Microsoft Convergence 2010 Notes
Note: The following report is submitted by one of our 90Minds members. I am reposting this on their behalf.
I am at Microsoft Convergence this week.
It is pretty clear the cloud is coming. We have been working with Server Virtualization lately. The new tools from Microsoft with the virtualization technology is a “game changer” as Sage would put it. Microsoft is investing 70% of $9B R&D in Virtualization in 2010 and 90% over the next couple of years.
Sounds like Iron Mountain may offer Server VHDs with their STAAS offering. If this is the case, we may see Server OS turn to a commodity market like IIS and other Web hosting servers.
GP has been on a back burner for the last year or 2. GP 2010 is being released over the next couple of weeks. Lots of new features, workflow, roles, etc out of the box. Tight integration with Office 2010, SharePoint 2010, Exchange 2010, etc…
Unified Communication is embedded in the GP 2010 app. This may have little impact in the next 1-2 years, but we could easily see adoption as the kids enter the workforce. Instant messaging is becoming increasingly important for younger workers and will most likely become more prominent.
Management Report is FRx with a new wrapper.
Was not really impressed from all of the hype.
They made the point FRx was being retired and MR is only being released for Dynamics products several times. Seems like a stupid strategy mainly to punish other publishers to find alternative solutions. May backfire if some find/make innovative solutions.
Definitely feel Microsoft is providing a good vision much like Sage did in the Hannah/Butler days of the past.
They claim 94 million devices pulled updates for Windows 7 workstation during last release. Pretty impressive. Time to saddle up folks. Windows 7 and 64 bit is here to stay. Apps better deal with it or they will quickly be in the ‘ol DOS category. We plan to have strategic sessions with most of our clients for a migration strategy over the next 18 months.
Data Protection Manager is an excellent tool for midsize business data managment with nice tools/solutions for mobile users with infrequent connections to corporate networks.
Word on the street – Microsoft has fixed the Integration adapter between GP and CRM.
Lots of excitement and enthusiasm in the reseller base. This is users and resellers. Microsoft has 8,500 at the conference. It definitely feels like a large crowd. (ie., bathroom lines are long, exit doors are clogged and meals have a wait) There is definitely a buzz at the conference that I have not seen or felt for several years at Sage or Microsoft.
Most notable is a learning center. Microsoft has 100s if not 1,000s of online demos and hands on labs. There has to be at least 1,000 workstations with dual monitors and headsets in a large room. An impressive sight.
First time that I have been in an old Olympic venue. Big place with large conference rooms…. Cool to imagine the history.
© 2010, Wayne Schulz. All rights reserved. Formed in 2005. the 90 Minds Consulting Group is a collaboration of 100 Sage partners who independently join together online in a 24 x 7 private communication network to solve difficult issues for their customers. The group is not affiliated with Sage and our collaboration provides for unparalleled member access to early warnings of bugs and other issues which members in turn are encouraged to use to provide an exceptional customer experience.
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