Microsoft Adds Business Intelligence Tools To Dynamics SL Apps

Microsoft is adding operational business intelligence capabilities to its Microsoft Dynamics SL applications, the company said Wednesday.

The software, called BIO for business intelligence optimization, will provide reports and performance scorecards designed for 14 organizational roles, ranging from CEO and CFO to operational managers, in small and midsized businesses. Users will be able to view the reports using Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, SharePoint Services, and Business Scorecard Manager, as well as directly through the BIO for Microsoft Dynamics SL application, previously known as Microsoft Business Solutions-Solomon.

BIO will tap into SQL Server Analysis Services, the online analytical processing capabilities built into Microsoft's database. The BIO application works with SQL Server 2000 and 2005.

Microsoft has developed 60 predefined analytical reports tied to 430 business activities--such as specific inventory management and accounts receivable tasks and associated performance metrics--that cut across the 14 organizational roles, says Eric de Jager, Microsoft Dynamics SL director. Developers can use the software to build their own reports as well. De Jager says data across the reports will be consistent--a "single version of the truth"--by relying on a common data source.

BIO will be sold to Microsoft Dynamics SL resellers. It's slated for general availability in June.