In a heated conversation with analysts this week, SAP's co-CEO said, in effect, "SAP will step over system integrators to save a project. I find it shocking that people are walking around talking to customers who have little certification and little to no experience on the application."
Recent consolidation and alignment within the enterprise software industry almost assuredly guarantees that topics such as these are not isolated within one software channel. However, I can't imagine Microsoft stepping in to save a failing implementation, but I would not be surprised to find Steve Ballmer (CEO, Microsoft) soon addressing the same type of issues within its customer base. After all, most Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) customers have migrated from or evaluated at least one of the enterprise business applications from SAP or Oracle in the past.
For starters let's review the base level partner requirements for the Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics AX competency.
Employ (or contract) with 1 or more individuals who, combined, must complete and pass the following 5 exams:
Microsoft Dynamics AX Development Introduction
Microsoft Dynamics AX Financials
Microsoft Dynamics AX Installation and Configuration
Microsoft Dynamics AX Trade and Logistics
Microsoft Exam 70-431-TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance or Microsoft Exam 70-432-TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008
Customer Reference Requirement:
Submit at least 3 customer references, each featuring the implementation, deployment, customization, or maintenance of Microsoft Dynamics AX.
These requirements are not terribly difficult to achieve, so many partners, including Advanced Systems Integration (ASI),have also met the additional qualifications necessary to earn the Gold Certification designation. The qualifications or points can come from a variety of sources, such as additional references, sales revenue, additional exams (not necessarily Microsoft Dynamics AX), tested and certified products such as our Apparel & Footwear Solution (AFS) for Microsoft Dynamics AX, or even additional Microsoft competencies such as our Independent Software Vendor (ISV), SOA & Business Process and Certified Partner for Learning Solutions (CPLS).
The Microsoft Partner program's flexibility creates diversity among partners, and hence, not all Gold partners are equal. Yet, the current partner search engine and program have been criticized for not providing better key engagement metrics about the partner and customer references such as:
Transaction Volume
Customization Type
Deployment Scope
Transaction Types
Customization Complexity
Utilization of 3rd Party Resources (Partner)
# of Concurrent Users
Interface Complexity
Deployment Environment
Industry Experience (Partner)
Length of Experience (Partner)
Related References (Partner)
Essentially, potential customers want to know more and real information about a partner. So it is not too surprising that behind the scenes, Microsoft is gettingready to put the power into the hands of the people with a new Web 2.0marketplace called Pinpoint. Pinpoint attempts to close the gap between customers and finding the right partner. It is scheduled to go live sometime in early 2009.This new and dynamic partner search portal will offer a clean inviting interface, intuitive search, customer reviews and the ability to rate the partners pricing, responsiveness, customer service, product quality and level of expertise. The social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter are rapidly becoming a very popular way to quickly and informally disseminate customer experiences - both good and bad. For partners like Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) who have always operated in an "open kimono" fashion, this new approach should be powerful. For partners who are not as accustom to operating as such, the winds of change are coming and it's time for the people to be heard.
About Advanced Systems Integration Inc.
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX and Learning Solutions partner founded in 1991. ASi delivers comprehensive enterprise class applications that improve customer relations, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations. ASi also offers industry specific extensions integrated with Microsoft Dynamics AX solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves the Southern California greater area including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.
