Leaving Microsoft - Thank You

I have made a very difficult decision but I have decided to leave Microsoft effective November 13th. This will be my last blog post and wanted to say "THANK YOU" for ALL who have supported my blog and made it successful.

I will be going back into the Partner Channel where I took a position that will allow me to take my career to the next level. I am very excited about this opportunity which will allow me to utilize my skills to help this partner grow.

Hope to see many of you at future Dynamics events!

Signing Off,

 Jeffrey Katz

Microsoft Dynamics Salary Survey 2009

 Nigel Frank International would like to invite you to complete what is to be our annual survey of Microsoft Dynamics salaries worldwide.

The survey will only take a couple of minutes to complete and your response and any personal details will be kept strictly confidential. The survey is available in the following languages for your convenience; English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Spanish, Italian, Norwegian, and Finnish.

As a thank-you for your contribution we will send you a PDF report of the results once they have been compiled. This will give you an insight into the salaries, opinions and demographics of your Microsoft Dynamics counterparts worldwide.

Please find a link to the Microsoft Dynamics Salary Survey 2009 below:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=R9ZFL2iCdGRe77LhZbGsiQ_3d_3d

Your response will be greatly appreciated and will help to give everyone in the Microsoft Dynamics community a greater understanding of their profession.

-----------------------------------------------

Thank you for your time and cooperation!

Kind regards

Martin Sharpe

Research Analyst

Nigel Frank International

www.nigelfrank.com

RELEASED!! - Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 (Integration Tool)

PartnerCast Demo Training for Dynamics GP SP3 VPC

Thanks to John Dooley, Dynamics IW / GP PTA, for creating this 4 part VPC Webcast.

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Information About The Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Integration Tool - Now Available!

I First want to say thanks to Ben Corwin and the rest of the GP Product Team in Fargo for providing all the information below.

A number of you have heard about the new Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 (Integration Tool) and have asked a lot of great questions!  Well, today we are releasing a Partner/Customer ready Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document (attached)…..and this is only the beginning of the collateral to help you learn about/market/sell the new Adapter…. 

Here is the list of additional collateral we will be providing Microsoft Dynamics CRM/GP Partners:

All Collateral mentioned below will be placed on the following PartnerSource Landing Page (As it becomes available):   http://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/partneressentials/partnerreadiness/resourcing/MDCRMGPAdapter

1.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – AVAILABLE! (Website Live this Afternoon)

2.  Invigoration Station - Radio Interview with Ben Corwin - Sr. Microsoft Dynamics GP Product Manager – AVAILABLE! (Website Live This Afternoon)

3.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Partner Readiness Webinar (Slide Deck and Live Meeting Recording) – COMING SOON!

4.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Customer Webinar (Slide Deck and Live Meeting Recording) – COMING SOON!

5.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Case Studies/Solution Briefs – COMING SOON!

6.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP Thru-Partner eMail Template – COMING SOON!

7.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 (Chapter on the Adapter in a publication) – COMING SOON!

8.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Out-Of-The-Box (OOTB) Entity Mappings – COMING SOON!

9.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 DemoMate Click-Thru (with Speaker Notes) – COMING SOON!

10.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Technical Demonstration Toolkit/VPC – COMING SOON!

11.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 VM Express Technical Demonstration Toolkit/VPC – COMING SOON!

12.  Implementer/Consultant (High Level 2-3 Hour) Recorded Training – COMING SOON!

Here is the list of additional collateral we will be providing Microsoft Dynamics CRM/GP Customers:

All Collateral mentioned below will be placed on the following CustomerSource Landing Page (As it becomes available):   http://mbs.microsoft.com/customersource/worldwide/us/productinformation/factsheets/MDCRMGPAdapter

1.     Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – AVAILABLE! (Website Live This Afternoon)

2.  Invigoration Station - Radio Interview with Ben Corwin - Sr. Microsoft Dynamics GP Product Manager – AVAILABLE!  (Website Live This Afternoon)

3.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Customer Webinar (Slide Deck and Live Meeting Recording) – COMING SOON!

4.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Customer Case Studies/Solution Briefs – COMING SOON!

5.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 (Chapter on the Adapter in a publication) – COMING SOON!

6.  Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Out-Of-The-Box (OOTB) Entity Mappings – COMING SOON!

Microsoft Dynamics GP Technical Conference 2009

Just Released: Service Pack 4 for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0

We are pleased to announce the release of SP4 for Dynamics GP!!!

