Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 SP1 Due in Mid-April, Azure Deployment Model Confirmed for June

Microsoft has scheduled Dynamics GP 2013 Service Pack 1 for a mid-April release, according to product manager Jay Manley. 

Speaking at the GP Partner Connections Pre-Game event ahead of Convergence 2013, Manley advised that service packs will continue on a three to six month cycle over approximately the next two years.  And GP 2013 R2, a more substantial update should arrive in about eighteen months.

Manley also confirmed that the Windows Azure strategy for Dynamics GP involves using Azure's virtual machine capabilities as a new hosting option.  This approach is consistent with past reports, as well as with the efforts that went into the Azure architecture that MVP Mariano Gomez recently experimented with. Gomez said his test was promising, though not without some hiccups as might be expected on a new architecture.  Manley advised partners that Microsoft is developing more detailed information on the approach they will support, both from a technical and business standpoint. 

Update: At a later meeting with Dynamics ERP and CRM partners, Microsoft confirmed on Sunday that Azure deployments of Dynamics GP and NAV are targeted to begin in June.

In other release planning news, Manley  told the audience of Dynamics GP resellers and ISVs that Business Portal for GP 2013 and SharePoint 2010 is due in mid-April while the SharePoint 2013-compatible version will arrive later.

While the plans for the phased release of web client functionality for GP 2013 has not changed, Manley spoke up for the web client's technical readiness in its current form.  "Don't mistake phases ...