Microsoft acquires ERP products to strengthen vertical approach

Microsoft, the software giant has announced the acquisition of ERP products from four smaller ERP vendors. The acquisition is backed by the possibilities to give Oracle or SAP ERP a run for their market share.

Microsoft is optimistic that with the acquisition of ERP products, the company can grab some share of divisional business from large units that run on standardized Oracle or SAP ERP. 

The company aims to integrate those products into the Microsoft Dynamics AX suite. Among the acquisitions done, the company has acquired process manufacturing software from Fullscope, professional services software from Computer Generated Solutions, and retail software from LS Retail and To-Increase Denmark.

Till the updates, financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Microsoft Dynamic AX suite was planned after the acquisition of Navision in 2002 and the product is aimed at upper end of the midmarket. The approach is towards involving the mid market customers in vertical strategy and the large influx of partner involvement has made it appealing for Microsoft.

It seems that after gaining a better control over the vertical strategy, Microsoft can better position those products globally.

Adobe taps social networking media, announces availability of Flash Platform services

Adobe, the leading documenting software maker has announced a new Flash platform that will allow users and developers to share Flash platform.

The company has revised as how its Flash applications are used and has gone viral to make Flash apps more social. It will help users to share Flash Applications rather than leading to them an “install” link.

Sensing the current flow of technology and in wake of tapping the potential of social networking, the company is promoting the social and viral distribution of Flash applications on the Web, PCs and mobile devices. 

The company has announced the availability of Adobe Flash Platform Services that will facilitate application distribution, tracking, and monetization. It will be regulated by three main components namely Distribution, Collaboration, and Social.

The company has partnered with Gigya, a social media management platform for the service. The new move will help users to get rid of installation nits and grits. Also, it will help making Flash application metrics more meaningful by not only providing number of visits but will also give measure of social visits in terms of friend-to-friend interactions like “viral grabs” and “stickiness.”

The Social part of the service will be made available later this year, cited related sources and will initially support connections to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and Yahoo.

Intel introduces Moblin 2.1 with Smartphone capabilities

Intel, the chip giant has introduced an enhanced version of its mobile Linux operating system, Moblin 2.1.
With Moblin 2.1, Intel is planning to expand its reach into mobile devices. The chip maker has added phone and social networking capabilities to its Linux based operating system and is targeting Smartphones.

The new version for Moblin 2.1 was shown at Intel Developer Forum event. The Moblin was earlier pegged for netbook line of products but the latest version has the Smartphone functionality too.

The new version along with Smartphone capabilities has other features also including calendars, social networking, and news updates. The operating system is also provoked with Motorola’s MotoBlur services designed for the Android-powered Cliq.

It is speculated that Intel’s partnership with Nokia to manufacture MIDs could ride on the launch of Moblin 2.1. However, Nokia is also pushing its Linux based Maemo platform.

Also, the company has plans to launch its Moorestown platform that will follow its successful Atom line-up.

Dell to purchase Perot in $3.9 billion deal

Dell Inc, the PC maker has announced the acquisition of the technology services provider Perot Systems in a cash transaction valued at $3.9 billion.

The deal will help the company to diversify beyond its hardware business and to take on rivals Hewlett-Packard and IBM in the lucrative software solutions and services space. Further, it will provide an edge over IBM, Accenture and Indian technology services providers such as TCS, Infosys and Wipro as Perot is a specialist services provider.

The new combined entity will have total revenues of $7.7 billion, where Dell’s revenue totals to $5.1 billion and Perot's $2.8 billion.

Under the deal, Dell will acquire all outstanding common stock of Perot Systems for $30 a share in cash, which is a premium of about 67.5% on the script's Friday's closing price of $17.91 on the NYSE. According to sources, the deal is expected to close by December this year.

With strength of about 24,000, Perot provides IT services and business solutions to customers in healthcare, government and banking space. The deal had been in the works from 2007.