Kevin Machayya is a 15-year veteran of Microsoft and Great Plains Software. He has held various roles in technical support, customer service, and sales operations. For the last 11 years, Kevin has focused on the Microsoft Dynamics partner channel through partner account management, readiness, marketing, resourcing/staffing and development programs.
Connect with the Microsoft Dynamics Partner Community on:
Here's another Convergence update coming your way! Our Microsoft Dynamics Community team has put together a series of videos highlighting many of the reasons and benefits to attend this year's conference. These videos are a great resource for you to share with your customers and prospects.
In this series of informational videos, the Microsoft Dynamics Community team interviews key Microsoft constituents around the Microsoft Dynamics Convergence event in Atlanta from April 24 - 27, 2010. View the video corresponding to the topic that interests you to learn more about the benefits and opportunities available at the premier Microsoft Dynamics event that all customers and partners should attend. Introducing The Microsoft Dynamics Community Video SeriesThis video introduces the series and the topics that will be presented in upcoming interviews. Video Announcing Convergence Early Bird Registration and On-site Volunteeer OpportunitiesThe video features Microsoft Dynamics Community team members talking about early bird registration dates and discounts and announcing the on-site volunteer opportuntiies that will be available to attendees in Atlanta. Four Reasons to Attend Convergence Atlanta 2010Microsoft Dynamics Marketing Team Director Craig Dewar covers four key reasons to attend Convergence 2010 Atlanta. The Inside Scoop on Microsoft Dynamics Convergence Atlanta 2010 Straight from Event Owner Heather KullaLearn why this the event to attend if you are are a Microsoft Dynamics customer, partner, or prospective customer. Convergence Community & Learning Center OpportunitiesIn this video Jenny Davis, Community & Learning Center Coordinator, talks about the various opportunities available in the Community & Learning Center. Learn How You Can Receive Free Technical Support at ConvergenceIn this video, Convergence Help Desk Coordinator Jan Smith explains the function and advantages of using the support help desk at the event. Convergence Atlanta 2010 Off-site Volunteer OpportunitiesIn this video, Alexa Hoekstra, Convergence Marketing Coordinator, discusses the off-site volunteer opportunities available to attendees at Convergence Atlanta. The Customer Excellence Award Nomination Process is Now OpenIn this video, Microsoft Dynamics Convergence Marketing Manager Linda Charge, announces the opening of the Microsoft Dynamics Customer Excellence Award nominations and explains the process of nominating a customer. Convergence 2010 Atlanta Content Delivery OptionsIn this video, Event Owner of Microsoft Convergence 2010 Atlanta Heather Kulla, discusses how content will be delivered at Convergence 2010 and the learning options that are available to those attending this year’s event.
In this series of informational videos, the Microsoft Dynamics Community team interviews key Microsoft constituents around the Microsoft Dynamics Convergence event in Atlanta from April 24 - 27, 2010.
View the video corresponding to the topic that interests you to learn more about the benefits and opportunities available at the premier Microsoft Dynamics event that all customers and partners should attend.
Check back on PartnerSource for new Convergence videos added weekly!
--Kevin
Microsoft Pinpoint helps you connect with business customers who need your software and services built on Microsoft technologies. In this one-hour webcast, you’ll learn how to maximize your presence in the Pinpoint marketplace to build business partnerships and get more sales leads.
Webcast Topics:
The event takes place Monday, March 15, 2010 at 11am Eastern / 8 am Pacific.
For more details and to register, click here!
I wrote about a new promotion -- Welcome to Microsoft Dynamics License ERP Offer -- back on January 13, 2010, and now we have launched additional resources and activities to move many of these legacy customers to Microsoft Dynamics. Check out the campaign website, and familiarize yourself with all of the messaging.
