Error message when you try to log on to Microsoft Dynamics GP: “This login failed. Attempt to log in again or contact your system administrator”

September 4, 2014September 4, 2014 slooby9 Computers and Internet, Dynamics GP Dynamics GP, Dynamics GP 2013

After installing Dynamics GP on a client, you may receive this error when trying to login: “This login failed. Attempt to log in again or contact your system administrator”. You are using the ‘sa’ login and the ‘sa’ user can login successfully on the server, so why is it not working on the client?

Microsoft Article ID 919345 offers 8 troubleshooting suggestions. But before you venture down the troubleshooting road, first be sure to specify inbound and outbound ports with GP default port 1433. I find that enabling port 1433 resolves this error the majority of the time. To enable port 1433, follow the steps below:

INBOUND PORT

1. In the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, in the left pane, right-click Inbound Rules, and then click New Rule in the action pane.

2. In the Rule Type dialog box, select Port, and then click Next.

3. In the Protocol and Ports dialog box, select TCP. Select Specific local ports, and then type the port number of the instance of the Database Engine, such as 1433 for the default instance. Click Next.

4. In the Action dialog box, select Allow the connection, and then click Next.

5. In the Profile dialog box, select any profiles that describe the computer connection environment when you want to connect to the Database Engine, and then click Next.

6. In the Name dialog box, type a name and description for this rule, and then click Finish.

OUTBOUND PORT

1. In the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, in the left pane, right-click Outbound Rules, and then click New Rule in the action pane.

2. In the Rule Type dialog box, select Port, and then click Next.

4. In the Action dialog box, select Allow the connection, and then click Next.

5. In the Profile dialog box, select any profiles that describe the computer connection environment when you want to connect to the Database Engine, and then click Next.

6. In the Name dialog box, type a name and description for this rule, and then click Finish.

Tonya Boyce, Sr. Consultant ACE Microtechnology, Inc.

Preparing For Migration from FRx to Management Reporter?

March 14, 2013 slooby9 Computers and Internet, Dynamics GP #CONV13, Dynamics GP, Dynamics GP 2013, Gold ERP Competency, GP 10, GP 2010, GP2010, GP2013, Great Plains, Kathy Johnson, Mark Munson, Susan Looby

Preparing FRx data for migrating to Management Reporter from ACE Microtechnology, Inc.

Convergence Schedule Recommendations – Dynamics GP Accounting Professional Track

March 11, 2013 slooby9 Computers and Internet, Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics CRM #CONV13, Convergence 2013, Dynamics CRM, Dynamics CRM 2011, Dynamics GP, Dynamics GP 2013, GP 2010, Great Plains, Kathy Johnson, Mark Munson, SQL Server, Susan Looby

Convergence Schedule Recommendations – Dynamics GP Accounting Track

March 18-21, 2013 | New Orleans, LA

About Convergence

As the premier event for the Microsoft Dynamics Customer and Partner business community, Convergence is where opportunity and innovation meet to deliver real business value. It’s the chance to make key business connections and to discover the full potential of Microsoft Dynamics solutions.

Expo and Microsoft Solutions Experience

The Expo Experience puts the global Microsoft Dynamics community front and center as our valued partners from around the world bring their technology innovations to you. The Microsoft Solutions Experience runs through the middle of the Experience Center and is your place to go for Technical Support, Product Demos, and the AXUG, CRMUG, GPUG, and NAVUG User Groups.

Expo and Microsoft Solutions Experience Hours: Monday, March 18 – 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday, March 19 – 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 20 -12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Thursday, March 21 – 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Community Experience

See the community come alive as this gathering space–on Level 1 of the NOMCC—offers you opportunities for networking, sharing and relaxation.

Community Experience Hours: Monday, March 18 – 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday, March 19 – 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 20 – 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday, March 21 – 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Convergence Café

Stop by the new lounge area, similar to your favorite neighborhood hangout. You’ll find tables and couches where you can meet-up with others, access Wi-Fi, recharge your devices, and enjoy fun refreshments from some of our Microsoft Dynamics customers.

Monday, March 18

11:00 AM – Registration Opens

Onsite registration will be located in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOMCC), NO, LA.

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Financial Report Writing Options for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 353-355

You have several options for financial report writing in Microsoft Dynamics GP. This session is designed to help you evaluate and uncover your preferred reporting tool. You’ll hear selection process best practices from industry experts. There will be an overview and comparison of several reporting products that you may further review while at Convergence. Presented by GPUG. ***This session is not repeated.

– Sex, Lies & Refreshable Excel Reports, 343-345

Learn how to deploy, secure and use the refreshable Microsoft Excel reports in Microsoft Dynamics GP. We’ll cover the deployment, security model and security specifics of using Excel reports. The focus of this session is on the Excel reports available out of the box with Microsoft Dynamics GP; we will not cover Excel Report Builder. Hosted by GPUG. ***This session is not repeated.

– Finance Module Best Practices for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 356-357

Join this session, hosted by GPUG, and learn best practices for batch controls/approvals, batch naming conventions, SmartList batch query, budget imports/exports, copying journal entries, recurring batches, expense deferrals, eliminating inactive accounts and much more. For more information about the independent GPUG, visit http://www.GPUG.com. ***This session is not repeated.

1:30 PM – 2:30 – Year End Closing Process for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 352

Dig into the important steps required to close out your fiscal year in Microsoft Dynamics GP. In this GPUG hosted session, you’ll pick up valuable time saving tips and orderly tasks so that you can hammer through this annual journey easily, efficiently and without missing a step. For more information about the independent GPUG, visit http://www.GPUG.com. ***This session is not repeated.

– Excel Report Builder: How2, 343-345

In this GPUG-hosted session, we’ll dig into Excel Report Builder and build reports from scratch – step by step. Discover how to use sexy formatting in Microsoft Excel without breaking your data connections to deliver everything SmartList Builder does but without a GP license. ***This session is

not repeated.

– What to Know Before the Auditors Ask: Risk Management & Controls in Microsoft Dynamics GP, 350-351

Don’t be caught off guard when your auditors show up and start asking questions you can’t answer. Join audit and compliance experts in this GPUG hosted session to learn how taking a risk-based approach to controls monitoring will significantly reduce system risks, fraud risks, operating costs and audit prep time. Walk away with tips, tricks and a roadmap for implementing best practice controls in your organization. For more information about the independent GPUG, visit www.GPUG.com. ***This session is not repeated.

– Using SharePoint to Extend Dynamics GP Functionality, 340-341

Looking for ways to leverage Microsoft SharePoint for intranet and document management needs? We’ll share different ways we can extend Microsoft Dynamics GP functionality using SharePoint, as well as how we can take advantage of SharePoint workflows to automate business processes, incorporate document management solutions into Microsoft Dynamics GP, and how we can grant end users read-only access to information. Hosted by GPUG. ***This session is not repeated.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM – Roles, Hall C, CEC

This informal networking session offers you the opportunity to gather together with others in the Microsoft Dynamics GP community that serve similar roles in your day-to-day work life, including: Accountants; A/P Professionals; A/R Professionals; Budget Managers; Business Analysts; CFO/Controllers; Customer Service/Order Entry; Developers; Human Resources; Internal Auditors; IT Professionals; Operations/Inventory Managers; Owners/Principles; Payroll; Project Managers; Purchasing; and System Administrators.

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM – Geographies, Hall C, CEC

Join this informal networking session as we gather together regionally with others in the Microsoft Dynamics GP community to share experiences and swap ideas. You’ll be able to easily connect with folks from your region, whether in the United States, Canada, or internationally. Hosted by GPUG

5:00 PM – 5:45 PM – Hot Topics, Hall C, CEC

Join this informal networking session as we gather together with others in the community with similar interests to connect, share experiences and swap ideas. Topics will include: budgeting; business intelligence; collections management; disaster recovery; document management/workflow; E-commerce; GP in the cloud; inventory management; manufacturing; multi-company installations; project management; recent implementations; sales & tax management; security; tools & integration; transitioning from FRx; and upgrading.

