Microsoft Dynamics Retail Essentials offering for SMBs met with optimism, questions as RMS end nears

The Retail Realm 2014 conference ended on a high note, as exhibitors praised the event, held in Las Vegas. But some partners left the show with lingering questions over the nearing end of sales and mainstream support for Microsoft Dynamics RMS.

Retail Realm, which ran April 24-26 at Caesars Palace, drew about 250 attendees and around 22 exhibitors, according to conference organizers. Many of the attendees were Microsoft Dynamics retail partners, and the question of almost everyone's mind was what happens to small- and medium-sized retail clients after the support ends for Microsoft's current SMB retail management solution - RMS.

While new SMB customers will only be able to purchase RMS through mid-2016, existing RMS users will have support through 2021. Still, as RMS nears the end of its long run, Microsoft partners and users wanted reassurance - and answers.

Microsoft tried to provide those answers during three Retail Realm 2014 sessions, including a keynote "Roadmap" session. Microsoft sought to ease the concerns of some partners that an upgraded retail solution for SMBs will be around after RMS ends. The first version of  Dynamics for Retail 2012 R3, with Retail Essentials, debuts on Thursday, May 1.

Feelings were mixed among Retail Realm attendees and exhibitors as to whether "Version 1" - or future versions -- of Retail Essentials, which is based on Dynamics for Retail and works with the Dynamics AX platform, could adequately fill the shoes of RMS.

"Microsoft's new (Retail) Essentials really stirred up a lot of interest," said exhibitor Anna Kaufman, co-owner of Vancouver, B.C.-based Retail Hero. "It may be a challenge for us. But every challenge provides an opportunity. So, we welcome it."