Objective: The Business Turnaround Campaign is an initiative to win back Real World, GPA, and Solomon legacy customers and reintroduce them to what Microsoft now has to offer in terms of business management solutions. Background: With the launch of Great Plains Accounting (GPA) in 1982 and the purchase of RealWorld Software in early 2000, Great Plains Software was one of the leading midmarket application vendors at the time. Many of the Real World and GPA customers have moved to Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains) and are highly satisfied customers. If your customers have continued to use Real World, GPA or purchased other business management software, Microsoft Dynamics GP may be the perfect way to revitalize their business. Microsoft Dynamics GP provides your customers with solutions that go beyond financial management to reflect the way people actually work—the tasks they perform, the information they use, the tools and formats that make sense for their individual jobs and help them work more productively. The guiding principles behind Microsoft Dynamics GP are designed to meet those needs and can help your customers experience a better outlook for their business. Campaign Activities: Direct Mail Communications. A direct mail announcement was mailed to GPA, Real World, and Solomon legacy customers during the second week of February to create awareness around benefits of returning to Microsoft GP and SL business management solutions. Call Blitz. In some regions during the months of February and March, partners will participate in call blitz for Real World, GPA and SL accounts in order to follow up on the direct mail piece customers will have already received. Offer. The campaign directly correlates with the Welcome to Microsoft Dynamics License ERP offer. Email. A follow-up email will be launched mid-March targeting legacy customers with a valid email contact.
Objective:
The Business Turnaround Campaign is an initiative to win back Real World, GPA, and Solomon legacy customers and reintroduce them to what Microsoft now has to offer in terms of business management solutions.
Background:
With the launch of Great Plains Accounting (GPA) in 1982 and the purchase of RealWorld Software in early 2000, Great Plains Software was one of the leading midmarket application vendors at the time. Many of the Real World and GPA customers have moved to Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains) and are highly satisfied customers.
If your customers have continued to use Real World, GPA or purchased other business management software, Microsoft Dynamics GP may be the perfect way to revitalize their business.
Microsoft Dynamics GP provides your customers with solutions that go beyond financial management to reflect the way people actually work—the tasks they perform, the information they use, the tools and formats that make sense for their individual jobs and help them work more productively. The guiding principles behind Microsoft Dynamics GP are designed to meet those needs and can help your customers experience a better outlook for their business.
Campaign Activities:
Visit PartnerSource for complete details.
This morning we kick off the Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 Sales Presales Readiness Roadshow in Chicago, IL. This one-day class will provide tips and tricks for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 customer conversations, and help you build the right marketing messages. This class is designed to help you better position and sell Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 and provide customers and prospects details on the product strengths.
The roadshow takes the rest of the week off then continues next week in 9 additional cities, and continues throughout the month of March.
Also, the Microsoft Dynamics GP team has released some guidance around hardware requirements for demonstration resources:
A new Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 Beta Technical Demonstration Toolkit\Virtual Machine\VPC will be provided in February for partners, including multiple virtual machines to accommodate the new technical requirements associated with the introduction of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2010 (which will be 64-Bit only.) This means you will want to make sure you and your partners are prepared to demonstrate the full feature list of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 for existing and prospective customers! With this exciting new release, there will be a NEED to upgrade your demonstration hardware (i.e. laptops - if you have not already done so) to 64-Bit hardware (NOTE: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2010 will only run on 64 - Bit hardware.)
A new Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 Beta Technical Demonstration Toolkit\Virtual Machine\VPC will be provided in February for partners, including multiple virtual machines to accommodate the new technical requirements associated with the introduction of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2010 (which will be 64-Bit only.)
This means you will want to make sure you and your partners are prepared to demonstrate the full feature list of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 for existing and prospective customers!
With this exciting new release, there will be a NEED to upgrade your demonstration hardware (i.e. laptops - if you have not already done so) to 64-Bit hardware (NOTE: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2010 will only run on 64 - Bit hardware.)
Visit PartnerSource, for complete hardware specifications.
Mark your calendar and save the dates of July 11-15, 2010 for Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2010 (WPC), in Washington, D.C. Each year, WPC brings together Microsoft executives, team members, and partners from around the world in a forum for mutual learning, networking, and celebration.
Conference Timeline
The Microsoft U.S. partner team is in full planning mode for the Conference, and your feedback can help shape our presence. Do you have a suggested topic for the U.S. keynote, an idea for improving how you network with other partners, a request about the U.S. lounge? Take our quick Pre-Registration online survey this month. Complete this survey by February 26, 2010, and you could be eligible for a chance* to win one of three Zune HDs we are giving away.
I hope you will plan to join us for this year’s Conference, and take the opportunity to help us shape your experience by completing the survey.
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Company must have a valid Microsoft Partner Network ID to participate; entrant must be a legal resident of the 50 United States or District of Columbia and 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Enter by 2-26-10 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. For Official Rules including prize descriptions visit https://partner.microsoft.com/US/40130731. Void where prohibited.
