Microsoft Dynamics catching the wave

Microsoft Corporation today announced results from the independent Forrester Research, Inc., report “Microsoft Dynamics Emerges From Wave 1,” in which Microsoft Dynamics is seen to be successfully delivering. Dynamics, the line of integrated, adaptable business management solutions, says Microsoft PR, “is successfully delivering on the company’s vision of roles-based productivity that enables the ‘people-ready’ business.”

The report provides an assessment of Microsoft’s progress in delivering on Wave One and combining its enterprise resource planning and CRM solutions. Microsoft press material places particular emphasis on at least one excerpt from the report: “With its financial strength, ubiquitous Office environment and improving analytics capabilities, Microsoft is in a unique position to redefine business application usability, and is doing so.” The first wave of Microsoft Dynamics products, announced at the company’s Convergence 2006 event in March, focuses on extensive collaboration functionality and business intelligence via deep integration with Microsoft Office and Microsoft SQL Server. Microsoft Dynamics products and solutions include Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics SL and Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

The good buzz on Microsoft Dynamics is bolstered by one firm whose choice of CRM packages is literally a matter of life and death. Steve Lenz, vice president of Information Systems for LifeNet, the nation’s largest nonprofit, full-service organ donation agency and tissue banking system, said “When you consider that saving a life or helping a patient in surgery often depends upon our ability to immediately and accurately transfer information, it’s crucial that we have a fully integrated system our staff can easily use […] we anticipate the additional benefits of upcoming Microsoft Dynamics product releases.” The Forrester report goes on to further state that “With each new product release, Microsoft Dynamics delivers improved support for Web services […] With roles and personalization, SharePoint enhances the overall user experience across the Microsoft Dynamics product lines and moves the applications from a client/server, fat-client paradigm to the Web.”

Heavy praise, indeed, which Microsoft representatives see as the company “delivering on its vision of Web-services-based customization that leverages the functionality of Microsoft SharePoint products and technology.” Microsoft U.S. sales strategy general manager Jennifer Bogdalek spoke with the confidence of one who is no. 1 when she opined, “Customers of all sizes continue to come to us because that is a value proposition they aren’t finding elsewhere. We are on track, and will stay on track, to ensure that the Microsoft platform continually delivers upon this promise.” Established in 1984, Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester Research is an independent technology and market research company that advises on technology’s impact on business and consumers.

The Forrester m.o. is called “WholeView 2 Research,” “a comprehensive, unified view of technology’s impact on business, from deep information technology issues to broad strategic goals.” An electronic version of Forrester Research’s “Microsoft Dynamics Emerges From Wave 1” is available here. Microsoft Dynamics is a line of financial, customer relationship and supply chain management solutions, delivered through a network of channel partners providing specialized services. These integration modules work with familiar Microsoft software to streamline business processes.