Combination of Microsoft Dynamics and Microsoft BizTalk Server - Research Paper Example

Business Modeling Business Processes Microsoft Corporation is an American based multination corporation with its headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Microsoft is a business empire that develops, supports, manufactures, and licenses numerous products and services that are related to computing. Paul Allen and Bill Gates founded Microsoft Company in April 4, 1945. Since then, Microsoft Corporation has grown to be the world’s largest software manufacturer by revenue. Notably, Microsoft Corporation is one of the most valuable companies in the world. Microsoft was established to manufacture and sell the Altair 8800 BASIC interpreters. In mid 1980s, this company ventured into selling personal computers operating systems, particularly the MS-DOS. This was followed by Microsoft Windows operating systems (Wong, 2010). In the year 1986, Microsoft initiated public offering that led to the rise in its share prices. Since early 1990s, Microsoft Corporation has increasingly diversified into numerous operating system markets that have made it acquire numerous corporates (Griffin, 2012). For instance, in May 2011, it acquired Skype Technologies at value of $8.5 billion, and Skype has been Microsoft’s largest acquisition since its advent. Notably, Microsoft’s key business process is remarkably candid in that it develops software then distributed to users who purchase either directly from the Microsoft Corporation or through the company's outlet agencies or companies that have rights to sell through them (Wong, 2010). In most cases, the Microsoft Corporation has its own internal system that captures the existing business processes, analyzing its possible supply chain, and some cases monitor the performance of such business processes. Therefore, Microsoft business processes is difficult to literary analyzing since it uses Microsoft Dynamics and Microsoft BizTalk Server that provide a solution for its extended enterprise. Moreover, it introduced a Visio 2010 tool that intuitive interface thereby easing users mapping processes by enabling them to share their insight across organization. Therefore, Microsoft business process can only be segmented from the manufacturers directly to the user. However, in cases of involvement of other organization we may have three players in Microsoft business process. Nonetheless, the Microsoft’s workflow diagram can be presented as in the diagram below: Microsoft’s Business Operations Microsoft Dynamics This is a business management solution that aims at streamlining and automating financial and customer relationship as well as supply chain processes in order to derive Microsoft’s businesses to success (Griffin, 2012). Microsoft dynamics is integrated business management solution that was adapted by the organization to enable it to make business decisions with immense confidence (Ward, 2012). Automation and streamlining of customer relationship, financial and supply chain processes through Microsoft Dynamics enables the organization to consolidate technologies, processes, and people towards increasing effectiveness and productivity of the business as well as driving the business to be driven to success. The Microsoft Dynamics operates in the same ways as other Microsoft software such as Microsoft office; thereby, it decreases the staff extensive learning requirements (Page, 2010). Notably, the Microsoft Dynamics software easily works with other systems already installed and implement in the organization. The Microsoft BizTalk Server Microsoft BizTalk Server is a process management server that helps the organization to connect to processes, information, and people across extended enterprises. The Microsoft BizTalk Server enables the organization to optimize and automate its business processes; thus, helping it to grow. The Microsoft BizTalk Server was introduced in the year 2006 and has enable Microsoft to expose its data and processes in real time. Moreover, this system has helped the organization to decrease costs, optimize business processes, and eliminate inefficiencies. Microsoft BizTalk Server is a simple but a powerful tool that have facilitated real time understanding of processes in business and enabling the organization to grow within its business venture (Ward, 2012). Combination of Microsoft Dynamics and Microsoft BizTalk Server The combination and application of Microsoft Dynamics and Microsoft BizTalk Server software provide extended enterprise solutions for both visibility and standardization into information resources. The combination of the software also enables subsidiaries or branch managers to maintain their agility and flexibility (Chermack, 2011). Microsoft needs services of Microsoft Dynamics and Microsoft BizTalk Server since they are extended services that provide company with agile integration that often translates to business advantages towards decentralization and centralization. The joint solutions of Microsoft Dynamics and Microsoft BizTalk Server offer Microsoft Corporation numerous advantages including: Real visibility across its extended organization: the Microsoft Dynamics automates and integrates vital business lines that provide the organization with integrated and unified view of operation, financials, and customer relationship management (CRM). On the other hand, the Microsoft Biz Talk server extends the visibility across the entire business units and supply chains (Wong, 2010). The Biz Talk sever also provides