As Convergence 2010 Starts Rolling, Microsoft Dynamics Partner Announcements Gather Steam

Microsoft partners have once again begun announcing new product releases and updates to coincide with Microsoft's Convergence 2010 event kicking off tomorrow in Atlanta.  While there are doubtless more to come over the next four days, here are a few at the front of the pack that are worth noting.

ToolsGroup and MHT have unveiled SO99AX, a new demand planning and inventory optimization product for Microsoft Dynamics AX.

According to the companies, S099AX is the first product that adds inventory optimization to demand and replenishment planning for Microsoft Dynamics AX. The product helps users better predict demand, improve customer server as well as cut costs and inventories, the companies said.

The new solution replaces and improves ToolsGroup Microsoft Dynamics AX Demand Planner 2.0 and combines three supply chain planning functions; demand planning, inventory optimization and replenishment planning, in a tightly integrated platform, according to the companies.

The companies said SO99AX's most unique feature is a "probability engine" that understands demand and over comes the variability of the supply chain throughout the entire network, reducing the need for firms to constantly adjust their forecasts and fine-tune their inventories. Because of that S099AX helps businesses save money while handing intermittent demand, according to the companies.

"This probabilistic planning engine represents a breakthrough by making advanced SCP accessible to mid-tier companies," said Joseph Shamir, CEO of ToolsGroup, in a statement. "A self-tuning solution eliminates the expensive overhead that has kept many companies from adopting supply chain planning solutions."

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