Microsoft has pledged to strengthen its business applications division in the UK under the leadership of new managing director, Gordon Frazer.

Microsoft’s business applications include enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM).

Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft international and senior vice president Microsoft Corporation, told Computing: ‘The UK team is doing one of the best jobs in the Europe. It has rich partnerships with systems integrators.’

‘We need to extend the knowledge and skills base of partners and there is an expansion plan which Gordon will accelerate.’

Courtois says Frazer’s priority will be overseeing the launch of Windows Vista and Office 2007.

‘It is the biggest launch in the UK and the world ever,’ said Courtois.

Asked about reported delays to Office 2007 because of performance concerns, Courtois, said: ‘The business launch is happening at the end of the calendar year and then it will launch to consumers. The key thing is to have super high quality in the product.’

Frazer takes on his new role on 31 July from departing managing director Alistair Baker.

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