Microsoft Offers Partners More Details on Envision Conference Plans, Goals

On a conference call earlier this week, when it came time for Microsoft to take questions about Envision from Dynamics ISVs, the queue was long and unhappy. Microsoft representatives reportedly answered a range of questinos about the new event, which replaces Convergence. Partners had not been given advanced warning of the last week's announcement, so calls like the one held for past sponsors represented the first chance for many to hear what the changes really mean.

Envision is "a natural evolution from Microsoft Convergence" according to a Microsoft Q&A document shared with partners this week. It could be smaller than recent Convergence events - they are estimating "more than 8,000 attendees" - and will have other differences, too.

According to people on a call this week for past Convergence sponsors, the questions for Microsoft were "colorful". Microsoft is making it easy for Convergence sponsors to back out or downgrade their sponsorship plans for Envision. And several veteran Convergence sponsors are reportedly going to be taking that option, downgrading from a Gold sponsorship to a booth, or from a booth to no presence.

For some ISVs, the sponsorship decision will be easy. If your product does not target companies with more than 500 employees that would send a "CxO" or perhaps a "CxO minus one" level attendee to Envision, then it is not for you as a sponsor. Likewise, if your focus is Dynamics GP, Envision is not for you. Microsoft has reportedly advised there will be some Dynamics NAV content at the event but did not share firm plans.

For many sponsors, the decision is less clear cut. The biggest question, according to partners we spoke with, appears to be whether an ISV ...