Microsoft Dynamics Questions to be Asked and Answered at WPC 2012

With two major releases coming later this year in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 and NAV 2013, along with AX 2012 R2, two important Dynamics CRM releases in R8 and R9 - the Q2 and Q4 2012 Service Updates, respectively - and Dynamics ERP on Azure, the re-tooled Dynamics partner channel will be paying attention in Toronto looking for some guidance.

The World Partner Conference is being held July 8-12, and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will head up a high-level lineup of speakers from Redmond. 

What questions will the partners be looking to Microsoft to answer for them?  And what will Microsoft officials actually share in public or private?  We'll know more next week, but here are some interesting questions that could get tossed into the ring.  Do you have your own big question?  Share it with your fellow readers in the comments.

What exactly does Microsoft want partners to do with Dynamics ERP in Azure?

Putting Dynamics ERP products in Azure could be a game changer. Or it could be inconsequential to many partners.  Depending on how Microsoft sets the rules of the game, Dynamics GP 2013 and NAV 2013 in Azure could launch with a mere whisper, an alarm bell, a victory parade, or some noisy combination that leaves the market scratching its head. 

Dynamics NAV and GP partners, including hosting partners, will want comprehensive guidelines from Microsoft to really understand the basis for selling a Microsoft-hosted ERP offering as opposed to partner hosted or on-premise. Will they get what they need at WPC?  Microsoft has decisions to make around how it will manage customization, add-ons, server control and access, upgrades, preferred customer size and profile, billing, partner remuneration, and more.   Based on past overviews ...