Shows
The MSDW PodcastWhat Dynamics ERP users should know about use tax compliance obligationsThis episode is sponsored by Avalara. The complexities and challenges of use tax compliance only seem to grow as a business expands its operations and customer base. Our guest, Avalara use tax product solution consultant Myles Metzger, explains some of the most common misconceptions about use tax and why it is so tricky for finance teams to comply. Myles also explains some of the common challenges that Dynamics ERP customers face and how Avalara's latest integrations with Dynamics GP, D365 Business Central, and D365 Finance improve tax accuracy and reduce the risks of under- or...2025-05-0614 minThe MSDW PodcastAn update on embedded payments for D365 Business Central with PayTraceThis episode is sponsored by PayTrace. Security and automation are top of mind for most CFOs and finance teams this year, especially when it comes to payments and accounts receivable. For Dynamics Business Central users, embedded payments can solve both pain points. Our guests, Jeremy Boogaart and Carlton Ortega of PayTrace, share the latest enhancements to Trace AR for Business Central. We talk feature updates, the team's collaboration with early adopter customers of Trace AR, and a bit about the product roadmap. And the PayTrace team will be at upcoming events, including Directions...2025-04-0112 minThe MSDW PodcastPreviewing Resco Next 2025 with Sam Bush This episode is sponsored by Resco and their Resco Next 2025 event. Resco's annual event focused on advanced mobility, Resco Next, will be in Valencia on May 20 and 21 this year. The team has a variety of experiences planned, including a live podcast episode of Ambush on Air, the popular marketing-focused podcast series hosted by marketing consultant and NetStock partner marketing lead Sam Bush, our guest on this episode. Sam has established herself in the Microsoft channel as voice for thoughtful marketing and demand generation, with a focus on impactful, people-to-people campaigns and strategies. She also tells u...2025-03-2515 minThe MSDW PodcastJukka Niiranen on Power Platform licensing, AI, and career changes Jukka Niiranen is a former Microsoft MVP and a current Power Platform expert, offering his services through his own firm and sharing his views regularly on social media and in his newsletter. On this episode, Jukka joins us to talk about how his career has evolved, his current work, his technology outlook, and a few hints at his upcoming licensing session at DynamicsMinds 2025 (where MSDW is a media partner). Jukka's career has evolved in the last decade from a consulting role with a Microsoft partner to founding a services firm to now opening his own consultancy. He als...2025-03-2451 minThe MSDW PodcastThe Impact of New Tariffs on Supply Chains and the Role of ERP SolutionsThis episode is sponsored by Staedean. ERP solutions have evolved to support global supply chains, and they are put to the test each time new disruptions arise. Our guest on this episode is Luciano Cunha, CEO of Staedean, and he joins us to discuss his outlook on ERP solutions for manufacturers managing complex and changing supply chains. Luciano shares industry examples of Staedean's experiences and offers advice on how supply chains could evolve further in response to ongoing trade tensions. He tells us about why he recently wrote about the potential impact of...2025-03-2028 minThe MSDW PodcastUnlock the Unknown Potential of Your Document Management SystemThis episode is sponsored by ERP Mechanics. Document management is an essential element of any enterprise solution, and our guest on this episode, Roger Cruz of ERP Mechanics, has worked with document management systems for many years, with a particular focus on Lasernet. Roger tells us about his years of experience deploying document management solutions. He shares some of the typical project execution techniques businesses have used and what has proven the most effective in different circumstances. We also discuss out of the box and unique use cases Roger has encountered, and how document management...2025-03-1816 minThe MSDW Podcast5 Tactical Ways to Strengthen Sales with Marketing Automation This episode is sponsored by emfluence. Bringing marketing automation to life requires alignment between executives and the teams they lead. In this episode, we break down how different roles like CMOs, marketing directors, and marketing managers work together to turn strategy into action. Our guest is emfluence President and CEO David Cacioppo, and he joins us to talk about tactical ways to get more out of your marketing technology investment. We discuss steps that marketing teams can take to improve lead management, customer retention, and tracking ROI. More from emfluence: If you’re...2025-03-1125 minThe MSDW PodcastMekorma's evolution in the Dynamics 365 Business Central channelThis episode is sponsored by Mekorma. On this episode, Brendan Coffey, Director of Revenue at Mekorma, dives into the company’s evolution within the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central ecosystem and discusses how businesses are modernizing their accounts payable (AP) processes. The company's years of experience working with on-premises ERP technology and with the technical aspects of ERP migration give them unique insights into the growing adoption of Business Central, Brendan explains. But modernization and migration initiatives are not without their challenges, and we discuss trends and guidance for organizations planning for their ERP future. ...2025-03-0622 minThe MSDW Podcast2025 Supply chain trends with NMB SolutionsThis episode is sponsored by NMB Solutions. Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management users will be thinking about global challenges in 2025. Our guests on this episode, Michelle Frennier and Chris Winstanley of NMB Solutions, help us understand some of the biggest risks businesses are facing this year and how to adapt. Shipping cost management will demand particular attention, Chris tells us, as faster deliveries add more pressure to businesses. Labor shortages, rising costs for transportation, and auto-fulfillment demands will all color the picture. Global trade compliance is another area of continued uncertainty, and M...2025-03-0336 minThe MSDW PodcastERP Transformation and AP Automation Delivery Success, with SignUp SoftwareThis episode is sponsored by SignUp Software. When Tina McGrath first encountered ExFlow from SignUp Software, she was working as the finance lead in an ERP transformation project for a Dynamics AX customer moving to D365. Their older invoice automation software presented a range of challenges, including integration issues, lost information, usability, and customization complexity. On this episode, Tina takes us through some of the critical requirements, priorities, and guiding principles that led her to select SignUp as part of that project and how it benefited that organization. We then discuss how, years later, Tina...2025-02-2821 minThe MSDW PodcastAutomation, e-commerce, and ERP integration with k-ecommerceThis episode is sponsored by k-ecommerce, powered by MDF Commerce. On this episode we are talking about automation and e-commerce with Patrick Fusarini and Rich Fowler of k-ecommerce. B2B organizations face complex requirements in their commerce decisions, and Rich and Patrick tell us about what the requirements they are hearing from Dynamics 365 customers today. Many scenarios are driven by the D365 user's own clients, they explain. In a B2B context, those organizations want to be able to make their purchases with greater velocity and lower friction. Our guests provide some examples of D365 cu...2025-02-2144 minThe MSDW PodcastPreviewing the AI Agent and Copilot Summit North America 2025 event with DCI's John SiefertMicrosoft is taking an AI-first stance to its Business Applications portfolio, but what does that really mean for customers, system integrators, and consultants? Dynamic Communities (DCI) is launching a new event next month that aims to take on the full scope of the Microsoft-centric AI discussion. The AI Agent & Copilot Summit North America takes place from March 17 to 19, 2025 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines in San Diego. MSDW is a media partner for the event (register with our link for a $150 discount), and John Siefert, CEO of DCI, joins MSDW editor Jason Gumpert on...2025-02-1734 minThe MSDW PodcastPreviewing Resco NEXT 2025 This episode is sponsored by Resco, hosts of Resco NEXT 2025. Resco has recently announced their