The Edge

Microsoft Dynamics ERP Customer CMC Group Goes Green and Wins Award with Bottomline Technologies

2010-03-19T11:09:00Z

I remember my student days in the late 90's and during the start of the new millenium when innovation was one of those buzz words that just came up everywhere you looked: text books, lectures, you name it. Now it is all about environmental innovation: how to be more environmentally friendly; how can we cut costs and drive efficiences by being more green (yeah I know 'green' is a broad term.) Increasingly we are seeing companies turning to technology to help them be more environmentally friendly or green if you prefer that word. One such company is CMC Group, a provider of specialized printing and packaging solutions.

CMC Group were part of the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 Technology Adoption Program and were a major driving force in our successful launch (thanks again guys.) As part of the AX 2009 implementation they also deployed Bottomline’s document process automation solution for Microsoft Dynamics AX. Since then the CMC Group has been able to dramatically increase the number of invoices sent electronically to customers and eliminate the use of paper packing slips. The reduction of paper used in purchase orders alone has conserved more than one ton of paper and approximately 26,000 gallons of gasoline, and has prevented the discharge of 20,000 gallons of wastewater in just one year.

Read the article in full here and check out the CMC case study.

Congratulations to everybody at the CMC Group (especially my old friend Allan Stiles) and the guys at Bottomline.

Have a great weekend all...

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail Features in Chain Store Age Magazine Article

2010-03-15T16:39:00Z

We are seeing continued coverage and interest in the coming launch of Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail following a successful start to our launch campaign at NRF 2010. Our most recent coup was a nice little article in the latest edition of Chain Store Age magazine featuring one of our usual retail suspects, none other than Mr. Dilip Popat (WW Retail Industry Principle.)

Check out the Q&A with Dilip here and watch out for more where this one came from very soon. Finally, you can also learn some more about our push in retail on the links below:

Best Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

UK-based SeeSaw IPTV Service Implements Microsoft Dynamics ERP

2010-03-15T13:07:00Z

It is almost as if India, USA and the UK are battling it out for the country with the most Microsoft Dynamics ERP wins. Back to my homeland today and news that leading Microsoft Dynamics AX partner Hitachi Consulting recently implemented Microsoft Dynamics AX at a recently launched online TV service in the UK.

SeeSaw offers more than 3,000 hours of on-demand programming to the UK public for free and will add a further 2,000 hours over the coming months, including a mix of free advertising-supported content and paid-for programming. Much of the content is from Channel 4, Five, and BBC Worldwide, in addition to material from independent producers.

Microsoft Dynamics AX has been implemented to capture all of SeeSaw's transaction details and report back to content providers and advertising companies, calculating their revenue share and managing all financial transactions.

Read the story in full

Best Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

Tectura Installs Microsoft Dynamics ERP @ Naprod Life Sciences

2010-03-14T07:50:00Z

I am on paternity leave following the birth of a beautiful baby boy so this will be short - if my wife catches me writing this instead of changing nappies and sterilizing bottles then I will likely never get the chance to blog again.

In February I wrote a post "Leading Microsoft Dynamics ERP Partner Gearing up to Increase Share in Indian Pharma Industry" that spoke about the high hopes that Tectura had for success in the Indian pharma industry. Check out a recent release that highlights an Indian pharma manufacturer who is using Microsoft Dynamics NAV successfully thanks to Tectura and their life sciences add-on solution.

Read the story in full here

See you in a week or so...

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

Microsoft invites NetSuite customers to step up to Microsoft Dynamics ERP

2010-03-11T15:33:00Z

Microsoft has issued a press release announcing an offer for existing NetSuite customers not satisfied with their solution to make a switch to Microsoft Dynamics.

Highlighting two customers that recently made the switch from NetSuite to Microsoft Dynamics ERP, Microsoft invites other customers interested in learning more about the advanced functionality, easy interoperability with other line-of-business applications, and strong business intelligence reporting which Microsoft Dynamics offers to visit http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/rightstep/, and register for an upcoming webcast on March 30th at 11:00am PST.

Customers making the switch now through June 25, 2010 can receive a credit of up to $850 for every NetSuite user that switches to either Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV or Microsoft Dynamics SL. Click here for more details or to register for the webcast.

Darrin Hawley

Bookmark the Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010 virtual launch...

2010-03-09T10:28:00Z

This week saw confirmation from the Microsoft Office Product Development Group official blog that Office 2010, SharePoint 2010, Visio 2010 and Project 2010 are all on track to reach RTM next month.

Great news, of course, from our friends in development, and no mean feat considering the huge amount of new functionality and capabilities the have packed into the 2010 releases.

