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Great Plains Software

Great Plains Software, Inc. was an accounting software company located in Fargo, North Dakota, whose products focused on small to medium-sized businesses.[2] It was founded in 1981,[3] went public in 1997,[4] and was sold to Microsoft in 2001.[3][5][6] Prior to its acquisition, it had 2,200 employees.[2]

Great Plains Software, Inc.
Company typePublic
Nasdaq: GPSI[1]
IndustryInformation technology
Founded1981; 43 years ago (1981)
FounderJoseph Larson
Defunct2001 (2001)
FateAcquired by Microsoft
Headquarters
Fargo, North Dakota
Area served
United States
Key people
Number of employees
2,200

History

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The company was founded in 1981 by Joseph Larson, who also served as the company's first president.[7] Doug Burgum, a future governor of North Dakota and U.S. presidential candidate, joined the company in March 1983 as a shareholder.[7] He provided seed capital for the company and bought out the other investors in early 1984 and became its new president.[8] Larson continued to serve as a director for the company until its acquisition.[7]

The company grew to about 170 employees by 1987,[9] and to around 290 employees by 1989.[10] It earned about $300 million in annual sales and a 1997 IPO, after using the Internet to help it expand beyond North Dakota.[11] In 1999 the company acquired Match Data Systems, a development team in the Philippines.[12] In 2000, after the company experienced several layoffs, it was acquired by Microsoft for $1.1 billion.[13] The full purchase was completed in 2001.[3] Its products continue to be offered as Microsoft Dynamics 365.[6][14]

References

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  1. ^ "SEC docs".
  2. ^ a b 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.
  3. ^ a b c "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.
  4. ^ Eccher, Marino (June 1, 2011). "Profile: Doug Burgum: Entrepreneur and philanthropist". Fargo Forum. Forum Communications Company. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b "Why Microsoft bought Great Plains Software". techrepublic.com. January 11, 2001. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "N.D. software firm sold to investors". Star Tribune. March 23, 1984. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Meyer, Jeff (September 4, 1987). "Great Plains Software takes great pains to protect ideals". Star Tribune. Associated Press.
  10. ^ "Local resident joins software firm". Journal Gazette. August 21, 1989.
  11. ^ Rich Karlgaard (September 16, 2002). "Microsoft Is Plain Crazy". Forbes.
  12. ^ "Software firm has new service". The Bismarck Tribune. Associated Press. April 16, 1999.
  13. ^ "Microsoft buys Great Plains Software". Associated Press. Florida Today. December 22, 2000. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  14. ^ "Great Plains Historical Timeline". msdn.com. Archived from the original on Jun 23, 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
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