MS Connects Office and Back-Office Apps

Robert writes to tell us CBR Online is reporting that Microsoft has released a new set of tools to link up their back-office applications with Office 2003. From the article: "The Microsoft Dynamics Snap tools allow users to interact with data and processes within Dynamics AX 3.0 (Axapta), and Dynamics CRM 3.0 without leaving Office, by taking small components from the back office applications and snapping them into the Office environment. The initial release delivers four applications. Timesheet Snap-In and Vacation Management Snap-In, which are built for Dynamics AX only, and two versions of Business Data Lookup Snap-In, one each for Dynamics AX and Dynamics CRM."

Comments

Oh, goodie!

[Jordan Catalano]

Microsoft + connected applications = new wave of scripting exploits

Re:Oh, goodie!

[Anonymous Coward]

It's also a new wave of lock-in. I'm subjected to lock-in at work because the chosen Microsoft tools exploit microsoft-only interfaces to ensure that the "web" frontend can only run on IE.

From TFA:

[Anonymous Coward]

Snap is part of Microsoft's long range Dynamics strategy which ultimately aims to unite its business applications through a single code base.

*shivers*

Re:Protocols vs. code

[NatteringNabob]

Exactly, code that doesn't run in any other office suite, like, say OpenOffice. So if you choose Microsoft for backend or Web based server applications. you continue to fork out for Microsoft client applicationas as well, and vice versa. Microsoft hasn't been fighting the EU tooth and nail for no reason the last 5 years. They have been doing it precisely so that they could introduce things like their 'snap-ins' and prevent competing implementations. A tiger doesn't change its stripes, and neither do abusive monopolists.