Microsoft Dynamics GP 12's Silverlight Plans Unchanged Despite Windows 8 Plug-In Limitations
Microsoft's plans for a Silverlight-based Microsoft Dynamics GP 12 interface that runs in Internet Explorer have appeared to be well received starting at Convergence 2011 in the April. But in recent weeks, representatives from Microsoft's Windows and Internet Explorer teams have confirmed assumptions that Silverlight and other browser plug-ins will not work in Internet Explorer 10 in the new Metrro chrome-less interface of Windows 8.
So where does this leave GP 12 in relation to Windows 8 and Metro? GP 12 is expected to be released in roughly the same timeframe as Windows 8 in 2012, and according to Errol Schoenfish, director of product management for Dynamics GP, GP 12 will be still offer the Silverlight interface in Internet Explorer as planned. The Silverlight UI is intended for customers on hosted Dynamics GP solutions as well as remote workers who currently access Dynamics GP's client through Citrix or terminal services.
Schoenfish described Microsoft's choice of Silverlight with GP 12, even with Windows 8, as the right decision:
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Are Redmond and Fargo too far apart?
I get excited about two major upcoming product releases only to find out they're mutually exclusive...
Prior to hearing about GP 12's web interface, I was getting sick of pilling one tweak on top of another for the native client and I thought a web interface would give me a new way to add the mods I need. Maybe more logic needs to move to the database so new interfaces can be created more readily. Lightswitch would be a cool environment to build GP front ends.
Tablet and Touch - here to stay
It certainly appears that Tablet and Touch devices are here to stay. And clearly they will have an impact in the future on how users want to intereact with their business applications. However, exactly what that impact will be, and how it will evolve is yet to be seen. So, is there a place for the non-Metro UI of Windows 8, and a need for continued support of technologies like Silverlight? To me, the answer seems obvious - Yes. I'm excited to see the details of how Microsoft implemented the changes to GP 12 to incorporate the Silverlight interface, and how that can help our customers and prospects, and our approach to creating "adaptable solutions" for our customers.