upcoming Resco NEXT 2025 event, taking place in Valencia, Spain from May 19-21 2025. Our guest, Trevor Metcalfe, takes us through some of the plans for the event including speakers and hints at the agenda, which continues the focus on field workers and mobile, deskless scenarios This year's event is free to attend, and we discuss the history of the Resco NEXT dating back to year one in Boston and other memorable locations where the community has gathered in t...2025-02-1015 minThe MSDW PodcastWhy companies are investing in Procure to Pay, with SignUp Software and MekormaThis episode is sponsored by SignUp Software. On this episode, we are exploring how companies approach Procure to Pay and why the concepts, process and technical capabilities surrounding it have gained so much traction. Procure to pay typically includes accounts payable processes, but that's only part of the story. My guests on this episode, Bob Monio of SignUp Software and Brendan Coffey of Mekorma, explain more about the business case for payment services working together with AP automation software and how that broader vision offers benefits like reduced fraud and improved cash management. ...2025-01-3020 minThe MSDW PodcastKey Commerce Takeaways from NRF 2025This episode is sponsored by Evenica. On this episode, Kelly Mazur, Marketing Director at Evenica, shares her biggest takeaways from this year's NRF Retail Big Show conference. Mazur details what Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce capabilities she and others demo'd for the retailers in attendance, and she shared the two major themes showcased across the Microsoft booth. She also discusses commerce trends from the expo floor and shares retail predictions for 2025. AI was no doubt a hot topic again this year, but in this podcast episode we give specific use cases that were prominent across the event. F...2025-01-2312 minThe MSDW PodcastEvaluating Headless and Composable Commerce OptionsThis episode is sponsored by Evenica. In this episode, Evenica's Kelly Mazur dives into the world of modern e-commerce technology, breaking down the key differences between Headless Commerce and Composable Commerce. She unpacks these buzzwords, explaining what they mean, how they work, and which strategy might be the best fit for your business. Mazur also shares real-world examples of third-party applications that integrate with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce to help create tailored, innovative solutions. Whether you're an e-commerce novice or a seasoned pro, this episode provides actionable advice to level up your commerce game. ...2025-01-1410 min
ISV TalksBreaking News: TrinDocs Achieves Verified ISV Status by MSDynamicsWorld (MDSW)Ever wondered how a family-owned business could revolutionize document management? Meet Heather and Jeremy from TrinDocs, whose journey from a niche in the Microsoft Dynamics space to becoming a trailblazer in ERP system automation is nothing short of inspiring. Heather's transition from a senior accountant to a visionary leader at Trindocs exemplifies the transformative power of innovative leadership, driving companies into the digital, paperless age. Jeremy shares fascinating insights into how TrinDocs has tailored their automation solutions to suit diverse industries, from healthcare and manufacturing to lift companies and beyond, all encapsulated by their unique tagline, "Automation as unique...2025-01-0921 minThe MSDW PodcastEmpowering The Connected Worker with Purpose-Driven Frontline TechThis episode is sponsored by enVista. The devices and applications available to frontline workers continue to evolve. On this episode, Chris Tordi and Mark Laatz of enVista join us for to explore the integration of Microsoft Teams and Dynamics 365, RFID asset tracking, voice automation, and connected worker solutions. You will learn how tools designed for frontline workers enhance productivity, ensure compliance, and drive operational excellence across industries. We discuss: The evolving role of the connected worker How D365 can be used to empower frontline workers. Advantages of using D365 on various devices, including enterprise...2024-12-1929 minThe MSDW PodcastDeploying better Dynamics 365 F&O solutions, with Karolis Aleknavičius of ERP Mechanics This episode is sponsored by ERP Mechanics. ERP projects don't always go as planned. Project delays, technical issues, and user adoption challenges can all create serious risks to an organization. Our guest on today's episode, Karolis Aleknavičius of ERP Mechanics, tells us how his firm has become a specialist in helping organizations to navigate their way to success after a Dynamics 365 project has experienced a setback. As a specialist in Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management and an ERP veteran, Karolis has seen projects at every scale and every phase. He s...2024-12-1519 minThe MSDW PodcastExpanding the marketing automation landscape with emfluence CEO David Cacioppo This episode is sponsored by emfluence. Marketers frequently lead the charge for better data and more connected systems in an organization, especially as it relates to customer journeys. On this episode, David Cacioppo, president and CEO of emfluence, joins us to share some of his team's priorities as it relates to marketing automation strategy, especially in the Microsoft ecosystem. As a firm that delivers both technology and digital agency services, emfluence has been working to align their worldview with the strengths of Microsoft Power Platform, especially Dataverse, David ex...2024-12-0418 minThe MSDW PodcastMeeting the financial reporting needs of Microsoft customers with FYIsoft This episode is sponsored FYIsoft. In the Microsoft customer ecosystem, companies with complex financial structures often struggle to give their finance professionals the tools they need to create, deploy, and use effective reporting. Requirements like multiple locations, companies, currencies, or ledgers can quickkly put extra burdens on both finance and IT teams that impact organizational performance and increase risk , says our guest, Jeremy Schaab, VP of software development at FYIsoft. Schaab tells us about some of the common requirements the FYIsoft team hears from Microsoft users today and...2024-11-2519 minThe MSDW PodcastKuldeep Gupta's favorite Copilot features in Dynamics 365 Project Operations Microsoft MVP Kuldeep Gupta returns to the MSDW Podcast to help us understand some of the latest Copilot features coming to Dynamics 365 Project Operations. Kuldeep has a list of favorites and honorable mentions that he dives into, including an extra preview feature (they're all linked below). He also tells us about his newly released digital course for organizations planning a move from D365 Project Service Automation (PSA) to Project Ops and the rapidly approaching deadline set by Microsoft for that transition. Show Notes: 1:00 - About Kuldeep 3:00 - What Copilot in D365 P...2024-11-2141 minThe MSDW PodcastPayTrace Recaps Community Summit 2024 Experience This episode is sponsored by PayTrace. Community Summit North America 2024 offered Microsoft customers and partners a mix of education, networking, and the chance to contemplate the future of entertise software and solutions. Our guests on this episode, Mary Miller and Sam Johnson of PayTrace, share their own highlights, observations, and experiences from Summit. This was PayTrace's second year exhibiting at the user-focused event. Their team heard from booth visitors about goals like increasing automation, decreasing complexity of multi-solution architectures, and planning for cloud ERP. Mary and Sam als...2024-11-2026 minThe MSDW PodcastAdvocating for customers and partners, with Guus KrabbenborgWhen today's guest, Guus Krabbenborg, talks to Dynamics 365 partners and their customers, he likes to ask them about some of the more challenging topics in a typical ERP project: what does success really look like when each party is being honest about their goals and motivations? And why do so many projects fail to meet those goals? Guus shares his perspective with us on customer project preparation, some of the continuing challenges of cloud ERP projects, and the role he believes Microsoft should be playing in today's Business Central partner channel. He also shares customer anecdotes and...2024-10-3034 minThe MSDW PodcastUnderstanding AES for export with NMB SolutionsThis episode is sponsored by NMB Solutions. For businesses involved in exporting from the US, AES has become a key program that spans multiple government entities and enforces key