Merit Matters Blog

Microsoft Convergence 2012 is rapidly approaching! Make sure to register before January 26, because you can save $300 with early registration pricing!

Merit Solutions is thrilled for the opportunity to be a Bronze Sponsor at Convergence this year, and we hope everyone can stop by Booth #545 across from the Microsoft Dynamics AX Experience Center to learn more about our products and services!

We hope you are able to join us!

Microsoft Convergence 2012:
March 18-21, 2012 
George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston, TX

Pricing:
Early Bird Price = $1395 - Before January 25, 2012
Regular Price = $1695 – After January 25, 2012

Register now, or visit the Microsoft Convergence 2012 website to learn more.

Microsoft Dynamics Customers and Partners come to Convergence from all corners of the globe to experience all that the event has to offer. Loaded with a wealth of informative sessions and other creative ways to learn, customers discover how to extend the power of their solution across all areas of their business. They also get a first look at new product releases and hear about future plans for their software. Convergence is the annual event where connections are generated, best practices are shared, and business relationships are built and renewed.

Merit Solutions is thrilled to be a Bronze Sponsor because we have had a very exciting year - one that has seen multiple product launches, experienced an increase in customer satisfaction, and received numerous awards / recognition within the Dynamics Community:

• This year, we announced MAXCloud ERP, our Microsoft Dynamics AX Cloud Solution. MAXCloud enables companies to take advantage of the industry-leading capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 at a decreased cost - without sacrificing security or functionality.
• One of the main benefits of MAXCloud ERP is our Rapid On Deployment and Fixed Price Packaged Services. With Rapid On, you can take advantage of a 30 Day Deployment and the freedom to select only the implementation services you require - all at fixed prices.
• We also had exciting announcements for our Microsoft Dynamics AX industry-specific products, MAXFood ERP and MAXLife ERP. Earlier this year, MAXLife passed the Certified for Microsoft Dynamics AX Software Solution Testing. More recently, it was named one of the Top 15 Add-Ons for Microsoft Dynamics AX. 2011 also witnessed the launch of MAXFood ERP, a Microsoft Dynamics AX Food Safety solution. We are pleased to announce that both products are now available in the cloud! Learn more about MAXLife Cloud and MAXFood Cloud.
• At WPC 2011, we launched the Merit Solutions Partner Program, designed to provide partners with the sales, service, and product support needed to present competitive industry bids and win more deals. We invite you to join the Merit Solutions Partner Program!

We hope you are able to join us this year to celebrate the Microsoft Dynamics Community!

Register now!

MICROSOFT CONVERGENCE 2012
March 18 - 21, 2012
Houston, Texas
George R Brown Convention Center
Early Pricing = $1395 – Before 11:59pm Pacific Time on January 25, 2012
Standard Pricing = $1695 – After January 25, 2012

Merit Solutions was honored to present a lecture at Microsoft's 11th Sinergija event, held at Sava Center in Belgrade.

One of Merit Solutions' Senior Dynamics AX Consultants delivered the presentation, "What's New in Financial Management in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012. She presented new features in the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 in a simple and understandable manner to the audience, who showed enormous interest in the new features and expressed great expectations for the newest Microsoft Dynamics AX release.

Another one of Merit Solutions' Senior Dynamics AX Consultants presented Merit Solutions dedication and direction for services and implementation of the Microsoft Dynamics products in the Adriatic region.

Merit Solutions positions itself as a leading Microsoft Partner among the other partners in the region for Microsoft Dynamics AX. Merit Solutions will keep delivering the highest quality services and promoting the next generation in ERP - Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012.

Advanced Distribution for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Preview

Thursday, December 1, 2011 11:30am-1:00pm

Register now for this webinar

For more information and registration click here.

Find out how Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 helps medium to large manufacturers and distributors in the food industry to monitor food safety, streamline business processes, and enhance customer responsiveness. This next generation ERP provides a complete, enterprise wide business software solution designed to reduce an organization's total cost of ownership and improve profitability. See how Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 can impact your whole food organization - from finance and accounting to inventory, production, and distribution.

Register now!

There's still time to register and attend tomorrow's Microsoft / Aberdeen Food Webinar: Food and Beverage: Preparing for Growth and Living with Change.

Join Michael Shoemaker, Director of Microsoft’s Distribution & Consumer Goods Industry Development and Kevin Prouty, Research Director for Enterprise Applications and Manufacturing Industries with Aberdeen Group, as they discuss Food and Beverage: Preparing for Growth and Living with Change. As the economy swings into recovery mode, Food and Beverage companies are getting ready for growth in both their organization and their technology infrastructure. But change and market volatility have become a way of life. From data derived from Aberdeen's rigorous research methodology, we will show that managing change, along with managing growth, are the most important challenges that Food and Beverage companies face.

In this webinar, you will see benchmark data that highlights how successful organizations respond to their challenges through Best-in-Class strategies. The speakers will also examine what capabilities and enabling technologies these successful Food and Beverage companies bring to bear to drive their strategies. You will learn how these organizations prepare themselves for growth while striving to live in a world of constant change.

