Intuit Microsoft War: Microsoft Loses Again

One of the new Intuit Microsoft War losses again involves Microsoft Office Accounting. Microsoft created it several years after buying heavyweight accounting software producers Great Plains and Solomon. Counting eary losses on these products, this new Intuit Microsoft War investment was about $2 billion. Microsoft originally referred to Microsoft Office Accounting as a Microsoft Intuit War "QuickBooks killer." However, sales were so bad that the $150 price soon went from $150 to $50 and then became a free download, so Microsoft Loses Again. They actually never even made it past number two Peachtree. Many thought the product manager would be the next Microsoft CEO, but he left soon after the new  Microsoft Intuit War disaster became an apparent and Microsoft loses again.

Microsoft still sells a $200 version called Microsoft Office Accounting Professional. However, its latest Intuit Microsoft War announcement shows Microsoft loses again. Users who paid for Microsoft Office Accounting Standard, Plus or Professional (2006 - 2008) or Small Business Accounting 2006 can upgrade to the latest Professional version free. http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/11/22/microsoft-office-accounting-professional-2009-free-upgrade-for-sba-2006-or-msoa-pro-2007-and-2008-license-product-key/

This strongly suggests that even Professional is no longer selling, whcih is too bad in view of serious 2009 QuickBooks online banking problems. In addition, professional accountants seem completely turned off by Microsoft Office Accounting. Microsoft includes this program in its Microsoft Action Pack for Professional Accountants. This is a real bargain, as it includes 10 copies of Vista and Office, plus lots of other software ($15,000+) and support for $299 a year. It even includes a free website. However, a recent Intuit Microsoft War survey found only two registered  Microsoft accountants in the New York City area, where there were 400 QuickBooks ProAdvisors.

We previously reported on this at:

• Inside Intuit - Microsoft Intuit War (with Google, Apple, Adobe, Sun, Yahoo and others)http://1234567890.typepad.com/quickbooks/2008/09/linux.html

• Intuit Microsoft War: Intuit is playing the web services game that Microsoft is talking
  http://1234567890.typepad.com/quickbooks/2008/08/intuit-microsoft-war-intuit-is-playing-the-web-services-game-that-microsoft-is-talking.html

• End Runs Around Vista, Intuit Microsoft War, QuickBooks Linux is the Future
  http://1234567890.typepad.com/quickbooks/2008/08/inside-intuit-.html

Microsoft also recently announced it was discontinuing Microsoft Small Business Financials and that Microsoft Money would no longer be available for retail sale. This ended three more battles in the Intuit Microsoft War, where Microsoft loses again, Microsoft loses again and Microsoft loses again. This means Microsoft

We will soon update this for all the battles we know about in this Intuit Microsoft War.