6:00 – 9:00pm – Convergence Experience Reception

Join us as we kick-off Convergence 2013! This year we are starting things off in the hub of it all – the Convergence Experience Center. This is your opportunity to get familiar with the amazing resources and activities in this area that are available to you all week – from the hottest solutions and offerings from our partners from around the globe, to the multiple opportunities to network with your peers. And no reception would be complete without food and beverages, a little music and entertainment, and other fun activities that await – all with some great New Orleans flavor kicked in!

9:30 PM – Convergence Carnival – Republic New Orleans – 828 South Peters Street

Tuesday, March 19

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Opening Keynote

The Opening Keynote is our time for the community to come together as the course is set for both the future of Microsoft Dynamics and your time at Convergence 2013. Join Kirill Tatarinov, President of Microsoft Business Solutions Division, Microsoft Corporation, as the stories unfold and the vision is revealed for A World Ahead.

11:00 AM– 12:00 PM – Getting Inspired with Microsoft Dynamics GP, Hall IJ

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 is here! Come and see the product in action, experience the innovative new Web Client, rich interoperability with other Microsoft technologies, and some of the 125 feature and capability enhancements that make this such a historic release. Hear from early adopter customers who are benefiting from the solution right now, and find out where we are taking the solution in the future. Get excited, get ready, and prepare to be inspired with Microsoft Dynamics GP.

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Your New Office – Social Productivity at Work, Theater ABC

Join Jared Spataro, Senior Director – Microsoft Office Division, for an overview of the new Office and Microsoft’s vision for enterprise social. Learn how Office is putting the cloud, social, and mobile to work to help you compete and win in an increasingly fast-paced world.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – 50 Tips in 50 Minutes for Microsoft Dynamics GP: The Next Generation, 271-273

Want more tips for Microsoft Dynamics GP? Come to this session for a new and refreshed 50 tips in 50 minutes. This session will cover existing functionality as well as what’s new in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 in a fast-paced format that will give you tips on getting more out of your solution.

– Microsoft Dynamics GP Collections Management, 278-280

If you are using Collections Management, come to this session to see what features are being added to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 and what is planned for the future. This session is intended for people already using or planning to use Collections Management for Microsoft Dynamics GP.

– What’s New in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013: System, 266-268

Many new features in Microsoft Dynamics GP span the entire system, giving value to all Microsoft Dynamics GP users. We’ll dissect the new features that all Microsoft Dynamics GP users will enjoy. A few of those features include email functionality, deployment changes, printer options and much more.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Microsoft Dynamics GP & Microsoft SharePoint: Overview, 278-280

Microsoft Dynamics GP has key integration points with Microsoft SharePoint. Join us as we review the integration options available today, as well as explore how to extend the integrations farther and add more functionality that can ultimately change the way you do business. ***This session is not repeated.

– Better Reporting with Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013, 271-273

Overwhelmed by the number of reporting options available or just feel like you are not taking full advantage of the tools you use? This session will provide an overview of the reporting tools available for Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 as well as showcase how to make the most of the reporting tools you use.

– What’s New in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013: Fixed Assets, 266-268

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 has over 150 new features. In this session, we’ll shine a spotlight on Fixed Assets and you’ll soon see why you should consider taking advantage what Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 has to offer. We’ve added over a dozen of your most requested Fixed Asset features such as historical reporting and multiple calendars. So if you are using Fixed Assets, this is a ‘must attend’ session.

– Using SmartList Builder Effectively with Microsoft Dynamics GP, 265

Let’s dig into the details of taking SmartList further with SmartList Builder (SLB), Microsoft SQL Views in SLB, standard lists, and SLB and Extender for Microsoft Dynamics GP. See how everything works together, and investigate how to get the most out of Role-Based home pages. *Hosted by the Microsoft Dynamics GP User Group*

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM – ACE Partner Reception – Hilton Spirits Bar – 2 Poydras Street

Wednesday, March 20

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Ask the Experts: Financials for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 265

Are you an experienced power user of Financials in Microsoft Dynamics GP? Come share your knowledge in this open and interactive format! With experts on hand to field the tough questions, this discussion will cover the core modules of General Ledger, Receivables, Payables and other Financials modules. *Sponsored by the Microsoft Dynamics GP User Group *

– Microsoft Dynamics GP: Email & Microsoft Word Templates, 266-268

Microsoft Dynamics GP has the ability to leverage Microsoft Word for crafting external documents and sending them out via email. This deep dive will cover all aspects of leveraging this functionality including how to deploy, how to setup, how to modify the templates, how to setup the email and how to create personality email bodies.

– Microsoft Dynamics GP Project Accounting for Advanced Users, 281-282

If you have strong working knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics GP Project Accounting, we invite you to join us as this deep dive is just for you. We’ll explore advanced scenarios and troubleshooting tactics related to working with projects. ***This session is not repeated.

– Microsoft Dynamics GP Manufacturing for Advanced Users, 278-280

This deep dive is intended for users who are already competent in Microsoft Dynamics GP Manufacturing. During our session, we’ll drill into more advanced functionality in Manufacturing to give you a better understanding of how the product works, how you can leverage it better, and important best practices. ***This session is not repeated.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – 50 Tips in 50 Minutes for Microsoft Dynamics GP: The Next Generation, Theater C

– What’s New in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013: Distribution, 275-277

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 has over 150 new features. In this session we will cover the features in distribution, which includes Inventory, Sales Order, and Purchase Order, that were added in this latest release and why you should consider using them.

– Microsoft Dynamics GP Collections Management, 281-282

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Reconciliation Best Practices in Microsoft Dynamics GP, 278-280

Are you confident in the process you take to reconcile the sub-ledgers to the General Ledger? Gain even greater confidence as we talk about the best practices in reconciling with the reconcile process including Inventory, Bank Reconciliation, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable.

– Building Dashboards with Microsoft Dynamics GP & Microsoft Excel, 275-277

Dashboards are an effective way to get important information to people within the organization. Come to this session to learn how to build dashboards that are refreshable and can easily be created and maintained. This session will focus on leveraging Microsoft Excel with a connection to the Microsoft Dynamics GP database.

– Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client For Smaller Companies, Theater C

Do you think you are too small to add a web client into your existing deployment? That may not necessarily be the case. In this session we’ll focus on deploying and maintaining a web client geared towards smaller companies who do not have a large IT department. Attend this session to see what is possible with the web client and what is realistic for your company.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – What’s New in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013: Financials, 278-280

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 has over 150 new features. Join us as we review the hot new features in financials–including General Ledger, Accounts Payables, Accounts Receivable and Fixed Assets–that were added in our new release and why you should consider leveraging them.

– Take Microsoft Dynamics GP & Microsoft Office to the Next Level, 275-277

Microsoft Office 2013 has added new functionality that gives businesses the ability to take a huge leap forward in reporting without complicated IT projects. In this session we’ll review how you can take advantage of the new features coming to get better insight into how your business is performing now and also the future.

– Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Overview, 271-273

Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 has over 150 features giving people more value than any other release. In this session, we’ll provide an overview of the top features in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013–and you’ll walk away with the top reasons you should consider upgrading.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – What’s New in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013: Fixed Assets, 278-280

– Better Reporting with Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013, 266-268

– SmartList Builder & Excel Report Builder for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 275-277

Discover how every Microsoft Dynamics GP user can build Smartlist reports on any data, to do their job better. Publish your new SmartLists as ‘live’ excel reports so everyone can access them. We’ll teach you how to build a complex SL report from scratch.

