This week we are very excited as registration has opened for Convergence 2010. This is the Microsoft event aimed at users of the Dynamics products, including NAV (Navision). Two questions you’re likely to ask, why should I want to go and why does Microsoft charge an entrance fee?
Taking the first question, it perhaps ought to read, “Should I want to go?” Subtle difference but we find we have two types of clients, those that are happy to have a reliable system that works day in, day out with no fuss and those who are constantly looking at improving the system, often because their business models are very fluid. If you are in the first group, you probably won’t be that interested in what else your NAV system could be doing for you, you’re just very happy to continue working with it as is.
These days the latter group is by far the largest. Our clients’ businesses change through acquisition, focus on different markets and adoption of more efficient processes (for example outsourced warehousing and logistics). For these clients, constantly reviewing all aspects of their business is crucial to maintain competitive edge and IT is an important part of this.
At TVision we enjoy this shift in client attitudes to IT. Time was, you bought the system, put it in and then only contacted your supplier when things weren’t working well. One day you’d get to the point where the system and the supplier were no longer supporting the business and so you’d embark on searching for replacement. With NAV, the flexibility, scalability and technology means it is very easy to tweak and extend the solution rather than changing. As a supplier, this means we are able to build partnerships with our clients, not only supporting the system but also advising on how it can be fine tuned to add even further value to the business. This isn’t all about up-selling, although naturally that’s a part of it. It’s the intellectual exercise and satisfaction of being able to provide useful, practical advice.
Convergence reflects this spirit. Advising those passionate (or just very interested!) in their Dynamics solution on how it could be pushed further. It is also the opportunity for Microsoft to share their Cloud thinking (I am using this term both as a reference to cloud computing, that being extremely topical, but also as I am being indoctrinated to think blue sky is empty and a bit dull whereas clouds are diverse and ever changing!). It provides an Expo for new ideas as well as best practice (I think of this as old ideas you may not have heard of). It showcases Microsoft’s passion and commitment to the products, not only Dynamics but also the whole ‘stack’. If you haven’t given much thought to surface, mobile solutions, SharePoint etc, this is the place to be inspired. It is also the place to network with the UK Dynamics community.
Why does Microsoft charge for this event? Partly as a mechanism to ensure that people who register are serious about attending; partly to cover the costs of the event rather than pass it on to all whether they’re interested or not; mostly because Microsoft sincerely believe that all attendees will gain value from the event: “learn how you can improve your business applications infrastructure, enhance your productivity and ultimately improve your bottom line”. The event sells out fast and feedback is always positive.
TVision is pleased to offer a discount to our clients who would like to attend. If you haven’t already done so, please contact your account manager to register.
