Microsoft made changes to their plans across the board, starting with name.  What had previously been known as CRM5 is now officially Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011.  They also added 8 additional international markets to the 32 that had previously been announced where CRM 2011 will be available, bringing the total to 40 countries and 41 languages. 

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 promises to deliver “The Power of Productivity” through familiar, intelligent and connected experiences for people inside and outside an organization. This release will also enable users to easily access Microsoft Dynamics CRM extensions and custom solutions from within their system through the integrated Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace, which is being released in September 2010 along with the public beta of Dynamics CRM 2011 Online.

Learn more about what to expect in the release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011!

The solutions and services featured on this on-line marketplace all extend the value of Microsoft Dynamics solutions.  Like any of your favorite on-line shopping experiences, the Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace is a searchable and filterable catalog complete with user evaluations and feedback capabilities to help you discover the optimal solution.  The site is complete with downloadable applications as well as the ability to connect directly with Microsoft partners. 

The Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace is being launched in September 2010 along with release of the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 beta (formerly known as CRM 5).  The two tools are integrated so that Dynamics CRM 2011 users can search for for applications directly from within their CRM solution. 

Microsoft hopes the answer to that question is “both.” 

The RoleTailored interface in Microsoft Dynamics GP provides employees with personalized dashboards and key performance indicators targeted at their specific job functions. These providing them with immediate, clear, and controlled visibility into the information that’s specifically important to them. 

Also, the HR and Payroll (HRP) functionality available for Microsoft Dynamics GP enables you to strategically manage your organization’s most important asset – your employees.  Automating your HRP processes through your financial system can result in some significant savings and tremendous efficiency gains for your organization. 

Go ahead and run the numbers to see what Microsoft Dynamics GP has to offer you and your employees: 

13 HRP Modules

220 built-in HRP Reports

3 major reasons to select Microsoft Dynamics GP for integrated HRP administration:

1.  Streamline HRP processes with improved productivity and reduced risk of human error by putting automated routine tasks in place instead of relying on manual data entry, tracking, and calculations.
2. Gain control over complex HRP functions while maintaining precise control over financial and personnel resources through a system that adapts to users’ work styles.
3. Empower people to make confident decisions about payroll and benefit options by quickly and conveniently transforming raw data into meaningful information to help your staff minimize risks and maximize productivity.

All of these numbers are great, but don’t mean a thing unless it adds up to results for users.  That’s why this is our all-time favorite number related to HRP for Microsoft Dynamics GP:

560,000 dollars our client G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers saves annually since consolidating their HR, payroll, and financial data for their 1,700 employees using Microsoft Dynamics GP. 

“Microsoft Dynamics GP makes it easy to trace changes and drill down to investigate financial details. With a central system, I will be able to perform better auditing. For example, I will be able to verify that we are contributing the appropriate amounts to employees’ 401(k)s.” – Hope Clevenger, Corporate Benefits and Payroll Manager, G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers

Read more about the benefits that G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers has realized by downloading their complete Microsoft Dynamics GP HR and Payroll success story.

Socius has also seen record-breaking growth in new purchases of Microsoft Dynamics GP.  Since January of 2010, we have experienced 400% growth in the number of companies choosing to work with Socius to implement Microsoft Dynamics GP over the same period in 2009! 

While each of these organizations have their own unique requirements that Microsoft Dynamics GP is meeting for them, the one aspect that almost every single new Socius client cited as the key reason they selected Dynamics GP is integration.  Whether they were looking to integrate their front and back office processes by using the Microsoft Dynamics CRM adapter for GP or they wanted to integrate Dynamics GP with industry specific solutions or other Microsoft solutions they were already using, Microsoft Dynamics GP provides an ease of use and integration that is unmatched in the ERP solutions midmarket. 

Take Microsoft Dynamics GP for a test drive today to see everything it has to offer an organization like yours!

If your business is looking for the right tool to keep you in the competition or to take your organization to the next level, this week is a great time to score a Microsoft Dynamics business solution.  On Friday, some of the most aggressive promotional offers that Microsoft has ever released on their ERP and CRM solutions expire. 

Line up the best shot for your organizations’ success by taking advantage of one of the following offers today:

3 for a $1 – With the initial purchase of Microsoft Dynamics GP, buy up to your first three (3) users (foundation pack user and two additional users) for $1. Offer applies to both the Advanced Management and Business Essentials editions.

Stimulate Your Business– Trade Up to Microsoft Dynamics ERP (GP & SL) from NetSuite, QuickBooks, or Peachtree for less with a special trade-up offer.

Business Ready Flexible Pay – Reduce your upfront investment through three predictable and affordable annual payments which can help optimize you cash flow and improve IT budget management.

A Better Together Offer – Save 20% on Microsoft Dynamics SL users when you purchase them with Microsoft Project user licenses.

There are also some fantastic offers available to existing users of Microsoft Dynamics solutions. 

Contact Socius to take advantage of these great savings opportunities and win big against your competition. 

Management Reporter is replacing Microsoft FRx by extending its proven functionality and enabling people to quickly and easily create, generate, help secure and publish professional-looking financial statements, such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports, and will allow them to take advantage of the following:

• Custom reports that can be created by the finance team, thereby reducing the burden on the IT department.
• Deep cross-functional analysis that provides easy and accurate financial reporting, intercompany reconciliations and eliminations.
• Reduced training time and increased productivity with a familiar user interface and reporting tools that enable users to easily transition from Microsoft Office applications to the similar navigation pane and toolbars in Management Reporter.
• Strong data integrity and report accuracy with support for regulatory requirements, such as generally accepted accounting practices and international financial reporting standards.

