Sonata pact with Microsoft to deliver .NET tech

Sonata Software and Microsoft Corporation on Tuesday announced that they have forged a strategic alliance under which Sonata will deliver solutions and services, based on Microsoft's .NET technology and products.

Sonata will help large enterprises migrate applications from mainframe and mid-range systems to Microsoft Windows ServerT 2003 and the Windows Server SystemT, to reduce operational and maintenance costs and take advantage of current market applications and skills.

Mid-market companies will be helped to improve business management and customer interaction through enterprise systems using Microsoft Business Solutions "" Axapta and Microsoft Business Solutions CRM "" delivered quickly and with minimal risk.

B Ramaswamy, president and MD of Sonata Software, said, "We are excited at the opportunity of working closely with Microsoft. With this alliance, Sonata will provide customers a unique blend of leading edge platforms, future-ready solutions and a low-risk global delivery model. It is a compelling value proposition to customers worldwide."

Sonata is a pioneer in product co-development services for ISVs, and its unique "360° partnership" model helps ISVs meet speed-to-market goals and provides them an opportunity to reach out to the growing Indian market.

The ISVs also benefit from the Microsoft Windows platform and NET architecture adoption, which provide flexibility, ease-of-use and scalability. Sonata has over 35 ISV clients who are deriving significant business value from its "360° partnership".

Under this alliance, Sonata has also established a Microsoft Competency Center (MCC) to deliver customised solutions based on Microsoft Axapta and Microsoft CRM.

Coupled with Sonata's extensive mid-market ERP and CRM implementation expertise, the MCC offers advanced solution frameworks for the CPG and ISV verticals, to help customers reduce the cost, time and risk involved in such implementations.

"We have had the good fortune of teaming up with Sonata in our recent Translution suite product development on .NET," said Ted Marshall, managing director of Translution Ltd., a Microsoft Partner, which is developing technologies to enable Microsoft Exchange and Outlook users improve communications by eliminating language barriers.

"Based on our first-hand experience with both the companies, we believe the Sonata-Microsoft alliance will benefit solution providers like us."