regulations. Our guest, Michelle Frenier, a strategic consultant for NMB Solutions in the aera of global trade, introduces us to the role of AES in global trade, with a focus on the key role that technology like Dynamics 365 plays in managing the rules and staying compliant. We discuss: Common mistakes when filing export data in AES Consequences of incomplete filings How to prepare for potential...2024-10-2319 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Ep. 19: Tips for tech training in English for non-native speakers with George Doubinski Learning new technology skills requires full concentration, but the task is even more challenging when it is being carried out in a learner's non-native language. Often in the business world, that training language is going to be English, and Microsoft MVP George Doubinski has seen firsthand the struggles that learners can face. George has had recent experiences training non-native speakers in an English language classroom. He explains why this is a common scenario and offers a range of suggested tools and techniques to help overcome typical headaches. We discuss vocabulary, pronunciation socio-political angles, and ways to gain comfort communicating...2024-10-2241 minThe MSDW PodcastCommunity Summit 2024 Preview with VelosioMSDW is previewing Community Summit North America 2024 with a new series of quick podcast episodes featuring exhibitors. In this episode, we speak with Mike DeGeeter and Sabrina Zimara from Velosio. With the recent end-of-life update for Dynamics GP, the Velosio team has ramped up their planning services and guidance for GP customers and will be offering Summit attendees 15 minute one-on-one consultations with specialists at booth 1452. The team will also be showing off their Sales Velocity framework to provide comprehensive, pre-built integration of Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement apps and Business Central at no cost. Mike an...2024-10-0821 minThe MSDW PodcastCommunity Summit 2024 Preview with Aqueducts ConsultingMSDW is previewing Community Summit North America 2024 with a new series of quick podcast episodes featuring exhibitors. In this episode, we speak with Joe Christensen, founder of Aqueducts Consulting. The team at Aqueducts thinks a lot about how to help Dynamics 365 F&O and AX customers find success in their reporting and data management efforts, Joe tells us. He has seen plenty of pain and frustration among customers over the years, and there are many good reasons why, from the technology to project planning to user adoption and organizational change. Reporting challenges often come down to a so...2024-10-0322 minThe MSDW PodcastCommunity Summit 2024 Preview with PayTrace MSDW is previewing Community Summit North America 2024 with a new series of quick podcast episodes featuring exhibitors. In this episode, we speak with returning guests Mary Miller and Sam Johnson of PayTrace. Mary and Sam update us on their preparations for Community Summit, running October 13 to 17 in San Antonio, and the types of conversations and connections the PayTrace team are planning for at the event at booth 1027. One theme they expect to discuss with attendees is the way that payment technology is moving across organizations today. As they explain, PayTrace customers of...2024-10-0314 minThe MSDW PodcastCommunity Summit 2024 Preview with KingswaySoft MSDW is previewing Community Summit North America 2024 with a new series of quick podcast episodes featuring exhibitors. In this episode, we speak with Daniel Cai, founder and managing director of KingswaySoft. Daniel tell us about KingswaySoft's newest offering, their JDBC Driver Pack for Dynamics 365. It first launched in July 2024 with Dynamics 365 CRM and Dataverse support, which they called JDBC 2024 release wave 1. At Community Summit they will be releasing release wave 2 for this product family to support D365 F&O and Business Central. We discuss some of the most important use cases for t...2024-10-0107 minThe MSDW PodcastCommunity Summit 2024 Preview with Formpipe MSDW is previewing Community Summit North America 2024 with a new series of quick podcast episodes featuring exhibitors. In this episode, we speak with David Little, leader of business development in North America for Formpipe. As David explains, Formpipe has a big product announcement for Summit, the launch of Lasernet Essentials to the Dynamics market, a no-code solution for documentation embedded into Dynamics 365 environments. Formpipe will also be cohosting a session with customer Steel Warehouse on their use of Lasernet in a self-service digital portal scenario for customer-centric documentation across their purchasing and d...2024-09-2705 minThe MSDW PodcastCommunity Summit 2024 Preview Podcast with Leapwork MSDW is previewing Community Summit North America 2024 with a new series of quick podcast episodes featuring exhibitors. In this episode, we speak with Nick Morea, manager of sales engineering at Leapwork. Nick will be on site for the company at Community Summit, and he updates us on the new finding that Leapwork will be sharing with the Dynamics community in October. Their new AI report will be available, with new analysis of how to AI-based testing can best be used with in an enterprise software solution and how AI tools can actually be used to t...2024-09-2508 minThe MSDW PodcastCommunity Summit 2024 Preview Podcast with Nodus Technologies MSDW is previewing Community Summit North America 2024 with a new series of quick podcast episodes featuring exhibitors. In this episode, we speak with Fauwaz Hussain, Senior Director of Strategy at Nodus Technologies. Nodus specializes in payment acceptance and accounts receivable automation solutions that integrate with all Microsoft Dynamics platforms, and Fauwaz tells us how that expertise aligns with some of the key themes that attendees can expect at Summit. AI conversations are increasingly important, he believes. And the future of Dynamics GP will continue to be a key talking point for users. Fauwaz is presenting with other...2024-09-2321 minThe MSDW PodcastCommunity Summit 2024 Preview Podcast with Integrity Data MSDW is previewing Community Summit North America 2024 with a new series of quick podcast episodes featuring exhibitors. In this episode, we speak with Patrick Doolan, founder and CEO of our sponsor, Integrity Data. Integrity specializes in HR and payrolls solutions for Dynamics 365 Business Central and GP. He shares an update on this team's latest solutions and their plans at Community Summit including the opportunity to have casual face-to-face conversations about solving customer problems. Patrick also shares some observations on how the industry push to embrace AI lines up against customer realities and he offers some a...2024-09-2309 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Ep. 18: Making events inclusive by design, with Ana Inés Urrutia Running better events means making them accessible to more people, and our guest on this episode, Microsoft MVP and HR expert Ana Inés Urrutia, joins us in the Biz Apps Classroom to discuss how conferences can do more to be inclusive by design. Both Ana Inés and BAC co-host Julie Yack will be participating in Scottish Summit 2024 in October, and they share some of ways that event's organizers have been improving both inclusivity and accessibility. We also discuss what it's like to build a career in enterprise software for someone with a non-conventional pro...2024-09-0534 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Ep. 17: Power Platform Community Conference 2024 Preview with Lisa Crosbie MSDW is a media sponsor of Power Platform Community Conference 2024. Get $100 off your registration with the code MSDW100. Microsoft MVP Lisa Crosbie has spent plenty of time and effort understanding Microsoft's rapidly expanding set of Copilot offerings for Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. While she has documented many of those discoveries and insights on her popular YouTube channel, she has also been developing new in-person presentations and workshops for the upcoming event season. Lisa joins us in the Biz Apps Classroom on this episode to preview the AI-centric session and full-day workshop sh...2024-08-2231 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Ep. 16: George Doubinski on Power Platform Interns and Apprentices Microsoft MVP and founder of AlexaCRM George Doubinski joins us in the Biz Apps Classroom to talk about his recent experiences hiring an intern to learn what Power Platform services and solutions development are all about. As this