As part of its expansion plan in Bangladesh, Microsoft has introduced an integrated business software solution, Microsoft Dynamics. The software giant started its new venture with GrameenPhone (GP) Ltd, the largest cellphone service provider in the country.
The mobile phone operator recently opened its first GrameenPhone Centre (GPC) with the technical support of Microsoft Dynamics, a line of integrated, adaptable business management solutions, to offer sales-, customer management- and payment-related services under a single roof.
On this occasion, Sun Whye Mun, director of Microsoft Dynamics (South East Asia), visited Bangladesh and in a recent interview with The Daily Star, he shared his views on the product and its potential in the corporate segments in the country.
"The features of Microsoft Dynamics include financial management, supply chain management and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. The two major areas the software solution works in are the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and the CRM. The companies that we serve are enterprises, mid-sized companies and small businesses," said Mun.
"This software is almost like the rest of the Microsoft products. So anybody, who is familiar with the Office and Outlook products, will find it very easy to use. Typically, the ERP software are very hard to use and learn. But by making the product more user-friendly, we have tried to help our clients manage it more easily,” Mun said while talking about the value propositions of Microsoft Dynamics.
When asked about Microsoft's potential in the corporate segments in Bangladesh, Mun said, "Based on my interactions and meetings with some local companies, I am actually very optimistic. As the Bangladesh economy grows and matures, I believe companies are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that the world has changed and the stage that we are all on today not only has domestic competition, but also faces global rivalry. For example, many of your mobile phone operators are foreign companies in conjunction with local partners competing for the booming cellphone business."
"What the companies here need to do is gaining competence such as increasing operational effectiveness and efficiency, which eventually lower costs. They also need to concentrate on innovation and connect their businesses with trading partners, suppliers and service partners."
Spinnovation Ltd, a local company, in partnership with Microsoft has already implemented the system in two GP centres, while the remaining 98 out of 100 centres will be covered within 2006.
