Convergence 2011, the Dynamics user conference held this week in Miami, wasn't labeled Convergence AX. But it could have been. While last year the launch of GP 2010 drew a large GP crowd, this year's pending introduction of Dynamics 2012 in AX made devotees of that package the largest group. Users of Dynamics NAV, whose turn is next  year, and SL were much harder to find. GP was still well represented. But just how much AX is gaining in importance was demonstrated by the exhibits. The booth guide showed about 130 exhibits listing themselves as allied with GP and about 115 with AX (or course many of those are the same.) Read more...

Many people in this industry are trying to make sense of Microsoft's announcement that it's "all in", that is in the cloud for the future of its Dynamics products.  Considering that Kirill Tatarinov, who heads Microsoft Business Solutions, told attendees at his Convergence keynote Monday that the company have had SaaS products for three years some definition is needed. That's the hosted versions of the four ERP products. The bottom line for this month is that the products will be introduced in cloud form in the following order starting in Spring 2012 with Dynamics NAV followed by GP, SL and AX. Read more...

Convergence provided an opportunity to get opinions on the looming purchase of Epicor and its combination with Activant Solutions, which sells specialized financial applications.  A Microsoft employee said that the deal, in which private equity investor Apax Partners intends to buy both, will distract Epicor’s management and its sales force for at least year. “It’s great for Microsoft,” he said. That opinion may reflect the fact that Epicor has been making advances in the mid-market with its still relatively new product Epicor 9. An Epicor reseller said that it would “be great or awful, nothing in between.” Read more...

The SBS Group, a Dynamics reseller based in Woodbridge, N.J., says it has entered on phase two in building its partner network. And the company has hired former Tectura CEO Terry Petrzelka to help recruit VARs. Owners Jim Bowman and Joe Longo say their goals include enlisting business people “who maintain the entrepreneurial spirit at the local office” while consolidating services “that make sense”, according to Bowman. SBS now has 15 offices put together from seven organizations that include affiliated companies “and a few that turned into acquisitions.” Read more...