Microsoft Dynamics GP ‘12’: Substantial Changes Planned Beyond Web Client
We learned a lot about Microsoft Dynamics GP ‘12' at the GPUG Summit so I'll share all I can.
The next release is code named GP ‘12'. They tried for a sexy codename but GP Product Manager Pam Misialek was very clear from the main stage that code name ‘Polino' was off the table. So it's code name ‘12' for now. All of the features are subject to being cut if they can't get done in time but we'll know more at Convergence in Houston.
No one at Microsoft will confirm this for me, but based on Marketing's naming guidelines if GP '12' ships in the second half of 2012 it would be called Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013. The development roadmap moves to GP '14' after '12' because Marketing and Development have different levels of superstition around the number 13. We learned a lot about Microsoft Marketing naming guidelines with the GP 2010 release.
Pam was unwilling to commit to a shipping time but Christina Phillips tossed a schedule out on her site that includes the TAP program beginning in February 2012, Beta in July, and launch activities in the October and November 2012 time frame.
...
GPUG: Not free yet adopted by Microsoft
I realize that Great Plains has adopted the independent GPUG group. Working for a VAR who was a member was great and all the consultants got to use it. Now working for customer (Microsoft Gold Certified) I have to pay a yearly fee to be a member of GPUG as well as pay all the GP enhancement fees and can't quite come up with enough justification to my company as to why we should be paying this fee. Then I see that Microsoft is making announcements from the GPUG Vegas meeting. When is GPUG just going to outright become part of the Microsoft community and part of our benefits. Doesn't make sense either that we have two summits: Convergence and GPUG. Especially when GPUG is at the Micorsoft Convergence.
Sue Conrod
GPUG -
Thank you Sue for your posting. As the GPUG Director I'd like to provide some views:
1. GPUG does offer a free membership - so you can be a part of the community. Our basic membership offers around 25-30% our total offerings. You will gain a lot of benefit from our free membership!
2. We have a paid membership, as you can imagine, for incremental benefits. Funding to allow us to do what we do. We find with our Premium Members a $400 (our small business membership)investment is well worth it when you look what you gain. We offer up 15-25 opportunities a month alone on webinar education - if you participated in 4 of these a year - it more than covers the typical high level education. It's a means of understanding what Dynamics GP can do. Then you can decide if you'd like to move ahead and use what you learned, then it up to you on doing it yourself or engaging a partner. We don’t offer up software or personal services. It's a non-threatening and very cost effective way to gain more from what you invested in with GP.
3. We will always stay independent - members value learning peer to peer. Most understand when a users group is run by a publisher it has a different feeling about it. Great means of learning what to do and not do from those who use GP everyday...
4. We love our independence. GPUG can decide on a dime what we’d like to offer and how – for the greater good of the community – we represent you the user. We are a user run organization. We offer up opportunities and a voice to Microsoft. We value the relationship of Microsoft because they are great partners. Would you not want a users group to have a great relationship? Yet independence? We have power in numbers and Microsoft values what we bring to them – word on the street. Closer connections and users helping users.
I'd be willing to share more of my thoughts if you'd be open to a discussion.
Bottom-line - GPUG is an option for you to gain education and networking opportunities. One method that is used by over 3000 companies. One that saves time and money by improving process every day.