Directions 2005 Conference 

Advanced Business Systems, LLC personnel attended Directions 2005 in Stone Mountain, Georgia in October. This conference was organized by the Microsoft Business Solutions Navision community and was the first Navision only, North American conference since Navision was purchased by Microsoft in the summer of 2002. Nearly 400 attendees were present.

The conference had classes categorized as either the Executive, Sales, Developer, or Implementer tracks. The sponsors of the conference included Microsoft Business Solutions, Citrix, Serenic Corporation ( providers of Not For Profit software based on Navision), Cost Control Software ( an ISV of add-ons and training programs for Navision), and Lanham Associates ( an ISV specializing in comprehensive supply chain solutions which are based on Navision and round out their offering for large Distributors and Manufacturers).

The conference was strongly attended by Microsoft executives including Mogens Elsberg – Navision General Manager and Tami Reller – Vice President of Microsoft Business Solutions Marketing.  The Microsoft Executives were very upbeat about the future of Navision and Microsoft Business Solutions. Navision is currently dominating the MBS portfolio (in terms of revenue) which consists of Navision, Great Plains, Solomon, Axapta, and Microsoft CRM. Navision’s installs around the world have now exceeded 48,000.

MBS announced their rebranding of all the products to the Dynamics name. Tami Reller indicated that significant market research had gone into selection of this name. Navision 4.0 Service Pack 1 was touted heavily due to the full integration with SharePoint and its improved performance on SQL Server database.

Cost Control Software and Lanham Associates received awards for the top ISV companies. These two hard working and capable companies provide great products to the Navision channel and are greatly respected by their peers.

By all accounts this first annual conference was a success and promises to be even better next year. Advanced Business Systems looks forward to supporting the next event.

 Author: Chris Carrigee

 

 

 

 

 

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