Microsoft Dynamics MVPs on Excel

MVPs Mark Polino, Belinda Allen along with Jared Hall are showing some of their Excel magic this Friday 2 PM EDT. Attend this event, ask them anything, and get ready to be impressed. http://msdynamicsworld.com/event/excel-hangout

Dynamics GP vs. Netsuite (lies make my blood boil)

I have been seeing quite a few postings from Netsuite regarding "Webinar to Spotlight Why Microsoft Dynamics GP Customers Move to NetSuite Cloud"

They claim "Customers of Microsoft Dynamics GP confront the challenge of operating a pre-Internet solution built based on antiquated client-server architecture, meaning the software can't capitalize on the economies of scale of the cloud.  The "version lock" of on-premise software leaves customers waiting for infrequent product updates that require re-testing of all customizations and hardware upgrades, whereas NetSuite issues two major upgrades per year and configurations and customizations carry forward automatically with no need for hardware."

There are so many bold faced lies in there, that it makes my blood boil.

• Dynamics GP has been available on the cloud as long as the cloud has been around. Netsuite offers only one option with their cloud deployment – “host with us”. Dynamics GP has support multiple deployment options – hosted, and on premise. With hosted, you have the option to host on tradition IT infrastructure, or on Azure (Microsoft Cloud Platform). All the options are rock solid, and offer the users complete control. You can move from one option to another at any time.
• There are no infrequent updates with GP. Since 2010, here are the big releases – GP 2010 (May 2010) , GP2010 R2 (May 2011), Multiple Service Packs, GP 2013 (Dec 2012). GP 2013 R2, and GP 2015 are due for release this year. The MSDYNGP development team has adopted a 6 monthly release cycle

Netsuite just posted $70.4 million dollar loss last year. Multiple independent experts have estimated how NetSuite looses customers at the rate of around 40% per year. They have a history of negative marketing – which possibly gets them some customers in the short run. However, if one in 3 customers is leaving the software after one year, somebody is loosing out. Most often that’s the customer.

There are multiple comparisons of Dynamics GP vs Netsuite, and I especially like this series posted last year -

• Dynamics GP vs. NetSuite - A Reality Check Part Three
• Part One - Streamlined Business Process and Integration
• Part Two - Real-Time Financial and Operational Visibility

Dynamics GP Image in Azure VM Gallery

So its a Friday evening, and here I am trying to improve my personal record for setting up GP on Azure. I go into Azure Gallery, and what do I see – “Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Developer image”!

How cool is this ? I can now pop up new builds with GP in a heartbeat. Use them for a few days and dispose them. All from my tiny notebook!

Provisioning the Virtual Machine took around 10 minutes, and I was logging into GP in another 5 minutes. Brilliant Microsoft!

Time to play  the Pointer Sisters – “I’m so excited” 

The Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Developer image is an offering exclusive to MSDN subscribers. The image includes a pre-configured environment for building integrations and customizations for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013. The image includes the same software as the Visual Studio Premium 2013 gallery image. In addition, it has the Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 software components, including Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics GP SDK, Dexterity for Microsoft Dynamics GP, and Visual Studio Tools for Microsoft Dynamics GP. The image also contains configuration scripts for installing Microsoft Dynamics GP Web Client and Web Services for Microsoft Dynamics GP. Refer to the "Getting started with the Microsoft Dynamics GP Developer Image" link on the desktop for additional information.

 

 

Dynamics GP vs. AX on MSDynamicsWorld

My article - Microsoft Dynamics AX or GP: Understanding the fundamental differences is up on MSDynamicsWorld. This is a topic that comes up for discussion in my company (which resells both GP, and AX), as well as prospects. Would love to hear your inputs on this as well.

12 Free Technology Sessions by MVPs in Sydney (Saturday, 22 Mar)

Microsoft has organized MVP Community Camp – which includes 12 sessions delivered in person at the Sydney office on Mar 22. I am presenting a session showcasing how easy it is to “Setup Dynamics GP on Azure in 50 minutes”.

Additional sessions include sessions by

• Erdal Ozkaya on Windows 8.1 and social media security
• Andel Hernandez on C++ REST SDK
• Leon Tribe on Dynamics CRM
• Robert Crane on Getting started with Office 365
• Mark O’Shea on Windows 8.1 for an office 365 world

See the complete list below.

To register to for the Sydney event : https://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032578429&Culture=en-AU&community=0

There are also live webcasts for people who can’t attend in person.

To read more about the MVP ComCamp : 9 Countries, 24 Cities, 17 MVP Presenters - MVP ComCamp

Sydney - March 22, Saturday @ MS Sydney Office Sessions

Convergence 2014 Day#1 Opening Keynote Highlights

Kirill Tatarinov spoke about how Windows Azure and Microsoft Dynamics was the ERP system for the Sochi games. He called this the “Era of the customer”

Investments in Devices, and the Microsoft Cloud are a key area of focus for Microsoft. 

Microsoft Dynamics GP Customer City Harvest was on the main stage reviewing how this not for profit business helps over 2 million New Yorkers.  They discussed how they use CRM online, with GP on premise to build a world class system with their limited IT budget.