Written By Jeff Onesto, Director of Business Development, ASi (Originally released on MSDynamicsWorld.com)
As we move into the fall, parents everywhere have just finished the daunting task of getting their kids ready for the new school year. Microsoft Dynamics ERP partners go through a similar process as we get ready to kick-off the “Software Evaluation Season”. After almost 10 years in the channel, I hope to offer companies seeking a new ERP solution some useful tips when beginning their evaluation.
TIP#1 – Begin the evaluation with a business case
I have the unique opportunity to observe and participate in many ERP evaluations and I am constantly amazed how many companies begin evaluating software without a business case. The business case is a living document and will change as you become more familiar with ERP features and functions. Most importantly, the business case requires you to look past the obvious costs such as software and hardware, and consider internal costs such as backfilling key personnel.
TIP#2 – Evaluate standard license terms early
In my humble opinion (IMHO,) if corporate executives clearly understood the standard publisher warranty, disclaimers and/or damage limitations before beginning the evaluation process the players and process would look quite different and be performed with much more care. Software License Terms (SLT), in the case of Microsoft, End User License Agreement (EULA), in the case of SAP, and License & Services Agreement (LSA), in the case of Oracle can easily be ‘BING’-ed on the internet. As you can see below, Microsoft, SAP and Oracle are fairly consistent. Understanding your legal rights is very important and the very reason why taking the time to review is so important in the evaluation process. You cannot return ERP software and very few ‘IF ANY’ companies prevail in court.
TIP #3 Break the evaluation into 2 phases: 1) evaluation of application/platform; 2) evaluation of delivery partner
As you can see below, Microsoft, SAP or Oracle do not endorse and/or assume any liability resulting from the use of a certified partner and/or their certified software solutions/configurations such as Certified for Microsoft Dynamics (CfMD), Oracle Accelerate or SAP Business All-in-One. You do this entirely at your own risk. Following this simple tip you will answer the big question, “Is the sales partner the best delivery partner?” In some cases, maybe, in others, maybe not!
References:
Microsoft Dynamics Software Licensing Terms (SLT)
http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/en/us/licensing.aspx
SAP End User License Agreement (EULA)
http://www.carahsoft.com/contracts/eula/documents/SAP-EULA.pdf
Oracle License & Services Agreement (OLSA)
http://www.oracle.com/corporate/license/agreements.html
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) 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 (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves California including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Alameda, Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Clara. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) named 2009 “Killer VAR” by Accounting Today Magazine
LOS ANGELES, CA (July 28, 2009) Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) has been selected among hundreds of resellers from across the nation and will be featured in the August edition of Accounting Today and Accounting Technology magazines. A great honor especially in a year when a slowing economy is challenging small and midsized businesses, the featured VARs (Value-added Resellers) had to demonstrate they have what it takes to not only survive, but succeed, in the down economy. This annual distinction highlights firms that demonstrate extraordinary commitment and character, innovative marketing techniques and an exemplary level of service. The 2009 listing of Killer VARs will be available in the August edition of http://www.webcpa.com.
"We are proud to be a recipient of the "Killer VAR" award,” said Lisa Aschenbrenner, ASi-Marketing Manager. “As one of the original Damgaard Partners here in the U.S. we have been committed to the Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta) platform since 1997 and look forward to helping our customers profitably grow and gain market share.
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) 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 (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves California including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Alameda, Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Clara. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.
"We are proud to be a recipient of the "Killer VAR" award,” said Lisa Aschenbrenner, ASi-Marketing Manager. “As one of the original Damgaard Partners here in the U.S. we have been committed to the Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta) platform since 1997 and look forward to helping our customers profitably grow and gain market share.
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) 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 (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves California including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Alameda, Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Clara. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
What Is the Future of Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) in the Cloud? Being Upfront About the Obstacles
I am currently reading The Big Switch - Rewiring the world from Edison to Google by Nicholas Car. The book draws a colorful parallel between Thomas Edison's battle to power the world versus a "Google type" company's battle to power the emerging cloud computing technology shift. The book sounds a warning to the major on-premise solution providers such as Microsoft, IBM and Dell, as Nicholas Car ultimately declares that utility computing will forever change the computing landscape, and most important, is here to stay.