– Current Extender Customers: Discussion on Move of Product to eOne Solutions, 265

Do you currently own Extender–now offered by eOne Solutions? In this interactive discussion, we’ll answer all of your questions related to the transfer of the Extender product back to eOne Solutions. Topics we’ll include in our discussion are: how this transfer affects customers; steps customers should take; and eOne Solutions’ new product roadmap for the future. This is not a product related session. ***This session is not repeated.

8:00 – Midnight – The Parish at the House of Blues, 225 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA

9:00 – Midnight – Rock-N-Rave – Bourbon Cowboy Beach on Bourbon, 241 Bourbon St.

Thursday, March 21

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Keynote

Join us as the Microsoft Dynamics community gathers together to consider our role in the global community. Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations (1997-2006), will draw from his deep experience in the world of international diplomacy to offer stories, insight and advice about leadership and cooperation in a global business environment.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Ask Your Peers: SmartList with Microsoft Dynamics GP, 265

Do you love SmartLists? Join this discussion with other Microsoft Dynamics GP users and experts as we dig into using the standard SmartList functionality included with Microsoft Dynamics GP. Come prepared to share your tips on the most popular feature in Microsoft Dynamics GP. *Hosted by the Microsoft Dynamics GP User Group*

– Microsoft Dynamics GP: Email & Microsoft Word Templates, 266-268

– Ask the Experts: Security in Microsoft Dynamics GP, 350-351

Is your Microsoft Dynamics GP deployment secure? Do you have questions about security? Join us for an enlightening discussion with other security administrators as we explore the best practices and approaches for controlling all aspects of security with Microsoft Dynamics GP. *Hosted by the Microsoft Dynamics GP User Group*

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client Overview, 266-268

With Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013, a new option for accessing the system is available through the web. This session provides an overview of the web client including how it works, options to deploy, and important factors to consider when thinking about implementing.

– Getting Better Reporting with Business Analyzer for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 271-273

For Microsoft Dynamics GP users, the most important report viewer is Business Analyzer. It provides you the ability to view reports in a way that make sense by role and allow you to perform actions that help make you more productive. Join us as we give an overview of what is available, how to deploy and why you should consider implementing this in your organization.

– Building Dashboards with Microsoft Dynamics GP & Microsoft Excel, 278-280

– SmartList Builder & Excel Report Builder for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 275-277

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Overview, La Nouvelle AB

– What’s New in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013: Financials, 281-282

– Ask the Experts: Financials for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 349

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM – What’s New in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013: Distribution, 281-282

– What’s New in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013: System, 278-280

– Reconciliation Best Practices in Microsoft Dynamics GP, 271-273

7:30 PM – 11:00 PM – Convergence Closing Celebration

As Convergence comes to a close, get ready to celebrate a great week! You definitely won’t want to miss this closing party—complete with terrific food and beverages, fun activities, and an amazing concert with Matchbox Twenty! It’s the perfect way to celebrate with friends and colleagues and cap off your Convergence 2013 experience!

Convergence Schedule Recommendations – Dynamics CRM (End User) Track

March 9, 2013 slooby9 Computers and Internet, Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics CRM #CONV13, Convergence 2013, Dynamics CRM, Dynamics CRM 2011, Kathy Johnson, Mark Munson, Microsoft CRM, SQL Server, Susan Looby

March 18-21, 2013 | New Orleans, LA

About Convergence

Expo and Microsoft Solutions Experience

Expo and Microsoft Solutions Experience Hours: Monday, March 18 – 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday, March 19 – 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 20 -12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Thursday, March 21 – 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Community Experience

See the community come alive as this gathering space–on Level 1 of the NOMCC—offers you opportunities for networking, sharing and relaxation.

Community Experience Hours: Monday, March 18 – 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday, March 19 – 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 20 – 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday, March 21 – 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Convergence Café

Monday, March 18

11:00 AM – Registration Opens

Onsite registration will be located in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOMCC), NO, LA.

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N.

Morial Convention Center.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Sales & Marketing Collaboration Tips & Tricks in Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 275-277

Find out how sales and marketing teams are using CRM as a tool to collaborate and share information. Learn how Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides tools to address sensitive issues around whom own the data and what is being done with contacts that are put in by individuals on both marketing and sales teams.

1:30 PM – 2:30 – 5 Ways Mobile Will Boost Your CRM Strategy, 278-280

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is really a phrase of stubbornness. Unfortunately, doing things a certain way because that’s how they’ve always been done keeps your organization from growing. Join this session to learn the top five ways mobile can boost your CRM strategy. Mobile CRM experts from Sonoma Partners and Resco will share the key reasons having a solid plan for mobile can take your CRM – and with it, your business – to new levels.

– Microsoft Dynamics CRM Data Integrity – Good & Bad, 271-273

Join this session to gain insight into both good and bad examples of CRM data integrity and stewardship. This session will share real life customer scenarios illustrating how data integrity can impact adoption, performance, development and competitive advantage. We’ll discuss the must-haves for strong data stewardship such as governance and quality assurance.

– Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 & Microsoft SharePoint 2013: A New Way to Work Together, 281-282

The integration of Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft SharePoint is not a new topic, however, the ‘December’ release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 working with the new Microsoft SharePoint 2013 provides a whole new level of integration between these two platforms. Join this session to explore a new way to organize, sync and share all your content. We’ll navigate through topics including social and team collaboration, cross-system visibility and mobility.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM – Roles, Hall C, CEC

This informal networking session offers you the opportunity to gather together with others in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM community that serve similar roles in your day-to-day work life, including: Executive/Project Managers; Business Users; System Administration/IT Support; and Technical/Developers. *Hosted by the CRMUG*

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM – Industries, Hall C, CEC

Join this informal networking session as we gather together with others in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM community in similar industries to connect, share experiences and swap ideas. Industries to include: Manufacturing; Public Sector – Government/Healthcare; Public Sector – Education; Financial Services; Professional Services; CRM Online and Non-Profit. *Hosted by the CRMUG*

5:00 PM – 5:45 PM – Hot Topics, Hall C, CEC

Join this informal networking session as we gather together with others in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM community with similar interests to connect, share experiences and swap ideas. Topics will include: User Adoption; Marketing & Social CRM; Windows 8 Development & CRM; Extending CRM; Upgrading CRM; Mobile CRM; Business Intelligence & Reporting/Dashboards; Customer Service/Customer Care; Integration & Data Management; and Sales Management/SFA. *Hosted by the CRMUG*

6:00 – 9:00pm – Convergence Experience Reception

9:30 PM – Convergence Carnival – Republic New Orleans – 828 South Peters Street

Tuesday, March 19

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Opening Keynote

11:00 AM– 12:00 PM – The New Era in CRM, La Nouvelle ABC

Join us to celebrate the first decade of Microsoft Dynamics CRM and the tremendous momentum we’ve built together. Then, let’s look to the future…we’ll share our vision, discuss how we see the role of CRM changing as we enter the Era of the Customer and what that means for sales, marketing and customer care. And we’ll show you the path forward in exciting new product demonstrations. You’ll leave with a fresh perspective on opportunities before us and how Microsoft Dynamics CRM can help transform your business.

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Analytics Made Simple with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 393-396

Increase the insights your users gain from business data by providing them with interactive and compelling charting, dashboards and desktop analysis tools in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. In this session, you’ll learn which options are available for analytics within Microsoft Dynamics CRM; how to visually present information to users where and when they need it; how to make charts and dashboards more relevant to individuals; and how to increase business performance with your business data.

– Mobile Options for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 391-392

Individuals are increasingly reliant on mobile devices. Whether in sales or service, there is a need to access CRM information and perform actions in real-time. Microsoft Dynamics CRM has a large number of mobile CRM solution options available. Come learn about the available options for your specific business processes. You’ll see practical demos of these solutions running on a variety of mobile devices. Additionally, this session will cover an overview of the mobility strategy for Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

– Take Your Marketing to the Next Level with Microsoft Dynamics CRM & MarketingPilot, 388-390

According to Gartner, “companies that develop an integrated marketing management strategy will deliver a 50% higher return on marketing investment than those who don’t.” Microsoft Dynamics CRM has made significant investments in marketing automation with the acquisition of MarketingPilot, a solution that provides many new capabilities in campaign, marketing resource and marketing performance management. Learn how these capabilities can save your marketing team time & money and deliver more qualified leads to sales.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Boost Your Sales Productivity with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 388-390

Learn how you can leverage Microsoft Dynamics CRM to improve your sales effectiveness. Hear how the sales management capabilities in Microsoft Dynamics CRM can drive better win-rates, pipeline insight and sales process management. Hear best practices on how other customers are using Microsoft Dynamics CRM to optimize their sales operations. See how the new user experiences in Microsoft Dynamics CRM can improve CRM adoption and utilization by your sales teams.

– Customer Care Excellence in the Age of the Customer, 391-392

Companies today face a common challenge of attracting, engaging and retaining today’s highly empowered and connected customer. What does it take to thrive in the new customer age? Industry experts and customer-centric organizations agree that that the most successful organizations are those that enable their employees to respond effectively to customers to drive successful outcomes and engender customer loyalty.

– Ask the MVPs: Q&A Discussion with Microsoft Dynamics CRM MVPs, 386

The Microsoft Dynamics MVP Program recognizes highly skilled Microsoft Dynamics CRM professionals with the Microsoft Most Value Professional (MVP) Award. We encourage you to bring questions, challenges, and thoughts to this interactive discussion with a panel of CRM MVPs who can provide advice to help you realize your business goals and get more out of your CRM investment. Note: This session is typically targeted at System Administrators, IT Professionals, or Technical/Developer audiences. *Sponsored by the CRM UG*

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM – ACE Partner Reception – Hilton Spirits Bar – 2 Poydras Street

Wednesday, March 20

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

9:00 AM – 10:30 PM – Driving Marketing Effectiveness: Tips & Tricks with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 386

Attend this session to learn how your organization can leverage the powerful marketing capabilities in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Your active participation will help to discuss best practices for improving the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and alignment with sales. Gather up product tips and best practices so you can optimize your marketing efforts and activities. *Sponsored by the CRM UG*

– Best Practices for Managing Sales Teams & Collaboration, 387

Join this interactive session and explore how you can up-level your sales organization. Learn how to use Microsoft Dynamics CRM to achieve better team selling and collaboration across your organization. Hear best practices and tips from knowledgeable partners and customers and share your own experiences. *Sponsored by the CRM UG*

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Analytics Made Simple with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 391-392

– Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Product Recap & Roadmap Primer, 393-396

Microsoft Dynamics CRM has delivered new levels of productivity for organizations. In this session, we’ll recap the broad range of capabilities delivered in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Additionally we’ll demonstrate the updated user experience and integrated social collaboration capabilities delivered in our recent December 2012 Service Update. Finally, we’ll outline our vision and roadmap for the future of Microsoft Dynamics CRM over the next 6-24 months. ***This session is not repeated.

– Boost Your Sales Productivity with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 388-390

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Get To Know CRMUG-the Community that Puts You in the Know About Microsoft

Dynamics CRM, 265

Find out why the Dynamics CRM User Group is the #1 resource for getting maximum benefits from Microsoft Dynamics CRM! Discover the hundreds of resources we offer, including conferences, regional chapter meetings, virtual tools, low-cost instructor-led training courses and more. Experience our newest tool, CRMUG Collaborate, which allows you to learn and share tips, tricks and best practices with others. Meet users whose membership has saved thousands through greater productivity and reduced expenses.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Document Management & Collaboration Best Practices with Microsoft Dynamics CRM,

391-392

Microsoft provides a wealth of management solutions, including Microsoft Dynamics CRM, to enable document management and improve collaboration productivity. Uncover best practices focused on how Microsoft Dynamics CRM–in conjunction with solutions like Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Lync and Yammer–can help drive effective collaboration in your organization. Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides valuable capabilities in how users and teams interact and collaborate on business processes.

– Ask the MVPs: Q&A Discussion with Microsoft Dynamics CRM MVPs, 386

– Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Reimagining the User Experience, 383-385

The needs of the modern business professional have expanded beyond a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Our strategy with Microsoft Dynamics CRM is to provide our customers with the most natural and familiar user experience regardless of where and how the user needs to interact with CRM information and processes. Come to this session to see how users today work with CRM across different browsers, mobile devices and Microsoft Office. We’ll also preview innovation in user experiences to be delivered in future releases.

– Finding Help When & Where You Need It: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Documentation,

Resources & Communities, 387

Join us for this engaging interactive session to talk about the Microsoft Dynamics CRM information landscape. We’ll be looking at our various web portals designed with specific audiences in mind, talking about the various online communities and forums where customers and partners engage, and discussing help model improvements and future user assistance customization opportunities. Attendees should leave this session with a better understanding of how to find the CRM information they need.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Building a Social Strategy for Your Business, Theater A

Many organizations establish a Twitter or Facebook account and think that the job is done! Come to this session if you are interested in establishing a social strategy. If you are going to successfully harness social technologies, you need to do it properly – which involves thinking about how it fits into your communication and collaboration strategy. We’ll outline best practices and tips and tricks to get you started as well as how Microsoft Dynamics CRM and other Microsoft technologies can assist.

– Mobile CRM: Increasing Sales & Service Effectiveness, 387

In this interactive discussion, you’ll learn how to maximize the productivity and effectiveness of your sales and service professionals with mobile applications. Mobile functionality puts your teams closer to customers and keeps them there. With powerful features for users, unique benefits for IT and unparalleled value for management, a mobile solution that truly meets the needs of today’s customer-agile company.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Driving Sales Effectiveness Using Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 350-351

In today’s ever-changing economy, sales effectiveness and efficiency continues to be a priority. Companies are arming their sales organizations with access to real-time actionable business insight, enterprise collaboration tools, and adaptive business technology to better sell, compete and win. We’ll discuss how Microsoft and Microsoft Dynamics CRM can help provide the answer to this sales challenge and discuss how other customers were able to improve the effectiveness of their sales operations.

– Achieving Customer Service Excellence: Tips & Tricks with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 387

Engage with your fellow attendees to discuss how the use of Microsoft Dynamics CRM can provide service that meets customer expectations. Come prepared to share best practices and gather up tips and tricks that will help you meet your customers’ needs and give you the information and tools required to deliver precise and relevant service and support. *Sponsored by the CRM UG*

– Practical Guide to Business Process Management (BPM) in Microsoft Dynamics CRM

2011, Theater A

Microsoft has invested heavily in Business Process Management tools in Microsoft Dynamics CRM since the very first release of the product. Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 customers have an incredibly rich toolset to configure and manage complex business processes. Come to this session to learn about innovative ways to use BPM features, such as dialogs and workflows in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, to automate and manage diverse business processes for your organization.

8:00 – Midnight – The Parish at the House of Blues, 225 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA

9:00 – Midnight – Rock-N-Rave – Bourbon Cowboy Beach on Bourbon, 241 Bourbon St.

Thursday, March 21

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Keynote

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Mobile CRM: Increasing Sales & Service Effectiveness, 387

– Driving Marketing Effectiveness: Tips & Tricks with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 386

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Still Signing Contracts on Paper, Are You NUTS? How DocuSign eSignature Transforms

Sales, 352

Learn how DocuSign helps businesses of all sizes deliver extraordinary ROI by making it easy, fast, and secure to close deals. Collect information, signatures and payment – anytime, anywhere, on any device – in 40 languages. DocuSign’s integration with Microsoft Dynamics CRM and extensive API’s make it easy to add this functionality to your existing system and customize to any need. DocuSign is the global standard for eSignature with more than 27 million users in 188 countries.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Document Management & Collaboration Best Practices with Microsoft Dynamics CRM,

391-392

– A Practical Guide to Business Process Management (BPM) in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, 388-390

– Best Practices for Managing Sales Teams & Collaboration, 387

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Top 10 Solutions from the Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace, 393-396

It’s easier than you think to unlock amazing value from the cloud! The Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace provides more than 1500 solutions to extend your sales, service and marketing capabilities with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. In this session, we’ll showcase some of the hottest solutions on the Marketplace today.

– Getting Started with Your Social Technology Strategy, 386

Many organizations are struggling with this new world of social networks and technologies. Come to this session to discuss business scenarios across sales, service and marketing where significant business value can be derived from the inclusion of social technologies in your strategy. We’ll cover practical steps to getting started on this journey and how Microsoft can support your strategy. Come prepared to exchange ideas with other organizations on how social technologies can align to your business objectives.

– Mobile Options for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 388-390

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM – Finding Help When & Where You Need It: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Documentation,

Resources & Communities, 386

– Achieving Customer Service Excellence: Tips & Tricks with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 387

7:30 PM – 11:00 PM – Convergence Closing Celebration

Recomended by Kathy Johnson, PMP, Director of Cosulting

Convergence 2013 Schedule Recommendations – Dynamics CRM IT Track

March 9, 2013March 9, 2013 slooby9 Computers and Internet, Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics CRM #CONV13, Convergence, Convergence 2013, Dynamics CRM, Dynamics CRM 2011, Microsoft CRM, SQL Server

Convergence Schedule Recommendations – Dynamics CRM IT Track

March 18-21, 2013 | New Orleans, LA

About Convergence

Expo and Microsoft Solutions Experience

Expo and Microsoft Solutions Experience Hours: Monday, March 18 – 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday, March 19 – 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 20 -12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Thursday, March 21 – 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Community Experience

See the community come alive as this gathering space–on Level 1 of the NOMCC—offers you opportunities for networking, sharing and relaxation.

Community Experience Hours: Monday, March 18 – 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday, March 19 – 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 20 – 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday, March 21 – 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Convergence Café

Monday, March 18

11:00 AM – Registration Opens

Onsite registration will be located in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOMCC), NO, LA.

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N.

Morial Convention Center.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Best Practices in Leveraging Extensibility Options for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 281-282

There is no doubt many extensibility options that exist for you as a Microsoft Dynamics CRM project manager or developer. Whether you want to use plug-ins, the SDK, or other options, it tends to be more of a question of where and when to use them. Join this session to understand more about your extensibility or software craftsmanship options for Microsoft Dynamics CRM and how to apply best practices when using the options available to you..

1:30 PM – 2:30 – Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 & Microsoft SharePoint 2013: A New Way to Work Together,

281-282

The integration of Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft SharePoint is not a new topic; however, the ‘December’ release of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 working with the new Microsoft SharePoint 2013 provides a whole new level of integration between these two platforms. Join this session to explore a new way to organize sync and share all your content. We’ll navigate through topics including social and team collaboration, cross-system visibility and mobility.

– Microsoft Dynamics CRM Data Integrity – Good & Bad, 271-273

– The CRM Whisperer – Taming your Microsoft Dynamics CRM Environment, 275-277

In this user-group breakout session, we’ll discuss troubleshooting techniques: how to decide what resource to use for whatever problems, or common scenarios that may exist in managing your Microsoft Dynamics CRM environment. Bring your real-life issues for group discussion and troubleshooting and be prepared to take notes as we share the in-the-trenches success stories in how to tame down your CRM challenges.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM – Roles, Hall C, CEC

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM – Industries, Hall C, CEC

5:00 PM – 5:45 PM – Hot Topics, Hall C, CEC

6:00 – 9:00pm – Convergence Experience Reception

9:30 PM – Convergence Carnival – Republic New Orleans – 828 South Peters Street

Tuesday, March 19

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Opening Keynote

11:00 AM– 12:00 PM – The New Era in CRM, La Nouvelle ABC

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Analytics Made Simple with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 393-396

– The Future is Cloudy, 383-385

Learn how Microsoft is leading the way to build the most robust cloud services infrastructure, and discover what Microsoft Dynamics is building behind the scenes to make IT invisible to CRM Online customers. You’ll learn more about the Microsoft Dynamics CRM cloud vision and plans to build the most secure and reliable cloud service offering for CRM customers. ***This session is not repeated.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Advanced Analytics for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 393-396

Join this technical session to go under the covers of reporting and analytics capabilities in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. We’ll drill into real-time charting and dashboarding features and show you how you can extend these capabilities with more complex charts and multi-series analysis. We’ll cover web resources that enable intuitive analytics capabilities. And we’ll show you powerful analysis that can be completed with Microsoft Excel 2013, PowerPivot, PowerView and other tools with SQL Server 2012. ***This session is not repeated.

– Building Solutions That Are Maintainable & Upgradeable, 387

Microsoft Dynamics CRM introduced the solution construct, a way of packaging your customizations into a single file which can be transported between environments. Come to this session to discuss best practices on how to develop and package your solutions. Bring your specific questions and exchange ideas with other customers on how to design and package your solutions.

– Ask the MVPs: Q&A Discussion with Microsoft Dynamics CRM MVPs, 386

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM – ACE Partner Reception – Hilton Spirits Bar – 2 Poydras Street

Wednesday, March 20

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

9:00 AM – 10:30 PM – Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Customizing the UI (Advanced), 388-390

Microsoft Dynamics CRM has recently added a number of new user-interface elements. The updated user experience in the December 2012 update provides a new way of visualizing processes and guiding users. We have added cross-browser capabilities which bring new opportunities for the user experience. Come to this deep dive session to learn about customizing the existing classic UX as well as the updated UX. We’ll also cover best practices across different browsers with web resources, client-side JavaScript and HTML5.

– Guide to Integration with Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Advanced), 393-396

Integrating user experience, business processes, and data across applications can provide tremendous value to the business, but achieving integration can pose significant challenges. In this session we’ll discuss these challenges and talk about the choices available to address those challenges, including approaches for on-premise and cloud deployments. We’ll explain concepts through scenario-based demonstrations showing how Microsoft Dynamics CRM can integrate into your business system infrastructure. ***This session is not repeated.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Customization Tips & Tricks in Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 387

Attend this session to discuss your specific customization objectives and learn tips and tricks on how to achieve those objectives. In this session, we’ll focus on the many available options to extend Microsoft Dynamics CRM and the tools and techniques that better support a wide variety of business needs. Gain greater insight into customization strategies, drill down into real-life scenarios and uncover new ways to better adapt the user experience, business process and environment to fit your organization.

– Harnessing Cloud Technologies with Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, 383-385

This technical session will explore how to leverage Microsoft technologies to develop cloud solutions. Join us to see these technologies in action, including Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, Microsoft Office 365 and the Microsoft Windows Azure platform. With the evolution of cloud technologies, we now have parity in functionality between cloud and on-premises apps. We’ll also cover how you can architect business solutions that harness the power of the cloud and bridge on-premises assets for hybrid scenarios.

– Building Solutions That Are Maintainable & Upgradeable, 386

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – PowerObjects Presents: Surface CRM – The Effective Windows 8 Experience, 356-357

Windows 8 has introduced an innovative, dynamic, process-driven user experience that is unparalleled to date. Windows 8 applications don’t sit there waiting for the users to act; they entice users in and tell them what they ought to be doing. Come find what goes into making an effective Windows 8 for Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Hear how Power 8 CRM for Microsoft Dynamics CRM can not only increase user delight, but now more than ever, garner the user’s attention and engagement to deeper levels of user adoption. ***This session is not repeated.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Document Management & Collaboration Best Practices with Microsoft Dynamics CRM,

391-392

– Harnessing Social Technologies with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Theater A

The way that people and organizations interact is fundamentally changing with the continued evolution of social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Learn how to harness the power of social technologies in your CRM strategies. We’ll discuss why social should matter to organizations. We’ll cover capabilities in Microsoft Dynamics CRM and other Microsoft social technologies such as Yammer and SharePoint. We’ll provide insight into the investments made in social technology across Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

– Performance Considerations for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 388-390

Every organization is constantly seeking ways to deliver more efficiency to their users with Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Whether you are a business decision maker or salesperson, system admin or power user, if you’re interested in CRM system performance, this session will have something for you. Come see members of the product team introduce performance, how Microsoft Dynamics CRM is optimized for performance, improvements in future updates, and what you can do to improve the performance of your CRM deployment.

– Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Reimagining the User Experience, 383-385

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Mobile CRM: Increasing Sales & Service Effectiveness, 387

– Upgrading from Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0: A Practical Guide, 386

Upgrading from CRM 4.0 to newer versions of Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides new capabilities to drive business value. This session will provide a detailed view of managing the upgrade process and covers the end-to-end flow of upgrading from Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 to future releases of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Come and share your tips, tricks and best practices as well as hear other customers’ experiences to help you plan and execute your upgrade. ***This session is not repeated.

– Building an Extended CRM Application for Non-Developers, 393-396

Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides a framework that allows you to define a business application without writing a single line of code! Everyone can configure powerful applications but–are you a little too intimidated to get started? Join us to learn the basics of how to configure a business data model, user experience, social collaboration, reports and business processes. You’ll learn dozens of tips and tricks and better understand the power and flexibility of your Microsoft Dynamics CRM investment. ***This session is not repeated.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – A Data Management Best Practices for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 388-390

Data is the true value of any CRM solution. Learn all aspects of managing data effectively in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Whether looking at large initial data loads from other sources, data cleansing or de-duplication, a range of tools are provided. We’ll look at managing sample data and some of the sophisticated CRM data editing tools available with Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Excel. We’ll demonstrate how to use these tools for your data management requirements. ***This session is not repeated.

– Harnessing Social Technologies with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 391-392

– Optimization Tips & Tricks for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 386

Join us for a detailed discussion of the tools and techniques which can be employed to monitor and analyze the performance of your Microsoft Dynamics CRM deployment. Learn how to identify and resolve performance issues, and discuss best practices for optimizing performance in your environment. We’ll highlight tools that help identify areas for performance improvement with Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Dynamics CRM servers.

– Practical Guide to Business Process Management (BPM) in Microsoft Dynamics CRM

2011, Theater A

8:00 – Midnight – The Parish at the House of Blues, 225 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA

9:00 – Midnight – Rock-N-Rave – Bourbon Cowboy Beach on Bourbon, 241 Bourbon St.

Thursday, March 21

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Keynote

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Mobile CRM: Increasing Sales & Service Effectiveness, 387

– Performance Planning, Tuning & Optimization of Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Advanced), 388-390

Join us as we deep dive into the tools and techniques you can use to plan, monitor, and analyze the performance of your Microsoft Dynamics CRM deployment. We’ll outline possible performance issues–how to plan for them, mitigate them, and fix them. We’ll cover best practices that help identify areas for performance improvement with your network, Microsoft SQL Server, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM servers. We’ll also highlight the top five ways to improve the performance of your Microsoft Dynamics CRM deployment. ***This session is not repeated.

– Microsoft Dynamics CRM: Customizing the UI (Advanced), 393-396

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Optimization Tips & Tricks for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 386

– Harnessing Social Technologies with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 393-396

– A Practical Guide to Business Process Management (BPM) in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, 388-390

– Integrating Your ERP System with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 383-385

Interested in discovering how to empower your business by leveraging integration between ERP and CRM? This session will cover methodologies for combining transactional data from Microsoft Dynamics ERP products (AX, NAV, GP and SL), or third-party ERPs such as SAP and Oracle, with relational data from Microsoft Dynamics CRM. The first portion of the session will focus on business value with product demonstration, including partner discussions, and the second, a technical deep-dive. ***This session is not repeated.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Developer’s Guide to Integrating Microsoft Dynamics CRM & Microsoft SharePoint 2013,

391-392

Many organizations use both Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft SharePoint and are increasingly looking for ways to integrate these two technologies. With the new wave of SharePoint 2013 and Office 2013 suites, it is now even easier and compelling to integrate them with Microsoft Dynamics CRM for collaborative cloud solutions. Come learn some of the developer patterns and practices you can use when building apps using technologies such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM, SharePoint 2013, Office 365, and more. ***This session is not repeated.

– Customization Tips & Tricks in Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 387

– Mobile Options for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, 388-390

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM – Finding Help When & Where You Need It: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Documentation,

Resources & Communities, 386

7:30 PM – 11:00 PM – Convergence Closing Celebration

Recomended by Kathy Johnson, PMP – Director of Consulting

Convergence Schedule Recommendations – Dynamics GP IT Professional Track

March 8, 2013March 9, 2013 slooby9 Computers and Internet, Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics CRM #CONV13, Convergence, Convergence 2013, Dynamics GP, Dynamics GP 2013, Gold ERP Competency, GP 2010, GP2010, GP2013, Great Plains, SQL Server

March 18-21, 2013 | New Orleans, LA

About Convergence

Expo and Microsoft Solutions Experience

Expo and Microsoft Solutions Experience Hours: Monday, March 18 – 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday, March 19 – 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 20 -12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Thursday, March 21 – 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Community Experience

See the community come alive as this gathering space–on Level 1 of the NOMCC—offers you opportunities for networking, sharing and relaxation.

Community Experience Hours: Monday, March 18 – 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday, March 19 – 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 20 – 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday, March 21 – 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Convergence Café

Monday, March 18

11:00 AM – Registration Opens

Onsite registration will be located in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOMCC), NO, LA.

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Maximizing SQL Server Performance with Microsoft Dynamics GP, 340-341

Increase your confidence and knowledge as we explore how to maximize the performance of a SQL server running Microsoft Dynamics GP databases. We’ll also review the settings and maintenance items you should be using, along with other important things you can do to increase performance, including off load reporting, and data warehousing. This session is hosted by GPUG.

1:30 PM – 2:30 – Using SQL Reporting Services to Create Financial Reports for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 353-355

Don’t miss this insightful session, hosted by GPUG, as we examine the processes used to create an income statement report for Microsoft Dynamics GP by using SQL Server Reporting Services.

– Excel Report Builder: How2 343-345

– What Tool Should You Pull From the Toolbox? 356-357

Let’s say you want a report out of Microsoft Dynamics GP; should you use Report Writer, Excel Report Builder, SmartList, SmartList Builder, SQL Reporting Services, or something else? Or let’s say you need a new field or a customization within Microsoft Dynamics GP; should you use Modifier, Extender, Dexterity, .Net or something else? Join this session to learn what tool is best for the job.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM – Roles, Hall C, CEC

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM – Geographies, Hall C, CEC

5:00 PM – 5:45 PM – Hot Topics, Hall C, CEC

6:00 – 9:00pm – Convergence Experience Reception

9:30 PM – Convergence Carnival – Republic New Orleans – 828 South Peters Street

Tuesday, March 19

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Opening Keynote

11:00 AM– 12:00 PM – Getting Inspired with Microsoft Dynamics GP, Hall IJ

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Your New Office – Social Productivity at Work, Theater ABC

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – 50 Tips in 50 Minutes for Microsoft Dynamics GP: The Next Generation, 271-273

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Upgrading & Deploying Microsoft Dynamics GP, 275-277

Thinking about upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013? Come to this session to learn how the upgrade process will work including important system changes you need to be aware of when you deploy to the new version. We’ll review the steps involved, especially with named system database, multitenancy and other factors.

– Ask Your Peers: IT Professionals and Microsoft Dynamics GP, 349

Are there certain projects that just don’t seem to get done/resolved? Questions or issues that keep you awake at night? Come to this session with your IT related questions and we will find you an answer. This IT Professional panel comes with different experiences and toolsets, and they can help you get to the bottom of your challenges. *Hosted by the Microsoft Dynamics GP User Group*

5:00 PM – 8:00 PM – ACE Partner Reception – Hilton Spirits Bar – 2 Poydras Street

Wednesday, March 20

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Microsoft SQL Reporting Services & Microsoft Dynamics GP – Advanced Users, 275-277

Microsoft SQL Reporting Service is an amazing reporting tool when used to its fullest potential. In this deep dive we’ll drill into the inner workings of the tool to help you get better reporting. You won’t want to miss a minute of this session as we show how to use Report Builder, learn how to integrate reports into homepages, navigations lists and windows within Microsoft Dynamics GP, and discover which pieces of reports are important for the tools you are using to display the reports.

– Microsoft Dynamics GP: Email & Microsoft Word Templates, 266-268

– Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client: Deploying and Managing, Theater C

Thinking about using the Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client for your company? Do you want to access the Web client from anywhere in the world or just inside your company? Join us in this deep dive session where you will learn about the different deployment options and strategies to consider when planning for your Web client deployment. In addition, we will also demonstrate the available management tools to manage your Web Client deployment.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Administering SQL for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 271-273

Are you confident that you are managing your Microsoft SQL Server environment correctly? Come to this session to get important information on how to be an effective IT administrator in your organization. This session will help you increase your self-reliance and skill set for monitoring and maintaining your SQL environment, and give you the tools and knowledge to help troubleshoot when the unexpected happens.

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Performance & Scalability in Microsoft Dynamics GP, 266-268

Is your system running at peak performance? Are there things you could do to have better performance and scalability? In this session, we’ll cover how to get Microsoft Dynamics GP to run faster and then we’ll review important troubleshooting tips if you do run into performance issues.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Introduction to the Microsoft Dynamics GP Professional Service Tools Library, Theater C

The Professional Service Tools Library (PSTL) has many tools that make life easier for a Microsoft Dynamics GP customer–and these tools are now offered at no charge. In this session we’ll introduce what all of the tools in the library do, how to deploy them, and how to use the tool.

– Introduction to Microsoft SQL Reporting Services for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 266-268

Do you want better reporting? In this session we’ll do an introduction to Microsoft SQL Reporting Services and how you can use it to get better reporting from Microsoft Dynamics GP. We’ll review the report builder functionality, create a new report, edit an existing reports and talk about how to deploy the reports to share with others.

– Take Microsoft Dynamics GP & Microsoft Office to the Next Level, 275-277

– Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Overview, 271-273

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client Overview, Theater C

– Better Reporting with Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013, 266-268

– New Users in Microsoft Dynamics GP: Introduction, 271-273

Are you a new user of Microsoft Dynamics GP? Then this session is built especially for you. We’ll provide you with tips and tricks on how to use Microsoft Dynamics GP better so you can be more productive and more confident in using the system.

8:00 – Midnight – The Parish at the House of Blues, 225 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA

9:00 – Midnight – Rock-N-Rave – Bourbon Cowboy Beach on Bourbon, 241 Bourbon St.

Thursday, March 21

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Breakfast – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Keynote

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Ask the Experts: Security in Microsoft Dynamics GP, 350-351

– Using Microsoft SQL Reporting Services & Microsoft Dynamics GP for Advanced Users, 275-277

– Microsoft Dynamics GP: Email & Microsoft Word Templates, 266-268

– Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client: Troubleshooting, La Nouvelle AB

Getting the Web Client for Microsoft Dynamics GP deployed is one thing, but supporting it is totally different. Come and join this session to learn the intimate details around what it takes to support and troubleshoot the Dynamics GP Web Client. If you will be working with this product, this is a session you are going to want to attend. ***Note – this is a Deep Dive level session for Experienced IT Professionals

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch – Attendee Meal Hall located in the Convergence Experience Center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client Overview, 266-268

– Getting Better Reporting with Business Analyzer for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 271-273

– Building Dashboards with Microsoft Dynamics GP & Microsoft Excel, 278-280

– The Microsoft Dynamics GP Support Debugging Tool, La Nouvelle AB

The Support Debugging Tool is cool. Period! Come to this session to learn how you can administer your system with a tool that centralizes all the nuances in their environment: security, launch files, setting files, traces, logs, data exporting/importing, and the list goes on and on. Also we’ll overview the new features released that will bring more value.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Overview, La Nouvelle AB

– Upgrading & Deploying Microsoft Dynamics GP, 275-277

– Introduction to Microsoft SQL Reporting Services for Microsoft Dynamics GP, 266-268

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM – Take Microsoft Dynamics GP & Microsoft Office to the Next Level

– What’s New in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013: System, 278-280

– Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 Web Client For Smaller Companies, La Nouvelle AB

7:30 PM – 11:00 PM – Convergence Closing Celebration

Recomended by Tonya Boyce, Sr. Dynamics GP Consultant at ACE!

ACE Microtechnology is appointed to Bob Scott’s VAR Stars 2012

January 8, 2013 slooby9 Computers and Internet, Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Dynamics CRM, Dynamics CRM 2011, Dynamics GP, GP 2010, Great Plains

ACE Microtechnology is appointed to Bob Scott’s VAR Stars 2012
ACE, a distinguished North American Gold Certified Dynamics CRM and GP partner has been selected as a member of the Bob Scott’s VAR Stars for 2012.

VAR Star 2012
“We are honored to be recognized as a top 100 VAR. This award attests to our commitment to our customers and the confidence that they place in our products and services.

Atlanta, GA, December 31, 2012
ACE Microtechnology, Inc. (ACE), a distinguished North American Gold Certified Microsoft Dynamics GP and CRM partner has been selected as a member of the Bob Scott’s VAR Stars for 2012, a group of 100 organizations honored for their accomplishments in the field of midmarket financial software.
Members of the VAR Stars were selected based on factors such growth, industry leadership and recognition, and innovation. Selection is not based on revenue and those firms chosen represent a wide range of size and many different software publishers of accounting software.
“Each year, 100 VAR Stars are picked from the best organizations that market financial software. It is always an honor to recognize those who contribute to the development of our business,” Bob Scott said.
“We are honored to be recognized as a top 100 VAR. This award attests to our commitment to our customers and the confidence that they place in our products and services. We are extremely proud of all our staff who deliver, exceptional sales, implementation and support to our clients using the Microsoft Dynamics platform: Microsoft Dynamics GP and CRM, Business Intelligence, and Microsoft Office SharePoint,” said Susan Looby, President, ACE Microtechnology, Inc.

About ACE Microtechnology
ACE Microtechnology has over twenty years of experience with Microsoft Dynamics Products. ACE is a Microsoft Managed Partner for ERP and CRM solutions developing industry specific solutions for Hospitality, Specialty Retail, Restaurants, Hotels and Resorts and Distribution industries integrating and implementing solutions for Microsoft Dynamics GP and CRM. To learn more, visit http://www.acemicrotech.com.

About Bob Scott
Bob Scott has been informing and entertaining the mid-market financial software community via his email newsletters for 13 years. He has published this information via the “Bob Scott’s Insights” newsletter and website since 2009. He has covered this market for 21 years through print and electronic publications, first as technology editor of Accounting Today and then as the Editor of Accounting Technology from 1997 through 2009. He has covered the traditional tax and accounting profession during the same time and has continued to address that market as executive editor of the Progressive Accountant since 2009.

For Additional Information:
Susan Looby, (770) 889-2135, slooby (at) acemicrotech (dot) com

GP User Security Report

March 15, 2012August 8, 2012 slooby9 Computers and Internet, Dynamics GP Dynamics GP, GP 10, GP 2010, Great Plains, SQL Server

I received a request from a client who needed to supply a GP User Security Report to their auditors. Prior to GP version 10, we were at the mercy of the GP Report Writer report that was typically several thousands to several tens of thousands of pages long. We would usually modify the report to print one line per record to save space and so that it was easily exported, but even that produced a very large file. Now with the new Role-based Security in GP 10 and 2010, we have access to this data in SQL. I developed the script below and thought that others in the GP community might find it useful. It provides a nice, simple view of the user security in GP. It does not drill down to the specific window level, but it has every user, the companies they access, the roles they are assigned to in each company and the task and task descriptions within each role. Pretty sweet. I hope you guys can use it someday.

The script:

Use dynamics

select rol.userid, cmp.interid, rol.securityroleid, tsk.securitytaskid, td.securitytaskname, td.securitytaskdesc

from SY10500 rol

inner join SY01500 cmp on rol.cmpanyid=cmp.cmpanyid

inner join SY10600 tsk on rol.securityroleid=tsk.securityroleid

inner join SY09000 td on tsk.securitytaskid=td.securitytaskid

order by rol.userid, cmp.interid, rol.securityroleid, tsk.securitytaskid

A sample result set:

Tonya Boyce

ACE Microtechnology, Inc.

http://www.acemicrotech.com

tboyce@acemicrotech.com

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online Client Case Study

March 6, 2012March 6, 2012 slooby9 Computers and Internet #CONV12, Dynamics CRM, Dynamics CRM 2011, Microsoft CRM

Overview

Country
United States
Industry
Commercial Furniture Sales

Customer Profile
Corporate Environments (CE) employs more than 40 professionals to serve the office design and furnishing needs of their clients. Headquartered in Atlanta and serving the greater southeast, CE represents furniture lines including Knoll office furniture and DIRTT architectural products.

Business Situation
CE lacked a single repository for customer information. With the majority of the staff interacting with clients on a regular basis, it was critical for them to have quick and easy access to sales and support information to better serve their existing customers and attract new ones.

Solution
CE chose Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online and partnered with ACE Microtechnology to deploy the solution and integrate it to their industry specific back office for greater information access and visibility.

Benefits

Improved Visibility of customer and prospects
Improved cash flow
Real-time forecasting
Workflows and Notifications
- New account created
- Lead assignment
- Sales person notification
- Client deposit notification

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online
Client Case Study

Regional Office Furniture and Architectural Products Dealership deploys cloud based CRM to provide 360 degree view of clients and prospects!

“The ability to meet with my sales team individually and see their sales pipeline in real-time is tremendous. It gives me a tool to demonstrate where and how they should be spending their time. Immediate access to close dates and install dates also allows me to provide quick answers to the company owner.” Tony Nelson
Director of Sales

Operating in the Atlanta area since 1986, Corporate Environments has the experience necessary to assist with all office design needs, from furniture to space planning to relocation and installation. As the only authorized Knoll dealer in the area, Corporate Environments customers are assured that they will be receiving only the most stylish, well-made office furniture on the market. Furniture carried by Corporate Environments includes modular office furniture, cubicles, office chairs, conference furniture, reception furniture, 3form products, healthcare furniture, executive office furniture and filing cabinets. Corporate Environments had no integrated corporate sales tools. Sales representatives used their own individual tools to track accounts, contacts and activities. Opportunities were manually entered into spreadsheets for forecasting. No integrated marketing or customer service systems existed either. Because all of the staff of Corporate Environments interacts with and focuses on the customer, the company was exploring the acquisition of a fully integrated sales, marketing and customer service system. As a Microsoft Gold and Silver certified partner specializing in Microsoft Dynamics GP and CRM, ACE was uniquely positioned to deploy a solution that met the needs of Corporate Environments today. This solution leveraged existing technology investments and will scale with future company growth.

“The Dynamics CRM has allowed me to produce a real-time forecast and customized dashboard that is available at any given moment. Through the use of this system, we have been able to automate and streamline existing processes resulting in more time for value-added activities.”

Bridgette Boucha
CFO

Solutions deployed

Click on the products below for more information.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Scribe
Office 365

Situation

Corporate Environments had no single repository for corporate sales and marketing. Sales information was spread throughout the organization with individual employees. The company was using manual processes and multiple tools for sales forecasting. Only a limited history of sales activities was available and the company had no understanding of why sales were lost. Corporate Environment spent a tremendous amount of time on networking but truly had no clear vision on where leads were coming from and where their networking time was best spent. Reporting and Business Intelligence was either very hard to produce, inaccurate or just not available. In order to achieve their aggressive growth goals, this lack of critical knowledge needed to change.

Solution

The solution included Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 online integrated to Team Design™ using the Scribe™ integration tools set. The results provided Corporate Environments with the following:

Single Customer List

A single customer repository accessible by all employees and identical in Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Team Design. Team Design is the industry specific back office accounting and customer/project solution.
Integrating with Team Design achieved a common customer and vendor database and additional information for real-time reporting and automated workflows.

Improved Productivity

Automation of manual processes (Forecast, Leads Assignment, New Acct Creation)
Accessible from anywhere for mobile workforce
Familiar interface – Outlook

Retain Customer Knowledge

Retain customer info lost with staff turnover
Customer information shared across departments

Market Focus

Who are our customers right now? What vertical markets and what mix?
Ability to change if this mix is weighted unexpectedly or inefficiently

Sales Metric Visibility

Sales activity
Sales productivity – new customers versus existing customers
Close rate on proposals
Jobs lost
Success rate versus competition

“Using a hosted-solution for Dynamics CRM combined with hosted email was a no-brainer. Instead of maintaining extra servers and software updates, we can use our limited resources to focus on projects that contribute more to the business. ”

Scott Blanck
Director of IT

About ACE Microtechnology

ACE Microtechnology, Inc. is a professional services firm committed to delivering business solutions to small and medium sized organizations. Our focus is in delivering products and services that improve our clients’ business operations. ACE has developed specialties in serving the distribution, retail and hospitality industries.

Rather than just building technology or implementing software, we deliver real business value through industry knowledge and understanding each client business. We make it our business to know their business.

ACE is a Microsoft Gold Certified Dynamics GP partner and Silver Certified Dynamics CRM partner.

For more information on ACE, please visit our web site at www.acemicrotech.com or contact Mark Munson at mmunson@acemicrotech.com.

Benefits

Visibility

AR in CRM
- Improved cash flow
Real-time forecasting
- Less work for the Accounting Department

Workflows

New Customer
- Entered into Team Design with approval workflow
- Team Design assigns account numbers- sales notified new account created
New Leads
- Sales Manager enters lead and assigns
- Sales person notified
- Reminders and escalation if no activity performed
Automated emails when client deposit made

IT Savings

Deploying CRM in the cloud was cost effective and easy
Based on this, the company also move email to the cloud with Microsoft Office 365

Lessons Learned

Phased deployment based on priority
Start at the beginning of the sales cycle
- Did not stress sales out
- Continue to use current back end process until they can be improved or replaced
Involve team early
Trained heavily
Integration
- Don’t underestimate integration
- Integration tool selection critical
- Exponential benefit based on information sharing
Sales embraced better than anticipated
Cloud solution requires appropriate network and internet connectivity

Export to Excel from Smartlist

January 27, 2012August 8, 2012 slooby9 Computers and Internet, Dynamics GP Dynamics GP, GP 2010, Great Plains, SQL Server

If you use SmartList and export the results to Excel, you know that it just CRAWLS!!! Ever wish that the export would go a little faster? Well now it can, and all you have to do is put the following line in your Dex.ini file:
SmartlistEnhancedExcelExport=TRUE
Believe it or not, it’s that simple! Once you save your Dex.ini file you’ll need to restart DynamicsGP to see the results, and you will be AMAZED at how fast the export is — it will FLY!!!

ACE Micro Blog Site

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GP User Security Report

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Online Client Case Study

Export to Excel from Smartlist