NAV Directions North America Preview: Increasing Rate Of Change Brings New Opportunity, Organizers Say

Billed as the only North American Microsoft Dynamics NAV event driven by NAV partners, NAV Directions North America, taking place October 25-28, has carved out a unique niche in the event landscape that has sustained it into its eleventh year.

As an event that is focused on Dynamics NAV, participants attend expecting to learn about Microsoft's plans for continued investment in the product, says Scott Brennan, a partner at Sikich LLP & US president of the non-profit NAV Directions organization.

Of particular interest this year, partners want tips on how to make upgrades easier, how to make the actual transition to the cloud, as well as information about the smartphone client, he says.

Product development of features and enhancements, along with technological enhancements that provide more ease of use and ease of deployment are also top of mind for attendees, according to Katherine Turner-Lawrence, VP of Sales & Marketing at Western Computer, and a member of the Directions board of directors.

Those attending the event want to learn about the new functionality that will help NAV compete more effectively, she says. "The cloud offering is obviously a big topic for Microsoft and partners are in various stages of adoption."

It Takes One To Know One

The Directions conference is managed by a 12 member volunteer board who come from the same community as the attendees.

"These are resellers, independent software vendors, and consultants that are part of the same community," Brennan says. "So, you could say this event is organized by the same people ...