Microsoft to recruit UK developers
Software giant Microsoft has put its marketing muscle behind a new campaign to recruit software developers and ‘solutions providers’ to promote Windows NT and SQL Server as the bedrock for financial and business applications.
‘These applications won’t sell themselves,’ said David Sowerbutts, Microsoft business manager. ‘This is a new channel for us.’
Microsoft staged a satellite broadcast last week from its Washington headquarters. It showcased Windows-based ‘solutions in business’ and featured a live demonstration of Internet-based accounting functions with Great Plains Software’s Dynamics C/S+.
The company has invited Great Plains and fellow accountancy software houses Tetra, Systems Union and Square Sum to be its key partners in the UK. ‘These companies have to make a massive commitment – in effect, they have to base their business on Microsoft. In return, we will work hard on their behalf,’ said Sowerbutts.
Sowerbutts is looking to recruit a new middle tier of solution providers from the 110 or so companies that turn over #1m or more from supplying accountancy and business applications in the UK.
These solution providers pay #1,500 per year to join the programme. They receive Microsoft accreditation and gain access to training seminars and early insights into new Microsoft technologies.
According to Sowerbutts, Microsoft’s objective is to bundle financial applications on the same CD-ROMs on which it ships the Windows NT and SQL Server code. In the past year, he claims, UK sales of NT have grown 400% and ‘exceeded our bullish targets’.