Do We Need an App Store for Microsoft Dynamics GP?

I think that we need an App Store for Microsoft Dynamics GP. The Dynamics GP community has a pile of independent software vendor solutions that don't get enough exposure. Now, do I think that companies are going to flock to a Dynamics GP app store and plop down five grand on their corporate Amex card to download and install an ISV solution for Dynamics GP at lunch? Yeah...no.

What I'm getting at is that there is a certain continuity to finding vendor offerings that is missing for both partners and companies using GP. So maybe I really mean an app showcase rather than app store, but when I said "App Store" you knew exactly what meant. Angry Birds for Dynamics GP popped into your head.

Today there are a few options for finding ISV solutions for Dynamics GP.  Microsoft's official site is Microsoft Pinpoint. Pinpoint is the newly released replacement for the well-worn Solution Finder. At first glance, it is slick looking and pretty complete. But it's huge. It covers all of Microsoft not just the Dynamics products and finding the Dynamics stuff takes some perseverance. The ability to review products, the highlighting of certified solutions and a direct link to the vendor's website are all nice features of Pinpoint.  But it's got some quirks. When I limited the results to only Dynamics GP 2010 solutions, the search still returned some CRM products. I couldn't see any connection between those products and Dynamics GP. Plus, Pinpoint is new and there are few, if any, reviews of Dynamics GP products. One missing element is screen shots. We want to see the product before demos, before talking to a salesperson. All in all, ...