Great Plains Software

Great Plains Software was an accounting software company located in Fargo, North Dakota, whose products focused on small to medium-sized businesses.[1] It was founded in 1981,[2] went public in 1997,[3] and was sold to Microsoft in 2001.[2][4][5] Prior to its acquisition, it had 2,200 employees.[1]

Great Plains Software Inc.
IndustryInformation technology
Founded1981 (1981)
Defunct2001 (2001)
Fateacquired by Microsoft
Headquarters
Fargo, North Dakota
Area served
United States

History

The company was founded in 1981 by Joseph Larson, who also served as the company's first president.[6] Doug Burgum, a future governor of North Dakota and U.S. presidential candidate, joined the company in March 1983 as a shareholder.[6] He provided seed capital for the company and bought out the other investors in early 1984 and became its new president.[7] Larson continued to serve as a director for the company until its acquisition.[6]

The company grew to about 170 employees by 1987,[8] and to around 290 employees by 1989.[9] It received about $300 million in annual sales and a 1997 IPO, after using the Internet to help it expand beyond North Dakota.[10] In 1999 the company acquired Match Data Systems, a development team in the Philippines.[11] In 2000, after the company experienced several layoffs, it was acquired by Microsoft for $1.1 billion.[12] The full purchase was completed in 2001.[2] Its products continue to be offered as Microsoft Dynamics GP.[5][13]

References
  1. Eccher, Marino (June 1, 2011). "Part 1 of 7: Rising to the Challenge: History of Great Plains Software before merger". Fargo Forum. Forum Communications Company. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  2. "TECHNOLOGY; Great Plains Software Purchased by Microsoft". New York Times. Dec 22, 2000. p. Section C, Page 4 of the National edition. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  3. Eccher, Marino (June 1, 2011). "Profile: Doug Burgum: Entrepreneur and philanthropist". Fargo Forum. Forum Communications Company. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  4. Eccher, Marino (June 2, 2011). "Part 2 of 7: Two worlds collide: The merger of Great Plains and Microsoft". Fargo Forum. Forum Communications Company. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  5. "Why Microsoft bought Great Plains Software". techrepublic.com. January 11, 2001. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  6. "N.D. software firm sold to investors". Star Tribune. March 23, 1984. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  7. Gretchen Heim Olson. "Spring 2006: Doug Burgum's Prairie Fire 20 Years and Blazing". North Dakota Horizons. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016.
  8. Meyer, Jeff (September 4, 1987). "Great Plains Software takes great pains to protect ideals". Star Tribune. Associated Press.
  9. "Local resident joins software firm". Journal Gazette. August 21, 1989.
  10. Rich Karlgaard (September 16, 2002). "Microsoft Is Plain Crazy". Forbes.
  11. "Software firm has new service". The Bismarck Tribune. Associated Press. April 16, 1999.
  12. "Microsoft buys Great Plains Software". Associated Press. Florida Today. December 22, 2000. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  13. "Great Plains Historical Timeline". msdn.com. Archived from the original on Jun 23, 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
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