Microsoft Dynamics Partner Roundup: Integration; New hire; New Zealand agreement

In this week's Microsoft Dynamics partner news roundup:

• Fast Simon announces integration of InstantSearch+ Using Dynamics 365 Commerce
• Nirav Shah, a Microsoft Dynamics channel veteran, joins Western Computer as solution architect
• BWX goes live with Dynamics 365 Finance
• New Zealand agreement signed for PwC and Microsoft Global Alliance

Fast Simon announces integration of InstantSearch+ Using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce

Fast Simon (formerly InstantSearch+), a provider of shopping optimization for merchants, has announced a new collaboration with Dynamics 365 Commerce.

InstantSearch+ integrates with Dynamics 365 Commerce to provide AI-based merchandising, search, and personalization capabilities, according to the company.

"Fast Simon and Microsoft share a vision of enabling eCommerce teams to automate manual work and deliver AI-powered shopper experiences," said Zohar Gilad, CEO at Fast Simon. "Our new integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce illustrates how we’re executing on that vision, helping fast-growing retailers to automatically optimize the entire shopping experience and achieve merchant goals at the same time."

BWX goes live with Dynamics 365 Finance

BWX has moved ahead with a go-live for Dynamics 365 Finance. Working with Western Computer during the six week project, the companies used Teams and SharePoint to coordinate, and the two companies plan to use virtual assistance options going forward.

“Utilizing Microsoft programs, we were able to work collaboratively to create a go-live experience as close to our onsite standards as possible. In fact, the virtual approach presented benefits such as avoided travel delays as well as overall cost savings. This is a great example of how Microsoft technology is built for close collaboration and productivity," stated Kelly Holwagner, VP of Operations at Western Computer.

“Who would be crazy enough to go live virtually on a new ERP in the middle of a pandemic, shortly after the California wildfires impacted our California based team members and with swarms of Murder Hornets around our Petaluma office? Well, we were and with good reason. On the journey to go-live Western Computer had proved themselves as a great partner and our team was confident of their support albeit virtually. We planned this well and using Teams and open Teams channel in the warehouse our on-site team felt really supported," said Allison Smith, who served as CTO of BWX during the project, in a statement.

PwC New Zealand joins Microsoft Global Alliance

PwC New Zealand has signed a local agreement with Microsoft to bring the PwC Microsoft Global Alliance to New Zealand organizations.

The Global Alliance lets PwC firms around the world support clients pursuing large scale digital and business transformation, enabled by Microsoft technology, according to the companies.

Under the agreement, PwC will expand its New Zealand technology team and expertise across the Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Apps portfolio, giving clients access to 3,400 of PwC’s Microsoft certified professionals through PwC’s global acceleration centers, the companies noted.

The alliance will enable PwC’s to develop better innovative industry-specific solutions alongside Microsoft to tackle some of Aotearoa's biggest challenges in health, wellbeing, education, and the primary sector, said Tracy Taylor, PwC markets and alliances partner.

Nirav Shah, a Microsoft Dynamics channel veteran, joins Western Computer as solution architect

Western Computer Inc., a reseller of Dynamics 365, CRM, and ERP cloud systems as well as Business Intelligence solutions, has announced that ERP veteran, Nirav Shah, has joined Western Computer as a Dynamics 365 solution architect.

Shah comes from To-Increase where he facilitated specialized business solutions, including Dynamics, to help companies achieve their unique requirements, according to the company. Prior to that Shah was a project manager responsible for deploying Dynamics NAV.

"We have worked with Nirav while he held many of his previous roles and admire his dedication to the Microsoft Dynamics 365 product line and to his customers," said Greg Williams, Dynamics practice manager, "We are excited to have Nirav hit the ground running as our newest Dynamics 365 solution architect."