Microsoft Dynamics NAV UK Blog : NAV 2009

Yule (B)log Number 1 - A Christmas Carol. Thanks to Equisys.

ukdynamics — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:17:00 GMT

Our thanks to Chris Oswald at Equisys for bring Dickens alive for the NAV Community.... read on...

It is a snowy and dark Christmas Eve, two years to the day after the recruitment of Ebenezer Newman's business partner Jacob McIntee. Most businesses are now closed for the holidays, having given their employees the day off. But not Newman. He has an outdated ERP system that produces roomfuls of dusty paper files and exhausts his faithful clerk Bob Farr, whom Newman will not allow home until he has finished the long and tedious process of printing, stuffing, franking and posting out all of the statements to customers. Once again Farr quietly suggests they consider using NAV with the Zetadocs add-on, but Newman rebuffs him with his usual “Bah, humbug!”

However later that night, the ghost of Jacob McIntee (glammed up as his alter ego order processor, Susan) appears before Newman and warns him that his soul will be bearing heavy chains for eternity if he does not change his terrible ERP system, and also predicts that a series of other ghosts will follow. Three Christmas ghosts do indeed visit Newman during the course of the night, fulfilling McIntee's prophecy.

Aman, the Ghost of Christmas Past, fires up his beta of PowerPoint 2010 and skilfully shows Newman the scenes of his boyhood and youth when he managed his pocket money perfectly. Aman explains how such efficiency is possible today, too, by combining NAV and Zetadocs to email and fax paperwork to suppliers and customers to save time and money. This stirs Newman’s gentle and tender side, and the pair down shots of flaming Sambuca.

The second spirit, Claire, the Ghost of Christmas Present, takes Newman to his nephew’s Directions EMEA party, where VARs are playing the yes/no game about whether Newman will ever realize the value of the role tailored client and how client extensibility can be used to display the supporting documentation for each transaction that Zetadocs captures into SharePoint. She then takes him on to the humble dwelling of his clerk Bob Farr to scoff Zetadocs chocolate bars with Tiny Rebecca and Louise in search of the Xbox winning golden ticket.

Finally, the third spirit, Paul, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, fires up a livemeeting, which Newman accidentally ends. When he gets it to work smoothly, Paul harrows Newman with dire visions of the future if he does not give Paul a slot at future NAV roadshows to present Zetadocs integrated with the NAV SharePoint client. Paul shows a world where competitors such as Schmidt, Jobs and Ellison are using Dynamics and Zetadocs to run their businesses far more efficiently, with dire consequences for Newman.

At last, Newman sees the errors of his ways. He promptly changes his ERP system to NAV with Zetadocs and becomes a champion for the products. His business now trounces the competition, with everyone praising him for his insight and vision. He awards Farr a liberal pay rise, and as a result of the new efficiencies, Farr manages to get home early most days. Indeed, nowadays, Newman even closes his offices for Christmas Eve so his staff can write witty yuletide blogs about their favourite festive culinary experiences and he gives each of his loyal business partners a generous bottle of vintage port.

Power of DCO

ukdynamics — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:20:00 GMT

Dear all

Great new case study about Total Enterprise Solutions and how they are using DCO licensing and Web Services to improve their implementations.

http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Case_Study_Detail.aspx?casestudyid=4000005482

Regards

Steve Farr

Compatibility with Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7

ukdynamics — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:18:00 GMT

We are proud to announce that Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 SP1 is compatible with Microsoft Windows 7 and Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2.

Note:

Tests are currently taking place on the compatibility of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0 SP1 with Microsoft Windows 7 and Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2

Please note that compatibility for Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 does not cover Business Notification for Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Commerce Gateway.

For more information about requirements please go to http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd301054.aspx

Steve Farr

PowerPoint for Partners: New Features and Enhancements in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Service Pack 1

ukdynamics — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:41:00 GMT

A “New Features & Enhancements” PowerPoint for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Service Pack 1 is now available for partners. The PowerPoint walks through the key new features driving partner and customer productivity, as well as System Engineering and quality improvements. Please use this presentation to familiarize themselves with the new and improved features. The presentation is available for download on PartnerSource.