Microsoft organization with real time insight to its crucial business processes thereby helping numerous business units to identify and respond to problems that might affect business even before they can escalate. Flexibility: the combination of Biz Talk Server and the Microsoft Dynamics has enabled the Microsoft corporation to standardize and integrate where its business servers needs to integrate and standardize. In addition, these combinations of servers have supported flexibility that has facilitated adaptability of numerous business processes in the area that they promote business competitive agility (Hildebrand, 2007). Increased efficiency in trade partnership: the application and the use of the Biz Talk Server facilitates linkages between different Microsoft’s business partners thereby enlarge its supply chain and increasing business partnerships without the trading partner disrupting or changing their crucial business application towards partnership integration. The joint solution also offers simplicity through a single integrated view across the extended supply chain and organizational organs. This simplicity helps the business process management through varied ways including: Easy and improved system of employment: combination of Biz Talk Server and Microsoft Dynamic fits into the existing organizational infrastructure thereby simplifying delivery and employment integrated applications especially to the organization’s branch offices among other subsidiaries thus increasing the mode of operation within organization’s management structure (Cushman and King, 2001). Additionally, this mode of application and management also provide faster solutions to problems all over the organization’s management structure. Effective Usability: the combined effects of both Biz Talk Server and Microsoft Dynamics are efficient to use since they operate as Microsoft office products whose applications are familiar among many organizations. This compatibility in the use like other Microsoft products particularly Microsoft Office eliminates the need for the extensive training towards the usage of the combine effects of Biz Talk Server and Microsoft Dynamics. Effective business tool to gain Insight: the combination of Biz Talk Serve and Microsoft Dynamics facilitates organizational automation and integration in critical financial and CRM processes throughout the organs of management as well as across extended organs of management and the supply chain (Hildebrand, 2007). Finally, the combination of Biz Talk Server and Microsoft Dynamics provides Microsoft Corporation with the best values towards integrating numerous business applications across the supply chain and the extended enterprises. Additionally, this combination has increased the organization’s ROI that has facilitated the integration of existing organizational technologies with the technologies that are commonly used across the partners’ supply chain. Furthermore, the combination enables leveraging of the technologies that provide deep business insight (Bamford and West, 2010). Notably, the application provides a substantial on the company’s investment since these technologies are easy to use, deploy, and maintain; thus, reducing expenses that might have been incurred on lengthy unnecessary trainings. Moreover, they integrate multiple business management solutions across the business empire thereby promoting the organizational flexibility hence promoting effective growth. Process Improvement Microsoft Corporation manufactures, develops, supports, and licenses several computing products. Despite the strong growth and performance in its operations that have led to its financial stability, the company has faced intense competition that has affected its margins and market share (Daft, 2012). In fact, the corporation has numerous challenges especially in goods distribution, partnership with other businesses, and coordination of employees. SWOT Analysis Strength Microsoft Corporation has numerous operations and applications that are divided along with the most recent online service network division (MSN) The corporation has flexible workforce with contingent workers for clinical or seasonal projects It also has hardworking, loyal, and diverse workforce who have the opportunity to flourish financially through the stock purchases. Microsoft is a multinational corporation with numerous regional subsidiaries in over 60 counties that help it to minimize cultural differences. The company has new product, the Neptune that has widened its market. It also enjoys rapid product development processes thereby allowing it to conduct timely updating and release of other new products. The company has profit and revenues registering an annual increase of thirty percent with acquisition, merger, or investment in over 92 companies. The company’s products are enjoying distinguished name recognition and customer acceptance throughout the world thereby promoting its competitiveness and standardization advantages through easy cost effectiveness and integration. Its Windows, including 95, 98, and 2000 series, as well as Windows NT, are among some of its globally recognized PC desktop operating systems that have acquired 88 percent market share. Finally, the Microsoft Corporation is the largest world software company with global recognition as well as strong reputation for its innovative products. Weaknesses Between the year 1990 and 1995, the company’s leadership failed to correct its anticipated growth in the internet popularity. Bill Gates is the company’s