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Does the presence of more headhunters signal an unhealthy services marketplace for AX and Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations?

by Don Riggs
Sr. AX Applications Architect, Business Process Improvement, Inc.

Workforce pressures

I was viewing some conversations on LinkedIn last night and could not help but be amused by the tone. I've been in the ERP implementation area of business but have never seen so many people engaged in brokering work for service providers. Is there something unique about the situation with Microsoft Dynamics AX and Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (D365FO)?  I believe there is. I also believe we brought the situation onto ourselves. That is what this article is about.

The Service Network is Fragmented

When we look at how services are delivered within the AX/D365FO market space, the work is primarily done by a few select partners who have demonstrated the ability to sell licenses. There's nothing new there, and this is a subject I've talk about before.

I would submit, however, that the lack of a strong independent resource pool creates the conditions for this negative result. I have no problem with people that take advantage of a fractured marketplace. What I have a problem with is that the people who are providing the services are allowing it to happen. If we allow prices to erode, we many times cause the same problem with the quality of service. Good services cost money!

Role of the Headhunter

As I said earlier, I do not have a problem with the headhunters taking advantage of a fragmented marketplace. What I do take issue with is their lack of commitment and investment within the marketplace.  How many people have they trained?  What are their qualifications to identify and provide critical resources? What specific value have ...

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About Don Riggs

Don Riggs is a well-seasoned veteran with 25+ years of implementation consulting and 13+ years of Microsoft Dynamics AX experience. In his career, he has been involved in anything from helping design ERP systems, developing and marketing ISV solutions, to delivering a number of successful AX ERP implementations. As a regular participant in AXUG, he has delivered many courses and presentations. Don is considered by many to be an AX expert, particularly in the areas of inventory costing, manufacturing, AX project module, and implementation processes. Having attained APICS certification in the early 1980's, Don considerers himself a manufacturing consultant by trade and his love and enthusiasm for the industry has never waned. Always interested in new challenges, his branching out into other areas of the product has allowed him to become very knowledgeable in many areas. 

After a long and successful career, Don would like to share some of his hard won knowledge and experience, thereby giving back to an industry that has been very good to him. MSDynamicsWorld represents a most excellent vehicle to do that.

To learn more about Don and his company Business Process Improvement(BPI) visit their website at http://busproc.com

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