Microsoft Ships New Navision, Axapta Versions

Navision, formerly known as Navision's Attain supply chain product, adds a new Warehouse Management Systems capability and an automated data capture system that can make use of radio-frequency (RF) technology for inventory tracking, the company said in a statement.

Navision 3.60 also adds support for the eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL). Microsoft renamed the product at last month's Stampede conference (See Related Story.)

Microsoft completed its $1.3 billion acquisition of Navision, a Danish maker of ERP and supply chain management products, last summer and brought that company's products under the MBS umbrella along with Great Plains accounting and back-office offerings.

Axapta 3.0, as expected, adds a new enterprise portal feature that lets customers connect securely with their partners, customers and employees, Microsoft said. A partner, for example, could log on and view relevant vendor reports and data pertinent to his business provided he has clearance. That connectivity could minimize manual data entry, the company said.. (See Related Story.)

The company has a raft of other new SMB products on deck as well. They include the widely anticipated Microsoft CRM as well as Microsoft Retail Management System and MBS Professional Services Automation, all due this quarter. Great Plains 7.5, the MBS Business Portal and Microsoft Business Network are expected in the first quarter of 2003. FRx Forecaster 6.7 and FRx 7.0, both analytics offerings, are due in the second quarter of next year.