Microsoft Spends Money To Make Money

To better manage the time and expenses of its 6,000 worldwide consultants, Microsoft Worldwide Services signed a contract valued at $5.7 million to use Changepoint Corp.'s professional-services automation software.

The consultants and support staff of the Microsoft services arm previously used homegrown systems and off-the-shelf apps from Portera Systems and Empire Time, but Norm Thomson, Worldwide Services' director of operations, says Microsoft needed a centralized platform offering multiple currency, languages, and tax scenarios. The Changepoint rollout is part of a software investment that includes Siebel Systems Inc. and SAP; the system is expected to go global by next year.