New Embedded Dynamics ERP Solution from Microsoft, Retail Realm targets SMB Retailers

Continuing its renewed efforts in the small- to midsized business (SMB) retail marketplace, Microsoft has partnered with Retail Realm of Napa, Calif., to develop and release an offering they call "Microsoft Dynamics Retail Essentials with Retail Realm". Showcased at Retail Realm's technology conference in April, the joint project has resulted in the first retail product to be embedded in a Microsoft Dynamics' out-of-the-box solution (all previous Retail Realm utility solutions were add-ons).

An on-premise solution based on the Dynamics AX platform but with the non-retail specific aspects of AX switched off, Microsoft Dynamics Retail Essentials with Retail Realm is "but the first in a number of planned developments," according to the release, "and resellers are reminded that Dynamics RMS is still very much alive and well and will remain fully supported until 2021." 

According to a Retail Realm spokesperson, the company's developers are also working to fill in any gaps in its previous product, Microsoft Retail Essentials, "to bring it more in line with the expectations of the RMS community."(For a better understanding of the more basic AX 2012 R3 Retail Essentials, check out AX MVP Kurt Hatlevik's blog post on the topic.)

Although the two products  (RMS and Dynamics Retail Essentials with Retail Realm) cannot be compared on a like-for-like basis, there is an ongoing development program on the part of Retail Realm and work with some third parties too to cover a wide array of areas, the spokesperson explained.

All partners and resellers will be required to be trained and certified in Dynamics Retail Essentials before adding the "...