Microsoft Convergence

March 24, 2008 based on an interview of Joel Martin, Microsoft ERP Product Manager – a recent Microsoft recruit who was previously an analyst with IDC Canada. Microsoft should be commended on hiring Joel who brings deep knowledge of enterprise software based on his IDC experience. Joel spoke to me about Microsoft’s annual conference for Dynamics partners and customers, Convergence 2008, which was held in Orlando from March 11-14. The conference continues to grow with a record-breaking 9,600 attendees this year.

Scheduled for release in June 2008, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 was a hot topic at Convergence 2008. In the new version, Microsoft has added functionality and improved user productivity through new role-tailored interfaces and integration with other Microsoft technologies. The improvements in the user experience brings Dynamics AX 2009 in line with the user interface of the other Dynamics applications. When asked about target markets, Joel described AX as Microsoft’s system for the upper end of the mid market, mid-size and enterprise customers in manufacturing, distribution, professional services, and retail. These organizations typically have multiple sites and are present in more than one country.

Another announcement at Convergence 2008 was that Microsoft will offer a set of migration tools developed to help companies that have outgrown their small business accounting software, such as Intuit’s Quickbooks, and move to Microsoft Dynamics GP within a fixed price and fixed scope.

Joel also confirmed that ‘Project Green’ has now concluded. Going forward, rather than a ‘net new’ product, Microsoft is focusing on incremental advancements on all four Dynamics ERP platforms. One example is the company’s ongoing delivery of role-tailored user interfaces across all application releases.