I mention this book because most of Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) was focused on Microsoft's Software-Plus- Services (S + S) strategy, especially as relates to Windows Azure, Microsoft Online Services, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, and Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS). At the heart of Microsoft's strategy is the "power of choice". The strategy differs from pure Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) by attempting to achieve server/services symmetry by allowing businesses to move parts of their applications to/from terrestrial servers into the cloud. If you are not exactly familiar with the term "cloud computing" or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), I have summarized the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) definitions below:
•Cloud computing is a model for enabling on-demand, metered access to a shared pool of location independent configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned.
•Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is one of three (3) cloud computing delivery models where applications running on a cloud infrastructure are accessible from various client devices through a thin client interface such as web browser.
What is the future of SaaS for ERP applications like Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta)? What follows are some considerations.
Logically thinking about the typical procurement process for enterprise business applications such as Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta), the first and often most important decision is whether to own "capital expenditure" or rent "operational expenditure". This simple decision is often at the center of debate regarding on-premise vs. on-demand business applications. This single decision dictates how the transaction will be recorded on the company's financial statements. This single decision can actually have a tremendous impact on EPS (Earning per Share) financial ratios, EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) and ultimately, the company's ability to raise capital and borrow future funds.
It appears to me that most CFO's prefer operational expenditures, or OPEX, because they relate to current revenue streams and often represent flexible, non-physical assets that typically do not lose value or become obsolete. OPEX often also generate immediate tax benefits by reducing corporate taxable income. With elasticity, scalability, cost and accounting on the side of the cloud computing, it is easy to understand why this new computing model is becoming so popular, so quickly. For example, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, the only Dynamics product currently available either on-premise or on-demand, just hit the 1 million user mark. The "power of choice" appears to be working with functional line of business (LOB) applications such as CRM and XRM.
While all this would seem to bode well for major ERP applications like Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) moving to SaaS, it's not so simple. Unlike CRM and XRM, moving ERP, most often the "System of Record," into the cloud involves greater complexities and risk, especially for larger enterprises with existing security, control and infrastructure. ERP systems house tremendous amounts of critical and highly relational master data such as customer, vendor, employee and products. This data often represents a competitive advantage and are vital to a company's success.
In order for a SaaS ERP offering to work for larger enterprises, much will have to be done in the area of regulation, compliance and law. At present no 1, 2 or 3 companies can claim to be running "the cloud" and no single entity has taken it upon itself to attempt to regulate such promising technology, which by definition will connect global economies.
Whatever shape or form the cloud eventually takes, the recent collapse of Wall Street demonstrates the need to address key business risks and remain transparent. Corporate executives must be very confident in accessing and quantifying the risk of unauthorized access or lost data, not to mention how conflicting state, federal and global laws will apply.
Whether referring to computing and storage, infrastructure or applications, the cloud has tremendous potential, but it is not without risk. Unfortunately, when it comes to mission critical business applications such as ERP, the model appears to be bit immature for many customers, and with too many questions left unanswered regarding security, control, regulation and speed. Some recent comments from other major ERP suppliers point to the same thinking:
•"If you look at the leaders, they don't make very much money and they've been at it for almost ten years. It's hard to point to any (SaaS) provider that's doing a good job of improving their profitability. I think that's what we are focused on before we scale the business. The last thing we want to do is have a very large business that is not terribly profitable and drags our margins down. Larry Ellison, Oracle CEO
•"We believe in some forms of (SaaS) but not as a core business foundation for its typical customer. It just wouldn't work. It has taken us 36 years to build a ‘core' on which modern, global companies can run their businesses, which is tailored to specific industries and offers a huge partner ecosystem. These foundations are very important to companies, they like having control of data. They don't want to leave destiny in someone else's hands." Bill McDermott, SAP CEO
Enterprise business applications such as Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) already consume many web-services, from applications perfectly suited for the cloud, such as e-commerce, sales tax, credit card and electronic data interchange. Until many of the other issues I have discussed are resolved, though, I don't forecast the demand for enterprise business applications in the cloud will change and without demand I don't anticipate Microsoft offering Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) on-demand. Don't be surprised however,to see certain Microsoft Dynamics ERP web-services become available online at Microsoft Dynamics Online http://www.dynamicsonline.com.
