Analysts Reflect on Changes, Successes for Microsoft Dynamics in 2010

So here we are in the waning days of 2010. Was it everything you thought it would be? For most of us, the answer to that is probably, "no, but at least it wasn't 2009 all over again."  But for the Microsoft Dynamics product line and specifically Dynamics CRM, it was a pretty interesting year.  With changes in upper level management, new product releases, and the re-defining of the partner channel, there really was no part of the Dynamics ecosystem that wasn't impacted in some way.

In an effort to gain some of that proverbial year-end perspective and insight, MSDynamicsWorld.com interviewed two gentlemen whose job it is to keep a finger on the pulse on the industry, Rob Helm, managing vice president of Directions on Microsoft and Joshua Greenbaum, principal at Enterprise Applications Consulting.

Rob leads an analyst team and directs coverage of Microsoft's shifting product roadmap and corporate organization.

Josh consults with leading public and private enterprise software, database, and infrastructure companies, and advises end-users on technology infrastructure and applications selection, development, and implementation issues.

Both Josh and Rob were quite candid in their answers and offered some very interesting and important insights about the Dynamics products, how the economic climate has impacted the market, and implications for partners moving forward.

From your perspective, what were the major MS Dynamics related news announcements, and/or developments for 2010?

Rob: The most important [development] was a series of gutsy moves to restructure the Dynamics partner channel. The channel has been one of Dynamics biggest assets. The changes will gradually shift the Dynamics channel toward fewer, larger, more loyal partners ...