Please use the following links to access SP4 on PS:

Partner Source:  Functionality for Extender in Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Service Pack 4

Customer Source:  New Functionality for Extender in Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Service Pack 4

Dynamics GP Blog Content

I would first like to say Thank You for all who have supported my blog for the past 2 years. When the GP Blog was created the idea was to post important information regarding Dynamics GP to help keep partners and/or customers updated and informed. There are many blogs out there that are technical in nature but felt it was important to have a way of communicating this up to date and critical information. I know most of you receive a ton on e-mail from Microsoft, your Account Managers, etc. and sometimes important information is lost or overlooked in your busy day so by posting on this blog and using a RSS Feed you would have all this information in one place.

In the future I will continue to update the Dynamics GP Blog as I stated above but I am now asking all of you, if there is certain information that you would like to see posted on my blog please send me request so I can continue to post what is most relevant to all of you. All and any request are welcomed.

If you need Technical Information please visit the "Developing for Dynamics Blog" at: http://blogs.msdn.com/DevelopingForDynamicsGP/

If you want Inside Information direct from our Product Team in Fargo visit "Inside Dynamics GP" at: http://blogs.msdn.com/gp/

Thank you again for all your support and look forward to seeing request for future content!!!

New 1,000 Concurrent User Scalability White Paper released

The Microsoft Dynamics GP team is excited to announce the availability of a new White Paper documenting the successful Performance Benchmark Testing of Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 SP2 with SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008!   This paper describes the scalability tests of Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 SP2 running with 1,000 constant concurrent users in heavy transaction processing and analysis activity across various functional areas of the solution.

This document details a sample customer environment that was able to process nearly 3.3 million business transactions, with a total of more than 10.6 million transactions line items, all within an 8 hour day!  The paper also details real-life customer performance results of existing Microsoft Dynamics GP Customers.  Download the White Paper today for all of the impressive details!

Link: https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/marketing/marketingcollateral/whitepapers/mdgpscalabilitywp.htm

NOW AVAILABLE MSFT DYNGP10 SP3 Technical Demonstration Toolkit/VPC!!!

Hello GP Partners

It is with GREAT EXCITEMENT that we are announcing the availability of the new Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 SP3 Technical Demonstration Toolkit/VPC!!!

This has been an enormous project!!  I am very proud and thankful of the work from all who have made this project a reality.  There is no question,  this is the BEST Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 VPC we have released yet!!

Here is the link to the download page on PartnerSource:

https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource/deployment/methodology/vpc/MDGPVPC

Here are just some highlights of the new Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 SP3 VPC:

Applications Upgraded/Installed:

• Upgraded to Microsoft SQL Server 2008
• Upgraded to Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Service Pack 3
• Upgraded to the Microsoft Dynamics GP January 2009 Hot-fix  (KB961224)
• Upgraded to Workflow Service Pack 2
• Upgraded to Web Services Service Pack 3
• Dexterity 10.0  and Service Pack 3 for Dexterity
• Visual Studio Tools for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 and Service Pack 3 for Visual Studio Tools
• MAP, Monitor, Analytics and Planning (Formerly Business Scorecard Manager and ProClarity)
• Upgraded to Visual Studio 2008 and Service Pack 1
• Upgraded to FRx Service Pack 10 and Hot-fix 3
• Upgraded to FRx Forecaster Service Pack 2
• Upgraded to Integration Manager Service Pack 3
• Upgraded to Business Portal 4.0 Service Pack 2 For Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0
• Upgraded Dundas Data Visualization (certain aspects)

o    Upgraded Dundas Chart for Reporting Services for 2008  2.2

• Position Control (Human Resources and Payroll) for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Service Pack 3
• New demo data also included
• Upgraded the Advanced Human Resources and Payroll Modules to Service Pack 3  (i.e.: PTO Manager, Benefit Self Service, Advanced Human Resources, Advanced Payroll and Payroll Extensions)
• Upgraded Personal Data Keeper (PDK) to Service Pack 2
• Added the “Shopping Cart Analysis”/Data Mining tools for Microsoft Office Excel and Microsoft SQL Server 2008
• Added 3 sample Extender Demos (Templates – Rental Examples, Software Examples and Subscription Examples)
• Created Audit Trails Example  (GL Account Master)
• E – Signatures Installed but not configured  (performance reasons)
• Upgraded to the full version of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007
• Added additional Software Development Kits (SDK’s):

o    Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Service Pack 3 SDK

o    eConnect Service Pack 3 SDK

o    Web Services Service Pack 3 SDK

o    Microsoft Office InfoPath 2003 SDK

o    Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Applications SDK – February 2007

o    Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 SDK 1.2

o    Visual Studio Tools for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 SDK

o    Web Services for Microsoft Dynamics GP SDK

o    Windows Mobile 6 Professional SDK

o    Workflow for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 SDK

·         Added 95+ SmartList Builder Templates  (Please reference the HowtoUsetheMSDynGP10SP3TechnicalDemonstrationToolkit.docx

