Microsoft Preps for MBN Debut
eWeek | at | by Mike
Microsoft Business Solutions division is preparing a first beta release of its B2B partner-networking software-Microsoft Business Network-for delivery in October, with the final product expected in the first quarter of next year. MBN, a product developed by the Great Plains Software team within Microsoft Business Solutions, is a kind of electronic data interchange network designed to connect suppliers to their customers. Unlike a traditional EDI system, MBN will offer users a choice of HTML or XML to share their business documents and data.
On Thursday, Microsoft executives demonstrated MBN to some of the 2,000 reseller partners attending the company's Stampede conference here. Underneath the MBN covers are Microsoft's .Net Framework and BizTalk Server technologies, company officials said. MBN will provide transaction management via a Microsoft Outlook-based interface.