User Solutions, Connections, and Planning for the Community

In episode 24 of “Inside Dynamics Communities,” Ryan Gonzales, Senior Sales Director of Dynamics Communities and Summit NA, and Pam Misialek, Community Director of Dynamics Communities and Summit NA, host Michelle Glennie, Operations and Project Manager, The Partner Marketing Group and Jane Olson, Customer and Channel Development Manager, The Partner Marketing Group.

In this episode, Michelle and Jane discuss The Partner Marking Groups‘ service, The Solutions Connections, and share tips for users looking for an independent software provider (ISP).

Highlights

00:57 — The Solutions Connections is essentially a digital “Yellow Pages” of the solutions offered by partners and ISPs that are available to users in the Dynamics 365 community. The Solutions Connections acts as a user directory and contains various ISPs and their solution add-ons that make it “as easy as possible for users coming in, and even partners coming to look for solutions for their users too.”

02:18 — Users can search The Solutions Connections directory by specific solutions, industries, or providers. Available to users are various resources on these offerings, including blogs, videos, product overviews, and contact information for ISPs.

“It’s meant to kind of simplify some of what you find on Google, because Google can offer up a lot. And you might get a lot of things that have nothing to do with your search that you’re looking for. But this gives you a little bit more condensed [view] into the solution you’re looking for,” explains Michelle.

03:41 — The Solutions Connections is largely based on community feedback. Michelle explains how The Partner Marketing Group is constantly adding new industries, most recently, solutions for the entertainment industry.

“We try to constantly grow and adapt. So it is something that is living, breathing and always changing.”

05:17 — Pam and Ryan note how the Microsoft Dynamics 365 community is rapidly expanding and becoming more versatile. Some of the largest industries being represented at the upcoming Community Summit 2023 are entertainment and sports.

06:28 — Pam asks Michelle and Jane if they have tips for Community Summit attendees — many of who will be attending for the first time.

“My biggest suggestion for them is to do your homework ahead of time. So make sure you’re doing some searches and seeing what you can find,” notes Jane. With over 200 sponsors on the Expo Floor at Community Summit, users should feel inclined to have conversations with partners whose solutions they are interested in learning more about.

08:37 — The Expo Hall can feel overwhelming when you first come in. “It’s the excitement of that show floor because there’s so much,” notes Michelle. She encourages users to take a step back and determine the partners they want to see, but also be mindful to collect information from the other booths available. She adds that she finds it valuable to attend the Partner Solutions Showcases.

12:11 — The Partner Marketing Group will be at Community Summit North America 2023 at the Information Desk. Stop by to learn more about The Solutions Connections!

This episode is sponsored by Summit North America, the largest independent gathering of the Microsoft Business Applications ecosystem, taking place Oct. 15-20, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Register today to connect with thousands of users across the Microsoft business applications ecosystem at the for user, by user event.