Microsoft To Offer Dynamics AX Connector for SAP

Microsoft plans to roll out a new connector for its Dynamics AX enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that can hook up with SAP's Business Suite ERP.

The point of the new connector, announced this week, is to set up a two-tier structure, integrating processes from both the headquarters of an organization (using SAP's Business Suite) and office-branch subsidiaries (using Dynamics AX). The connector will be available for download by Microsoft's customers and partners sometime in the third quarter of this year, according to Microsoft's announcement.

The Microsoft Dynamics two-tier connector is designed to allow business processes--such as financial consolidation, inter-organizational supply-chain integration, and plant automation--to be shared from a central SAP installation. The integration can be customized using Microsoft BizTalk Server, according to Microsoft's announcement.

Microsoft described the two-tier ERP approach as offering cost-savings to organizations.

"Organizations seeking to streamline their processes and technology should consider a two-tier ERP strategy as a cost-effective alternative to the limitations associated with forcing a single enterprise solution across their entire business," said Crispin Read, Microsoft's general manager of Dynamics ERP, in released statement.

The connector offers interconnectivity, but it also may offer Microsoft a means to "infiltrate SAP" by introducing SAP customers to the Dynamics AX experience. In any case, Microsoft has devoted a Web page on the whole two-tier ERP concept, including some white paper downloads.