So this is a good time to start looking ahead to the virtual business launch on May 12, where Stephen Elop, President of the Microsoft Business Division, will deliver a live keynote focusing on the next wave of productivity that Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010 will deliver.

In a addition to catching the main event, you can dive into virtual breakout sessions to hear how the 2010 releases are helping customers and partners address and meet their business needs. You can also take a more active role in the virtual experience through live Q&A, and a host of blogs, Twitter feeds and other social media channels.

You can find out more, bookmark the launch event, and invite a virtual friend or two here.

Ross Thorpe

Microsoft Dynamics ERP Product Marketing

Washington Technology and Microsoft Dynamics - Transparency, Accountability Drive Government's Earned Value Requirements

2010-03-05T03:08:00Z

Attend this Washington Technology webcast and see how Microsoft Dynamics SL helps Government Contractors with the project management and fiscal discipline requirements to comply with federal regulations. The webcast will include Earned Value Management (EVM) tips and best practices from industry leaders and more. You can learn more and register for this webcast here.

Best,

Eldita Ginger, Sr. Product Marketing Manager

Microsoft Dynamics ERP

SpectraWatt Selects Tribridge and Microsoft Dynamics AX to Support Growing Photovoltaic Solar Cell Production in North America

2010-03-04T14:50:00Z

Back to my favorite topic: new customer wins. Tribridge recently won a deal with SpectraWatt, a manufacturer and distributor of photovoltaic solar cells, to provide software and services to deploy an ERP system for the start-up company’s new production facility and administrative offices in Fishkill, N.Y. Tribridge was chosen to implement a Microsoft Dynamics AX solution with capabilities in Financials, Order Management, Supply Chain Planning, Procurement, Production, Inventory Management, Warehousing Management and Human Resources Management. Tribridge will deploy the implementation in two phases over the next six months.

Read the press release in full as well as some of the other recent wins with Microsoft Dynamics AX below:

Leading Infrastructure Companies in India Choose Microsoft Dynamics ERP to Automate their Construction Operations
In the News: New Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail Win in UK
Press Release: Amalie Oil Co. Chooses Microsoft Dynamics ERP and Blue Horseshoe
Press Release: Custom Chrome Selects Microsoft Dynamics ERP and enVista to Replace Legacy JD Edwards Solution

By the way that H&S story is still coming :)

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

Leading UK Retail Partner Maginus Puts Weight Behind Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail Launch

2010-03-03T18:42:00Z

Last week I reported on our first UK win with Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail through Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail launch partner K3. Straight off the back of that win comes more good news from the UK in the form of another highly experienced retail partner Maginus putting their weight behind the Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail solution.

Here is what Russell Dorset, Sales and Marketing Director, at Maginus had to say about Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail and some of the benefits he expects to see retailers realize: “We have already seen great results with Microsoft Dynamics AX into the retail sector and this new retail management functionality will perfectly complement our existing multi-channel solution for Dynamics AX,” said . “This will give retailers a truly end-to-end service to their customers and maximise sales across channels, minimising costs and improving customer service.”

You can read news of the announcement on the OnWindows site in full. If you are new to Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail you might also find the following interesting and can be sure to keep up-to-date with everything happening here on The Edge:

Welcome on board Maginus and hats off from me for a very cool company logo :)!

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

Leading Infrastructure Companies in India Choose Microsoft Dynamics ERP to Automate their Construction Operations

2010-03-03T14:37:00Z

Ok so that hub and spoke story I referred to in my last post is taking a little longer than I expected with everything else going on so I figured I might as well get back to an easy topic to blog about - customer wins. We all love customer wins and you have seen here on The Edge, customer wins are my personal favorite/forte :)

Back to a recent hotbed of new win activity India and some new wins in the construction space through Aurigo Software Technologies and their construction management and inspection system, Aurigo BRIX 2009, a comprehensive CPMS (Capital Project Management System) that helps infrastructure project stakeholders automate the critical processes of estimation, contract management, inspection and facilities.

Aurigo's BRIX 2009 solution is Certified for Microsoft Dynamics (CfMD) accredited, an add-on solution (see my post on recent Microsoft Dynamics ERP ISV succeses) for the Architectural, Engineering and Construction industry (AEC) and built on top of Microsoft Dynamics AX.

Read about two recent wins at Unity Infra and KMC Constructions.

Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

In the News: More Microsoft Dynamics ERP Partner Collaboration

2010-03-03T12:39:00Z

I will start the day off here on The Edge with a nice bit of easy reading that continues one of last weeks themes - Partner Collaboration. As I was working through a coming piece on the successes of Hub and Spoke Implementations with Microsoft Dynamics ERP I came across the following story and thought it worth mentioning briefly.

