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Less of a Need for Partners in Dynamics NAV 2009 SP1?

A new Service Pack creates technical capabilities in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009, but does it make partners less critical?

Service Pack 1 for Dynamics NAV became generally available in September and Microsoft began promoting the benefits more aggressively in October. New features include:

  • Data entry enhancements
  • Filter improvements
  • Keyboard shortcut changes
  • Improved Internet resource connections
  • Visualization improvements

The real differentiator in the package is the visualization process, says R. "Ray" Wang, an enterprise strategy partner at Altimeter Group. The visualization process allows customers to customize the user experience using Microsoft's Silverlight multimedia framework.

That's been one area where partners have played a significant role with the midmarket-focused enterprise resource planning line.

"Typically, specific visual configuration for micro-verticals takes place in the last mile," Wang says. "Prior to this release, smaller companies with 100 to 250 employees relied on partners to develop user interface enhancements. Now, they have a much simpler platform to begin that process."

About the Author

Herb Torrens is an award-winning freelance writer based in Southern California. He managed the MCSP program for a leading computer telephony integrator for more than five years and has worked with numerous solution providers including HP/Compaq, Nortel, and Microsoft in all forms of media.

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