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Microsoft Maps Out 'Project Green'

By David Worthington, BetaNews

March 7, 2005, 7:21 PM

Monday at Convergence 2005, Microsoft outlined its business applications roadmap for its next-generation "Project Green" Business Solutions development efforts. Project Green will arrive in two waves: The first waves crests in the 2005 to 2007 timeframe; the second will begin shipping in 2008.

Throughout the roadmap, new releases of Axapta, Great Plains, Navision, Solomon, Microsoft CRM and other products will surface. Current generation business management solutions will remain supported until 2013 at the earliest.

Between 2005 and 2007, Microsoft will introduce a common role-based shared user interface with Office integration and interoperability with service-oriented applications. SQL Server Reporting Services will provide a default reporting environment, with SharePoint Portal Server as the standard intranet and extranet environment for collaboration.

According to Microsoft, the second wave is aligned with Microsoft's upcoming "Longhorn" Windows release and will be using its WinFX managed application programming model. Also slated for release in that timeframe are the "Whidbey" Visual Studio .NET update and Office 12.

Speaking on the business roadmap, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said, "Windows and Office are a powerful foundation for productivity and a rich platform for partners to build great solutions and add value."

"The Microsoft Business Solutions group builds on that foundation to deliver world-class business applications that are simpler and less expensive, offering more companies new ways to enhance the way they work," Gates said.

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By stephenuk

posted Aug 20, 2005 - 3:06 AM

good one

Score: 0

By Pipewrench

posted Mar 7, 2005 - 10:40 PM

A bunch of P.C. words like "roadmap" and "powerful foundation". Blah blah blah.

Quit laying on the BS and tell us Techie folks the real meat and potato's of what's going on. Enough crap talk designed for the stupid CIO's.

Thanks....

Score: 0

By nate

edited Mar 8, 2005 - 12:14 AM

Finding the meat and potatoes is going to be tough with Microsoft, but here are some added details:

* Microsoft Business Solutions--Axapta. Microsoft will release the Microsoft Axapta® 3.0 Service Pack 4 in the second quarter of 2005. Availability of a beta version of Microsoft Axapta 4.0 is expected in the fourth quarter of 2005 with a release to manufacturing expected in the first half of 2006.
* Microsoft Business Solutions--Great Plains. Microsoft will launch Microsoft Great Plains® 8.0 Extensions in the first quarter of 2005. In the fourth quarter of 2005, Microsoft Great Plains 8.5 and Microsoft Business Solutions Business Portal 3.0 will be made available.
* Microsoft Business Solutions--Navision. Microsoft will launch Microsoft Navision® 4.01 in the third quarter of 2005.
* Microsoft Business Solutions--Solomon. Microsoft Business Solutions--Solomon 6.5 is expected in the fourth quarter of 2005.
* Microsoft Business Solutions CRM. The next version of Microsoft CRM will be released to manufacturing in the fourth quarter of 2005.
* Microsoft Business Solutions for Analytics--Forecaster. Microsoft Forecaster 7.0 will be released in the third quarter of 2005. In the first quarter of 2006, integration of Microsoft Business Solutions for Analytics--FRx® 6.7 with Microsoft Navision 3.0 and Microsoft Navision 4.0 will be introduced. In the first half of 2006, Microsoft FRx 7.0 will be introduced, with Microsoft Forecaster 8.0 scheduled for launch in the second half of 2006.
* Microsoft Business Solutions Retail Management System. Microsoft will launch a next-generation point-of-sale solution in the second quarter of 2005.

Score: 0

By Witch Doctor

posted Mar 10, 2005 - 4:44 PM

All of which is wonderful. Now, umm, when will Solomon be dumping VB6 in favour of .NET? Just a minor matter to those of us still developing on it...

Umm, hmm, Roles have been mapped out for.. uh, what? CRM? The Business Portal. Which version?

But if you want to get *really* buried in it, read this Microsoft VP's blog: http://weblogs.asp.net/satyanadella/

Score: 0

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