About This Deal

Microsoft Corporation acquired Great Plains Software for $1.1 billion, a transaction completed in April 2001, structured as all stock.

Great Plains Software operates in Business apps, is based in Fargo, North Dakota, USA. Great Plains Software was a leading supplier of mid-market business management applications. Structured as a stock purchase exchanging 1.1 Microsoft shares per Great Plains share, it brought Great Plains in as a division of Microsoft's Productivity and Business Services Group and expanded Microsoft's reach into integrated business software for small and mid-sized companies.

Accelerated Microsoft's push into interconnected business management solutions for small and mid-sized companies.

Deal Terms

Acquirer
Microsoft Corporation
Target
Great Plains Software
Value
$1.1 billion
Date
April 2001
Type
Acquisition
Status
Official-source — no SEC filing

Transaction Details

Target HQ
Fargo, North Dakota, USA
Segment
Business apps
Structure
All stock
Announced
December 21, 2000
Closed
April 5, 2001

In Their Words

Microsoft and Great Plains see the future of business applications for small and medium-sized companies in the same way.Steve Ballmer, President and CEO, Microsoft

Advisors

Advisory firms were not disclosed for this transaction.

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Sources: Press release ↗ · Last updated July 16, 2026

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