The momentum continues to build for the Microsoft Dynamics Convergence conference coming to Atlanta, GA April 24-27. Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorships are sold out. And there are only a few exhibitor spots remaining. I'm also happy to announced that we now have an existing customer offer available for Convergence attendees!!
Convergence 2010 Sales Attendee Offer Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics SL, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and Microsoft Dynamics AX customers who attend Convergence 2010 are eligible to receive up to a 20% discount when: Acquiring additional users Acquiring additional modules/granules Transitioning between Microsoft Dynamics product lines, editions or Licensing Models (LMT)
Convergence 2010 Sales Attendee Offer
Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics SL, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and Microsoft Dynamics AX customers who attend Convergence 2010 are eligible to receive up to a 20% discount when:
Visit PartnerSource for complete Terms & Conditions.
Our Microsoft Dynamics GP team has recently posted on PartnerSource an update regarding these pricing changes. Some excerpts...
The Dynamics GP community has brought to our attention a few issues related to this pricing announcement that we are acting on. We have heard the need to help partners discuss with their existing customers and prospects the changes being made. We are building additional resources to assist you and are adding two web seminars to 1) show you how to sell in certain scenarios, and 2) give you demonstrations that will help you understand, position, and sell the excellent capabilities we are bringing to market with Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010. February Scenario Based Documentation Updated FAQ Existing Customer and Prospect Facing PowerPoint Presentations March Two Part Web Seminar Series Please stand by for further information about dates, venues, and how to attend.
The Dynamics GP community has brought to our attention a few issues related to this pricing announcement that we are acting on.
We have heard the need to help partners discuss with their existing customers and prospects the changes being made. We are building additional resources to assist you and are adding two web seminars to 1) show you how to sell in certain scenarios, and 2) give you demonstrations that will help you understand, position, and sell the excellent capabilities we are bringing to market with Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010.
February
March
Please stand by for further information about dates, venues, and how to attend.
Visit PartnerSource, for complete details.
This Microsoft Dynamics CRM marketing program is designed for larger Microsoft customers and customers. It creates a great opportunity to build awareness of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM solution.
We’ve realized great results with our seeding and Proof of Concept (POC) program. For FY10 H2, we’re continuing to offer the POC program to help you grow your Microsoft Dynamics CRM business. Along with the 6-month seed trial offer, Microsoft is making deep investments in the POC program that can empower you to make Microsoft Dynamics CRM THE solution of choice for customers. Here’s our FY10 H2 offer to you: From February 8 through June 25, 2010, eligible partners can take advantage of Microsoft funding to subsidize POC services costs for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, On-Premise, and Partner-Hosted solutions. You’ll want to act quickly—here’s a great opportunity to offer customers cost savings, capture high-volume seat purchases, and establish ongoing services revenue streams.
We’ve realized great results with our seeding and Proof of Concept (POC) program.
For FY10 H2, we’re continuing to offer the POC program to help you grow your Microsoft Dynamics CRM business. Along with the 6-month seed trial offer, Microsoft is making deep investments in the POC program that can empower you to make Microsoft Dynamics CRM THE solution of choice for customers.
Here’s our FY10 H2 offer to you: From February 8 through June 25, 2010, eligible partners can take advantage of Microsoft funding to subsidize POC services costs for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, On-Premise, and Partner-Hosted solutions.
You’ll want to act quickly—here’s a great opportunity to offer customers cost savings, capture high-volume seat purchases, and establish ongoing services revenue streams.
Check out PartnerSource to learn more!
For the many partners across the globe that focus on Microsoft Dynamics NAV, we have some hot off the presses news regarding the latest Statement of Direction (SOD) from Todd Bergeson of the US Marketing Team. The SOD for Microsoft Dynamics NAV gives you the overview of the roadmap and plans from 2010 through 2017.
