REDMOND, Washington, June 26 /PRNewswire/ --

- Deployment of new ERP system is expected to deliver benefits such as
better visibility throughout the company for efficient customer service.

Microsoft Corp today announced that Laclede Inc, the manufacturer of
Biotene and Oral Balance and a developer of biological products that utilise
the body's natural defence systems for the prevention and treatment of gum
disease due to dry mouth, has selected Microsoft Dynamics(TM) NAV to replace
its previous enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, Exact Software's
Macola Progression Series. Laclede, based in Rancho Dominguez, California,
selected the product over SAP Business One based on its track record for
accommodating growth and facilitating tight integration as well as its
ability to accommodate governmental regulations and currency irregularities
associated with conducting business internationally. Laclede has
approximately 140 employees who work in facilities in the United States,
Europe and South America.

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"We had started marketing our products more aggressively, and as a result
our growth spiked," said Dale Lauterback, Laclede's chief visionary officer.
"We used our previous ERP system for eight years, and when we deployed it we
had only 20 employees. Then we tripled in size, and the system simply wasn't
able to keep up with our needs. And, we were facing more complex FDA
regulations and wanted to support the system in-house, which the vendor
wouldn't let us do, so it became very costly."

Benefits Laclede plans to realise as a result of its new ERP system
include the following:

-- Growth. As a rapidly growing organisation with facilities in the
       United States, Europe and South America, Laclede looks forward to
       accommodating its expansion with Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

    -- Planning. Microsoft Dynamics NAV will help Laclede efficiently manage
       its planning, which is the most significant point in the production
       schedule. The product's built-in, easy-to-use project planning
       capabilities, according to Laclede, will be invaluable, allowing
       brokers, for example, to see the status of their orders, which will
       increase overall customer satisfaction.

    -- Integration. Seamless integration among disparate constituencies is
       key to Laclede's ability to remain competitive. Microsoft Dynamics NAV
       makes it possible for the shipping department to immediately identify
       the most affordable shipping option, for all warehouses and stores to
       have immediate access to the status of orders, and for the company to
       link with other countries without worrying about currency conversions.
       Another benefit is the seamless integration with the Microsoft(R)
       Office system and SharePoint(R) technologies and other Microsoft
       products.

    -- RFID support. Large retail stores are among Laclede's major customers.
       Microsoft Dynamics NAV provides built-in support for Radio Frequency
       Identification (RFID) technology, which has been mandated by some
       stores for its vendors. This support enables Laclede to be compliant
       with this mandate.

    -- FDA validation. Laclede's products must go through strenuous review
       and approval processes with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
       With the built-in knowledge of those validation processes that comes
       With Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Laclede considers the product to be an
       in-house FDA expert.

    -- Efficient support. Hiring employees who are knowledgeable about
       Microsoft Dynamics NAV, according to Laclede, was easy. Recruiting IT
       professionals qualified to support other products such as those
       offered by SAP, on the other hand, was far more challenging and would
       have been cost-prohibitive.

Laclede worked closely with Western Computer, a Microsoft Gold Certified
Partner specialising in the implementation, customisation and support of
Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Western Computer, in business for more than 20 years
and based in Oxnard, California, offers a full suite of business products and
professional services that provides companies with powerful tools for
successful growth and increased profits.

"Laclede's selection of Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a testament to the
product's proven ability to handle complexities and accommodate aggressive
growth," said Michael Park, corporate vice president for Microsoft's US
Dynamics business. "Deployment of the product will help Laclede efficiently
manage its business while delivering better overall customer service."

About Western Computer

Western Computer provides world class support for Microsoft Dynamics NAV.
A Microsoft Gold Certified Partner with 50 employees, and twenty years
experience deploying and tailoring ERP systems in the mid-market space,
Western Computer is dedicated to making Microsoft technology accessible to
our customers.

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and
supply chain management solutions that helps businesses work more
effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing
specialised services, these integrated, adaptable business management
solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline
processes across an entire business.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise
their full potential.

This material is for informational purposes only. Microsoft Corp
disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to use of the material
for other purposes. Microsoft Corp shall not, at any time, be liable for any
special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, whether in an action of
contract, negligence or other action arising out of or in connection with the
use or performance of the material. Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting any kind of warranty.

For more information about Microsoft Dynamics: 
http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics

For more information about the Microsoft People-Ready Business
initiative: http://www.microsoft.com/business/peopleready/default.mspx

For more information about Laclede: http://www.laclede.com

For more information about Western Computer: 
http://www.westerncomputer.com

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