Microsoft Corp. today announced that its industry partners are building an array of applications for small and midsize businesses on the Windows Vista� operating system and 2007 Microsoft� Office system. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the failure rate of small businesses tops 50 percent in the business�s first year.* These applications are intended to extend Microsoft�s small-business solutions to further help entrepreneurs overcome key challenges and ensure their long-term success well beyond this first critical year.

Built by independent software makers to take advantage of features in both Windows Vista and the Microsoft Office release, these applications are designed to help small-business owners more easily manage cash flow, stay productive on the road, track customer orders and sales leads, and ensure the protection and privacy of business information. When combined with the features and capabilities of Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system, these applications enable small businesses to dedicate an even greater percentage of their time and energy to generating revenue.