In particular, the partnership includes project management and its impact in terms of company organization, but also the integration itself, all complementary developments requested by customers, and service after sales and support. Sopra Group provides businesses with trade-specific expertise as well as geographic proximity. It provides for technical and functional integration and offers a broad range of services, such as user training, application maintenance of the solution, etc.

“This partnership is the logical extension of Sopra Group’s commitment to Microsoft’s infrastructures and technologies,” says Gérard Bialek, director of Sopra Group’s MBS-Axapta Solution Centre. “We are pleased with this agreement, which allows us to complete our offering of ERP solutions by setting up a team of consultants dedicated to Microsoft Axapta. With this software package, we are targeting industrial, service, and distribution companies with sales of between €150 million and €1 billion. Microsoft Axapta is a tool with true potential, both in terms of the market share objectives announced by the publisher and the very nature of the product; it is a genuine breath of fresh air into the world of ERP.”

Microsoft Axapta incorporates all the functions of the business through its modules for accounting and financial management, supply chain management, production management, project management, purchasing and procurement management, sales management, customer relations management, e-commerce management, human resource management, and control and analysis.

“Parameter setting is simple and intuitive,” Michel Ponté, technical head of Sopra Group's MBS-Axapta Solution Centre, goes on to say. “Specialization to the needs of the user company is possible thanks to standard customisation tools and even partner-developed add-ons. In addition, it is compatible with Microsoft’s office automation tools, thereby facilitating integration into businesses and allowing for reconciliation between the user, as project owner, and the information system builder as the prime contractor.”

For Microsoft Business Solutions, the partnership with Sopra Group provides an association with one of the French leaders in systems integration.
“Sopra Group will offer Axapta users true know-how in the reworking of information and application maintenance systems aimed at maximum satisfaction by assisting customers over the long haul,” adds Bertrand Launay, Director of Microsoft France’s PME-PMI and Partners division. “For demanding accounts and complex organisations, we appreciate Sopra Group’s recognised expertise both from a technical standpoint and from the point of view of project and change management.”

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (quoted on the NASDAQ under the symbol MSFT) is the world leader in microcomputer software. The company develops and markets a broad range of software, accessories, and services for business and home use. This allows anyone to access information system power from anywhere and at any time using the digital tool of his/her choice connected to the Internet. Created in 1983, Microsoft France employs nearly 1000 people. Eric Boustouller has been General Manager since February 1, 2005.

Contact

Sopra Group : Susan Peel-Robert - Tél. : 01 40 67 29 41