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ARCHERPOINT TO SPONSOR DIRECTIONS 2009 ANNUAL DYNAMICS NAV CONFERENCE
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner shows support for 5th annual Dynamics NAV channel and ISV conference
ATLANTA, GA — AUGUST 28, 2009 — ArcherPoint, LLC, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner specializing in Microsoft Dynamics solutions, today announced that it will be a sponsor of Directions 2009, an event focused exclusively on Microsoft Dynamics NAV and the Dynamics NAV partner channel .
Entirely driven by the partner channel, the Directions agenda and content are based on partner feedback. The goal of the conference is to provide opportunities for partners to enhance product knowledge and skills, explore the latest ISV solutions, learn and apply best practices, and interact with peers—ultimately empowering them to drive sales and provide top-notch service and support to their clients. Other partners sign on as conference sponsors; however, most do so to promote a product or service to the channel. ArcherPoint’s sponsorship is unique in that the company has invested in a sponsorship demonstrate their support of the event.
“I am very pleased that ArcherPoint is joining us as a sponsor of Directions 2009, particularly in this
challenging economic year,” said Mary Lanham, COO of Lanham Associates, founding Directions
member, and marketing chairperson of Directions 2009. “They are helping us ensure that once again we will deliver the best Directions ever to the NAV partners.”
This year’s theme, “Fueling Success,” will focus on strategic content that will provide ideas, knowledge, and tangible tools that will help partners thrive during the current economic climate. Topics will include how to structure a profitable practice, selling business value with Dynamics NAV, managing people in turbulent times, in-depth technical content on NAV 2009, and taking advantage of Microsoft resources and training opportunities.
“ArcherPoint’s decision to be a sponsor of Directions this year is based on the belief that this event plays a critical role in the growth and quality of the Dynamics NAV channel.” said Tommy Madsen, partner and co-founder of ArcherPoint. “For five years, Directions has provided the channel with invaluable tools and information to help them prosper. We hope our sponsorship will support its continued success.”
Directions offers educational tracks for developers, implementers, sales and marketing staff, executives, and partners new to NAV, as well as an Expo and ISV Showcase and other networking events. This year’s conference will also include its first-ever Directions Golf Tournament.
Directions 2009 will be held November 11-14 at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Austin, Texas.
For more information, go to www.navdirections.com or contact Mary Lanham at
mary@lanhamassoc.com, (678)389-4269.
About ArcherPoint:
ArcherPoint, LLC was founded in 2002 and is a leading provider of business applications based on
proven Microsoft ERP tools. ArcherPoint designs, implements and supports solutions—from back office
accounting and customer relationship management to manufacturing and distribution—through real world experience and a commitment to quality service. ArcherPoint helps companies throughout North America perform above and beyond their competition. www.archerpoint.com 866.343.4517 ext. 133
About Cronus USA:
Cronus USA is a not-for-profit company formed soley to support the community needs of the
Microsoft Dynamics NAV partner channel and the associated Directions functions. The
organization is run by channel partners, for the advantage of the channel partners, to share
technical and business information and strengthen the NAV product, marketing, and technical needs of the NAV partner community.
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[New Orleans LA – 15 July 2009] Many channel partners have wondered about how the new Microsoft Dynamics Partner Program may affect them. I had a chance while at another great Worldwide Partner Conference to sit down and take some notes on the subject. Here are the basics…
July 8, 2009
Microsoft Dynamics NAV Statement of Direction
The Statement of Direction for Microsoft Dynamics NAV gives you an overview of the future plans and product roadmap from 2009 - 2017.
