MYOB: Microsoft will find small business software market tough
MYOB warns Microsoft that it will have to provide strong customer service to woo small businesses from their current software platform
Microsoft has been warned that it faces an uphill struggle in gaining ground
in the small business software market if it does not focus on customer
services, a rival warned today.
Following Microsoft’s launch of Office Accounting in the UK yesterday, rival
software provider MYOB said that while the move would expand the market as
penetration was not high, the US software giantwould have to focus on customer
service to displace existing customer bases.
‘Small business owners want a partner that will support them and help them to
grow their business, not just sell them software,’ said Wayne Schmidt, managing
director at MYOB.
‘My experience is you need to be offering a complete support and service
solution, not simply product. Having a deep relationship with accounting
practices is also critical to the success.’
As part of its offering following the long awaited launch, Microsoft will
launch a UK accountants’ network and has taken an aggressive stance on its
pricing; offering the product for free in certain circumstances.
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