person's internship experience nears an end, George shares several lessons and observations that others may want to consider if they set up a similar program. George talks about the importance of insulating an apprentice from customer scrutiny, finding the balance between teaching and discovery, catching and correcting bad habits, and how to know when a new learner i...2024-08-2042 minThe MSDW PodcastWhy CTI is a customer service game-changer, with Upland Software This episode is sponsored by Upland Software. In a world where the next revolutionary contact center technology is always just around the corner, the reality is that agents still need real solutions today. Computer-telephony integration (CTI) is the real game-changer, says this episode's guest, Denis Francoeur, Director of Product from Upland Software, and he explains why. The contact center needs better connections between systems and people, Francoeur says, and CTI holds a fascinating place among IT assets. It has proved its worth over the years as an evolving technology, and the la...2024-08-1930 minThe MSDW PodcastPreparing Data for AI Governance with insightsoftwareThis episode is sponsored by insightsoftware. The rapid increase in attention on AI has generated lots of new conversations at insighsoftware, a global provider of comprehensive solutions for the Office of the CFO. Their customers in the Microsoft ecosystem want to bring AI and ML to bear for better performance, but challenges around data often become a hurdle. Our guests, Warwick Leitch and Caria Collins of insightsoftware, follow up their recent MSDW webcast to talk in more detail about delivering AI-related features and planning for the data-related challenges that their clients are talk about today. B...2024-08-0119 minThe MSDW PodcastPreviewing TechBayanihan 2024, a new Microsoft community event in the Philippines The Microsoft technology community in the Philippines has grown and evolved over the years along with the products and business opportunities in the space. Now, a group of community leaders have organized a new conference in Manila with a focus on Power Platform and Dynamics 365 training and learning for professionals and students alike. TechBayanihan 2024 takes place on August 2 and 3 and promises a full schedule of sessions and activities, from Microsoft product updates to customer panels to plenty of networking opportunities. Our guests on this episode, Microsoft MVPs Kris Ruyeras, Doher Drizzle Pablo, Ahmed Salih, and Ce...2024-07-1032 minThe MSDW PodcastThe Rise of Embedded Payments for Dynamics ERP This episode is sponsored by PayTrace. Bringing embedded payments capabilities to a Dynamics ERP system can offer a range of benefits, but it is not always a simple transition. On this episode, our guests, Mary Miller and Sam Johnson of PayTrace, discuss what it means to accept payments within the context of ERP-driven business processes and how organizations are reaping the benefits. Payment requirements in B2B scenarios are unique compared to the B2C world, and our guests discuss some of the goals that PayTrace clients seek when they invest in...2024-07-0325 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Ep. 15: Derik Bormann Derik Bormann is president and director of learning at Myrium Technology Solutions, a founding principal and instructor at 365.training, and a Microsoft MVP. Over the last few years, Derik has been doing a lot of work training and onboarding hundreds of new Microsoft technical specialists who needed the PL-100 and PL-200 skills as well as D365 Customer Service, Field Service, Sales, and Customer Insights. He explained why that particular training had to be tailored to the needs of Microsoft employees as opposed to other styles like classroom training. But while he ha...2024-06-1726 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Ep. 14: Joe Griffin at DynamicsMinds 2024 After a few years of relatively little change to certifications in the Business Applications space, Microsoft MVP Joe Griffin says he is encouraged by forward movement from Microsoft in new certs and new approaches. In this episode, recorded live at DynamicsMinds 2024, Joe tells us about why he likes the Applied Skills approach through Microsoft Learn. He and Julie also share their experiences with the new incremental assessment capabilities of some certs and their opinion of the new D365 Customer Experience Analyst Associate cert that serves as something of a baseline for other more specialized areas.2024-06-0517 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Ep. 13: Joe Corigliano at DynamicsMinds 2024 The Biz Apps Classroom travelled to Slovenia last week for DynamicsMinds 2024, the Dynamics and Power Platform community conference in its second year, and we caught up with Microsoft channel expert Joe Corigliano to talk partner training and skills. Joe wears several hats in the Microsoft channel community, helping build connections, plan events like the partner track at DynamicsMinds, and working with firms on their Microsoft strategy via his role at Ciellos. Joe talks with Julie and Jason about his work, his experiences at DynamicsMinds 2024, and his plans for future events and projects. He explained that p...2024-06-0317 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Episode 12: Nick Doelman at DynamicsCon Live 2024Julie and Jason took the Biz Apps Classroom to Denver to talk training and learning at DynamicsCon Live 2024. Our guest on this live, in-person episode is Nick Doelman, a Microsoft MVP and former Microsoft employee. AI was all over the conference, and we start by taking on the question of Microsoft Copilot's role in developing Microsoft technology training. Nick shares his perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of today's tools for creating learning plans, classroom training, and self-learning activities. His experiences point to Copilot as a tool, not a solution, and he explains why he still has...2024-05-2022 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Episode 11: Exploring Copilot (with video) What can Copilot do for the average business user? Julie and Jason turn on screen sharing in this video-enabled episode to examine some of the basics of interacting with a Microsoft Copilot. Conference season has begun, and attendees will find a bounty of sessions focused on AI. But organizations will have to consider two key questions as they decide to embrace AI and Copiilot in general: how to identify useful AI-enabled scenarios and how to use them effectively and responsibly. As Julie shows us in this walkthrough, great results are not gu...2024-05-1027 minThe MSDW PodcastCommerce Challenges and Opportunities in the Public Sector This episode is sponsored by Evenica. Public sector organizations use Microsoft Business Applications for a broad range of solution needs, and the latest advances in Dynamics 365 Commerce have empowered municipalities and other government entities to transact and interact online in a compelling new ways. In a recent panel discussion, Kelly Mazur of Microsoft partner Evenica led a discussion about what’s possible for municipalities today when they leverage the full capabilities of Dynamics 365 and Power Platform, including commerce. Topics include: Evenica's outlook on Commerce in public secto...2024-05-0315 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Episode 10: Applied skills and hiring with EY Kalman Microsoft MVP and MCT EY Kalman joins us in the Biz Apps Classroom to discuss Microsoft's Applied Skills and Applied Labs, his view on the employment landscape, and some tips on making yourself a more attractive candidate. Topics of the discussion include: Microsoft certifications and their value for landing a new job. Other ways EY's team evaluates candidates based on technology, roles, and other considerations. Why EY believes the PL-200 is a good starter exam for candidates, even if they are new to Microsoft Business Applications. Whether college matters when hiring for Business Applications con...2024-04-1934 minThe MSDW PodcastDynamicsCon Live 2024 Preview and Pass GiveawayWith DynamicsCon Live fast approaching, we check in with Dynamics User Group's Ryan Harris for a quick update on the event, which runs from May 13 to 16. Ryan tells us about the planning and offers some suggestions on how to attendees can take advantage of the event's layout and features to get the most out of the week. He also previews some of the schedule highlights like the TechFluent Gala on Tuesday, May 14. And listen closely to this short episode because at the end we explain how