The need to reduce the manufacturing cost structure has led to an increase in the use of lean manufacturing strategies and outsourcing to global sources with lower labor costs. Advanced enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems now offer powerful capabilities to support these streamlined business practices.

The increased complexity of outsourcing requires improvements in production management and supply-chain management tools. New, integrated IT infrastructures enable flexible and easy-to-use communication between all partners and, at the same time, automate many of the tasks associated with efficiently managing production. Improved scheduling and coordination with suppliers, quality management across the supply chain, and increased visibility result in a leaner, more demand-driven organization.

For manufacturing companies, customer service is now recognized as a path to differentiation in an ever more commoditized marketplace, and is vital to establishing continued sales growth. Establishing primacy in customer satisfaction across all areas of the company—from products, service, and information delivery—is separating industry leaders from their competition. Implementing customer-focused technologies allows companies to increase customer retention and revenue-enhancement opportunities. Manufacturers are finding new levels of success with applications such as Sales and Opportunity Management, Channel and Distributor Management, Customer- and Channel-Facing Portals, Catalog and Content Management, and Product Configuration.

Microsoft Business Solutions offers a set of strong applications that, when combined with the underlying Microsoft technology, delivers a compelling suite of technologies for small- and medium-size manufacturers. Microsoft Business Solutions provides systems specifically designed to assist manufacturers with managing complex business processes without the burden of building a large, expensive IT infrastructure. Our technology platform enables small- and medium-size manufacturers and distributors to assemble a complete, integrated set of leading-edge business applications.

These integrated applications can be deployed quickly and inexpensively without complicated customizations and drawn out implementation projects. Knowing no company can be all things to all people, Microsoft Business Solutions teams with our powerful worldwide partner network. Together we deliver solutions with deep functionality and business expertise for the specific needs of manufacturers in many industries.

Our solutions are based on advanced, security-enhanced an Internet technology that extend and enhances traditional ERP systems to deliver the flexibility and ease of information gathering you need to support new and demanding business processes. Microsoft Business Solutions provides you with a solid growth path for years to come. Our ongoing commitment to enhancing current solutions and the continued integration of well known and easy-to-use Microsoft software will deliver even more value to you than it does today.

In short, Microsoft Business Solutions can help you lower costs while increasing the delivered value, improve your interactions with customers and suppliers, and make faster, smarter decisions.

Build a World-Class Manufacturing Operation Microsoft knows deep industry expertise is required to address the range of manufacturing needs.