Well Microsoft could not buy Intuit a few year ago, so they are now doing the next best thing- partnering with them.
Today Intuit and Microsoft announced plans today to create new opportunities for software developers to deliver and market Web applications to small business customers through the Intuit App Center. The two companies plan to integrate the capabilities of their cloud services platforms -“ the Intuit Partner Platform and Windows Azure platform -“ to enable developers and channel partners to deliver solutions to the millions of employees within businesses that use QuickBooks financial software. In addition, the two companies will provide small businesses with Microsoft’s cloud-based productivity applications via the Intuit App Center.
Intuit will name Windows Azure as a “preferred platform” for small business cloud application development on the Intuit Partner Platform. The companies expect this to jump-start development and distribution of new Web-based applications to help small businesses in today’s challenging economy. The free Windows Azure software development kit (SDK) (Beta) for Intuit Partner Platform is available today at http://developer.intuit.com/azure.
“Intuit and Microsoft are trusted technology partners to small business,” said Walid Abu-Hadba, Microsoft Corporate Vice-President of the Developer & Platform Evangelism organization. “By combining the pooled technology assets of our developer communities, we stand to produce an outpouring of new applications to help small businesses enhance their competitive edge.”
Additional Information
- To download and test the Windows Azure SDK (Beta) for Intuit Partner Platform and other tools, go to http://developer.intuit.com/azure
- To learn more about the Windows Azure platform, visit: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsazure
- To learn more about the Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite, visit: http://www.microsoft.com/online/business-productivity.mspx
- To learn more about the Intuit Partner Platform, visit: http://ipp.developer.intuit.com
- To learn more about upcoming Intuit and Microsoft Activities, visit: http://www.microsoft.com/Intuit
