Microsoft Dropped Office Accounting: Why the Surprise?

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Another important consideration is how much outside support the software enjoys. Small business owners need support—not just from the vendor, but also from its partners and other business owners who use the product. Brian's antennae should've been raised when he asked other business owners, colleagues, and accountants what they thought of Office Accounting and was mainly met with blank stares. No one knew about it. Where were the user conferences? The blogs? The buzz?

Office Accounting was just an add-on

When Brian was researching Office Accounting, he found that Microsoft had a community of "small business specialists" who would help him with this product. If he had dug further he would've found that the community was only recently formed and consisted mostly of Microsoft partners who were not necessarily certified public accountants or indeed had any accounting background. If he had asked more questions, he would've found out that to be a Small Business Specialist, one needed only to have a computer, to have attended elementary school, and be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. I should know. That's pretty much how my firm became a small business specialist. And we're not so good at walking and chewing gum. Many CPA firms have expertise with accounting systems. Unfortunately for Microsoft (and Brian), not this one.

While Office Accounting could be purchased on its own, Microsoft was pushing it more as an add-on to its existing Office suite. That's another red flag. The product was one of hundreds that Microsoft sells. At its next-to-nothing price, its potential for becoming a significant profit maker was remote. In other words, Office Accounting was little more than a marketing gimmick to promote sales of Office. So when the gimmick didn't work, Microsoft pulled the plug. If Leno's ratings don't improve, his show may suffer a similar fate.

Brian learned that if he's going to buy important software from a technology company, the product should be a core application, not something peddled to promote other products.

It's not the end of the world. Competing accounting software vendors are offering tools to migrate Brian's Office Accounting database to their products. Nor should Jay worry. Long after his talk show is cancelled, he'll be a success at doing stand-up and appearing as a guest on Letterman. But next time, Brian will have learned his lesson. He'll know what to consider before purchasing a key technology for his business. I'm afraid the same may not be true for TV. I heard Paula Abdul is considering launching a talk show. Some people never learn.

Gene Marks, CPA, is the owner of the Marks Group, which sells customer relationship, service, and financial management tools to small and midsize businesses. Marks is the author of four best-selling small business books and writes the popular "Penny Pincher's Almanac" syndicated column. He frequently speaks to business groups on penny-pinching topics. More penny-pinching advice from Marks can be found at www.quickerbetterwiser.com.

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