Those of you not familiar with PartnerPower International, it is a global provider of Microsoft Dynamics AX, NAV and CRM solutions and services for multi-national organizations - something that it very much prides itself on. If you haven't seen or heard of some of the customers they have implemented at then I can tell you that it is a veritable 'who's who' list. Anyway the point of this blog was to let you know about PartnerPower International expanding their presence and thus ability to continue delivering world-class Microsoft Dynamics AX and NAV implementations by signing up and leading Norwegian partner Navicom - good move and great to see more and more of our partners working together.

Read the story in full here

Other recent partner collaboration stories:

Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

Microsoft Dynamics ERP ISV Solutions Continue to Deliver Success

2010-03-02T14:18:00Z

If I have said it once I have said it a thousand times - partners are the driving force behind this business. One of the things that makes us so successful with our partner model is the rich ecosystem of partners that differ in size, industry, foucs, geography, you name it there is probably a Microsoft Dynamics ERP partner that does on it. I want to highlight a group so often forgotten but not to be ignored ISVs.....

There is a great page out on PartnerSource called the ISV Solution Page where you will find a wealth of materials all tailored specifically for ISVs. One of my favorite sections is the ISV-driven customer wins section that highlights new wins where the ISV solution has been pivotal in sealing the deal. I picked out a couple of recent wins below but have a look for yourself and learn how ISV solutions are driivng business value for our customers across the globe.

Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

New Customer Case Study: Clean-Tech Innovator Blue Sun Thrives Through Economic Downturn & Readies for Rapid Growth with Microsoft Dynamics ERP

2010-03-02T08:46:00Z

It has been a couple of weeks since I highlighted a nice customer testimonial here on The Edge so figured I should address that with the following story about Blue Sun and their Microsoft Dynamics NAV implementation. I particularly liked this one as it was from a company that is trying to do something that benefits the environment - read some more below....

A provider of alternative fuels from sustainable resources, Blue Sun has built a strong reputation for product excellence. To manage the company most efficiently in a challenging business climate and to prepare to capitalize on the promise of its Blue Sun Fusion brand following a recovery, Blue Sun implemented Microsoft Dynamics NAV. The solution provides company managers with the meaningful insight they need to move the business forward. It also facilitates with ease the many types of reporting Blue Sun requires to demonstrate regulatory compliance, drive financial performance, nurture strategic relationships, and maintain high levels of individual and organizational productivity. By using Microsoft Dynamics NAV, the company has added customers and distribution channels without increasing overhead and is poised to realize significantly enhanced growth as the clean-tech market rebounds.

"With Microsoft Dynamics NAV, we’ve become an extremely efficient, lean operation. We know it also has the flexibility to scale to the substantial growth we are preparing for today." - Jerry Washburn, Senior Vice President and CFO, Blue Sun

Read the case study in full here

Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

In the News: Microsoft Dynamics Advertises on German National TV

2010-03-01T20:04:00Z

A WW first for Microsoft Dynamics. Around 20 minutes ago Germany just witnessed the first ever Microsoft Dynamics advertising on German national television! Not just this but a completely innovate way to advertize with placement during the countdown to the start of the news (you know where you get a bell ringing or some kind of beep, beep, beeeeep as the news presenter shuffles his/her stack of scripted notes.)

The advertising will feature 4 companies (aravato, Vapiano, the Würth group and Baader Bank) and will run on German news channels n-tv and N24 from March 1 to March 5 at midday and during the evenings.

You can get a feel for the advertising here (German only)

Mit freundlichen Gruessen und viel Spass damit :)

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

Cash For QuickBooks with Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner Video

2010-03-01T14:50:00Z

Probably my shortest blog post ever - check out this fantastic Microsoft Dynamics GP partner video. If your morning is slow or you don't feel like being at the office today after a nice weekend this will put a smile on your face - great stuff :)

Watch the video

Adios...

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

In the News: New Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail Win in UK

2010-02-26T15:38:00Z

What a great way to finish off another long week with our first win on Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail in the United Kingdom. The win comes courtesy of K3 Retail who, together with Welcome Software were selected by Buy As You view (BAYV), the UK’s leading supplier of consumer retail goods sold on a credit basis to implement a new multi-million pound customer-centric CRM, supply chain and financial management solution. Welcom will be building a customer-centric solution based upon Microsoft Dynamics CRM (XRM framework) offering call centre and regional operations users’ real time access to Welcom’s Financier core lending engine and the Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail solution provided by K3 Retail.

Read the story in full as well as the following article on K3's experience in the retail space.