About Advanced Systems Integration Inc (ASi).
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) 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 (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves California including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Alameda, Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Clara. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.
I mention this book because most of Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) was focused on Microsoft's Software-Plus- Services (S + S) strategy, especially as relates to Windows Azure, Microsoft Online Services, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, and Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS). At the heart of Microsoft's strategy is the "power of choice". The strategy differs from pure Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) by attempting to achieve server/services symmetry by allowing businesses to move parts of their applications to/from terrestrial servers into the cloud. If you are not exactly familiar with the term "cloud computing" or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), I have summarized the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) definitions below:
•Cloud computing is a model for enabling on-demand, metered access to a shared pool of location independent configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned.
•Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is one of three (3) cloud computing delivery models where applications running on a cloud infrastructure are accessible from various client devices through a thin client interface such as web browser.
What is the future of SaaS for ERP applications like Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta)? What follows are some considerations.
Logically thinking about the typical procurement process for enterprise business applications such as Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta), the first and often most important decision is whether to own "capital expenditure" or rent "operational expenditure". This simple decision is often at the center of debate regarding on-premise vs. on-demand business applications. This single decision dictates how the transaction will be recorded on the company's financial statements. This single decision can actually have a tremendous impact on EPS (Earning per Share) financial ratios, EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) and ultimately, the company's ability to raise capital and borrow future funds.
It appears to me that most CFO's prefer operational expenditures, or OPEX, because they relate to current revenue streams and often represent flexible, non-physical assets that typically do not lose value or become obsolete. OPEX often also generate immediate tax benefits by reducing corporate taxable income. With elasticity, scalability, cost and accounting on the side of the cloud computing, it is easy to understand why this new computing model is becoming so popular, so quickly. For example, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, the only Dynamics product currently available either on-premise or on-demand, just hit the 1 million user mark. The "power of choice" appears to be working with functional line of business (LOB) applications such as CRM and XRM.
While all this would seem to bode well for major ERP applications like Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) moving to SaaS, it's not so simple. Unlike CRM and XRM, moving ERP, most often the "System of Record," into the cloud involves greater complexities and risk, especially for larger enterprises with existing security, control and infrastructure. ERP systems house tremendous amounts of critical and highly relational master data such as customer, vendor, employee and products. This data often represents a competitive advantage and are vital to a company's success.
In order for a SaaS ERP offering to work for larger enterprises, much will have to be done in the area of regulation, compliance and law. At present no 1, 2 or 3 companies can claim to be running "the cloud" and no single entity has taken it upon itself to attempt to regulate such promising technology, which by definition will connect global economies.
Whatever shape or form the cloud eventually takes, the recent collapse of Wall Street demonstrates the need to address key business risks and remain transparent. Corporate executives must be very confident in accessing and quantifying the risk of unauthorized access or lost data, not to mention how conflicting state, federal and global laws will apply.
Whether referring to computing and storage, infrastructure or applications, the cloud has tremendous potential, but it is not without risk. Unfortunately, when it comes to mission critical business applications such as ERP, the model appears to be bit immature for many customers, and with too many questions left unanswered regarding security, control, regulation and speed. Some recent comments from other major ERP suppliers point to the same thinking:
•"If you look at the leaders, they don't make very much money and they've been at it for almost ten years. It's hard to point to any (SaaS) provider that's doing a good job of improving their profitability. I think that's what we are focused on before we scale the business. The last thing we want to do is have a very large business that is not terribly profitable and drags our margins down. Larry Ellison, Oracle CEO
•"We believe in some forms of (SaaS) but not as a core business foundation for its typical customer. It just wouldn't work. It has taken us 36 years to build a ‘core' on which modern, global companies can run their businesses, which is tailored to specific industries and offers a huge partner ecosystem. These foundations are very important to companies, they like having control of data. They don't want to leave destiny in someone else's hands." Bill McDermott, SAP CEO
Enterprise business applications such as Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) already consume many web-services, from applications perfectly suited for the cloud, such as e-commerce, sales tax, credit card and electronic data interchange. Until many of the other issues I have discussed are resolved, though, I don't forecast the demand for enterprise business applications in the cloud will change and without demand I don't anticipate Microsoft offering Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) on-demand. Don't be surprised however,to see certain Microsoft Dynamics ERP web-services become available online at Microsoft Dynamics Online http://www.dynamicsonline.com.