to enter to win one of MSDW's two free pass...2024-04-1108 minThe MSDW PodcastEvaluating the latest Microsoft Partner Benefits offers with AJ Ansari Microsoft introduced three tiers of new partner benefits packages in January 2024 that were designed for partners to purchase to help meet different types of channel needs. Our guest on this episode, Microsoft MVP AJ Ansari of DSWi, has been looking closely at these benefit levels and joins us to share some of his observations about the elements of each offer, the value of different options, and how different kinds of organizations might be able to use them to their advantage. We also discuss what these offers say about Microsoft's channel engagement priorities today and how they differ from other...2024-04-0433 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Episode 9: Preparing for MB-260 with Microsoft MVP Malin Martnes Microsoft MVP Malin Martnes has spent considerable time exploring the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Insights (Data) Specialist certification and its exam, MB-260, and she has discovered that the required subject matter is vast. In this episode, Malin tells us about her experience working with clients on the D365 Customer Insights Data application, her efforts to cover the topics of MB-260 on her blog, as well as more general Microsoft certification exam recommendations. Show Notes 7:45 - Malin's view of with the MB-260 exam and certification: how it compares to others and whom it is for 10:30 - Who...2024-04-0230 minThe MSDW PodcastThe Role of Automated Testing in Microsoft's One Version Approach to Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations This episode is sponsored by Leapwork. Microsoft has recently adjusted the update schedule and policies for Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations apps, with the One Version strategy now driving the delivery for four service updates per year to customers, with limited pauses allowed. Given the regular cadence, the short testing windows, and the need to accept multiple updates per year, customers must reckon with the realities of testing efficiencies. As our guest, Sune Engsig, Field CTO at Leapwork, explains, manual testing against regressions for an application like D365 Finance or Supply Chain Man...2024-03-2722 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Episode 8: Liz McGlennen of TechFluent Academy TechFluent Academy is gearing up for a new class of students and the nonprofit expects a major increase in applications (the deadline is May 15) and participation. To learn more, the organization's founder and executive director, Liz McGlennen, spoke with Julie and Jason about their current enrollment, eliminating barriers to entry, and what it takes to prepare a student for a career in the enterprise software space. Liz tells us about the origins of TechFluent, market demand for new hires with biz apps skills, the importance of mentorship and peer support, expanding to more Dynamics 365 solutions, a...2024-03-2025 minThe MSDW PodcastAP Automation: Invoice and Payments in Dynamics 365 Business Central This episode is sponsored by Paymerang. The world of invoice and payments automation continues to evolve, and our guests on this episode, Tiffany Allen and Brian Cook of Paymerang, join us to discuss their team's vision for serving the needs of organizations running Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Paymerang's recent acquisition of KwikTag has created new opportunities for the company to advance their product roadmap, our guests explain. And with the buzz around AI and the company's focus on automation software, Brian and Tiffany also share their outlook on continuing to innovate in...2024-03-1229 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Episode 7: What's Next? How do you decide what's next in your learning journey in the Microsoft Business Applications space? The answer can depend on factors like your career plans, your employer's priorities, or your interests and skills. Co-host Julie Yack has fielded this question many times and she shares some of the questions and concerns that she often hears from learners. We discuss some of the different options people have, from Microsoft's own training materials to conferences to working with trainers, and how to choose the right path forward. And we discuss some of the most interesting opportunities f...2024-03-0824 minThe MSDW PodcastThe realities of Power Platform mobility solutions This episode is sponsored by Resco. How does your organization handle mobility requirements on Microsoft Power Platform projects? Ivan Stano, SVP at Resco, joins us to help break down the realities of Power Platform mobility across a variety of use cases. We discuss the latest innovations to extend your Power Platform projects and grow your Microsoft business. Ivan also offers a peek into Resco's vision for Power Platform mobility and the simple steps to get involved. Learn More: Join us in Vienna for Resco Next 2024 Visit https://www.resco.net/po...2024-03-0615 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Episode 6: Training New Ukrainian Business Applications Professional The Biz Apps Classroom welcomes its first guest on this episode, Microsoft MVP and partner executive Vlad Sarov joins us to talk about the work he, podcast co-host Julie Yack, and others have been doing on a project to bring Microsoft Business Applications skills to adults in Ukraine through an ongoing series of training cohorts. The program follows Microsoft's prescribed Business Application professional skilling collection, but the team have taken the extra effort to translate the learning materials, adapt the guidance to allow for online interaction, and develop automated translation capabilities to allow trainers who don't speak Ukrainian to s...2024-02-1635 minThe MSDW PodcastThe Power of Tax Engines in Mid-market Companies This episode is sponsored by Vertex. Tax engines have a unique role to play in the performance of mid-market businesses. Our guest on this episode, Pete Olanday, Director of Consulting, Vertical Solutions: Retail, Leasing, Telecommunications, at Vertex discusses how implementing a tax engine can help mid-market companies streamline processes, enhance scalability, and ensure compliance in the face of evolving regulations. Pete discusses some of the biggest challenges that mid-market firms face related to sales tax and how those tie into other strategic initiatives like process automation, business expansion, and managing operational co...2024-02-1515 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Episode 5: The evolution of role-based trainingOn this episode, we are talking role-based training: where it works well, what roles tend to benefit, and how the concept has evolved in the Microsoft Dynamics and Power Platform ecosystem. Role-based training in the Biz Apps space coincides with changes in Microsoft certifications, and that that has helped shift the focus of learners away from memorizing facts about software and toward developing skills, says our co-host, Julie Yack. And while Microsoft have their own overall approach to role-based training and certification, it is not the only reference out there. Julie shares some of her experiences training peopl...2024-02-0715 minThe MSDW PodcastMicrosoft VP Georg Glantschnig on the future of Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Microsoft just released their plans for 2024 Release Wave 1 of Dynamics 365 and Power Platform, and the Finance and Operations suite will be adding a range of process and data-themed capabilities. Generative AI is part of that roadmap too, of course, but our guest on this episode, Microsoft VP Georg Glantschnig, shares that his broader focus is on improving automation, solution composability, and data-centric capabilities. Georg discusses some of the highlights of the current release wave and, while this is not an "all AI" conversation, he explains that Copilot will continue to be a priority for the Dy...2024-01-3149 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Episode 4: Event strategies to boost learning Conferences play a key role in many Dynamics and Power Platform professionals' training plans. On this episode, Julie and Jason talk about the types of educational content that are gaining popularity at Microsoft-focused events, how sessions are selected, and how to get the most educational value out of the next event you choose to spend your time at. Julie gives an update on planning for the next Power Platform 24 virtual event on March 20 and 21 and their