Make sure you also read:

Congratulations to K3 and Welcom on this new deal.

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

In the News: BRAIN FORCE Strengthens its Microsoft Dynamics ERP Business by Acquiring INISYS

2010-02-26T10:58:00Z

It's funny how oftentimes a specific topic or area is the focus of attention for while or just keeps coming up again and again. As I mentioned in my earlier post a lot seems to be happening with our industry strategy - partners hosting more industry-focused webinars and more new marketing materials focused on industry or verticals being released. This week we have also touched on the Microsoft Dynamics ERP partner channel a number of times focusing on some interesting collaboration stories, new partner recruits as well as an acqusition. It came as no surprise then when I saw a press release come out from BRAIN FORCE HOLDING AG announcing the acquisition of a 100% stake in INISYS Software Consulting GmbH, another Austrian based partner focused on Microsoft Dynamics AX, CRM and NAV.

Great quote below from the BRAIN FORCE CEO to explain the thinking behind the acqusition and reinforce what the numbers are showing about the buoyancy of the Microsoft Dynamics ERP business.

"We want to position ourselves as the smart solutions provider for Microsoft Dynamics solutions, and thus profit from the expected disproportionately high growth in this segment“, says Chief Executive Officer Michael Hofer, commenting on the strategy of BRAIN FORCE."

You can read the press release in full here. Read also other recent stories from the Microsoft Dynamics ERP partner channel:

Best Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

New White Paper: Lean Operational Improvements That Last

2010-02-26T10:14:00Z

A lot of good industry-focused content is coming out right out now. Our US Manufacturing Industry Marketing Manager David Weger tweeted this one yesterday - a nice white paper that talks about lean manufacturing. The quote below should set it up nicely:

"Lean initiatives need to be implemented in the right areas for improvement, relying on the concept of strategy deployment
(hoshin kanri), which identifies goals and cascades them throughout the organization into targets and actions at the smallest increments
of work"

Read the whitepaper in full or click here for more information on Microsoft Dynamics in manufacturing. See also:

Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

In the News: Microsoft Dynamics ERP Partner Channel Goes from Strength to Strength

2010-02-25T06:52:00Z

Time to get back to the driving force behind our business, our partners and have a look at a couple of recent developments in the Microsoft Dynamics ERP channel. My colleague Eldita posted a quick note yesterday on the news that Synergy Business Solutions acquired the Microsoft Dynamics SL customer practice of Rose Business Solutions and here is some more exciting news for the Microsoft Dynamics AX and NAV channels.

On the AX side Coastal Range Systems Inc., a privately owned group of companies and one Canada's fastest growing systems integration competitors announced at the end of December (yeah I know I missed that one :)) that it had entered an agreement with Microsoft Corporation as a Solution Provider of Microsoft Dynamics AX. Through this relationship, Coastal expands its product offerings by adopting Microsoft Dynamics AX as a strategic business management system platform to address the business requirements of larger customers. As the AX business grows bringing on board more capable partners will be key to our continued success. Take a look at the press release for yourselves and learn more.

From the NAV channel and one of the best sites (The Edge aside) for everything Microsoft Dynamics ERP- (and CRM-) related www.msdynamicsworld.com (worth signing up to) comes news that Celenia Software has partnered together with Zap to implement Zap's Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV, AX, and CRM in Europe and North America. Zap recently received the much coveted certified for Microsoft Dynamics accreditation for its Business Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics NAV solution and I am sure that a lot of customers will soon start seeing the benefits of it in their NAV implementations. Great to see such strong partner collaboration in the ecosystem and the democratization of fantastic NAV add-on solutions.

Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

The German University of Technology in Oman Selects Microsoft Dynamics ERP

2010-02-25T04:51:00Z

This is a first for me and a first for The Edge as we bring news of a new customer win from Oman and the education sector. The GermanUniversity of Technology (GUtech) recently selected the PowerCAMPUS Unified Digital Campus (UDC) from SunGard Higher Education, a global provider of software solutions and information technology management services, to help create a center of excellence in technology studies, research and innovation. GUtech is Oman’s first internationally accredited private university. The PowerCAMPUS UDC is a complete ERP solution for small and mid-sized schools. Built on Microsoft technologies and integrated with Microsoft Dynamics ERP, it will help GUtech meet growing demands for improved accountability, performance and productivity.

Read the full press release to learn more about this win and some of the benefits the university looks to realize in the future.

Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

Convergence 2010 Customer Excellence Award Nomination Deadline Extended

2010-02-24T18:58:00Z

Act Now! The Customer Excellence Award nomination process is open through the weekend and will close on Monday, March 1 at 12:01am pst. This is an excellent opportunity to nominate customers for up to 17 different award categories. Customer Excellence Awards recognize, honor and celebrate customers who have achieved outstanding success with their Microsoft Dynamics solutions.