Management Reporter functionality goes beyond what FRx had to offer by including:

Direct integration to the Microsoft Dynamics ERP general ledger that aids in simplified, real-time reporting with greater accuracy.

Reusable building blocks of Report, Row, Column and Tree definitions that can be mixed and matched to produce a wide variety of boardroom-quality reports.

A Report Library is where reports can be secured, stored, and viewed.

Management Reporter is available at no additional cost to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010users and will be availble with all future releases of Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions.

Learn more about Management Reporter and download FAQs and Tips & Tricks for migrating from FRx.

This week, Microsoft introduced a new connector that accelerates two-tier enterprise resource planning (ERP) deployments between Microsoft Dynamics AX and SAP Business Suite.  This connector would allow a company with SAP installed at the corporate headquarters to integrate and connect their data to subsidiaries, divisions or branch entities that are using Microsoft Dynamics AX.  This kind of solution is referred to as a “two-tier erp strategy.”

According to Microsoft, the two-tier connector will enable consolidation of financial data, integration of intercompany supply-chain, and plan automation.

So how do you know if a two-tier strategy (like one using the Microsoft Dynamics ERP connector) is right for your business? 

R. Ray Wang, an analyst and blogger, recently conducted a survey for Software Insider to spot trends in two-tier ERP strategy.  Through his analysis, he explains the three scenarios in which a two-tier approach makes the most sense:

1. Organizations that have different lines of business or business models sometimes find it beneficial to use separate ERP systems for each line of business
2. Companies with international subsidiaries can often save on operating costs with country specific deployments
3.  Organizations that choose a phased approach to modernization, updating one system at a time rather than all systems at the same time

According to Software Insider, the key drivers behind companies considering a two-tier strategy are:

• Desire for an industry specific or purpose built system
• Existing systems are too costly
• Expensive upgrades of existing systems
• A need for innovation that outpaces the solutions on the market
• Regulatory compliance issues
• Geographic requirements
• Rigidity of existing systems

All of these factors are working together to increase interest in two-tier ERP strategies.  Software Insider reports the number of organizations considering two-tier solutions has increased 10% since Q3 2009. 

If you are considering a two-tier ERP solution for your organization, request a complimentary Business Strategy Assessmentwith Socius to help you determine the best strategy for your company.

Now, Advanced Distribution for Microsoft Dynamics AX is specially geared to fit the needs of distribution companies in the following industries:

• Apparel & Piece Goods
• Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages
• Chemicals & Allied Products
• Drugs, Drug Proprietaries & Druggists’ Sundries
• Electrical Goods
• Farm Product & Raw Materials
• Furniture & Home Furnishings
• Groceries
• Hardware, Plumbing & Heating Equipment
• Lumber & Other Construction Materials
• Machinery, Equipment & Supplies
• Metals & Minerals
• Motor Vehicles, Parts & Supplies
• Paper & Paper Products
• Petroleum & Petroleum Products
• Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies

Learn how to reach operational efficiency with multi-channel distribution by downloading this whitepaper:  In a Global Economy: Staying Competitive in the Multi-Channel Distribution Industry Through The Effective Use of Best Practices

At Convergence 2010 in Atlanta, Andy Westby, Microsoft Dynamics Sr. Technical Product Manager, and Stephen Elop, president, Microsoft Business Division showcase some examples of the benefits that can be derived from this integration.  Here is a video clip from their presentation to give you taste of what Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 and Microsoft Office 2010 can accomplish together:

See Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 for yourself and receive a copy of Microsoft Office 2010 by attending our launch event on Tuesday, May 11th in Columbus, Ohio.

So, you want one good reason to upgrade?  We’ll give you 5:

1. Deliver faster access to personalized insight.Role Centers include personalized dashboards and KPIs, with drill-back capabilities that let people move from a high-level view down to a specific source record. Without the need for a full user license, you can give people quick, portal-based access to reports and organization-wide insight, saving time and money. Employees have the freedom to use their preferred applications and devices, to work with the Microsoft Dynamics GP information most relevant to their roles.
2. Get more out of Excel with richer integration. Microsoft Dynamics GP goes well beyond basic reporting with the tools people use every day. You can now transform sales strategies with advanced analytics such as predictive modeling and shopping basket analysis, all in familiar Excel formats. More than 220 refreshable Excel reports can include multiple data sources; you can also use the Report Builder to quickly create an analysis from scratch. This latest release also automatically connects Microsoft Dynamics GP data with Excel through built-in data connectors—no application juggling!
3. Give people new options for analyzing information in formats built on Microsoft SQL Server. Do you need targeted information for specific audiences? Along with Excel, you can work with more than 90 built-in Microsoft SQL Server® Reporting Services reports. And as with Excel, you can build reports from scratch and use models that ensure reports are intuitive and user-friendly. Options for simplified, yet sophisticated reporting include built-in tools for creating SQL Server views that link Microsoft Dynamics GP, ISV, or custom applications.
4. Take customer- and vendor-related activities to new levels of efficiency and professionalism. Microsoft Dynamics GP is already well known for rich integration with Outlook and Microsoft Office Word. We’re enhancing that connection so that people can quickly create customer and vendor-facing documents using Word forms. From within Outlook, they can also send batch and individual e-mail messages for invoices, orders, and check remittances. The result? People get more work done in less time—and the work looks more polished and professional.
5. Help ensure that “driving personal productivity” is truly a personalized experience. People can tailor their dashboards and action panes with lists that give them the precise information they need for their roles and lines of business, whether they’re getting it from customized locations within Microsoft Dynamics GP or from other data sources. And since our goal is to make it easier to do business, lists can be set up to filter out information that’s not relevant to the task at hand.

Download The Top 10 Reasons to Upgrade to GP 2010 FactSheet