Download the Statement of Direction document for Microsoft Dynamics NAV to get your questions about the future plans for the product answered.
https://mbs.microsoft.com/public/insights/ReadArticle.aspx?rcpt_id=16401608&ja_id=48243
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July 8, 2009
Dynamics CRM/ERP
Microsoft has changed the support policy for service packs for its Dynamics line (Dynamics CRM, AX, GP, SL and NAV). According to Microsoft’s Support site, users will now get “24 months of support for a previous service pack, when a new service pack is released. Previously, when a new service pack was released for these products, Microsoft provided 12 months of support for the previous service pack.” Those currently deploying a currently supported Dynamics CRM or ERP service pack will get an additional 12 months of free support. Microsoft also is reactivating support for a number of Dynamics service packs that had expired, but would be grandfathered in under the 24-month policy. There’s no change in the dates for extended, paid support for these service packs.
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April 29, 2009
Directions 2009 Welcomes Back George Brown and Sales Works
We are proud to welcome back George Brown, CEO, of Sales Works to Directions 2009. George delivered several sales and marketing sessions at Directions 2008 and was the highest rated speaker at the conference. George and his team will be back with us in Austin, Texas delivering new and inspiring content for sales and marketing people as well as targeted content for principals and business owners. For more information and Invaluable white papers check out www.salesworks.com
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April 29, 2009
Directions 2009 First Annual Golf Tournament
The Directions 2009 Conference is proud to sponsor our first annual golf tournament. The tournament will take place as a preconference event and designed as a networking activity for everyone regardless of skill level.
The golf outing will take place at the famous Lost Hills Resort which is a beautiful course rated # 51 by Golf Magazine. The event is limited to 72 people and includes lunch. For more information click HERE or contact Sheldon Kralstein at (732) 970-1450.
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April 29, 2009
Microsoft signs on as Platinum Sponsor for Directions 2009
[Lost Pines, Texas] Microsoft is committed to Directions 2009. In each of several meetings held since the successful Directions 2008 was concluded, Microsoft has expressed their short and long-term commitment to the conference and everything it has become. It is this commitment that fuels the Board’s success in attracting other sponsors and preparing to once again provide NAV channel with the “best Directions ever!” Microsoft executives recognize that Directions is a key partner investment and provides a unique return on the investment that is a “must-have” annual activity. Both the Directions Board and Microsoft understand that the energy generated, effectiveness of content, and the momentum created by the conference drives partner success. We thank Microsoft for their commitment and support.
· October 2009
· May 2010
· October 2010
Beginning in October next year (2010) there will be a bigger shift in requirements for Gold Certification (and non-Gold and Registered? Or does Registered go away in favor of a Referral Partner?). First of all there will be two levels of Competencies – Advanced and Competency. For the Advanced Competency you will have to meet a base level of revenue as well as Certified for Microsoft Dynamics designation and/or a vertical specialty. In addition there were words like “influencer” on the PowerPoint slides presented, but didn’t learn how that will be quantified or qualified. The overall goal here seems to be to set a higher standard for Gold than there exists today.
· The opportunity for a Dynamics partner to focus on a particular industry or vertical area.
· The various program benefits become available with the achievement of requirements as listed for Dynamics competencies (ERP and CRM) within Microsoft Partner Network.
· As the program rolls out, partners will have the ability to target which level of competency is most suitable for their firm in a given fiscal year. For those partners who wish to participate in aspects of the Dynamics business and are not interested in the transactional component may participate in the referral program.
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Here are a couple of things to call out from the announcements made at WPC:
The most important new is that Microsoft has promised that the changes will always be published to the channel 12 months in advance of the active date for those changes. So keep a sharp eye on those emails you receive from Microsoft.
Today MBS is a Competency and NAV is a Specialization of that Competency. Beginning in May 2010, the overall MBS Competency goes away and is replaced by Competencies in CRM or ERP (AX/GP/NAV/SL). You will still get points for the Competency
As of October 2009, to remain a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner you must submit your customers to the Microsoft Customer Satisfaction Survey engine. I assume you must achieve some level of Customer Sat to “pass”, but I failed to gather that information. No changes take place for non-Gold and Registered Partners at that time.
There are three milestone or trigger dates you should note: