Recently on of Data Masons’ Dynamics AX EDI clients, outdoor recreation clothing and gear provider Patagonia, was highlighted in Inbound Logistics Magazine, the information leader in supply chain and logistics management. In the article, Patagonia and other companies were highlighted for their chosen ERP solution with integrated SCM functions, demonstrating that unlike in years past, the ERP can be an all-in-one tool for improving supply chain operations, especially Microsoft Dynamics AX…

Today the NAVUG Midwest Regional User Group is expecting over 75+ NAV professionals from the Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa and Kentucky areas for a day of knowledge-sharing and networking. That’s right, 75+ registered to attend this regional meeting. I haven’t received the official word yet, but my guess is that this will be a record breaking event for the NAVUG regional meetings.

If you’re planning to attend, don’t miss Data Masons’ Dennis Bruce who will be onsite to share his expertise on EDI for Microsoft Dynamics NAV. I think you’ll be interested to hear Dennis talk more about how your EDI and compliance requirements can be accomplished without any customizations to the NAV ERP. Then, following breakfast, head on over to hear Tom Taylor from Microsoft kick-off the event and give a Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 preview.

The Latest Coming from The 2012 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference Team:

Tracks and sessions have been published! It’s your first look at what’s in store at the 2012 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference July 8 – 12. Embrace all that Toronto has to offer and register today for an experience that will elevate your course of business.

HOW CAN WPC IMPACT YOUR BOTTOM LINE?…

Mark your calendars for the Microsoft Dynamics GP Technical Airlift event, September 12-14, 2012 in Fargo, ND. Historically a Microsoft-hosted event, GP Partner Connections (GPPC) is hosting this event.

The GP Technical Airlift event is designed to deliver advanced technical skills around Microsoft Dynamics GP 2013 via two tracks, one for consultants and one for developers. Attendees will learn in the areas of workflow, business intelligence, SQL Reporting Services, and planning for security or compliance.

Designed for Dynamics GP implementation professionals, consultants, developers and technical sales engineers who work for Microsoft Dynamics VARs and ISVs, Kim Peterson, GPPC Director, anticipates that the event will likely sell out with…

Attention all Dynamics NAV users in the Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa and Kentucky areas! Join Data Masons as we head out to the NAVUG Midwest Regional User Group Meeting on Wednesday, May 9th in Waupaca, WI.

We’re excited to join you and another anticipated 75+ NAV professionals for a day of knowledge-sharing and networking. Data Masons will be hosting breakfast, during which time you can hear a little more about our EDI for Dynamics NAV solution that avoids any customizations to the NAV ERP. Following breakfast, Tom Taylor from Microsoft will lead the event kick-off and give a Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 Preview (formerly known as NAV 7). Other highlights include…

Data Masons welcomes LaCrosse Footwear as a new customer who purchased Vantage Point EDI for Microsoft Dynamics AX in March 2012.

Headquartered in Portland, OR, LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. (Nasdaq: BOOT) is a leading developer and marketer of premium, branded-footwear for dedicated work and outdoor users. The Company’s trusted Danner® and LaCrosse® brands are sold through a network of specialty retailers and distributors in North America, Europe and Asia. The Vantage Point EDI for Dynamics AX solution will delivers an integrated EDI solution that will quickly allow the company to manage current trading partner requirements and extend their growing partner network with confidence.

Bob McAdam, GPPC Co-Leader; Jesse Byam, GPPC Co-Leader; and Kim Peterson, GPPC Director, recently reminded this year’s GPPC PreGAME attendees in Houston that they can provide feedback on the event via a quick survey. GPPC is a partner-driven group and your feedback is critical!

They’ve also made the presentation materials available to review and share with your team members…

With all my encouragement for the community to get ‘social’ and join what Microsoft is doing, it was rewarding to see all of the social activity going on around Convergence 2012. Not only was the Twitter hashtag #CONV12 highly-used to promote the event goings-on, but there were also many other noteworthy examples of individuals and groups upping their activity and going the extra step to engage in the social media space.

For example, I thought what NAVUG did at its DayONE event was a great example of getting the community engaged in using social media channels. In talking with Trish Boccuti of NAVUG, I asked how they came up with the idea of hosting a “Twitter Hunt” during the event…

From EDI Expert, Glenn McPeak:

The automation of the transaction flow in the world of EDI is unclear for companies that want to automate the exchange of business documents between themselves (OEM for this discussion) and a sub-contract manufacturer, or those companies that are the subcontracting partner for others. Issues such as materials ownership, stocking, arrival notification, production scheduling, ERP system integration and the costing of the goods and service are not always well understood by EDI and ERP systems.

Often times the service provided is just one step in a manufacturing sequence that’s driven by a step in a shop order, as opposed to a purchase order or similar document. Some component materials may be provided by the sub-contractor, while others are owned by the buyer of the product and service. Lack of communication and integration of business systems result in scheduling challenges, stock shortages and other problems caused by the lack of communication within this supply chain exchange.

Handling these situations in a manual environment has its challenges and high overhead given…

Now with Convergence 2012 under our belts, it’s time to mark our calendars for other upcoming Dynamics-focused events. While the calendars are always full with local and regional events, below are some of the larger events yet to come in 2012. And don’t forget that Convergence 2013 is already on the calendar, taking place…