Summit Launchpad: Formpipe’s Jeff Goffinet on Building Partner Network, AI Impressions, New Offerings

In this “Summit Launchpad” interview, recorded while on location at Community Summit North America 2024,  Jason Gumpert, Editor, MSDynamicsWorld.com, is joined by Jeff Goffinet, North American Partner Sales Leader, Formpipe. Goffinet shares his impressions of Community Summit NA 2024, his thoughts on the infusion of AI into business operations, and a new offering from the company.

Key Takeaways

• Overview: Formpipe, a Microsoft ISV, generates much of its business through partners, and part of Goffinet’s responsibilities includes managing and building the partner network throughout North America.
• Summit NA impressions: While reflecting on impressions from Summit NA 2024, Goffiner explains that he finds AI fascinating and believes it will be ubiquitous, emphasizing the need for users to adapt and leverage AI from a business perspective. He expresses a desire to continue growing and learning more about AI.
• What customers are saying about AI: Clients often express a desire to send personalized documents or create a personalized environment to grow their client base, but they remain focused on day-to-day tasks like producing invoices and shipping documents. They are curious about how AI can assist with these needs but are still concerned with immediate operational tasks.
• Building the partner network: Goffinet explains that he enjoys events where he can interact with both end clients and partners, emphasizing the importance of building the partner network. He’s been actively engaging with partners to showcase Formpipe’s offerings, noting that partner interest increases significantly when customers express a need for their solutions.
• New offerings: Lasernet, Formpipe’s document management platform, is feature-rich for enterprise customers. Goffinet explains that the company has introduced a no-cost starter version, Lasernet Essentials, to meet initial client demands and provide a growth path with additional functionalities like barcoding and OCR as companies expand.
• Closing thoughts: In closing, Goffinet shares a misconception people may have about the Microsoft business apps community. While Microsoft may not have all the answers, its partnerships with firms can provide comprehensive solutions for customers. He notes that some people initially have a negative perception of needing an ISV project, but this is a misconception as these partnerships are meant to be complementary.