Microsoft's Dynamics products support customer relationship management
(CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and other business
management functions. With the exception of Dynamics CRM, the products
are aimed at small and midsize organizations or units of larger
companies. They integrate closely with other Microsoft products,
including the SQL Server database management system, the SharePoint Web
platform, and the Office clients, making them an interesting choice for
customers who already have major investments in Microsoft products.
For Microsoft partners, the Dynamics line can generate license
resale revenue as well as service and add-on software business, and
Dynamics CRM in particular is growing rapidly in spite of the downturn.
The products also help pull through sales of Microsoft servers and
client software and hold off competitors such as Oracle and SAP, who
sell business management applications on Microsoft's platform but also
promote competing platforms.
This roadmap presents an overview of the most important products in
the Microsoft Dynamics line and provides a roadmap to future retirements and
releases of those products. This information can help Microsoft
customers and partners schedule migrations, plan evaluations, arrange
training, and budget for purchases.
Sections in the Microsoft Product Roadmap:
Executive Summary
The Dynamics products support customer relationship management (CRM),
enterprise resource planning (ERP), and other business management
functions
Introduction
Explains the products covered in the Dynamics Roadmap, the types of
information contained about each product, and how the report is
organized; also provides an overview of Microsoft's product support
life-cycle phases
Dynamics CRM Roadmap
The Dynamics CRM customer relationship management (CRM) application and
online service help workers manage marketing, sales, and customer
service processes and provide a platform for other business processes,
such as logistics or recruiting.
Dynamics AX Roadmap
Dynamics AX is Microsoft's high-end ERP product and is aimed at
multinational companies or divisions of large companies with 200 to
7,500 employees and complex manufacturing or distribution needs.
Dynamics NAV Roadmap
Dynamics NAV (formerly Navision) provides ERP for firms with up to
1,000 employees. It is particularly strong in manufacturing and
distribution.
Dynamics GP Roadmap
Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains) provides ERP for firms of up to
5,000 employees. GP, which Microsoft gained in the 2001 acquisition of
Great Plains Software, has historically been popular with public sector
organizations and professional services companies (such as consulting
or accounting firms), as well as manufacturers, wholesalers, and
retailers
Dynamics SL Roadmap
Dynamics SL (formerly Solomon) targets companies of up to 500 employees
doing project-based work—professional services companies and
construction firms, for example.
Dynamics Financial Reporting Roadmap
The recently introduced Management Reporter is to replace the FRx and
Forecaster financial reporting and planning products by 2012
Resources
Chapter lists Directions on Microsoft articles and reports about
products mentioned in this product roadmap, as well as relevant
Microsoft Web sites
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