Learn more here

Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

Synergy Business Solutions acquires Microsoft Dynamics SL customer practice of Rose Business Solutions

2010-02-24T16:52:00Z

On the news that Synergy Business Solutions acquired the Microsoft Dynamics SL customer practice of Rose Business Solutions, one thing is for sure - Microsoft Dynamics partners put customers first. "We wanted to ensure that our Dynamics SL clients continued to get the same superior service we provided them over the years," said Linda Rose, CEO of Rose Business Solutions. "We are delighted to have acquired these Dynamics SL clients and to be able to support their businesses," said Jered Cady, executive vice president of Synergy Business Solutions. Congratulations to Synergy Business Solutions and Rose Business Solutions on a successful partnership and for providing an optimistic future for their SL clients.

Best,

Eldita Ginger, Sr. Product Marketing Manager

Microsoft Dynamics ERP

The Event Roadshow Rolls On: Microsoft Dynamics ERP @ EUROCIS

2010-02-24T16:16:00Z

I guess that I inadvertently paved the way for myself to write this next post with my earlier post today "More Microsoft Dynamics ERP Momentum in Retail." 2010 has been the start of something new for Microsoft Dynamics ERP in many ways. Well the name for a start...we started talking about Microsoft Dynamics ERP not four separate solutions.....we jumped right onto the online social media bandwagon by blogging to all and sundry about how great we are (I mean everything going on in the world of Microsoft Dynamics ERP) here on The Edge and getting a Twitter account....then there was the increased focus on industry and with that greater event presence at key industry trade shows.

Everybody knows about the great success at NRF with AX for Retail and I also want to highlight the Microsoft Dynamics ERP presence @ the World of Concrete and the International Builder's Show. Looking ahead though another industry show starts very soon over in Germany with EUROCIS - the leading trade show for IT and security in the retail industry. Although our presence there will not be as extensive as NRF two of our leading partners Qurius and LS Retail will be on hand to woo the crowds with demos of Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail and Microsoft Dynamics NAV + LS Retail's add-on solutions.

I spoke to the guys at Qurius today and they are really looking forward to this year's event and being able to show both solutions on the EXPO floor. They committed to sending me a full update of everything that goes on there including pictures (expecting a baby anytime else I would be there myself in the thick of it all!!) so watch this space....

Until the next time...

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

More Microsoft Dynamics ERP Momentum in Retail

2010-02-24T07:27:00Z

Off the back of an extremely successful NRF event we have enjoyed a lot of pick-up around our Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail solution. Our press release garnered strong coverage and upper midmarket customers like Swiss Farms and MYDIN are already looking to the new solution to drive growth and business success based on the out-of-the-box end-to-end coverage the solution provides (if you haven't seen our video from NRF check it out here.) My old mate from the US subsidiary Larry Negrich has plastered the http://www.chainstoreage.com/ website with everything Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail he could find and has a few more things up his sleeve that I look forward to talking about here on The Edge.

But let's forget Microsoft Dynamics AX for now and take a look at another part of the Microsoft Dynamics ERP retail play - namely Microsoft Dynamics NAV and the success being driven by one of our leading NAV partners LS Retail. LS Retail develops retail and hospitality solutions based on the Microsoft Dynamics NAV solution (so extending the solution out-of-the-box) selling to 132 countries, distributing their solution through a partner network that includes approximately 120 Certified partners in more than 60 countries and helping over 1400 companies runs their business. In short LS Retail has a wealth of experience in the retail space and a great solution to match.

You can read about a recent win in Sweden in the latest edition of Retail Speak (see page 9/27) as well as one from India in the hospitality area Barbeque Nation Implements LS Hospitality Solution.

The retail space is proving to be a interesting area for Microsoft Dynamics ERP and definitely an area you will see me talking about more here on The Edge.

Best Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager

Attend this Webcast: How to Overcome the Four Major Challenges IEMs Face

2010-02-23T16:54:00Z

It seems to be manufacturing webcast week this week. Here is another webcast for you all to attend from another couple of leading Microsoft Dynamics ERP partners in manufacturing. Join the experts from mcaConnect, To-Increase and the Microsoft Dynamics AX team for a one hour live webcast to learn how Microsoft Dynamics AX can help Industrial Equipment Manufacturers (IEMs:)

Win New Business
Improve Visibility and Make Better Decisions
Control Costs throughout the Supply Chain
Enable Growth and Cut the Waste

Regards

Luke Shave
ERP Industry Marketing Manager