call for speakers. We also talk about Jason's recent trip to the NRF Big Show 2024 event, why AI could b...2024-01-2429 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Buzz, Episode 2: Metafile's AI enhancementsThe latest updates to Metafile's AP Automation solution blend improving AI-based capabilities with their trusted capabilities around process and data efficiency. Company veteran Doug Bertram talks with Biz Apps Buzz host Amiee Keenan about his experiences watching the company's AI tools evolve before his eyes, with extraction and error handling capabilities improving almost before his eyes. Doug tells the story of a demo thrown off when the solution's AI engine learned to correctly interpret an invoice field that had been failing a few weeks earlier. And he explains how improvements in understanding documents raises the bar for AP fundamentals...2024-01-2216 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Episode 3: Goals Julie and Jason are talking about goals and goal setting. While neither of them is a self-described goal setter, they both acknowledge that taking a goal-oriented approach can be a helpful tool for professional development. Using the SMART(ER) model as a reference point, they talk through different ways professionals in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform space can set goals for their own professional development. They note examples of various people in the Microsoft community who have modelled great goal-setting behaviors for the rest of us, and they identify tools and programs that listeners can l...2023-12-2737 minThe MSDW PodcastVertex's Larry Mellon on accurate sales and use taxation, compliance, and audit risk This episode is sponsored by Vertex. Larry Mellon , Tax Director – Chief Tax Office at Vertex, joins us to shed light on potential risks that businesses grapple with when they rely on their ERP's native tax functionality rather than a dedicated tax engine. Larry tells us about his history with Vertex, working both internally and with both customers and jurisdictions on tax matters. He discusses some of the reasons why tax accuracy is so important to an organization and how any shortcomings can interfere with compliance, lead to audit risk, and affect staf...2023-12-2112 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Buzz, Episode 1: Cavallo's 2024 Product Plans In our inaugural episode of the Biz Apps Buzz, host Amiee Keenan speaks with Cavallo’s head of strategic partnerships, Bob McAdam, about the company’s latest product updates. He shares updates on new solutions for Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics GP focused on business performance and profitability, as well as new integrations and enhancements. Topics include: Cavallo's Profit Analytics beta has begun The debut of Profit Scan for Business Central Plans to combine Order Management Dashboard + Workflow for Business Central Recent enhancements and integrations to their Dynamics GP product offerings About Biz Apps Buzz Biz Apps...2023-12-2019 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Episode 2: Why Microsoft certifications matter Julie Yack has years of experience with Microsoft certification exams, whether taking them herself, helping others prepare to pass them, and even helping Microsoft develop new ones. On this episode she talks with Biz Apps Classroom co-host Jason Gumpert about her certification experiences over the years, both good and bad, and what Microsoft has done to improve their approach in recent years by transitioning toward a role-based model and taking steps to make exams and exam prep somewhat more accessible. Special offer: Listeners can support the podcast and get a discount on an annual plan f...2023-12-1425 min
The MSDW PodcastBiz Apps Classroom, Episode 1: Let’s talk training and learningWe are kicking off our new podcast series, the Biz Apps Classroom, and our hosts, Julie Yack of 365.training and Jason Gumpert of MSDynamicsWorld.com, discuss how this project arose and where it will be going in future episodes. They chat about some of the training and learning themes influencing the Power Platform and Dynamics 365 landscape today and trade notes on recent conference experiences and Microsoft product announcements. Julie also shares some observations from her most recent classroom training work. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes of the Biz Apps Classroom, where we will examine topics like the...2023-11-2925 minThe MSDW PodcastAssessing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Service Providers The analysts at Everest Group have published their latest ratings of systems integrators in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 ecosystem, and changes in the space reflect both product trends and attitudes toward enterprise software investment. Our guest, Everest Group practice director Abhishek Mundra, discusses the factors that his time uses to assess service providers in terms of partnership with Microsoft, types of engagements, project outcomes, attitudes toward value realization, and more. And he explains why some firms have risen to become major contenders based on factors like geography or industry. Learn more about th...2023-11-1734 minThe MSDW PodcastTracking Microsoft's latest Copilot announcements This episode is sponsored by enVista. The speed with which Microsoft has introduced various Copilot capabilities has challenged even the most dedicated channel professionals to keep up. Updates across Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and beyond have signaled a new era at Microsoft, with the company's product teams all putting AI-based capabilities at the forefront of their planning and messaging. To get more perspective on how Microsoft's Copilot brand and tools are evolving, we are joined by Nathan Bench and Hillary Schwartzbach of enVista. They have been paying attention to Microsoft's updates, bo...2023-10-3138 minThe MSDW PodcastBuilding Business Central Solutions for the Seafood Market This episode is sponsored by Wisefish. Seafood companies face a unique mix of operational and production challenges related to sustainability, traceability, supply chain management, and cloud adoption. Our guests on this episode, Sigrun Dora and Ari Hróbjartsson of Wisefish, tell us about the ways that their company's seafood industry solutions, built on Dynamics 365 Business Central, address the needs of these companies. Our guests discuss the history of Wisefish in the seafood market, the importance of sustainability and traceability in the industry today, the company's work in the Microsoft Business Applications cha...2023-10-1917 minThe MSDW PodcastCreating a Strategic Office of Finance This episode is sponsored by Vena. Organizations are rethinking the finance function and its potential to improve business-wide collaboration, decision making, and planning. In the Microsoft ecosystem, standard tools like Dynamics 365 Finance, Power BI, and Excel play a key role for financial professionals, but the office of finance often needs more specialized capabilities. Our guest, Rishi Grover of Vena Solutions, joins us to explain how the company is partnering with Microsoft to bring new offerings to market focused on the future of finance. He shares his perspective on advances across Microsoft's business solutions lineup and e...2023-10-1833 minThe MSDW PodcastMPPC 2023 Recap with Asif Rehmani and Steve Mordue With the second annual Microsoft Power Platform Conference (MPPC 2023) now over, Microsoft MVPs Steve Mordue and Asif Rehmani joined us to review their experiences and observations at the event. Microsoft had positive numbers to share on growth in both customers and community, but it was the company's messaging on Copilot overpowered other announcements at the event. Nevertheless, attendees and community presenters were at the show to talk about a whole lot more than the latest AI hype. Steve and Asif tell us about some of the sessions and themes they took note of in areas including governance, security, DevOps...2023-10-0940 minThe MSDW PodcastThe Invisible Enemy: Fighting Fraud in AP Automation This episode is sponsored by KwikTag by Paymerang. KwikTag recently joined the Paymerang family, bringing together the firms' AP and payment automation services. Their combined solutions streamline invoice and payment automation to extract and match data, eliminating manual processes to reduce the risk of fraud. On this MSDW Podcast episode, Sierre Lindgren and Tiffany Allen of Paymerang join us to discuss how Dynamics GP and D365 Business Central customers use finance technology to fight fraud in AP automation. 