Microsoft to target UK firms
Computer giant Microsoft is to pursue partnerships with small UK accounting firms in a move that could drastically shake up the software market.
It is thought the company will begin its strategy to partner accountants in order to benefit from their distribution channels in its bid to enter the software market for small businesses.
The development will begin when the company launches its bCentral service, including bCentral Finance Manager – an online accounting and finance application for small businesses.
It is expected the service will be launched in the summer following a successful US launch in 1999. The UK version is likely to be similar to that in the US, which involved creating partnerships with firms. Microsoft said it was ‘working on a number of online offerings’ and had ‘no specific dates’ for a launch.
The development comes as the US company waits for its acquisition of Great Plains to be confirmed.
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