Steve Farr

ERP and Business Processes, illustrated with NAV 2009

ukdynamics — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:22:00 GMT

Hi all, FYI, the earlier announced book is available now

ERP and Business Processes,
illustrated with Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009

is available. This book gives an introduction in ERP and Business Management, that focuses on ERP and business processes, rather than on the buttons, is very needed for students of all kinds of business educations and also for managers who want to understand the meaning of ERP for their company.

· The book focuses on business processes, rather than addressing the buttons you must use in the ERP-software. To keep it practical, all illustrations and examples are dedicated to Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009. It’s not a manual, nor a training in using parts of Dynamics NAV 2009.

· The book has been written from starting level on this subject, it’s an introductory book.

· It will not cover any software, but uses Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 throughout the book as illustrating ERP system.

· The book discusses the business processes a company has to use in order to run the SMB company professionally.

ISBN: 978-1-60594-305-3
Price in US $ 41.95

This book is published in July 2009 and can be obtained through the bookstore below: Go to the advised bookstore or see http://www.llumina.com/store/erp.htm

You can also order the book in your local bookstore or a bookseller on the internet, but the bookstore above is advised.

This book is written by a senior teacher from a Netherlands University, Drs. J.P.M. van der Hoeven, participating in the Dynamics Academic Alliance Program.

Steve Farr

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Community Technical Preview VPC is now available

ukdynamics — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:31:00 GMT

Dear Valued Partner

We are happy to announce the official release of the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 SP1 Community Technical Preview (CTP). The CTP release is a package containing a virtual PC (VPC) image of the W1 version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 SP1 and a set of documents supporting the release.

PLEASE NOTE: The purpose of the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 SP 1 CTP is to provide you with a preview of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 SP1. As such, you should primarily use the CTP VPC to drive internal readiness efforts and activities. When necessary, you can leverage the CTP with strategic prospects or customers to help close a strategic deal or secure future business on Microsoft Dynamics NAV. In all other cases, you should continue to focus your efforts on selling the current in-market version of the Microsoft Dynamics NAV product.

The Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 SP 1 Community Technical Preview release and related readiness materials can be downloaded from PartnerSource here.

Ready Your Organization Now!

If you have not already done so, please also use the resources listed below to familiarize yourself and your colleagues with the availability of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 SP1, to understand its relevance for your customers, and to help prepare you to take full advantage of the new enhancements:

· See more details of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 SP1, including key enhancements and planned release schedule on the Partner Launch Portal

· The Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Statement of Direction Package contains valuable information about Service Pack 1 and the future direction of the Microsoft Dynamics NAV roadmap through to 2017

We will continue to update you on new materials as they become available on the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Partner Launch Portal.

Should you have questions regarding Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 SP1, please contact me directly.

Best regards,

Steve Farr

Available NOW - Microsoft Dynamics NAV Statement of Direction 2009-2017

ukdynamics — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:19:00 GMT

Get ahead of competition

Dear Valued Partner

When convincing customers and winning the business we know that you need to be able to speak with confidence about the future direction of Microsoft Dynamics NAV. That’s important for the prospect/customer – it’s important for you and important for Microsoft. That’s why we have decided to provide you with information about the next 3 major releases of Microsoft Dynamics NAV – starting now with the newly released Statement of Direction!

With this Statement of Direction you are ahead of most competitors, who struggle to provide customers with product roadmaps. One of the best examples might be SAP. AMR Research, who daily speaks with SAP customers, offers this perspective: “In meetings with SAP customers, we usually hear the same request unanimously: “Please help get SAP to provide us with product roadmaps.”