You know that preparation is a key factor in building a successful business. We know it, too. And, that’s why we continue to share with you our vision and plans for the future direction of Microsoft Dynamics NAV. We are releasing the latest version of the Statement of Direction for Microsoft Dynamics NAV – a key document that contains important information about Microsoft’s investment plans and product development roadmap for the next three releases . Not only is the Statement of Direction a valuable tool to help you plan your own business activities and speak confidently with customers and prospects about the future of Microsoft Dynamics NAV, it can help you differentiate your offering from the competition. Industry analysts tell us time and time again that most of our competitors are reluctant to share long-term product strategy details with their customers. With the information in the Statement of Direction, Microsoft empowers you and your customers with knowledge to help you plan your business for tomorrow’s opportunities. What’s Inside In this latest version, you’ll find a description of our overall aspirations and goals for the product as we continue to build on the new technology platform and breakthrough RoleTailored user experience introduced in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009. Other highlights include details about: More compelling application functionality in Microsoft Dynamics NAV "7" Microsoft Dynamics CRM integration in Microsoft Dynamics NAV "7" How we will move to a RoleTailored development experience in Microsoft Dynamics NAV "8" Support for Unicode, 64-bit service tier and more! Get a Head Start Here’s how you can get a head start on tomorrow’s business opportunities – today! Go to the SOD landing page on PartnerSource and download the document. Read the document to become familiar with the updated product strategy roadmap, new initiatives and product release plan so you can plan your business more effectively and evaluate your resource needs and capabilities for the coming months. Inform all of your customers on the Business Ready Enhancement Plan to review the document. They can download the document from CustomerSource. Otherwise, we kindly ask that you do not distribute the document broadly but use it to share the product roadmap and strategy with important prospects who are interested in learning more about the future plans of the product. Watch for a Live Meeting recording from the Microsoft Dynamics NAV product team coming soon. This recording will help explain the strategy and product roadmap.
You know that preparation is a key factor in building a successful business. We know it, too. And, that’s why we continue to share with you our vision and plans for the future direction of Microsoft Dynamics NAV. We are releasing the latest version of the Statement of Direction for Microsoft Dynamics NAV – a key document that contains important information about Microsoft’s investment plans and product development roadmap for the next three releases . Not only is the Statement of Direction a valuable tool to help you plan your own business activities and speak confidently with customers and prospects about the future of Microsoft Dynamics NAV, it can help you differentiate your offering from the competition. Industry analysts tell us time and time again that most of our competitors are reluctant to share long-term product strategy details with their customers. With the information in the Statement of Direction, Microsoft empowers you and your customers with knowledge to help you plan your business for tomorrow’s opportunities.
What’s Inside
In this latest version, you’ll find a description of our overall aspirations and goals for the product as we continue to build on the new technology platform and breakthrough RoleTailored user experience introduced in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009. Other highlights include details about:
Get a Head Start
Here’s how you can get a head start on tomorrow’s business opportunities – today!
This new Microsoft Dynamics SL promotion was recently announced on Friday, February 12. This is great opportunity for Microsoft Dynamics SL prospects to take advantage of during FY10 Q3 & Q4!
EXECUTIVE SUMMARYMicrosoft is excited to announce "A Better Together Offer: Microsoft Dynamics SL and Microsoft Project" - a Microsoft Dynamics (U.S.) promotion for medium sized businesses needing project-based ERP to take advantage of the rich functionality and low cost of ownership offered by Microsoft Dynamics SL 7.0. This offer is available only to new customers who own at least 10 licenses of Microsoft Office Project (Standard, Professional, or Server). The promotion is comprised of an up to 20 % discount on up to 20 user’s licenses of Dynamics SL Advanced Management (AM) edition user licenses. Additional details, terms and conditions are provided below. DETAILS OF THE CUSTOMER OFFEREffective Monday, February 15, 2010, and available until end of business day Friday, June 25, 2010, all new customers that meet the eligibility criteria can take advantage of this special up to 20% discount pricing promotion when purchasing Microsoft Dynamics SL AM user licenses.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARYMicrosoft is excited to announce "A Better Together Offer: Microsoft Dynamics SL and Microsoft Project" - a Microsoft Dynamics (U.S.) promotion for medium sized businesses needing project-based ERP to take advantage of the rich functionality and low cost of ownership offered by Microsoft Dynamics SL 7.0. This offer is available only to new customers who own at least 10 licenses of Microsoft Office Project (Standard, Professional, or Server). The promotion is comprised of an up to 20 % discount on up to 20 user’s licenses of Dynamics SL Advanced Management (AM) edition user licenses. Additional details, terms and conditions are provided below.
DETAILS OF THE CUSTOMER OFFEREffective Monday, February 15, 2010, and available until end of business day Friday, June 25, 2010, all new customers that meet the eligibility criteria can take advantage of this special up to 20% discount pricing promotion when purchasing Microsoft Dynamics SL AM user licenses.
Visit PartnerSource for complete Offer Notes, Exclusions, and Order Processing details.