chief software design but has failed to develop sustainable new line products. The company has over dependency on the hardware manufacturers to preinstall their PC operating systems. The company has registered failure in the sale of its server software and operating systems The company has a frequent reorganization, autocratic atmosphere, and red tape that dampen the employees’ creativity leading to reduction of the key personnel thereby reducing communication and innovation with the company. Most of the organization’s products have over dependency on single applications; thus, do not perform well with other products. The company’s reputation has suffered due to the enlargement in antivirus and perm tempts Vizcaino litigation. Opportunities Cheap and affordable global communication costs readily opens new markets especially using internet. Its federal trial proceedings against its antivirus favored Microsoft The increased mobile phone applications and personal digital exploitation helps the company to grow by strategically liaising with relevant market partners for such market opportunities. There has been a strong demanded of personal computers both in America and the global market thereby increasing the popularity of this organization Threats Linux and Apple threaten the Microsoft’s 88 percent market share especially on the desktop operating market. Between the year 1993 and 1995 other internet players including Oracle, Netscape, AOL, IBM, and Sun Microsystems among other players entered into the internet space and Microsoft underplayed their popularity and growth. The current exchange rates have affected the demand of most of Microsoft’s applications or operation software and hardware. Economic slowdown or recession in the United States and the global market has profoundly affected the personal computer market among other equipment sales relating to the operating systems. Software piracy that engulfs both the commercial and consumer software applications has threatened the company’s global scale revenue. The technology life cycle has proven to be shortening with everyday a new technology hitting the market. Business processes are the foundation of Microsoft and they rest in its products, service, and brands. These three processes are the under print ability that ensures that this organization is successful in achieving its goals and objectives. Microsoft often ensures that these processes are met through its business process management (BPM) methodologies. These methodologies involve automation, improvement of process activity efficiency, and accomplishment of the outcome tasks within specific business purposes (Aalst, BPM 2005; International Conference on Business Process Management, 2005). The main benefit of improving business management processes aims at improving decision making. The most effective enablers that ensure the business meet this effective decision-making include business intelligence (BI) and BPM technologies (Daft, 2012). Notably, the combination of BI and BPM makes the management arrive at better decisions concerning business process. Microsoft’s management targets these management skills towards improving its business processes. Automation and improvement of business processes are not the only business process decisions that Microsoft should look into, but they must also focus on the technology choices. The combination of BI and BMP will not require intensive investment on a single technology (“Business process improvement…” 2005). Therefore, Microsoft will require software for its business management process towards integrating systems, business users, and trading partners. This will only be attained through flexible business processes. However, increased evolution of communication systems will still be a change to the implementation of BPM. These effects need numerous systems that will work compatibly to the expanded software upgrade and new business needs. References Aalst, W. M. P., BPM 2005, & International Conference on Business Process Management. (2005). Business process management: 3rd international conference, BPM 2005, Nancy, France, September 5-8, 2005 ; proceedings. Berlin: Springer. Bamford, C. E., & West, G. P. (2010). Strategic management: Value creation, sustainability, and performance. Australia: South-Western Cengage Learning. Business process improvement through e-collaboration. (2005). Hershey, PA: Idea Group Publishing. Chermack, T. J. (2011). Scenario planning in organizations: How to create, use, and assess scenarios. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler. Cushman, D. P., & King, S. S. (2001). Excellence in communicating organizational strategy. Albany: State University of New York Press. Daft, R. L. (2012). Management. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Griffin, R. W. (2012). Fundamentals of management. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Hildebrand, C. B. (2007). WindowsMedia - The Role of Microsoft Corporation in the current Multimedia Industry. München: GRIN Verlag GmbH. Page, S. (2010). The power of business process improvement: 10 simple steps to increase effectiveness, efficiency, and adaptability. New York: American Management Association. Ward, P. (2012). Microsoft SharePoint for business executives: Q&A handbook. Birmingham: Packt Publishing. Withee, K. (2010). Microsoft business intelligence for dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Pub. Wong, K. K. (2010). Approved marketing plans for new products and services. S.l.: Iuniverse Inc. Read More