Now we are getting some serious news on CLRS with MSFT...we all saw what happened to VERT on MSFT news...let's hope we move back up...
Feb. 04, 2000 (Computer Reseller News - CMP via COMTEX) -- Redmond, Wash. -
Microsoft Corp. is cozying up to Web integrators to raise its visibility in
the
business-to-business e-commerce arena.
The company, based here, plans to launch its new iIntegrator or iBuilder
Initiative on Feb. 14, with new partners USWeb/CKS, Viant Corp. and Proxicom
Inc., among others, sources said.
To inspire confidence in the business-to-business channel, Microsoft will
unveil
the forthcoming beta release of its BizTalk Server 2000 and Commerce Server
2000
by the end of this quarter, as well as stress the significance of BizTalk, XML
and Simple Object Access Protocol, channel sources said. The two servers,
which
comprise the core of Microsoft's e-commerce platform, originally were expected
to be in beta testing in the second half of 1999 but were delayed.
Microsoft also plans to publicize e-commerce alliances with OneSoft Corp.,
Clarus Corp. and Webridge Inc. to advance its platform, sources said.
Microsoft lags noticeably in business-to-business, observers said.
"Face it, when it comes to [business-to-business], Microsoft is out of the
loop," said one technology analyst. "Microsoft needs to trot out partners
because they have no product yet." Smaller companies such as CommerceOne Inc.
and Ariba Inc. have done better, he said.
But the software giant has turned up the heat recently, forging closer bonds
with Web integrators and launching a national television ad campaign focused
on
its new identity as an e-commerce solutions provider.
"Microsoft views our [Web integrator industry] as having inordinate influence
compared to our size. Microsoft is turning to us for things because we're
specialists and we get it the way that Arthur Anderson and EDS [Corp.] don't
get
it," said Ed Mello, vice president of strategic development at Viant, Boston.
"There's been a real push in the last 60 days by Microsoft."
Microsoft realizes it will not make a lot of money on licenses in
business-to-business e-commerce but wants to win enterprise business for its
Windows 2000 architecture from Unix, Linux and legacy systems, another Web
integrator said. For example, Microsoft has pushed XML support in its
forthcoming SQL Server 2000.
As part of the program, Microsoft will funnel soft dollars into the new Web
integrator channel and give companies such as USWeb/CKS, Viant, Proxicom and
Razorfish Inc. better access to technical help-desk support and Microsoft's
consulting services such as Microsoft's new Electronic Business Integration
Services for Web integrators.
Microsoft is identifying integrators and trying to convince them to use
Microsoft's platform, said Todd Dagres, general partner at Battery Ventures, a
Wellesley, Mass.-based venture-capital firm working with Web integrator
Inventa
Corp., Redwood Shores, Calif.
Microsoft is tip-toeing around Web integrators for fear of distressing its
large
partners, traditional systems integrators such as KPMG LLP, Arthur Andersen
and
EDS, one analyst said.
Microsoft is developing a Web integrator channel while it also is helping
traditional integrators retool for the Web, company executives said. For
example, Microsoft has established a new eBusiness Solutions Team in the past
three months.
"We have relationships with new Web integrators that have started up in this
space. We're doing a major staff-up in that area," said Bill Anderson, vice
president of Microsoft's Web applications services. At the same time, "the Big
Five are coming to us and asking us what we need to do to take this to the
next
level," Anderson said. "[General Motors Corp.] and Ford [Motors Co.] are
turning
their supply chain inside and out."
So is Microsoft. "Microsoft does need to have a more relevant
[business-to-business] story and the biggest challenge they face is offering
products that fit the enterprise," said Dr. David Fry, president of Fry
Multimedia, a Microsoft partner in Ann Arbor, Mich.
With Windows 2000 as its bedrock, solid market share with Site Server 3.0,
Commerce Edition in its pocket and its trademark price advantage over other
offerings, Microsoft could prove skeptics wrong.
"Microsoft is never first to market but usually does alright," said Ted
Schadler, group director at Forrester Research Inc., Cambridge, Mass. "With
BizTalk, they have the right approach but are probably finding it harder to
build than they thought."
It's Wake Up Time! -- Catching up with Web integrators
1Q 2000
Puts Commerce Server 2000 and BizTalk Server 2000 into beta testing
Feb. 14, 2000
Launches Web integrator program
Jan. 20, 2000
Makes $100 million investment in VerticalNet
Sept. 28, 1999
Expands alliance with USWeb/CKS to develop USWeb/CKS Internet Framework |