About Advanced Systems Integration Inc (ASi).
Advanced Systems Integration, Inc.(ASi) is a Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) 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 (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) solution. Based in Orange County, California, ASi serves California including the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Alameda, Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Clara. Please visit the company’s web site at www.advancedsystemsintegration.com.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Nucleus Research & Dynamics AX (Axapta) Partner on "How to Deliver Microsoft Dynamics Successfully"
Nucleus Research recently published a guidebook titled “Maximizing Success Delivering Microsoft Dynamics” and Microsoft recently released the Partner Case Study “VAR Uses Implementation Methodology to Improve Solution Delivery, Reduce Risk”
Nucleus Research states that Microsoft Dynamic customers want partners they can trust, especially in today’s economic climate. Microsoft partners that follow a structured methodology to sell, deliver, and optimize Dynamics solutions can reduce their own cost and risk, focus on core competencies, and ultimately increase profits and customer satisfaction.
The Microsoft Case Study describes how Advanced Systems Integration (ASi), successfully and repeatedly integrated Microsoft Sure Step within its own existing delivery framework. With so many companies selecting Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta) over SAP & Oracle the demand for proven and trustworthy Microsoft partners has never been greater.
About ASi: 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
About Microsoft Dynamics AX: Microsoft Dynamics AX is an adaptable business management solution that enables companies and their workers to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and with familiar Microsoft Office software, with comprehensive features that help automate and streamline business processes, and connect users with global customers, business partners and subsidiaries in a way that helps drive business success. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx
About Microsoft: Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com
About Nucleus Research: Nucleus Research, Inc. is the leading provider of investigative information technology research and advisory services. Since 2000 our analysts have delivered insight and guidance to help our clients make the best decisions every day. Advising both vendors of technology and the organizations that use technology, we continue to uncover information that no one else can provide. We have a unique analyst team. Our analysts are experienced technology experts who concentrate on specific solution areas. They use their technology understanding blended with a financially focused investigative approach to uncover the value technology can provide. Our clients include many of the Fortune 1000, numerous mid-sized organizations, state, federal, and international government organizations, and almost every leading technology vendor. http://nucleusresearch.com
Nucleus Research states that Microsoft Dynamic customers want partners they can trust, especially in today’s economic climate. Microsoft partners that follow a structured methodology to sell, deliver, and optimize Dynamics solutions can reduce their own cost and risk, focus on core competencies, and ultimately increase profits and customer satisfaction.
The Microsoft Case Study describes how Advanced Systems Integration (ASi), successfully and repeatedly integrated Microsoft Sure Step within its own existing delivery framework. With so many companies selecting Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta) over SAP & Oracle the demand for proven and trustworthy Microsoft partners has never been greater.
