Microsoft Dynamics partners are invited to review the next release of Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step! Reviews of the upcoming Sure Step beta will begin the week of October 5 and will run through the first week of November. What to expect as a beta tester:

• Minimum one week commitment to reviewing the latest release in regards to new and updated content and interface modifications.
• Access to a secure site to download the Sure Step beta release.
• A series of Live Meetings to review the beta release, with emphasis by topic area.
• Conduit to provide feedback to the Sure Step team in a timely manner.
• Satisfaction that your actions will help to make the next version of Sure Step a better product prior to release!

To find information regarding how to sign up for the Sure Step beta, visit PartnerSource.

--Kevin

The Microsoft Dynamics Partner Community YouTube video channel provides quick tips and coaching for Microsoft partners to help them more effectively market, sell, and service. Our goal is to enable partners to successfully build their Microsoft Dynamics business and increase their profitability.

We expect to add new video content to the channel on a weekly basis. We'll also invite various "special guests" to provide insight into key Microsoft Dynamics partner programs, product launches and readiness activities.

--Kevin

We’re excited to deliver the next set of improvements to PartnerSource and CustomerSource. New functionality makes it easier for you to customize your web experience, freeing you up to spend more time supporting your customers and your business, and less time looking for information.

When you consider that there are over 400,000 documents across PartnerSource, CustomerSource, Knowledgebase and eLearning, staying on top of information that impacts your business or the role you have in your organization is imperative to you and to your customers. From hearing your concerns through technical support, at conferences like Worldwide Partner Conference and Convergence, it’s been clear that you want us to focus our efforts on improving the discoverability of information greatly. We started this with updating the PartnerSource and CustomerSource search engine in May, and we’re continuing it with functionality available in this release.

My Page provides you with a custom dashboard of information that works precisely how you work. You can set up My Page quickly with the types information important to you, then check it each time you visit PartnerSource to see what news or content is available that impacts you and your business. To get started, you can choose My Page from the navigation at the top of the PartnerSource homepage. Take a few minutes and explore My Page – you can change it or customize it at any time – and set it up to begin working for you today.

Check out more important features by clicking here.

--Kevin

Some big news coming from the Microsoft Dynamics AX team earlier this week. I've included part of the press release below.

REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 22, 2009 — Building on the Microsoft Dynamics enterprise resource planning (ERP) strategy to drive industry-specific innovation for customers and enable partners to deliver repeatable, vertical solutions, Microsoft Corp. today announced the acquisition of four industry solutions that will extend the core capabilities of one of Microsoft’s ERP products, Microsoft Dynamics AX. This move supports Microsoft’s promise to enable the Dynamic Business, which includes offering flexible business applications that remain relevant as business needs evolve.

"With these acquisitions we are investing in building industry functionality directly into the Microsoft Dynamics AX application, while other ERP vendors are cutting corners or trying to reconcile multiple industry offerings as a result of acquiring several companies," said Crispin Read, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics ERP. "We are a safe haven for customers and partners who depend on us to drive continuous innovation in our products and lower the total cost of ownership."

The following acquired technology will be offered as part of Microsoft Dynamics AX, which will give partners the opportunity to drive deeper vertical solutions for customers in manufacturing, professional services and retail.

• A process manufacturing solution acquired from Fullscope Inc., which provides tight integration of business processes across discrete manufacturing and process manufacturing.
• A professional service solution acquired from Computer Generated Solutions Inc., which delivers a single system to manage projects and resources, execute financial transactions and customer billing, and match resources with client assignments.
• Retail solutions from LS Retail EHF and To-Increase Denmark A/S, a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbus IT Partner A/S, that enable Microsoft to provide an end-to-end retail solution including store management with point-of-sale, merchandising and ERP capabilities.

With these technology acquisitions Microsoft is providing core industry functionality embedded into Microsoft Dynamics ERP applications, allowing partners to focus on the last mile of innovation, which has been shown to have the greatest impact on a customer’s business. In fact, IDC research shows that Microsoft Dynamics ERP partners with vertical focus outperform those without in several key areas including higher overall customer growth, a higher proportion of revenue from new customers, larger deal sizes, and a trend toward higher operating profit margins. 