Fast facts about the Statement of Direction:

o The package consists of:

§ A Statement of Direction document in pdf format

§ A PowerPoint presentation with supporting slides to help present the Statement of Direction

§ A voice recording taking you through the exciting roadmap of Microsoft Dynamics NAV (to be delivered during May 2009 on PartnerSource – check this link)

o The Statement of Direction contains future product direction including:

§ Introducing benefits of Microsoft Dynamics

§ Microsoft Dynamics NAV Strategy and Aspirations through to 2017

§ Microsoft Dynamics NAV Product Roadmap

§ Plans for next 3 major releases of Microsoft Dynamics NAV, including version “7”, “8” and “9”

§ Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Service Pack 1 release information

o The document will also be made available on CustomerSource end of May 2009

Here’s how you can get a head start on tomorrow’s opportunities today:

Go to the Statement of Direction landing page on PartnerSource where you will find the Statement of Direction and slide deck. Link

Read the document and supporting materials 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 additional opportunities and prepare for speaking with customers

Use the slide deck to help explain the product roadmap to existing customers and prospects

Do not forward the Statement of Direction document or supporting materials broadly to customers or post on your web sites. These are tools to help you speak confidently about the Microsoft Dynamics NAV product strategy roadmap in meetings with customers

If you have any questions about Microsoft Dynamics NAV Statement of Direction, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Steve

Sure Step for NAV2009

ukdynamics — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:11:00 GMT

With the Spring Release of Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step we now have direct support for NAV2009. There are 20 specific new NAV templates as well as Role-Tailored Guidance and key role questionnaires. This is applicable to new implementations as well as having specific templates for customers looking to upgrade to NAV2009.

Please take a look at the training materials here:

https://training.partner.microsoft.com/plc/details.aspx?publisher=12&delivery=266682

Steve

Updated Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Developer and IT Pro Help

ukdynamics — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:08:00 GMT

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 developer and IT pro documentation is now updated on the Microsoft Download Center and on MSDN. This is the second of our periodic updates to developer and IT pro content since the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 RTM.

Steve

US NAV2009 Luanch Web Site

ukdynamics — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:13:00 GMT

A chance to catch up on all the materials (lots of video) that our US sub has produced around their multi-city NAV2009 launch tour.

http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/us/navlaunch/Default.aspx

Steve

ERP Webcasts

ukdynamics — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:09:00 GMT

This site has been in existence for some time, but content is regularly updated and there is some new NAV 2009 Webcasts , so this is a little reminder.

http://www.microsoft.com/events/series/mbserp.aspx?tab=webcasts&id=42335

Steve

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Upgrade Toolkit Released

ukdynamics — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:37:00 GMT

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Upgrade Toolkit

The upgrade toolkit for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Group 1 has been released. Please visit the NAV 2009 Download page on PartnerSource.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Download on PartnerSource

Steve

User Experience Guide for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Released.

ukdynamics — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:24:00 GMT

Important tool for ISVs and Partners

We have released the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 User Experience Guidelines (or “UX Guide” for short) which is a tool to assist Microsoft Dynamics NAV ISVs and partners in building more user-friendly applications. The UX Guide will help ISV’s and partners get familiar with the new RoleTailored User Experience and by using the UX Guide proactively during their development process, they can save time and avoid design violations.

The UX Guide describes the graphical user interface (GUI) components of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 and describes how these components must be used to form the GUI of the application. The UX guide includes:

Do's and Don’ts
Design Principles
Designing Great User Experience
Customization, Configuration and Personalization
How to Design Most Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Elements
Designing with UI Text
Interaction
Terminology

The link is:

Download the UX Guide

Steve

NAV 2009 E-Learning Courses Available on PartnerSource

ukdynamics — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:20:00 GMT

A number of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 E-Learning courses are available now on PartnerSource and provide an excellent way for you to ramp your knowledge on this exciting new release. At present the following E-Learning courses are available:

· Application Setup in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009

· Business Intelligence for Information Workers in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009

· Finance in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009

· Installation and Configuration in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009

· What's New Installation and Development in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009

Download the Overview of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 e-learning Courses

Steve

Software Solution Test for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Is Available

ukdynamics — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:11:00 GMT

Software Solution Test for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Is Available

The new Software Solution Test for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 is ready. Please find it here. The software test is one of the components of the Certified for Microsoft Dynamics - now is the chance to be among the first ISVs to test your packaged software solution on the new release of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009.

Steve