About ASi: 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
About Microsoft Dynamics AX: Microsoft Dynamics AX is an adaptable business management solution that enables companies and their workers to make business decisions with greater confidence. Microsoft Dynamics AX works like and with familiar Microsoft Office software, with comprehensive features that help automate and streamline business processes, and connect users with global customers, business partners and subsidiaries in a way that helps drive business success. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx
About Microsoft: Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com
About Nucleus Research: Nucleus Research, Inc. is the leading provider of investigative information technology research and advisory services. Since 2000 our analysts have delivered insight and guidance to help our clients make the best decisions every day. Advising both vendors of technology and the organizations that use technology, we continue to uncover information that no one else can provide. We have a unique analyst team. Our analysts are experienced technology experts who concentrate on specific solution areas. They use their technology understanding blended with a financially focused investigative approach to uncover the value technology can provide. Our clients include many of the Fortune 1000, numerous mid-sized organizations, state, federal, and international government organizations, and almost every leading technology vendor. http://nucleusresearch.com
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Microsoft Releases Partner Solutions Case Study on Leading Gold Certified Dynamics ERP Partner
Advanced Systems Integration (ASi) integrates Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step with existing framework to improve solution delivery and reduce risk
LAKE FOREST, CA – July 1, 2009 – Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. (ASi), a Microsoft Dynamics AX Gold Certified Business Solutions and Learning Solutions training partner, is pleased to announce the release of a new Microsoft Partner Solution Case Study featuring Advanced Systems Integration. This new case study, funded and written by Microsoft recognizes ASi’s history as one of the original U.S. Damgaard Axapta Partners (now Microsoft Dynamics AX) and highlights ASi’s successful use of various Microsoft Dynamics’ tools on its recent implementation at Felt Bicycles including the Microsoft Sure Step Methodology, Rapid Configurator Tool, Task Recorder and Microsoft Sure Step Business Modeler.
With over 10 years of exclusive focus on Microsoft Dynamics AX and many successful deployments of Microsoft Dynamics AX, the new study highlights ASi’s ability to use the right tool at the right time to achieve optimal results and with minimal risk. ASi has been featured in several other Microsoft Case Studies, including Sekisui Tapes and Adhesives – Leading Packaging Manufacturer Consolidates Processes to Control Costs and Pure Bioscience – Manufacturing Solution Eases Compliance for Anti-Microbial Manufacturer.
Jeff Onesto, Director or Business Development of ASi, commented, “Our delivery capabilities are based upon deep product knowledge of the Axapta platform, industry experience combined with strong project management disciplines. The ASi team continuously strives to refine its delivery capabilities and to improve the overall customer experience. We are grateful to be recognized by Microsoft for our years of dedication and honored to have been selected by our customers such as Felt Bicycles for our ability to deploy Microsoft Dynamics AX using Sure Step.”
For complete details or a copy of the case study, please visit the Advanced Systems Integration website. Or Microsoft Case Studies at:http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Case_Study_Detail.aspx?casestudyid=4000004662.
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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
About Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply-chain management solutions that helps businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com
####
LAKE FOREST, CA – July 1, 2009 – Advanced Systems Integration, Inc. (ASi), a Microsoft Dynamics AX Gold Certified Business Solutions and Learning Solutions training partner, is pleased to announce the release of a new Microsoft Partner Solution Case Study featuring Advanced Systems Integration. This new case study, funded and written by Microsoft recognizes ASi’s history as one of the original U.S. Damgaard Axapta Partners (now Microsoft Dynamics AX) and highlights ASi’s successful use of various Microsoft Dynamics’ tools on its recent implementation at Felt Bicycles including the Microsoft Sure Step Methodology, Rapid Configurator Tool, Task Recorder and Microsoft Sure Step Business Modeler.
With over 10 years of exclusive focus on Microsoft Dynamics AX and many successful deployments of Microsoft Dynamics AX, the new study highlights ASi’s ability to use the right tool at the right time to achieve optimal results and with minimal risk. ASi has been featured in several other Microsoft Case Studies, including Sekisui Tapes and Adhesives – Leading Packaging Manufacturer Consolidates Processes to Control Costs and Pure Bioscience – Manufacturing Solution Eases Compliance for Anti-Microbial Manufacturer.
Jeff Onesto, Director or Business Development of ASi, commented, “Our delivery capabilities are based upon deep product knowledge of the Axapta platform, industry experience combined with strong project management disciplines. The ASi team continuously strives to refine its delivery capabilities and to improve the overall customer experience. We are grateful to be recognized by Microsoft for our years of dedication and honored to have been selected by our customers such as Felt Bicycles for our ability to deploy Microsoft Dynamics AX using Sure Step.”
