Read, general manager, Microsoft Dynamics ERP Product Management Group. "The new level of innovation we're providing with the release of Microsoft Dynamics SL 2011 will help customers make more informed decisions with speed."

Increase Business Value and Insight

Microsoft Dynamics SL 2011 further extends existing IT investments by supporting integration with Microsoft Project Server 2010, Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Microsoft Office 2010, Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 and Microsoft Dynamics CRM through Web Services.  Integration with Microsoft Project Server 2010 brings together project management and project accounting by adding functionality that reduces redundant data entry and provides synchronization of project and accounting information, as well as the creation and viewing of budgeting and net profit information. In addition, interoperability with Microsoft SharePoint 2010 offers people the versatility to access information from virtually anywhere, as well as adapt to specific project needs, helping to drive improved business insight and value across their organizations.

"Many of the new features in Microsoft Dynamics SL 2011, such as the fantastic user interface, integrated login and multicompany switching, make navigating fast and easy," said Scott Kopald, controller at Metson Marine Services Inc., an ocean services company headquartered in Ventura, Calif. "With this release, Microsoft has shown that it understands our needs and is committed to supporting the solution for the long term."

The new enhancements help partners deliver added benefits to project-based companies. "Everything in Microsoft Dynamics SL 2011 is geared toward saving our customers time, and making the experience easier, better and faster," said Carolyn Jasiulewicz, president for Progressive System Solution Inc., a Microsoft Dynamics Gold Certified partner. "This is a very compelling upgrade for our existing customers and further supports our ability to focus on fulfilling the specific needs of project-based companies."

Existing Microsoft Dynamics SL customers and midsize project-driven organizations in need of a new ERP solution can learn more about the new solution at the Project Management Institute Global Congress in Washington, D.C., Oct. 9–12, by visiting booth 1001, or by visiting the Microsoft Dynamics SL 2011 launch portal at http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/SL2011-uslaunch.

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of simple to learn and use ERP and CRM solutions that work with your existing technology and scale as you grow to give you long-term value. By using software and online services that work the way people and organizations work, businesses are better able to make informed decisions and adapt to rapid change. Microsoft Dynamics helps your people be more productive and your investments in existing systems last longer, while enabling your business to derive the insights necessary to respond quickly and have a competitive edge in an ever-changing world of 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.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.