As always we STRONGLY ENCOURAGE all of you to download and read/review the documentation associated with the new VPC.  We have significantly revamped the documentation to only help you better understand this new VPC and to improve your overall demos!  IMPORTANT:  This new VPC will have two .vhd files.  They are: MSFTDynGP10SP3.vhd and MSFTDynGP10SP3 Pagefile.vhd.  The pagefile .vhd is used for additional performance improvements.  You MUST also utilize the MSFTDynGP10SP3.vmc (Virtual machine console file) file (Please review page #3 of the “How To Setup” document on the download page to properly use this VPC image.)

All of the demo scripts that are posted on this download page (from the link above) have been tested against the new VPC.  We have not tested any of the older demonstration scripts.  However, the older scripts may still work with the new VPC.  In FY10,  look for a new IT demonstration script.  We are also considering the creation of new Demo2Win! Field Service, Project Accounting and Manufacturing demonstration scripts as well.

This new VPC has been uploaded to VM Express as well.

In the August/September timeframe, we will be releasing a differencing disk with the Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 SP4.  No additional improvements, just the SP install.

We will then take a few weeks off from building images, and then turn our focus to the Microsoft Dynamics GP 11.0 VPC/Technical Demonstration toolkit.  This project will be built from scratch/from the ground up.  It will NOT be an upgrade of the current Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 series of vpc’s.  A beta VPC image for GP11.0 will likely be available in the winter of 2009/2010 and then a GA image will likely be available at Convergence 2010.

Happy Demoing.

Extended Support on Dynamics Service Packs

Longer Support Timelines for Key Microsoft Dynamics® Service Packs 

In response to customer feedback and as part of Microsoft’s continuous efforts to provide world-class support for its products, the company is updating the Microsoft Support Lifecycle policy for service packs for key Microsoft Dynamics products.

Microsoft is extending the service pack support policy for Microsoft Dynamics SL, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics AX, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM to 24 months of support for a previous service pack, when a new service pack is released. Previously, when a new service pack was released for these products, Microsoft provided 12 months of support for the previous service pack.

Support Extended by 12 Months for Currently Supported Service Packs

This update applies to all the service packs that are currently supported (as of June 8, 2009), for the above-listed Microsoft Dynamics products. As per this change, the expiration dates for the currently supported service packs, listed below, will now be extended by another 12 months.

To read full article Announcement:

• Effective June 22, 2009 - Longer Support Timelines for Key Microsoft Dynamics Service Packs

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 (BETA) Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP - Integration DemoMate NOW AVAILABLE!

We are very excited to announce the availability of a new DemoMate Demo of the new Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 (BETA) Adapter for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0.  Click steps and speaker notes are also included.  Here is a summary of the new DemoMate file:

Effortlessly demonstrate the updating of customer information within Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 and watch the customer information on the Customer Card within Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 automatically update with the changes entered within Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.  In addition, demonstrate additional changes to the same customer information with Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 and watch Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 also capture these changes. 
 
This demonstration is high-level example of a "round-trip" integration between two Microsoft Dynamics solutions!

Here is the link: DemoMate Demo

Dynamics Statement of Direction

We all know how competitive it is out there when trying to sell Dynamics CRM and ERP. One of our competitive advantages is publishing a "Statement of Direction" on each of our produts. I believe we are the only CRM & ERP developer that does this and it provides a great tool to discuss with your prospects.

SmartList Templates for Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0

Have you seen or heard about the New SmartList Builder Templates?

If not check them out here, there are over 100 templates to choose from.

For more info. on SmartList Builder click here.

Happy Downloading!

Dynamics Solution Sales Guides Available for Partners

Dear Partners,

If you are not aware we recently released new Solution Sales Guides. You’ll find the 8 industry sales guides/discovery questionnaires within their applicable industry campaign pages: Automotive Suppliers, Banking, Chemical Manufacturing, Industrial Distribution, Industrial Equipment Manufacturing, Professional Services (ERP), Professional Services (CRM), and Specialty Retail. If you scroll to the bottom of each of the visual campaign pages, and you’ll find the sales tools links there.

Link on PS to guides: Solution Guides

Through-Partner Industry Marketing Campaigns

Overview
The following through-partner Microsoft Dynamics Industry Marketing Campaigns are designed for partners to:

       Leverage the power of the Microsoft Dynamics brand

       Meet the unique needs of potential clients in a specific industry or vertical marketplace

       Align your marketing efforts with global customer campaigns, and

       Execute effective lead-generation results with relative ease