For complete details or a copy of the case study, please visit the Advanced Systems Integration website. Or Microsoft Case Studies at:http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Case_Study_Detail.aspx?casestudyid=4000004662.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
About Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply-chain management solutions that helps businesses work more effectively. Delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services, these integrated, adaptable business management solutions work like and with familiar Microsoft software to streamline processes across an entire business. http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/ax/default.mspx
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. www.microsoft.com
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Monday, June 8, 2009
Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta) Positioned as Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant 4Q09
Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta) positioned as a leader in Midmarket and Tier 2-Oriented ERP Magic Quadrant. Despite mergers and acquisitions, there are many ERP offerings for midmarket companies and firms deploying Tier-II ERP systems. This Magic Quadrant evaluates products that have a global presence and are specifically tailored for product-centric midmarket companies with roughly 100 to 1,000 employees.
Magic Quadrants depict markets in the middle phases of their life cycle by using a 2 matrix that evaluates vendors based on their completeness of vision and ability to execute. The Magic Quadrant has 15 weighted criteria that plot vendors based on their relative strengths in the market. This model is well suited for high-growth and consolidating markets where market and vendor differentiations are distinct.
The Magic Quadrant is not intended to be an exhaustive analysis of every vendor in a market, but rather a focused analysis. Inclusion criteria consist of market share, revenue, number of clients, types of products or services, target market, or other defining characteristics that help narrow the scope of the research to those vendors that we consider to be the most important or best suited to our clients' needs.
Leaders provide mature offerings that meet market demand as well as demonstrate the vision necessary to sustain their market position as requirements evolve. The hallmark of leaders is that they focus and invest in their offerings to the point that they lead the market and can affect its overall direction. As a result, leaders can become the vendors to watch as you try to understand how new offerings might evolve.
Leaders typically possess a large, satisfied customer base (relative to the size of the market) and enjoy high visibility within the market. Their size and financial strength enable them to remain viable in a challenging economy. Leaders typically respond to a wide market audience by supporting broad market requirements. However, they may fail to meet the specific needs of vertical markets or other more-specialized segments.
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.
Magic Quadrants depict markets in the middle phases of their life cycle by using a 2 matrix that evaluates vendors based on their completeness of vision and ability to execute. The Magic Quadrant has 15 weighted criteria that plot vendors based on their relative strengths in the market. This model is well suited for high-growth and consolidating markets where market and vendor differentiations are distinct.
The Magic Quadrant is not intended to be an exhaustive analysis of every vendor in a market, but rather a focused analysis. Inclusion criteria consist of market share, revenue, number of clients, types of products or services, target market, or other defining characteristics that help narrow the scope of the research to those vendors that we consider to be the most important or best suited to our clients' needs.
Leaders provide mature offerings that meet market demand as well as demonstrate the vision necessary to sustain their market position as requirements evolve. The hallmark of leaders is that they focus and invest in their offerings to the point that they lead the market and can affect its overall direction. As a result, leaders can become the vendors to watch as you try to understand how new offerings might evolve.
Leaders typically possess a large, satisfied customer base (relative to the size of the market) and enjoy high visibility within the market. Their size and financial strength enable them to remain viable in a challenging economy. Leaders typically respond to a wide market audience by supporting broad market requirements. However, they may fail to meet the specific needs of vertical markets or other more-specialized segments.
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.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Master Data Management (MDM) vs. Intelligent Data Management (IDM) with Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta)
Increasing revenue, decreasing costs and the successful management of governance, risk and compliance is the name of the game in today's economy.
In order to make necessary business decisions, executives must base these decisions on reliable data - a single version of the truth is needed. Of course this is much easier said than done, especially when the data must seamlessly flow across organizational boundaries. Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), the grouping of inoperable services around business processes, has been positioned as the enabling technology that will allow companies to meet these rapidly changing business demands and exploit new business opportunities.
