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Microsoft is offering a new online directory that allows customers to search through over 5,000 third-party products by Microsoft product, industry or geography.

They have created over 5,000 industry platforms that are made available through Microsoft Solution Finder and Microsoft Industry Builder according to the company.

Microsoft Solution Finder is an online directory which gives its Microsoft Dynamics partners, developers and customers the power to search among over 220,000 Microsoft Certified Partners.

The directory offers more than 5,000 various solutions for partners or customers among which 2,000 are entwined withing the Microsoft Dynamics management applications, which includes financial, CRM, supply chain and Microsoft Retail Management System.

Vice president of worldwide sales strategy for the Microsoft Business Solutions department Craig McCollum says that "We invest millions of dollars every year, and now more than half is being aligned through vertical marketing efforts for partners, this is a significant shift for us, because two years ago we weren't doing that at all."

McCollum added that "We call the references to confirm they are using the products, then we turn on the solution within the tool for others to use. Each product is validated with two customer references to ensure quality." 

Laurie sullivan at Information Week mentions Microsoft's Industry Builder program:

"Along with the online search service, Microsoft is building a community of independent software vendors (ISVs) to participate in an Industry Builder program."

"Through the program, originally announced in December, these ISVs develop market-driven applications and services. Microsoft said customers have just begun to use these products. Gold Kist Inc. and Heritage Bag Co. have gone live with a product called Process Industries for Microsoft Dynamics AX developed by Fullscope Inc. About 45 partners have signed on in 12 geographies."

"The newest solution is for the retail industry. Retail Chain Manager was developed by industrial manufacturer To-Increase, the software division of Columbus IT Partner USA Inc."