REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of Microsoft(R) Office Accounting Express 2007, financial management software designed for early startups and home-based businesses that currently use pen and calculator or spreadsheets to run their operations. Office Accounting Express 2007 consists of desktop software available as a free download and seven integrated online services.*

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"If you run a newly formed business, are an eBay(R) seller, or still do your books in spreadsheets like Excel(R) or on paper, you should download and use Office Accounting Express 2007," said Rajat Taneja, general manager of Microsoft Small Business Applications and Services. "The familiar look and feel of the Microsoft Office interface will help small-business owners more easily navigate their everyday financial tasks."

The Office Accounting Express 2007 software will be available for free while third-party integrated premium online services are available for additional fees. Together, the software and services will enable businesses to harness the power of the Internet to sell products online, send invoices and receive payments electronically, process payroll, run credit reports, work with their accountant, and more -- all from within their accounting application.

Office Accounting Express 2007 software will be available on http://www.ideawins.com/ . IdeaWins is a campaign highlighting how Office Accounting Express 2007 can help small businesses take the hassle out of financial and business management so they can spend more time making their ideas a reality.

Tools for the More-Established Small Business

Microsoft also announced that it will introduce Microsoft Office Accounting Professional 2007, the successor to Microsoft Office Small Business Accounting 2006. This is a comprehensive business management solution for small businesses with more complex needs such as inventory management, multicurrency invoicing, multiuser access and fixed asset management. In early 2007, Office Accounting Professional will be available in retail stores for an estimated retail price of $149. Until then, a trial version will be available.

Microsoft Office Accounting Professional 2007 will provide additional features, such as business dashboard, cash flow management tool, purchase and sales orders, job costing, a wider variety of financial reports, and the ability to connect to Microsoft Dynamics(TM) Point-of-Sale.

In addition, Office Accounting Professional 2007 will enhance business efficiency by allowing multiple people within an organization to access and work with relevant financial information based on each person's role in the accounting process.

Clear Pathway for Business Growth

"According to 2005 data from AMI Partners, there are approximately 20 million small and home-based businesses," Taneja said. "They have various obstacles to using accounting software, such as the cost or fear of technology. We want to help eliminate those barriers by giving business owners an easy-to-use yet comprehensive solution that can help them be more efficient, manage their customer base and grow their business."

Both Office Accounting Express 2007 and Office Accounting Professional 2007 include the following features:

-- Online service integration with eBay, PayPal(R) and Equifax(R), which allows businesses to list and sell merchandise, track inventory, accept payment and run credit reports.* Business owners can also share their financial information with their accountant online using Microsoft Office Live integrated services. -- The ability to create quotes, invoices and receipts as well as write checks, track expenses and reconcile online bank accounts. Small businesses can also track employee time, and manage payroll and taxes through integrated services from ADP(R).* -- A way to centralize customer information and simplify sales and marketing through integration with Microsoft Office Outlook(R) 2007 with Business Contact Manager so decisions can be made more quickly.

Small-business owners can download Office Accounting Express 2007 and find additional information about both applications at http://www.ideawins.com/ .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* Third-party services are available for additional fees.

NOTE: Microsoft, Excel, Microsoft Dynamics and Outlook are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

ADP is a service mark of ADP of North America Inc. eBay and the eBay logo are registered trademarks of eBay Inc. Equifax is a registered trademark of Equifax Inc. PayPal and the PayPal logo are registered trademarks of PayPal Inc.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Rapid Response Team of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide,
+1-503-443-7070, or rrt@waggeneredstrom.com, for Microsoft Corp.

Web site: http://www.ideawins.com/

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/