Microsoft Releases New Sure Step 2010, with Numerous Enhancements for VARs, Certain Verticals

With a new year comes a new release of the Sure Step methodology and package from Microsoft.  The new release, Sure Step 2010, brings with it notable additions including:

• New guidelines for the "Certified For Microsoft Dynamics" alignment for VARs deploying ISV add-ons;
• A new Agile Project Type;
• xRM guidance;
• Vertical-tailored pilots for better sales in specific industries like process manufacturing and the public sector. 

The new Sure Step release has already been run through two separate TAP programs with partners with a focus on both content and experience, including Microsoft SharePoint integration capabilities.

The new Agile Project Type is, as the name suggests, "associated with an iterative, incremental process for developing Microsoft Dynamics solutions," according to Aditya Mohan, director of Microsoft Dynamics Partner Product Management.  "This project type gives customers greater control over the final solution because they can quickly change the direction of solution development and implementation from one sprint cycle to the next."

CfMD continues to focus on the relationships between ISVs, VARs, and implementation partners, and this release includes new templates for scoping, design, development, and deployment of ISV solutions.  These templates are intended to align ISV products with Sure Step and the new templates "have been introduced as part of the CfMD requirement moving forward," Mohan told MSDynamicsWorld.com.

Though the full details are only available to partners through PartnerSource, plenty of chatter has already