According to analysts at Forrester Research, "effective management of customer and product master data are the cornerstone of any SOA". The tools and processes responsible for the synchronization, validation and distribution of reference data across multiple transactional systems are referred to as Master Data Management (MDM). Analysts at Gartner estimate MDM software represents approximately a $1.3B market opportunity, forecasted to reach $3.0B by 2012.
Behind the scenes major vendors such as SAP and Microsoft have been feverishly executing their SOA roadmap with key MDM solution acquisitions. In 2004, SAP purchased A2i, a California based provider of Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solutions. In 2007, Microsoft acquired Georgia-based Enterprise Dimension Management (EDM) provider, Stratature. The official Microsoft MDM solution codenamed, "Bulldog", is expected to make its inaugural appearance as part of the Microsoft Business Intelligence (BI) offering. It will most likely touch larger enterprise installations of Microsoft Dynamics AX as part of Corporate Performance Management (CPM) solution Performance Point (now part of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server Enterprise Edition).
The soon-to-be-released Intelligent Data Management (IDM) for Microsoft Dynamics AX should not be confused with "Bulldog". The Intelligent Data Management for Microsoft Dynamics AX works within business logic and can locate and recognize both standard and new objects and is designed to help Microsoft Dynamics AX customers optimize performance and reduces database storage requirements.
The Version 1 (V1) of Intelligent Data Management will include Data Growth Analyzer -detail analysis of tables and index storage requirements and Purge Manager. Version 2 (V2) of Intelligent Data Management is expected to roll out Archive Manager - archiving redundant and historical Microsoft Dynamics AX data. The tool is expected to be backwards compatible and work with versions 4.0 and 3.0.
Before you begin taking on your first real-world SOA project, I suggest starting at the ground level with MDM basics, such as reviewing your internal policies regarding data stewardship and governance:
•What data is maintained?
•How long is data retained?
•How are data changes authorized and audited?
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.
In order to make necessary business decisions, executives must base these decisions on reliable data - a single version of the truth is needed. Of course this is much easier said than done, especially when the data must seamlessly flow across organizational boundaries. Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), the grouping of inoperable services around business processes, has been positioned as the enabling technology that will allow companies to meet these rapidly changing business demands and exploit new business opportunities.
According to analysts at Forrester Research, "effective management of customer and product master data are the cornerstone of any SOA". The tools and processes responsible for the synchronization, validation and distribution of reference data across multiple transactional systems are referred to as Master Data Management (MDM). Analysts at Gartner estimate MDM software represents approximately a $1.3B market opportunity, forecasted to reach $3.0B by 2012.
Behind the scenes major vendors such as SAP and Microsoft have been feverishly executing their SOA roadmap with key MDM solution acquisitions. In 2004, SAP purchased A2i, a California based provider of Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solutions. In 2007, Microsoft acquired Georgia-based Enterprise Dimension Management (EDM) provider, Stratature. The official Microsoft MDM solution codenamed, "Bulldog", is expected to make its inaugural appearance as part of the Microsoft Business Intelligence (BI) offering. It will most likely touch larger enterprise installations of Microsoft Dynamics AX as part of Corporate Performance Management (CPM) solution Performance Point (now part of Microsoft Office SharePoint Server Enterprise Edition).
The soon-to-be-released Intelligent Data Management (IDM) for Microsoft Dynamics AX should not be confused with "Bulldog". The Intelligent Data Management for Microsoft Dynamics AX works within business logic and can locate and recognize both standard and new objects and is designed to help Microsoft Dynamics AX customers optimize performance and reduces database storage requirements.
The Version 1 (V1) of Intelligent Data Management will include Data Growth Analyzer -detail analysis of tables and index storage requirements and Purge Manager. Version 2 (V2) of Intelligent Data Management is expected to roll out Archive Manager - archiving redundant and historical Microsoft Dynamics AX data. The tool is expected to be backwards compatible and work with versions 4.0 and 3.0.
Before you begin taking on your first real-world SOA project, I suggest starting at the ground level with MDM basics, such as reviewing your internal policies regarding data stewardship and governance:
•What data is maintained?
•How long is data retained?
•How are data changes authorized and audited?
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.
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