IT services operator takes up Microsoft agency

Microsoft Business Solutions has announced that Steria, a leading European IT services operator, has become an authorised Axapta channel partner in the UK.

Microsoft Business Solutions has announced that Steria, a leading European IT services operator, has become an authorised Axapta channel partner in the UK.

Steria already provides business consultancy, application implementation and application management services for customers using legacy products such as HDMS, TOLAS and BAAN.

With Axapta, Steria offers existing and new customers the same services complemented by their strong expertise in providing managed services such as application hosting, remote management and infrastructure rollout.

This, combined with extensive specialist knowledge of the manufacturing and distribution sectors, means that Steria is a significant addition to the Microsoft Business Solutions' channel.

This news follows Microsoft Business Solutions' announcement that it is seeking to enhance its channel by recruiting new partners in the UK and Eire to sell Axapta.

Axapta is Microsoft Business Solutions' integrated business management solution created specifically for growing medium-sized businesses.

Unlike other business applications, Axapta puts collaborative working at the heart of an organisation to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of customers.

"We are proactively taking this new generation of collaborative working applications to sectors such as the manufacturing industry," said Guy Lambert, Systems Integration Director for Steria in the UK.

"After a thorough evaluation of the marketplace, we found that Axapta offers a significantly lower total cost of ownership model and the flexibility to provide enhancements for business process improvement and e-commerce initiatives for our customers.

We are particularly pleased to be working closely with Microsoft Business Solutions as it grows its presence in the SME business applications market." By enabling all the stakeholders of an organisation - the partners, employees and customers - to work collaboratively, Axapta gives business customers the ability to make timely decisions based on accurate information.

Dean Carroll, Business Development Director at Microsoft Business Solutions, said: "Steria has impeccable credentials in providing solutions to specialist industrial sectors, such as manufacturing.

The market knowledge it will bring, along with substantial geographic reach, financial strength and its formidable consultancy pedigree will be a great addition to our channel.

We are looking forward to an exciting working relationship." Steria has already begun Axapta-related consulting and implementation projects at a number of customers in the UK.

About Microsoft Business Solutions - Microsoft Business Solutions, which includes the businesses of Great Plains, Microsoft bCentral and Navision, offers a wide range of business applications designed to help small and midmarket businesses become more connected with customers, employees, partners and suppliers.

Microsoft Business Solutions' applications automate end-to-end business processes across financials, distribution, project accounting, electronic commerce, human resources and payroll, manufacturing, supply chain management, business intelligence, sales and marketing management, and customer service and support.

More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/businesssolutions/.

About Microsoft - founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing.

The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device.

About Steria - Steria is ranked in the top 10 of IT services companies in Europe.

The Group is an IT services global operator, able to deliver global solutions for its customers, thanks to the convergence of its three core businesses: consulting, systems integration and managed services.

Created in 1969, Steria has developed its expertise throughout Europe in the banking and insurance, industry/utilities/transport, public service and telecommunications sectors.

Present in a total of 12 countries worldwide with approximately 8500 employees, Steria's revenue in 2002 was EUR 1,018 billion, 60% of which will be generated by its activities outside of France Steria is a pioneer in employee shareholding with 31% of its capital held by its employees.

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