Microsoft’s Push at WPC to Be “Tier 1” ERP Provider Bodes Well for Users, with Emphasis on BI, Servers, CRM, Sofware Plus Services

Last week's Worldwide Partner Conference was targeted at all Microsoft partners and ISVs, but Dynamics received more attention than usual, report two partners.

By focusing heavily on Dynamics, Microsoft signaled its readiness to "nudge its way into the Tier 1 party" of ERP providers that has long been dominated by Oracle and SAP, predicts Chris Zimmerman, vice president of the partner program at Kineticsware Inc., a Microsoft Dynamics AX ISV

John Pence, president of Sunrise Technologies, a Microsoft Dynamics partner, got a similar sense, via Microsoft's push on both the server and business intelligence sides. "They're taking a very long-term approach, and bringing more focus to the Dynamics channel," he observes.

According to Zimmerman, "There was a real transition toward Dynamics in general. We see a shift toward true enterprise platforms like AX." As evidence, he pointed to announcements by Microsoft of a 26% increase in Dynamics partner spending and significant...