66% of businesses have dealt with some sort of AP fraud event, they report, whether that be email...2023-10-0319 minThe MSDW Podcast2D/3D visualization for CPQ solutions with Microsoft Dynamics This episode is sponsored by Experlogix. Configure Price Quote (CPQ) solutions are all about overcoming the challenges of a complex sales scenario. And when those sales relate to physical products, the ability to bring accurate engineering details to the customer without bothering the engineering team can be a benefit for all involved. But there are other benefits to be gained from incorporating visualization technology into CPQ scenarios, and to help us identify them we welcome Jim Meyer, a product manager at Experlogix to learn about how they have approached this area of...2023-09-2723 minThe MSDW PodcastSummit NA 2023 Preview with Data Courage This episode is sponsored by Data Courage. When our guests, Tristan Threlkeld and Madison Hillend, talk about AI-enabled apps for Dynamics 365 Business Central, they aren't surprised to hear different responses from Microsoft customers and partners. The Data Courage team will be at Summit North America 2023 in October to talk more about their two key solutions for Business Central, AI Item Intelligence and AI Customer Intelligence. They tell us about what attendees can expect from the team, and they update us on the work that has gone into building new solutions atop sta...2023-09-1410 minThe MSDW PodcastPreparing for Microsoft Power Platform Conference 2023, with Argano's Jon Rastia This episode is sponsored by Argano. The team at Microsoft partner Argano attended the first Microsoft Power Platform Conference in 2022 and they are returning for the 2023 event in Las Vegas starting on October 3. In this event preview episode of the podcast, Jon Rastia, senior director of innovation and technology at Argano joins us to discuss the team's experiences last year, the Power Platform roadmap, the evolution of the community, and more. He also shares a preview of a customer case study Argano will be presenting at MPPC 2023. Learn more about Argano's pre...2023-09-1211 minThe MSDW PodcastWhy Resco is adding advanced mobile capabilities for Power Platform This episode is sponsored by Resco.net. Power Platform has influenced how Microsoft customers and partners evaluate how to extend or customize business systems, including for mobile scenarios. Microsoft has adjusted its marketing around Power Platform over the years, with early emphasis on the citizen developers and no-code customization and now promoting its strengths as a development platform for everyone from business users to pro developers. To help us get another perspective on the state of mobile business solutions in the Dynamics and Power Platform space, we are...2023-09-0627 minThe MSDW PodcastMicrosoft's Heather Cook previews Microsoft Power Platform Conference 2023 The Microsoft Power Platform Conference returns for its second edition in October, and Microsoft's Heather Cook, who is also an executive producer of the event, joins us to talk about the conference and trends in the community. Heather joined Microsoft's Business Applications team in June of 2020 after working in the Microsoft Teams group, and she tells us about her efforts over that time, from supporting grassroots local groups to large centralized events like MPPC 2023. MPPC will offer sessions for a range of interest, from technical to professional development to community. Heather tells us how MPPC f...2023-08-2832 minThe MSDW PodcastPANELS'23 chat with Business Central veterans Robb Delprado and Steve Chinsky Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central veterans Robb Delprado and Steve Chinsky of Accelerynt attended Cavallo's recent PANELS'23 event and joined us as the event was winding down to discuss their impressions. We discuss Cavallo's Business Central product roadmap, the role of ISVs more generally in today's BC ecosystem, today's balance between investing in custom development (including Power Platform) and add-on solutions, and what an ISV like Cavallo, with its existing GP customer base, can teach NAV and BC veterans about the future of Business Central projects for organizations with on-prem ERP today. Show Notes: 3:30 - R...2023-08-1826 minThe MSDW PodcastWhy organizations need an AI adoption framework This episode is sponsored by Mazars USA. As Microsoft and other large technology firms accelerate their AI-related roadmaps, businesses have no choice but to reckon with how different technology will impact their employees, customers, and partners. Some AI tools will be relatively easy to deploy, like prebuilt capabilities coming to Microsoft Dynamics 365 apps via Copilot. Other uses of AI will require greater investment, carry different risk profiles, and raise new ethical, regulatory, and governance question. Ivan Cole, managing director at Mazars USA about AI adoption in the Microsoft space, joins us to...2023-08-0225 minThe MSDW PodcastSolving Contact Center challenges with Microsoft Business Applications This episode is sponsored by Avanade. Enterprise-scale call centers face the challenge of dispersed information across systems run by fragmented technology. As customers expect better digital-first support, customer service teams need to elevate their capabilities to deliver an expected level of performance across channels. On this episode, our guests, Abi Sridhar and Barry Givens of Avanade and Shriram Viswanathan of Accenture, dive deeper into some of the points raised in Avanade's recent webcast examining key challenges faced by executives and technology teams, and customer service leaders in providing exceptional contact center service experience t...2023-07-1934 minThe MSDW PodcastThe evolution of the CPQ opportunity for Dynamics 365 customers This episode is sponsored by Experlogix. Configure price quote (CPQ) technology is notoriously versatile, and while its early use cases focused on a few prime sectors of the economy, today's CPQ solutions regularly reach a broad swath of industries and business scenarios. On this episode, Peter Willemse, VP of product management at Experlogix, shares his latest views on why CPQ capabilities continue to expand and how the evaluation process for enterprise technology continues to change. He also explains his latest thinking on how to model ROI, taking into account the full spectrum of costs, benefits, an...2023-06-2931 minThe MSDW PodcastWhat's driving supply chain success in the Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management space? This podcast episode is sponsored by NMB Solutions. Chris Winstanley, VP of solutions management at NMB Solutions, joins us to talk about how the company's solution offerings in transportation, shipping, and third party screening have evolved over their 25 years in business. Staying competitive as an ISV in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 channel has required NMB to both broaden their range of offerings while also focusing on areas of specialization. Partnerships and strategic investments in integrations have been important decisions for the company in recent years, Chris explains. And he tells us why he believes the future o...2023-06-2712 minThe MSDW PodcastUsing Dynamics 365 Commerce across industries This episode is sponsored by Evenica. Dynamics 365 Commerce is often thought of as a platform for the retail industry. But our guests on this episode, Kelly Mazur and Stefanie Richter from Evenica, have worked with organizations across a range of industries including manufacturing, professional services and government. On this episode we discuss commerce use cases for a range of industries within the Microsoft channel, including new ways to transact online and the evolution of digital experiences. Show Notes: 1:45 - Evenica's definition of commerce in the context of...2023-06-2118 minThe MSDW PodcastWhy Esker built a new Dynamics 365 F&O connectorThis episode is sponsored by Esker. Integration a third-party solution with Dynamics 365 F&O remains a real challenge, and an ISV's architectural choices can make a bit difference for ERP customers weighing their options, especially as they plan for a cloud-based implementation. Our guest on this episode, Michael Bowden, technology evangelist at Esker, tells us about some of the decisions that went into the company's decision to build a new synchronous integration with Dynamics 365 F&O for their AP automation solution. Michael shares the lessons Esker has learned from customers across the ERP landscape