Microsoft Accounting Adds Up

One of the biggest challenges is integrating contact management and other communication features into accounting solutions while maintaining compatibility across numerous software solutions. Another challenge is keeping advanced accounting features simple enough for the typical small-business operator. These obstacles force many accounting ISVs to offer simplified, stripped-down versions of their products, which succeed in lowering costs but can cut deeply into a solution provider's profit margins.

Many small businesses are content simply to keep track of accounts receivable and accounts payable and leave trickier details to an accountant. This common practice can shift a solution provider's focus to other key business technologies such as customer management, scheduling and communications.

Microsoft's aptly named Office for Small Business Management is a small-business management solution built around Microsoft Office. The product, expected to ship by late 2005, is aimed squarely at small businesses. The package integrates with Office 2003 to preserve a consistent look and feel, but adds an updated version of Outlook 2003 that integrates a business contact manager.

Also included in the solution is Microsoft Office Small Business Accounting, a easy-to-use, full-featured accounting system that, again, adheres to the familiar Microsoft look and feel many users expect.

Solution providers can get an early look at Office for Small Business Management by signing up for Microsoft's beta-test program at http://www.microsoft.com/office/editions/prodinfo/smallbusiness/accounting/beta.mspx. The site also includes additional information. Solution providers servicing the small-business market should find this a valuable product, especially when teamed with Microsoft's Small Business Server 2003.