News
MS and SAP To Preview “Mendocino”
Microsoft said it and partner SAP will provide a technology preview of their
jointly developed “Mendocino” product to 40 customers and 10 partners
on Friday, right on schedule.
Announced in April, Mendocino is the code name for a product that is meant
to more closely integrate SAP with Microsoft Office.
“Our goal is to enable Microsoft Office to bridge the gulf between enterprise
data sources and the information workers who need to view and analyze business
information, plan and make decisions, and collaborate with others,” Chris
Caren, general manager of Microsoft's Office business applications group, said
in a statement.
Product development is focused on fulfilling four scenarios. First is budget
monitoring, aimed at providing managers with access to financial data they need
to do annual budget planning and monitoring, cost analysis, and correction of
postings. Second is a time management scenario that aims to enable employees
who need to record and review hours worked to do so within the Outlook calendar.
Third is a leave management scenario so that employees can request and receive
leave approvals in Outlook mail. And finally, an organization management scenario
brings human resources-related administrative and planning tasks into Outlook.
“We’re making good progress towards a broader beta release in the
spring and final availability in the late-summer 2006 timeframe,” said
Caren’s statement.
About the Author
Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.