Data Masons Software, LLC., a leading provider of EDI and XML solutions for Microsoft Dynamics® ERP customers, is proud to announce its sponsorship of the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Sales and Pre-sales Industry Summit, February 13th – 16th in Jacksonville, FL. This event is designed to educate key Microsoft Dynamics AX Partners about Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 industry vertical solutions and help them deploy AX in those industries.

Microsoft, in conjunction with the event sponsors, will show how to best demonstrate the value of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 in specific industries and how ISV partner solutions enhance the quality of the customer experience and overall ROI. One specific product, Vantage Point EDI for Microsoft Dynamics AX, has features that improve supply chain execution…

The Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail Global Launch Event held on February 1st is now available on-demand. The event was designed to get a look inside of the solution’s powerful capabilities, which will provide midsize and enterprise retailers with an end-to-end solution that includes cross-channel capabilities, social and mobile commerce, enriched point of sale (POS), and powerful enhancements for merchandising.

Microsoft leaders, customers, and retail industry experts discussed…

Data Masons is excited to sponsor the first Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Sales and Presales Industry Summit. Scheduled for February 13th – 16th in Jacksonville, FL, the event is designed to bring attendees up to speed with the Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 industry solutions and arm them with the tools needed to effectively sell and deploy the solutions.

Microsoft has designed this event to dive deeper into the core areas of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 and how to leverage the demo tools and messaging pillars – Powerful, Agile, Simple – in showcasing the solution. In addition, discussions will extend the core into Microsoft’s five key industries: Manufacturing; CPG & Distribution; Professional Services; Retail; and Public Sector. Microsoft and the event sponsors will present the basis and understanding of how to present and demonstrate the Microsoft Dynamics AX solution in a specific industry and then attendees will learn about the ISV partner solutions, such as Microsoft Dynamics AX EDI, that make up the industry ecosystems.

Data Masons’ EDI experts will join the agenda on Thursday, February 16th to facilitate an in-depth conversation on EDI integration with Microsoft Dynamics AX specifically for companies working within the manufacturing industry. Session attendees will discuss how to support lean manufacturing goals with an EDI solution that tightly integrates common business documents such as invoices, purchase orders and ASNs without ERP customization.

With additional expertise within the Automotive Industry…

I’m excited to share that the EDI for Microsoft Dynamics blog is now syndicated on the Microsoft Dynamics Community blogs for AX, GP and NAV! Following our blog’s recent one year anniversary, this is a big win for us as we are the first and only EDI-focused blog to be syndicated by Microsoft. Syndication is no easy task as there is a list of requirements a blog must meet in order to receive this stamp of approval from Microsoft…

Mark Polino, a Microsoft MVP for Microsoft Dynamics GP and a Microsoft Certified IT Professional, recently interviewed Data Masons’ Glenn McPeak, a supply chain expert with over 25 years of EDI/ERP solution consulting and ERP/EDI software product design and management. Mark focused on the state of EDI and its integration with Microsoft Dynamics GP, especially insight into the integration with GP ’12′, which is slated for release later this year.

Mark: Data Masons has been around for some time, how has EDI and its importance changed over the past few years?

Glenn: EDI, which Data Masons broadly defines as the exchange and integration of common business transactions, has grown dramatically in regards to its importance and breadth in business relationships. Today it is quite common for larger organizations to mandate EDI capability as a prerequisite for new suppliers and business partner relationships. While a few years ago most companies traded only a few documents, such as purchase orders, invoices and ship notices, today there are many more documents that can drive labor efficiencies. EDI comes into play because these documents also require more flexible and comprehensive software applications.

Companies that embrace EDI successfully find that they can streamline activities with key partners. EDI technology replaces manual transaction entry, lowers the cost of doing business and eliminates many of the risks that commonly result from human error and miscommunication. Instead, they can run their business 24/7 and manage business transaction flows via exception, for example, receiving an alert when an order is received with price errors or a supplier invoice does not match the purchase order and receiver.

Mark: Microsoft is hard at work on GP ‘12’ scheduled for release sometime in 2012. Is Data Masons going to be ready for that release on time…

Last week’s NAVUG Partner Showcase Webinar, “Profiles in Successful EDI Integration to Microsoft Dynamics NAV,” hosted by Data Masons’ EDI expert Glenn McPeak is now availabe for download.

The information presented will help organizations succeed that are:

•Looking for easier ways to integrate EDI documents in and out of Dynamics NAV
•Tired of customizing NAV to integrate a simple purchase order; or
•Planning an upgrade and want to eliminate EDI-specific customizations.

See how other Dynamics NAV customers can integrate virtually any EDI or XML document – all without the need for disruptive NAV customization.

While Data Masons has always shown its support for Mark Polino, we have officially jumped onboard as a sponsor of his blog DynamicAccounting.net: You, Me and Dynamics GP. If you haven’t yet subscribed to the blog’s RSS feed, it’s a must for anyone in the GP user community as Mark positions this blog as the premier information site for Microsoft Dynamics GP.

This site offers a wonderful combination of expert insight on Dynamics GP and fun, light-hearted postings that bring a little humor into our everyday ERP goings-on. I think Mark’s unique and highly-successful approach comes from wearing numerous hats within the GP professional community: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Microsoft Certified Business Management Professional, Microsoft MVP Dynamics, Consultant with Microsoft partner I.B.I.S., author and social media guru.

You’ll see on Mark’s blog that he not only provides frequent posts, but he also offers other resources, such as the presentations he delivers within the community. For example:

Mark your calendars for February 1st, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time (US)!

Starting February 1st, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail will be available in more than 25 countries. This Global Launch Event is your opportunity to get a look inside of the solution’s powerful capabilities which will provide midsize and enterprise retailers with an end-to-end solution that includes cross-channel capabilities, social and mobile commerce, enriched point of sale (POS), and powerful enhancements for merchandising.

Microsoft leaders, customers, and retail industry experts will talk about what it means to be a Dynamic Retailer in today’s retail environment and:
•Share insight on retail trends and technology from NRF in New York
•Give demos showcasing Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 retail capabilities
•Chat live online to share retail and technical expertise
•Talk about local retail events in your geography
•Explore all of the additional functional and industry innovation in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012

Partners, back your bags! We’re heading to Fargo, ND, September 12-14, for the Microsoft Dynamics GP Technical Conference.

Pam Misialek over at the Inside Microsoft Dynamics GP blog announced that this must-attend event will be the main readiness source for the release of Microsoft Dynamics GP ’12.’ There’ll be two content tracks at the event, one for Consultants and one for Developers.

More information to follow as it becomes available, but mark your calendars now!

Like me, I’m sure your resolution list is packed full, but can I ask that you add one more? This one is easy – no weight loss or exercise required – simply add hashtags to your Tweets!

The Data Masons’ EDI for Dynamics blog is coming up on its year anniversary and over the course of the last year, I’ve written about the importance of using hashtags within the community. If you’re still new to using #hashtags, here’s a brief recap:
•The # symbol, called a hashtag, is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages. Read “What are Hashtags” for more information.

•If you use #hashtags then your message is categorized according to each tag, which makes it easier for someone to find information on a specific topic.

•Hashtags are included within a Tweet’s 140 character limit.

Last year I provided a list of the most used hashtags in the Microsoft Dynamics community, but it’s no surprise that new ones have entered the scene since. As Microsoft develops new solutions for end users and builds support for its partner network, and as Dynamics community embraces social media opportunities, it’s natural to see the development of new hashtags.

So here you are (drumroll, please), the new hashtags to follow in 2012: