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.
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The Microsoft Dynamics Professional Services team continues to deliver awesome technologies to enhance the experience for customers and partners!
The Performance Checklist for Microsoft Dynamics CRM is designed to provide guidance in identifying factors that impact the performance of a Microsoft Dynamics CRM deployment. The service includes an environmental audit using a proven checklist of common variables that impact Microsoft Dynamics CRM system performance. The Microsoft service specialist will also provide a Recommendations Worksheet and closing discussion with the customer or partner. Performance Checklist for Microsoft Dynamics CRM can help customers and partners create a stable solution environment, reduce the potential for system issues down the road, and minimize risk of deployment delays. This can result in increased user adoption and reduced risk of future system downtime.
To learn about this service, and the other Partner Technical Service Offerings for Microsoft Dynamics CRM visit PartnerSource.
--Kevin
My great colleagues on the Microsoft Dynamics Partner Readiness and Training team passed along this note regarding updates to our partner training programs.
Microsoft is excited to announce a new United Training offering that provides technical training to help partners achieve certifications.
The October 2010 transition of the Microsoft Partner Program (MSPP) to the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) includes new requirements — and new opportunities — to grow your Microsoft Dynamics business. To help you achieve competitive differentiation and market your areas(s) of expertise within MPN, we are offering in-depth sales and product training through the Microsoft Dynamics Partner Academy. Replacing the MBS Competency in the new program, are the Microsoft Dynamics ERP Competency and the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Competency.
Microsoft is working closely with United Training to offer high quality, partner-only technical certification classes trained by our strategic Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) Community. United Training’s Learning Consultants are available to help partners explore their options in preparing for the new MPN technical certifications as well as the non-technical accreditations (i.e., Sales, Pre-sales, and Implementation Methodology) for Microsoft Dynamics.
Certification and accreditations are top of mind with partners. Below you will find the contact information for technical certifications through United Training and sales and pre-sales accreditations to help you prepare for the changes that have been launched.
Technical Certifications:
Sales & Pre-Sales Accreditations:
Microsoft Dynamics Partner Academy Training and Certification across all roles:
The FY11 Microsoft Dynamics Solution Provider Agreement (SPA) is now on PartnerSource for partners to access and download. Partners who's SPA agreement is expiring on July 31, 2010 should have their new SPA agreement signed and submitted no later than July 15, 2010 in order to avoid any delays in processing of new orders.
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Thank you for your continued commitment to Microsoft Dynamics!
A standing ovation goes out today to all of our fantastic Microsoft Dynamics WPC 2010 award winners! The Microsoft Dynamics WPC Awards recognize partners who have delivered exemplary solutions built on Microsoft Dynamics technologies. Thank you to the following partners for their commitment and dedication in delivering solutions that solve customer's business needs!
Click on the attachment to view the Microsoft Dynamics winners. (If are reading this within the listing of posts, and don't see an attachment, click on the title of this specific posting to view the individual post which includes the attachment.)
For a complete list of all WPC Awards 2010 winners and more information on our winning partners go to Digital WPC.
7/15/2010 Update - More information regarding the awards has been posted to the Microsoft News Center.
Join us for a four-part web based series that will provide critical information and resources that you need to know to drive business success and align to the new Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) requirements in Fiscal Year 2011.
Overview
This series will further define MPN Microsoft Dynamics partner strategy and the evolution that continues our journey towards committed partners with an industry focused competency. Learn how you can grow your business and achieve competitive differentiation by understanding the strategy and commitments, engaging in the planning process, and leveraging training, marketing, and sales programs available. Click on the links below to register for the upcoming sessions.
Session 1 -- Microsoft Dynamics Virtual WPC (July 8 at 9:00 AM PST)
Attend this ninety minute session led by the US Microsoft Dynamics Partner Team to understand the MPN strategy and the evolution of our journey towards deeply committed partners. You will also learn more about the commitments in place and how you can leverage training, marketing and sales programs to grow your business with Microsoft.
Audience: Managed and community managed partners
Session 2 -- Managed Partner Planning, Growth Propensity Index (GPI) and Decision Making Framework (DMF) (July 20 at 1:00 PM PST)
Managed partners! Attend this sixty minute web seminar to learn more about the value of connected partner planning. Partner Business Planning is a critical and integrated part of the US strategy and supports an increased relationship value proposition. We will also provide a preview of resources to help partners identify where they have potential barriers to growth and support partners during this transition with program changes and investment aligned with key goals.
Audience: Managed Partners
Session 3 -- Microsoft Partner Network and Readiness (July 21 at 1:00 PM PST)
During this sixty minute session we will take a deep dive on Fiscal Year 2011 MPN updates, certifications, and what this means to your organization. We will outline expectations for sales, marketing, and technical readiness, and community engagement.
Session 4 -- Marketing, Existing Customer, Software Plus Services, and Industry (July 22 at 1:00 PM PST)
By attending this sixty minute session, you will become familiar with:
We look forward to your participation in these events as we kick off the new Microsoft Fiscal Year!
The end of the Microsoft Fiscal Year 2010 is quickly coming up next week. To assist you with closing and processing your final orders, the Microsot Dynamics Operating team has put together some guidance.
Looking for a quick reference for recent policy changes and updates for Year End?
In order to help you feel more prepared for year end, please review this summary of key PartnerSource web pages to help you easily and quickly find some of the Microsoft Operations most recent and relevant updates to help ensure your end of year business is processed most efficiently.
If you have any other FY10 year end close questions, make sure to use (#8) Chat Now on PartnerSource to contact Microsoft Dynamics Operations.
Maybe this should be a top ten list! :-)
I welcome any other suggestions regarding what you've done to ensure a successful fiscal year close with Microsoft.
Once again, Microsoft Dynamics CRM proves it is one of the best CRM products for customers and prospects looking for a best of breed solution. Check out some of the highlights from the latest Microsoft News Center press release highlighting Microsoft Dynamcis CRM.
REDMOND, Wash. — June 22, 2010 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Microsoft Dynamics CRM has earned recognition from Forrester Research Inc., a leading independent research firm, as a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: CRM Suites for Midsized, Q2 2010 (June 2010) and The Forrester Wave™: CRM Suites for Large Organizations, Q2 2010 (June 2010) reports. According to Forrester, vendors in the Leader category have both a strong product and strategy.
The Forrester Wave reports evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of 19 customer relationship management (CRM) suite solutions against 516 criteria reflecting the requirements of midsized organizations and 18 CRM solutions for large organizations against 516 criteria reflecting the requirements of large organizations. These criteria included, among other factors, offering a multifunctional CRM application suite, a solution targeted to multiple industries, and a product now in general release and in wide use by customers.
Visit the Microsoft News Center to view the complete press release.
If you focus on sales of Microsoft Dynamics AX in the retail space, then this an announcement from the Microsoft News Center you don't want to miss.
REDMOND, Wash., and HELSINKI, Finland — June 21, 2010 — Microsoft Corp. and Aldata today announced the details of a global agreement for Aldata to deliver a new set of vertical applications for midsize retailers to complement Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail.
Aldata’s more than 20 years of retail best practice experience, combined with Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail, will provide a next generation of integrated retail solutions that include Replenishment and Merchandising Optimization, Store and POS Management, and Loyalty and Digital Marketing modules that are ready-made, fast to implement and easy to use for midsize retailers. The first Aldata Retail solutions on Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail will be available for home electronics, do-it-yourself, and sports and fashion retailers.
Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail provides retailers with an out-of-the-box, end-to-end solution that combines logistics, supply chain and financials with point of sale and store management tools to help them streamline business processes and more easily connect with their customers. It is especially suitable for companies that operate in multiple countries because of its built-in multilanguage, multicurrency and multilegislative features.
To read the complete Microsoft and Aldata press release visit the Microsoft News Center.
With the release of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010, we’re offering two great upgrade promotions! Receive a 20% discount on our NEW Express Update for Microsoft Dynamics GP 9.0 and receive a 10% discount on the Microsoft Dynamics GP Upgrade.
The 20% discount on NEW Express Update for Microsoft Dynamics GP 9.0 is for updates from Microsoft Dynamics GP 9.0 SP4 to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 only with up to 2 GB of data per database (maximum of 3 databases). As part of the promotion, there will be a one business day (24 hours) turnaround timeframe. This is a great fit for customers and partners who need their data upgraded prior to the discontinuation of Microsoft Dynamics GP 9.0 support on January 11, 2011. This service helps minimize downtime, reduce data integrity issues, lower costs and move customers to the most recent version, Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010.
The 10% discount on Microsoft Dynamics GP Upgrade includes updating Microsoft Dynamics GP to a supported version. Maximum database size varies by tier: 5 GB (tier 1), 20 GB (tier 2), and 50 GB (tier 3).
To learn more or to engage resources contact Professional Services Team at ProfessionalServices@Microsoft.com or 1-888-875-9071.
These offers are good in the United States and Canada between June 1, 2010 through August 30, 2010 only. Discount does not apply to updates performed on the weekend. Delivery times and Technical Advisory Services Hours charged may vary based on the upgrade and specific business needs. This offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer.
As you know, the days are rapidly counting down to the close of Microsoft's fiscal year. Are you on track to be recognized as one of the top Microsoft Dynamics partner organizations?
Do you know what you have to do to make President’s Club this year? Use the following resources to ensure you achieve recognition success this year!
Visit PartnerSource for more information on partner recognition guidance.