Strong momentum for Microsoft Dynamics ERP partners delivering vertical solutions.

REDMOND, Wash. — Oct. 1, 2009 — Less than a year since the milestone release of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009, Microsoft Corp. today announced new capabilities and enhancements to the Microsoft Dynamics RoleTailored user experience that further increase business productivity. This move supports Microsoft’s promise to enable the Dynamic Business, which includes offering flexible business applications that remain relevant as business needs evolve.

The new visualization capabilities allow partners to create innovative visual custom controls using Microsoft technologies such as Silverlight, while additional personalization capabilities such as improved data entering and quick navigation can result in appreciable time savings across an organization. Customers also benefit from having direct access from within the Role Center to the latest product information and user forums through a feature called Connect.

“Our customers are appreciating having better insight and increased control over the level of information displayed, while our partners are celebrating the creative appeal of the new visualization capabilities with Client Extensibility that enable the differentiation of vertical solutions through visual representation of complex data,” said Crispin Read, general manager of Microsoft Dynamics ERP. “The new capabilities are a result of close collaboration with our customers and partners; they build on the core values of simplicity and productivity that are the hallmarks of Microsoft Dynamics NAV.”

Celebrating Strong Partner Vertical Success

The Microsoft Dynamics ERP business has had tremendous success with partners delivering solutions for Microsoft Dynamics NAV, which serve the vertical needs of customers such as those in automotive manufacturing, waste management, construction, pharma, equipment rental, fashion retail, food production, real estate, shipping and hospitality. “Microsoft Dynamics NAV serves as a rapid development platform that makes it easy for partners like us to deliver vertical or micro-vertical solutions,” said Steen Wæver Poulsen, chief operating officer, Trimit A/S.

More than 100 Microsoft Dynamics NAV partner solutions have received the Certified for Microsoft Dynamics distinction, a recognition for solutions that meet Microsoft’s highest development standards.

“We are very pleased with the new visualization capabilities in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009,” said one such Certified for Microsoft Dynamics solution partner, Andreas Voss, Tectura, EMEA. “We offer Tectura Process Manufacturing, which includes a visual planning tool that enables us to differentiate our solution and deliver more value to our customers. With the new enhancements in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 we have been able to fully integrate the tool into the RoleTailored user experience and give customers a much more seamless and efficient way of working than before.”

In addition to visualization capabilities with Client Extensibility, the new Microsoft Dynamics NAV features include the following:

• Data entry enhancements such as the ability to make calculations in fields, and enable single-cell data copying and Excel-like navigation
• Filtering improvements such as Advanced Search features that allow customers to search for pages, report views and other items with the Search box, just like in Microsoft Internet Explorer and Outlook
• Keyboard shortcut changes that improve navigation within the customer’s Role Center
• Connect capabilities that connect users from the Role Center with the Internet to access resources such as product updates, newsgroups, training and other tools that are targeted to their role

“Microsoft Dynamics NAV is highly intuitive and makes it easy for our employees to access and manipulate information so we get the right orders to the right customers in less time,” said Henrik Dam Jespersen, CEO of Hurup, an early adopter of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009. “We expect increased productivity as a result of the latest enhancements.”

The new capabilities are offered with the Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Service Pack 1, which is available in 16 countries: Australia, Austria, Canada (English and French), Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland (French, German and Italian), the United Kingdom and the United States, with plans to extend to 26 additional countries later this year and during 2010. More information about the latest innovations to Microsoft Dynamics NAV can be at http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/en/us/products/nav-overview.aspx.

About Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Dynamics is a line of adaptable, easy-to-use ERP and CRM applications that enable business decision-makers to run their business efficiently and drive business success. 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.

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.

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Quote Sheet

“We were delighted with the ease with which we could build a vertical product based on Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Its integrated development platform helped us offer a competitive solution.”

“The Certified for Microsoft Dynamics NAV standard reflects our proven ability to provide a vertical solution that covers all the processes in our customer market.”

Ralf Linnemann, CEO Sales and Marketing, Tegos GmbH

“Because of the core industry functionality already found in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009, it makes it even easier for an independent software vendor like us to develop vertical or micro-vertical solutions on top of the existing solution.”

Steen Wæver Poulsen, Chief Operating Officer, TRIMIT A/S

“We invested resources in Microsoft Dynamics NAV because it is a richly featured, highly versatile ERP solution that makes rapid development possible. We can build and embed our vertical solution in a fraction of the time we would need if we worked with other programming tools.”

“Participating in the Certified for Microsoft Dynamics program has helped us deliver high-quality solutions to the partner channel and increased the global reach of our solution.”

Brandon Taylor, Vice President of Product Strategy and Development, Serenic Software

“For the customers in our vertical, Microsoft Dynamics NAV is extremely robust and easy to learn and use. It’s modular, so people can work with exactly the functionality they require. The solution is easy to implement and a powerful platform for developing vertical solutions.”

“Microsoft is completely focused on the partner ecosystem and shows a commitment to our vertical business that equals ours. We would not be where we are without the industry’s best partner program.”

Oliver Couvigny, General Manager, INFOMA Software Consulting GmbH, Germany

“The Certified for Microsoft Dynamics NAV logo lets our partners and their customers know that we are serious about the solution and has helped build trust in our solution. Microsoft tested our software, checked our documentation and reviewed 10 customer references to ensure that our solution was solid. It gives both partners and their customers confidence to know that Microsoft supports our solution.”

Mandy Dore, Director of International Partnering, agiles Informationssysteme GmbH

Source: Microsoft PressPass