January 2012

This Issue

Updates

• FRx end-of-life date is September 2012.

• Dynamics AX 2009 main stream support ends August 2013.

• Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) and Office 2003 support ends on April 8, 2014.

• In an effort to get the right information into the hands of the right person at your organization we asked that you complete a Job Role form for your organization. Completed forms received by November 15 were entered into a draw for a $100 AMEX gift card.  Congratulations to the winner - Elaine Schafers from Kodiak Wireline Services.

If you have not done so, please submit this information to us as soon as possible.  You can find the form here.

Convergence 2012
 

Start planning for Convergence 2012!

Registration for Convergence 2012 is now open. This annual customer conference will be held March 18-21 in Houston, Texas. From now until January 25, 2012 full conference passes are available for $1,395. After January 25th, the cost increases to $1,695.

Who should attend Convergence and WHY?   Convergence appeals to more than accounting and finance professionals.  Executives responsible for long term business and technology strategy should be attending to learn where Microsoft is heading with development of the technology.  IT professionals should be attending to learn the bits and bytes of solutions today and to prepare for future changes. And of course end users of the solutions should be attending to learn tips and tricks for improving their day to day productivity.  For more reasons to attend, read what some of our client's had to say.

What’s new for Convergence 2012?   This year Microsoft is debuting their Convergence Experience center where you can:

• visit the Microsoft Solutions Experience.  This area is staffed with technical support experts who can answer your questions.  Access to this area is granted with your conference pass and is of great value. You can also use the Hands on Labs where you can explore different products, features and functionality.

• explore the Convergence Expo floor.  Search out additional products that are available to make your Dynamics AX or Dynamics CRM solutions even more efficient. Encore will once again be exhibiting at this event. 

• immerse yourself in the Dynamics Community.  
  • Convergence Connect is an online structured networking tool that allows you to search for other attendees in your industry whom you may want to connect and network with. 
  • CommNet gives you access to high speed internet and printers so you can check-in with work and send updates about everything you are learning.
  • There is a Gaming Area that lets you test out the latest Xbox 360 games or play Ping-Pong and other stress releasing games to let off some steam.
  • The Conference Store has great Microsoft gear and helpful books.

The Session Catalog  is now available and will be growing.  Check out the Deep Dive, Concurrent and Interactive sessions currently posted.  

Also, be sure to also check out AXUG DayONE on March 18th.  The day features peer-to-peer, interactive breakout sessions and networking opportunities that allow you to learn from other Dynamics AX Users in an AX-focused setting prior to jumping into the full Convergence agenda.  Clients that have attended have said that the additional training was a great benefit.  Visit the AXUG DayONE site to get the event agenda. The event is free and open to all Dynamics AX Users, but be sure to sign up to reserve your seat!

Interested in Convergence?  You can register now by filling out this form.

As in the past, Encore will coordinate gatherings, formal and informal meetings among customers attending to help you benefit from this fantastic conference!  

The Connector - Encore's Client Only Portal

In November, Encore launched our secure client portal The Connector and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive!  The site includes information on events, promotions, and resources — like recorded webcasts, how-to documents, tips and tricks, checklists, and learning resources. If you don’t have your login details, please contact us to get set up.  If you already have access, be sure to add it to your Internet Explorer Favorites and visit regularly.  Content is frequently being updated.

Resources

Year-end Resources

 

With the start of a new year, some of you may be concentrating on your year-end close. Regardless when your fiscal year ends, here are some excellent resources to make your process run smoother.

• For some advice on critical year-end closing topics, read this article. We strongly support the idea of making a checklist.  Creating one will make closing easier in the future.

• 'Closing Dynamics AX’  is a book by Accolade Publications that walks you properly through the steps you need to complete a proper closing. When a process is performed only once per year, people tend to forget the details. This book guides you step-by-step. The book sells for $45 US and you can purchase it by clicking here.

• You can find a few tips and tricks on the Dynamics Community site. For example, this posting offers a step-by-step process for Dynamics AX 2009. 

Of Interest

Get Ready For Dynamics AX 2012

Dynamics AX 2012 launched this fall and if you're on an older version it's in your best interest to start familiarizing yourself with new features and upgrading information that is available.  This information will educate you on how you could potentially run your business more effectively and will help build your business case for upgrading.  Already on Dynamics AX 2012? You’ll find value in these resources too.

• The Dynamics AX User Group (AXUG) is a great resource to start learning more about the product features.  The feedback we’ve had about AXUG has been very positive.  If you are considering attending Convergence, be sure to arrive in Houston in time for DayONE so you can experience first-hand the value AXUG can deliver.

• Check out these helpful AX 2012 links. 

• Visit the Microsoft TechNet Library to learn about what you need to do to prepare for your upgrade.  If your already on Dynamics AX 2012, use the Tech Library to search out information on everything from SQL Server to Windows.

Conferences

AXUG Summit Summary

GPUG Summit was attended by 11 Encore customers; AXUG Summit was attended by 5 customers of Encore.  Although GP, AX, CRM and NAV conferences were going on simultaneously, the only venue shared with all attendees was the Expo Hall.  Attendees felt it was very easy to talk with other users during meals and planned networking times because everyone attending used the same Microsoft Dynamics application. Session content was geared toward end USERS. It was a great opportunity to get specific questions answered and to participate in conversations with others experiencing the same challenges.  It was a very good learning event; overall a great experience and something companies should plan for every year. 

Mark your calendar.  Next year's AXUG Summit will be held the week of October 14th, 2012 in Seattle, Washington.