Microsoft Corp. today announced the release of new enhancements for the Microsoft Office Solution Accelerator for Six Sigma designed to help businesses cut costs, improve processes and reduce the time it takes to complete projects. Available starting next week at no charge to all Microsoft� industry partners and customers, the accelerator, which now fully leverages support for the new Microsoft Office System, delivers standardized tools, support and structured implementation methods that are crucial to successful Six Sigma adoption, enabling customers to get more out of their information technology (IT) investments.

Since Motorola Inc. first developed Six Sigma in the 1980s, companies have been turning to this high-quality management methodology to improve business processes, increase profitability and raise customer satisfaction. However, because Six Sigma requires widespread changes throughout an organization, implementation can be complex to set up and manage.

"We are seeing an increasing need from Motorola's customers and suppliers with business improvement initiatives for an integrated, scalable, easy-to-use system that enables teams to manage and monitor their Six Sigma projects," said Tom McCarty, vice president of Schaumburg, Ill.-based Motorola University Consulting Services. "That's why Motorola University is working with Microsoft to offer the Office Solution Accelerator for Six Sigma to our clients."