as they have b...2023-06-1514 minThe MSDW PodcastWhy Dynamics GP customers opt for cloud managed servicesThis episode is sponsored by Enavate. Microsoft Dynamics GP customers have a lot invested in their ERP solutions, with years spent tailoring processes, interfaces, integrations, and reports to suit their business needs. And while some GP users are moving on to newer cloud ERP products, many others intend to capitalize on the value of their GP systems for the foreseeable future. Still, concerns over maintenance, backups, security, and disaster recovery are driving more GP customers to examine their support and maintenance options. On-premises architectures require investments in hardware and other infrastructure, as well as IT...2023-06-0617 minThe MSDW PodcastHow to deliver great e-commerce results in today's B2B buying experiences This episode is sponsored by commercebuild. Early generations of e-commerce may have suited the needs and expectations of consumers, but they often fell short of the needs of B2B organizations. One of the key challenges in B2B, say our guests, Jay Newman and Megan Mann of commercebuild, is the alignment between critical business systems like ERP with the e-commerce experience that customers have come to expect based on their years of B2C online shopping. But as workers with buying authority trend younger and bring distinct e-commerce sensibilities to th...2023-05-3124 minThe MSDW PodcastCommerce, workflow, and partnership in the Dynamics 365 Business Central ecosystem This episode is sponsored by Cavallo. Microsoft has provided a wealth of Dynamics 365 Business Central product and channel guidance in 2023 that is sure to impact strategic planning across the ecosystem. Our guests on this episode, Matt Abbott and Bob McAdam of Cavallo, share their views on what the future holds for customers, VARs, and ISVs. Coming out of Directions North America 2023, they discuss their unique perspective on going to market with advanced capabilities that augment Business Central. In a specialized area like advanced workflow capabilities for order management, Cavallo must stay aligned with Microsoft's process automation capabilities...2023-05-1732 minThe MSDW PodcastThe Future of Dynamics 365 Training with Microsoft MVP Elif Item Training workers on their organization's Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O or CE solution is never a simple initiative. Trainers must factor in the way users learn and the way they do their work. Another critical factor: the choices the organization makes throughout an implementation project in terms of scheduling and funding training efforts. Our guest on this episode, Elif Item, is a Dynamics AX and Dynamics 365 consulting veteran and trainer and she works hard on optimizing training to match the way software users learn. Recently recognized as a Microsoft MVP, Elif talks with us about her latest work including a n...2023-05-1145 minThe MSDW PodcastMicrosoft update on Dynamics 365 F&O migrations and business process guides with Rachel ProfittThis episode is sponsored by Microsoft. FastTrack senior program manager Rachel Profitt joins us to talk about Dynamics 365 F&O migrations, the latest updates to the FastTrack program, and her team's newest achievement, the launch of new business process guides and a guidance hub. The first editions of the guides have just launched, and Rachel talks about what it means to take a business process-focused implementation, how to use the tools, how partners and users might contribute, and how to give her team feedback. This conversation follows a Microsoft roundtable on successful AX to...2023-05-0534 minThe MSDW PodcastMeasuring Microsoft's AI push with Steve Mordue This episode is sponsored by Forceworks. Microsoft has revealed a broad range of plans to bring generative AI to businesses. The Copilot brand now spans productivity tools, collaboration, and business applications, and their Azure OpenAI Service will offer any developer new ways to incorporate the technology into their own offerings. Our guest, Microsoft MVP and Forceworks CEO Steve Mordue, has been thinking about the impact AI will have on some of today's conventional wisdom around developers and applications. He wrote about Microsoft's vision for building a massive population of no-code/low-code cit...2023-05-0420 minThe MSDW PodcastEnabling subscription-based sales opportunities for Dynamics 365 customers This episode is sponsored by Bluefort. Unlike a one-time order, a subscription-based sale brings with it a range of new opportunities, challenges, and complexities. Working with a customer over multiple interactions can lead to additional orders, up-sell and cross-sell opportunities, upgrades, and downgrades, and new pricing models. Evolving a subscription model can also lead to new demands on sales, support, and service teams. Our guest, Bjorn Kuijt, VP of product management at Bluefort, discusses his work with Dynamics 365 F&O customers and partners to support subscription-based sales models by building on Mic...2023-04-2722 minThe MSDW PodcastProject management, training, and Microsoft channel life with Neil Benson Life in the Microsoft channel has changed over the years, and while our guest, Microsoft MVP Neil Benson, has never been far from that world of license rules, ISV solutions, and partner programs, his recent experiences with his new venture, Superware, have been instructive, he says. Working with Microsoft in 2023 is not like working with them in 2013 or 2006, and Neil explains some of the ways he and other partners are adapting. In addition to getting a new industry-focused software and services business off the ground, Neil continues to develop training programs for the Microsoft community, blo...2023-04-2548 minThe MSDW PodcastImproving Your Data-Driven Email Marketing with Dynamics 365 This episode is sponsored by emfluence. Following a recent webcast on data-driven email marketing, we speak with Monica Hoyer, marketing director at emfluence, to get her views on different ways to use business data in digital marketing. For Dynamics ERP and CRM users, it should come as no surprise that their systems offer a bounty of valuable data that marketers can incorporate into their planning and analysis if they have access to it. Data from sales interactions, customer service, orders, and other touch points can all factor into crafting more effective email marketing campaigns. We di...2023-04-1117 minThe MSDW PodcastAn update on mixed reality solutions for Microsoft Dynamics 365 This episode is sponsored by Mazars. Microsoft continues to support Dynamics 365 mixed reality applications to support training and remote work scenarios, and the products get even more interesting when viewed against the backdrop of the rest of the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform portfolio's evolution. Our guest, Mazars solution architect and Microsoft MVP Chris Segurado, has been working with the D365 mixed reality hardware and applications for three years, both with Mazars clients and in the development of presentations and other content for the community. He shares an update on how the te...2023-04-0626 minThe MSDW PodcastDirections North America 2023 preview with Rob Jolliffe Rob Jolliffe of Sabre Limited has been adapting fixed-fee services models to suit his Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central clients for nearly five years. At Directions North America 2023, Rob will be helping lead a workshop for Microsoft partners who want to explore fixed-fee models, share experiences, and even work on new strategies and frameworks that suit the Dynamics 365 channel. On this episode we talk about fixed-fee strategies, expectations for Directions North America 2023 overall, and some signs of where partner sentiment is heading in the space. Show Notes: 1:00 - Rob's history attending and...2023-04-0328 minThe MSDW PodcastDocument management in today's Dynamics 365 projects This episode is sponsored by Formpipe. Microsoft Dynamics 365 projects have the potential to impact organizations both in terms of the quality of internal operations and their customer-facing activities. On this episode, Formpipe’s Commercial Director Mike Rogers and Business Solutions Consultant Soren Hjorth join us to share their recent real world experiences working with Dynamics 365 customers. As they explain, solving business document challenges can deliver Dynamics ERP and CRM users with a range of benefits that not only achieve immediate goals but also position them for future needs. We also discuss some...2023-03-3029 min