Book Image

Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step 2010

Book Image

Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step 2010

Overview of this book

Delivering business solutions is more than just product play. Software is often viewed as the enabler; however, the key to success is how the solution is implemented and how the implementations are managed. With this as the background, Microsoft has developed Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step as the full lifecycle methodology for the Dynamics business solutions portfolio. Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step enables you to maximize your Dynamics investments and increase your efficiency to select, sell, deliver, operate and support your business solution.This book details the use of the Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step methodology to enable the full lifecycle of Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step business solutions engagements. Guidance is provided on the due diligence process for the customer that overlaps the solution selling cycle for the service provider, through to the solution implementation phases, encompassing on-going maintenance and upgrades.This book provides detailed coverage of how to use Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step to successfully deliver Dynamics solutions for your business.The book begins by focusing on the aspects of due diligence and solution selling– whether you are the customer or the service provider, you can learn how you work together to select the right solution to meet the organization’s needs.In the ensuing chapters, you will learn how Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step can help improve the overall quality of your Dynamics business solution, including coverage of proactive and post go-live optimization offerings and a thorough explanation of how to upgrade your Dynamics solutions to the latest release of the products.Finally, the book discusses the essence of Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step projects and how to successfully deliver these business solutions, including project and change management disciplines and processes.Additional key topics such as a guide to adopting Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step are also provided if you are looking to develop a consistent process in your organization.
Table of Contents (20 chapters)
Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step 2010
Credits
Foreword
About the Authors
Acknowledgement
Acknowledgement
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Microsoft Dynamics overview


As discussed in the previous section, Sure Step covers the entire Microsoft Dynamics portfolio of solutions. In this section, we will provide an overview of those solutions, which is mainly intended to be a quick reference, or as a starting point for those readers who may not be familiar with all the solutions in the portfolio.

Microsoft Dynamics is Microsoft's line of business management solutions that provide Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management capabilities. The portfolio includes four ERP solutions, which were brought about by acquisition, and one CRM solution, the development of which was initiated in Microsoft.

Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly known as Great Plains), and Microsoft Dynamics SL (formerly known as Solomon), were both acquired in 2001 from Great Plains Software, based in Fargo, North Dakota, USA. Great Plains was a mid-market business accounting software package popular in North America, while Solomon provided an ERP system with project management and project accounting functionality. Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly known as Axapta), and Microsoft Dynamics NAV (formerly known as Navision), were both acquired in 2002 from Navision A/S, a company based in Denmark. Axapta and Navision were popular ERP solutions, especially for manufacturing and distribution midmarket companies in Europe. The ERP systems became the starting point for a new division in Microsoft called Microsoft Business Solutions, which also included Microsoft CRM. Microsoft CRM was primarily homegrown as noted earlier, and had its first launch (version 1.0) in 2003.

In 2005, Microsoft rebranded the products and created a suite of business solutions called Microsoft Dynamics. It includes the four ERP solutions—Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and Microsoft Dynamics SL—and one CRM solution—Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Microsoft SQL Server is the database technology used for the entire suite. The following diagram depicts the timeline:

The Microsoft Dynamics solutions have been designed to be familiar to users, work easily with the existing systems that customers have already deployed, empower people and teams to be productive, and help organizations drive business success. The ERP suite provides functionality to help business in the areas of financial planning and accounting, supply chain, project accounting, field service, and human resources processes. On the other hand, the CRM solution allows companies to streamline the way their employees communicate and collaborate with their customers with features such as customer relationship, sales force automation, service management, marketing capabilities, and workflow automation and analytics.

In addition to the comprehensive financial and process management tools at the core of the Microsoft Dynamics solutions, Independent Software Vendor (ISV) partners offer a number of integrated, specialized solutions that provide versatile business software that address specialized industry needs.

The Microsoft Dynamics solution features (as of this writing) are as follows:

  • Microsoft Dynamics AX is designed to help organizations operate across locations and countries by standardizing processes, providing visibility across the business, and helping to simplify compliance. It supports the needs of global organizations, featuring multi-language and localized functionality by country/region. Microsoft Dynamics AX supports the primary and secondary processes of organizations in multiple industries, including manufacturing, distribution, retail, and services.

  • Microsoft Dynamics GP is a richly featured financial accounting and business management solution that provides organizations with fast and relevant access to information using familiar Microsoft tools. It features rapid, flexible deployment options, and a familiar user experience designed to maximize personal productivity.

  • Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a solution for mid-sized organizations that is fast to implement, easy to configure, and simple to use. It features an innovative client that provides a user experience tailored to specific roles in the organization.

  • Microsoft Dynamics SL is designed for project-driven organizations by connecting project management and accounting functions across company divisions and locations. It supports specialized customer, accounting, and regulatory requirements for professional services, government contractors, distribution, and construction management.

  • Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a customer relationship management solution with core functionality, including sales, customer service, and marketing. It provides flexible deployment options, which feature a common code base for both online and on-premise solution deployments. In addition, Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides an xRM business application framework (also referred to as Extended CRM), featuring rapid application development, a high degree of flexibility, and consolidated systems management.