We can solve today’s issues and look toward the future, figuring out what people need to do to get their business to where it needs to be.
We’re excited to see the new event, Amplify, come about for this May (23-25, in Anaheim, California). That’s an opportunity for Users to see Microsoft Dynamics GP 2016 in action and gain a greater sense of how it could benefit their organizations. We also, of course, have GPUG Summit in October, which is a great time for us to connect with Users. GPUG: One thing that we really appreciate about having the R&D involved in GPUG Summit is the ability to see what’s coming as well as get really in the weeds about functionality. CS: That’s what we enjoy as well. The R&D sessions are always about what’s new, and the people who are using or selling the product can tell you what’s best in today’s solution. People who attend GPUG Summit want to best leverage what exists today and head home with tangible benefits, whether that’s through improving their implementation or an ISV solution that can help them. That’s what I really enjoy about that event. We solve today’s issues and look towards the future, figuring out what people need to do to help move their business forward. GPUG: Outside of face-to-face events, what other types of readiness materials will be available? CS: We’ll host our Feature of the Day blog where we blog about a feature each day until the release of the product (see the sidebar). We’re also looking at doing recorded and live webinars in addition to our contributions to CustomerSource and the Dynamics Community website. Many of our MVPs are also publishing great information that can be quite helpful to a User. GPUG: Do you see yourselves also becoming more connected to Customers and Partners through social media, as it becomes more pervasive in the work scene?
CS: We’ve always prided ourselves on our connection with Partners and Customers. We have so many more tools to stay better connected, and it’s evolved the solutions we’re building. Our program managers have been able to start research with Customers and follow that through as we design and build the product, and then as we go to market, we’re able to share what we designed and built. We’re able to provide a platform that shows Users exactly what we did and create a dialogue to improve upon that for the next version. This has taken our interaction and dialogue to a place that we always hoped for. GPUG: What factors should Users look at as they consider an upgrade? CS: It’s become so easy and straightforward to move from one version to the next that it should be seamless. Customers should ensure they are leveraging the functionality they want to use, and then work with their Partner for the update. It really shouldn’t take a lot of extra work. Being on the web client makes it very natural to use the next version. Companies should examine what’s available in today’s web client and gets familiar with how it works now, then it’s a natural upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2016 when they’re ready. GPUG: What will your team focus on after Microsoft Dynamics GP 2016 releases? CS: Since we now look to push releases every six months, whether that’s an “R” release or a new version, we’ve already started work on the next release. We continue to use Microsoft Connect submissions to evaluate top of mind issues for Users in the community and for Partners who are in conversations with prospective Customers. It’s one continuous, agile process.
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