Microsoft has launched Microsoft Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office and SharePoint Server. The new package contains a collection of up to 12 self-service applications that are built into the Microsoft Office release and SharePoint products and technologies, as well as a license for the recently released Office SharePoint Server 2007.

Microsoft claims that these applications, such as Time and Attendance for Microsoft Dynamics GP, Project Time and Expense for Microsoft Dynamics SL, Microsoft Dynamics Snap Business Data Lookup for Microsoft Dynamics AX, and FRx WebPort and DrillDown Viewer, will simplify access to business information and help connect employees more closely with their company's business processes.

The new offering also includes licensing rights for customers or industry partners to build their own Office Business Applications, a new category of programs where Microsoft Office becomes the front end for accessing the back-end ERP functionality of Microsoft Dynamics.

"This new low-cost package is aimed at helping our customers improve the situation they face today, where on average 85% of their employees do not have direct access to critical information, such as data on customers, costs, orders, and schedules, contained in their ERP application," said Satya Nadella, corporate vice president, Microsoft Business Solutions Group at Microsoft.