--Kevin

Receive the latest in partner training information at your fingertips with the Microsoft Dynamics US Partner Training Hotsheet. Download, save, and/or print this Hotsheet for quick and easy access to the upcoming training schedule.

--Kevin

The PowerPoint includes:

• Dynamics GP 10
• Dynamics GP 10 Feature Pack
• Dynamics GP 10 SP 4 (Extender, CRM Adapter)
• Updated Dynamics GP Roadmap
• Updated Dynamics GP 11
• Appendix with other misc slides we get asked for.

View their full blog here.

--Kevin

The third day of The Partner Event 2009 brought some more excellent sessions from some very great presenters!

I attended 2 sessions in the morning and David Smith's (general manager, Microsoft Dynamics US partner team) afternoon keynote. Here are some of the highlights...

• Once again, Joe Rotella of Delphia Consulting provided some tactical tips on how to use Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook successfully. He also mentioned 5 reasons for partners to to use social media:  create name awareness, build brand, establish trust, drive sales, and improve client services.
• Joe Mechlinski of EntreQuest gave a compacted version of his Quest for Yes training. Check out his company's website for more information.
• At lunch, my team's own UnRuly Ladies entertained the crowd with a humorous skit. Visit our website's Radio Show tab to learn more about these entertaining ladies!
• Finally, the event wrapped up with David Smith's keynote. David spent a lot of his time covering 3 key initiatives for FY10 and beyond:  focus partner investments, compete to win, and customer & partner satisfaction.

Overall, the event was well attended, and partners discovered new knowledge, new (and old) connections, and new energy as they focus on the Microsoft Dynamics solutions!

--Kevin

Difficult jobs are always easier with the right tools. With specialized support from Microsoft, you can reduce risk and cost for Microsoft Dynamics projects.

In North America, Advanced Product Support Services is now part of Technical Advisory Services. As a member of the Microsoft Partner Network who used Advanced Product Support Services, you will continue to receive all the services you are accustomed to. Technical Advisory Services provides you with a one-stop shop of packaged services for analysis, assessment, evaluation, and review of Microsoft Dynamics solutions and other Microsoft technologies. Technical Advisory Services can assist you with:

• Recommendations and best practices for Microsoft technologies.
• Guidance for upgrades, migration, and deployments.
• Consultative assistance through scheduled events and custom workshops.
• Packaged proactive services for analysis, assessment, evaluation, and review.
• Development advice and code samples.

Best of all, these resources may be included as part of your Microsoft Partner Network benefits, so you can start using them today!

Discover the Power of Technical Advisory Services and Start Benefiting Today!
Getting started with Technical Advisory Services is easy. Use your Microsoft Partner Network benefits to access the services and purchase additional hours when you need them. If you are enrolled in the Partner Advantage Plan or Partner Foundation Plan for Microsoft Dynamics, you will receive discounts that apply to Technical Advisory Services for Microsoft Dynamics solutions and other Microsoft technologies, such as Active Directory and Microsoft Exchange Server.

Visit the Technical Advisory Services Web site to request service, start using your Microsoft Partner Network benefits, and take advantage of your Partner Service Plan discounts.

--Kevin

PS - On Monday and Tuesday I hope to provide some key tips live from The Partner Event conference taking place here in Fargo, ND.

Microsoft is excited to announce the "Government Contractor Offer for Microsoft Dynamics" - a Microsoft Dynamics promotion targeting small and medium sized government contractor businesses in the United States that wish to take advantage of the rich functionality offered by Microsoft Dynamics SL and Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

Microsoft offers government contractors intelligent solutions for every phase of project development - from account building, to proposal and Contract generation, to the details of project management. Microsoft Dynamics SL offers Comprehensive DCCA Compliant Financial Management Solutions. For a limited time, Microsoft is offering a discount of up to 20% for new customers in SIC codes 73xx, 87xx, and 89xx when they purchase Microsoft Dynamics SL or Microsoft Dynamics NAV Advanced Management ("AM") or Business Essential ("BE") edition user licenses.

Additional details, terms and conditions are provided here.

--Kevin