Wrapping up Convergence 2008

Alright, so the smoke and light show is over, and we have what is left. All the information to sift through from Convergence 2008. In a word, for Dynamics AX 2009, it all about the LOVE. That's right... Love, being to where driving the User Experience (UX) User Interface design for Dynamics AX 2009. See here:

'Jakob Nielsen, who has the intriguing title, "Principal User Experience Manager" of Microsoft Dynamics.

He defined his mission as "to create a Microsoft Dynamics people love." Then he raised this obvious question: "What makes people LOVE certain products?"

He said his group in Copenhagen has seven studies going on, involving some 300 to 400 people via surveys, focus groups, and "cognitive walkthroughs" to gain "a deep understanding of the people who use our software," with particular emphasis on "emotional aspects."'
[Read the full MSDW Article here: Reflections on Convergence 2008-Is Microsoft About to Become Warm and Cuddly on Us?]

So the big focus, was about what we thought it would be. Role Tailored User Experiences, in the new Role Centers for the newly Designed UI of DAX 2009. I would like to point to the article I did for MSDynamicsWorld.com on this exact topic, found here: An Advance Peek at Dynamics AX 5.0—and the Emergence of Role Tailored User Experiences (UX)


I wrote this, and it was posted on Jan. 13th of this year. Now we can see fully why this has seen so much focus. Microsoft is really putting a lot into the User Experience, and making sure that the users will truly have an intuitive flow of their business processes inside the new Dynamics AX 2009.

We also had a lot of prep work, talking about the new Software+Services, which I have also recently posted about. And the crystal ball was kept in check with CRM Live being a big focus as well. All in all this years convergence, really put focus on the items we were looking for in the next release of Dynamics AX 2009. The usability at the user level, upgrading paths, and deeper functional areas covered more and more by both Microsoft and the IBI partners.

I would recomend you also check out the following MSDynamicsWorld.com post found here: AX 2009 Update: At Convergence Sessions, Dynamics Team Pushes Improved User Experience, Upgrade Path

Check back soon here, as time permits we will continue to look in depth at DAX 2009, along with all the new information that will become relative to this next Release as soon as it comes out this coming Late Spring / Summer!

Convergence Sessions Round-up

Well, the fine folks at MSDynamicsWorld.com have posted some details informational post about Convergence that is going on right now in Orlando!

Check the following post out:

- Convergence Roundup for Wednesday

- Convergence Attendess express anxiety about upgrading to DAX 2009

I am sure there will be more, like the post about CRM Live that up there on MSDW. Check them all out, and check back here for post convergence, real world talk about what was learned and showcased really means for this Dynamics space we are in!

Convergence 2008 is here!

Well, I hope everyone is really getting a lot of great information right now in Orlando, Fl. down at Convergence 2008!

I am actually not attending, as I am busy on a project, but I will be posting about all the stuff from Convergence afterwards. Until then I will have posts from MSDynamicsWorlds.com covered here, and to Start here is the kicker from yesterday:

MSDW: What users at Convergence will be talking about

Well enjoy and look for some great posts coming soon!

A Dynamics Sunrise at Convergence 2008

With Convergence coming up, here in just a week, I took some time and sat down with John Pence CEO / President of Sunrise Technologies, and Heather Essic Senior Account Manager of Sunrise Technologies.

With this talk, I asked both of them a few questions about the upcoming exciting events:

• What will Sunrise be showcasing this year at the Dynamics Convergence in Orlando?
  "We will have a demo station at our booth (#807) to show the new version of AX along with our Advanced Warehouse Management solution, our Textile/Apparel/Footwear Solution, and integrations to StarShip, BarTender, and Vertex." - Heather E. / John P.



• What do you each see as something to get excited about for the release of Dynamics AX 2009?
  "The role-based experience of AX2009’s UI will be a big change for many, and hopefully an exciting change. The goal is to give the end user a better feel for his or her workflow process and enhance the AX navigation experience." - Heather E. / John P.



• If you had to pick one customer focused session that you would want possible customers to attend at Convergence, which one would it be, and why?
  "We recommend Session BI09: Reporting and BI in the Next Release of Microsoft Dynamics AX. This concurrent session will be a comprehensive overview of business intelligence and reporting in AX, including PerformancePoint Server 2007 and role-centered reporting. I recommend this session because all AX customers have a need for flexible reporting options. This session gives an opportunity to learn about the future direction that Microsoft is taking in this area." - Heather E. / John P.

So there you have it, a Dynamics Sunrise at Convergence report! You can go see both Heather, John and the rest of the Sunrise crew that will be at Convergence, over at booth: #807.

If you go by, make sure to tell them Brandon sent you, and happy Convergence Going!

Check back soon!

Microsoft Dynamics Usability Studies at Convergence 2008 in Orlando

Well with Convergence 2008 just around the corner, Rosalind Vazquez - Usability Coordinator - contacted me about some sessions that will be going on at Convergence.

These sessions are all about Usability and Dynamics AX. So with that said here is the list:

• 18903 - Performance and Scale AX Partners - Focus group on learning how customers troubleshoot today and how we can improve overall total cost of ownership. We will also be sharing our internal approaches to solicit feedback as well as teach them. 1 hour


• 18826 - Dynamics AX Help Extensibility Roundtable - Partners, Customers, and Super Users of Dynamics AX, come tell us what you like, don't like or wish for, in extending and customizing the AX help system. 1 hour


• 18861 - Future AX Developer Experience - Focus group on new concepts, validating and ideas for AX 6.0. Must use AX as primary tool. 2 hours


• 18862 - AX Developer & Partner Tools Workshop - Help us to improve the implementation and development process, this is a Focus Group/Workshop on Developer and Partner Vision 2 hours


• 18864 - Data Upgrade - Improving the AX Experience - Implementers, Developers and Consultants, roundtable discussion on improving the AX Data Upgrade Experience 2 hours


• 18872 - Designing a Better Workspace for AX Devs - Designing a better workspace for AX Developers, a participatory design workshop 2 hours

So these all seem like wonderful session to attend, and anyone interested in the future of Dynamics AX could take advantage of these session to help shape and learn about DAX future releases.

If you would like more information, of would like to attend this, below is Rosalind's contact information:


Rosalind Vazquez
Usability Coordinator
Kelly Services at Microsoft
v-rovazq@microsoft.com
425.722.7834 direct phone
1-888-261-8488(toll free)
www.microsoft.com/usability


Check back soon!