Finally, the speakers will discuss how top manufacturers are answering some of the most pressing technology questions in the industry today, including:

• What technologies to focus on to support your business strategies?
• How do successful companies prepare for constant change in the market?
• What benefits should you be getting from your ERP system?
• Does social media play a role in collaboration with the business?
• What should you do organizationally to get the most out of your systems?

Register now:
Food and Beverage: Preparing for Growth and Living with Change

Are you a Microsoft Dynamics Partner interested in winning more opportunities in the Life Sciences (Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, BioTech, BioMed) and Food industries? Are you attending WPC 2011?

If so, then we would love for you to join us on Wednesday, July 13 for Breakfast at The Farm! View Event Summary.

In this meeting, you will see a live product demonstration of our vertical Life Sciences solution, MAXLife. You will also be one of the first to see a sneak peek video of Merit Solutions’ Food vertical solution, MAXFood. Finally, we will wrap with a discussion of our Partner Program, and your opportunity to win with us in Life Sciences and Food opportunities.

To find out how to become a player in these competitive markets, join us that Wednesday morning! We will show you your potential for sales and implementation success using Merit Solutions’ Microsoft Dynamics AX and CRM ISV products!

Register now to reserve your spot!

Are you a Microsoft Dynamics Partner interested in winning more opportunities in the Life Sciences (Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, BioTech, BioMed) and Food industries? Are you attending WPC 2011?

If so, then we would love for you to join us on Wednesday, July 13 for Breakfast at The Farm! View Event Summary.

In this meeting, you will see a live product demonstration of our vertical Life Sciences solution, MAXLife. You will also be one of the first to see a sneak peek video of Merit Solutions’ Food vertical solution, MAXFood. Finally, we will wrap with a discussion of our Partner Program, and your opportunity to win with us in Life Sciences and Food opportunities.

To find out how to become a player in these competitive markets, join us that Wednesday morning! We will show you your potential for sales and implementation success using Merit Solutions’ Microsoft Dynamics AX and CRM ISV products!

Register now to reserve your spot!

If so, things are progressing very quickly for Merit Solutions’ products, MAXLife (Life Sciences Software) and MAXFood (Food ERP Software). These industry-specific products incorporate the full Microsoft stack - Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, and Microsoft SharePoint - with extended functionality and capabilities that meet the unique business challenges of each industry. Learn more about MAXLife and MAXFood.

We will be presenting a live product demonstration of MAXLife at WPC, and will be showing a “Sneak Peek” video of the upcoming release of MAXFood.

Feel free to contact Merit Solutions to set up a meeting at WPC to see how Microsoft Dynamics Partners can thrive with MAXLife and MAXFood - accelerating revenue growth.

• Hear how we can partner to help you build a successful Life Sciences or Food practice
• Learn the value our products can bring to your customers
• Understand the steps you need to take to become a Merit Solutions Partner

We hope to see you in Los Angeles!

There's still time to register for tomorrow's Life Sciences webinar, "2011 Life Sciences Industry Trends and Discovering Microsoft Technology Solutions".

Join us to learn about the top industry trends, challenges, and opportunities Life Sciences companies are facing in 2011. Also, learn how current Life Sciences companies are leveraging Microsoft technology solutions in a "Better Together" way. These companies are taking advantage of an enterprise wide business platform, using Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, and Microsoft SharePoint to maintain a competitive advantage and drive business growth. 

Learn about the following trends - their source, business impact, and how to drive success in each area:

• Transition into growth mode
• Increasing price pressure
• Heightened regulatory scrutiny
• Rising costs
• Pharmaceutical Patent Cliff
• Emerging Markets
• M&A Activity

REGISTER NOW!

If you can't attend the event, but would like a copy of the recording sent to you, feel free to register here for the Life Sciences Webinar Recording.

REGISTER NOW!

Join us on our complimentary webinar to learn about the emerging industry trends for Life Sciences companies in 2011. You will also learn how Microsoft technology solutions can help your organization reduce costs, improve efficiency and productivity, and streamline compliance processes.

Les Jordan, Chief Technology Specialist, Microsoft Life Sciences Industry team, will be presenting alongside Merit Solutions during this event.

During this presentation you will:

• Learn the top industry trends in 2011 for Life Sciences companies.
• Learn how Microsoft products are being leveraged by Life Sciences companies across the value chain.
• Find ways that Microsoft can enhance your compliance efforts across Microsoft products, including: Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft SharePoint.
• Learn how MAXLife for Microsoft Dynamics AX helps Life Science companies overcome industry business challenges in order to sustain profitability and growth.

Life Sciences companies need visibility across all areas of the organization. With an integrated end-to-end software resolution, organizations can have access to the information and work flows needed to capitalize on industry trends and maintain a competitive advantage.

If you cannot attend the event but would like to have a copy of the recording sent to you, please fill out this request form.

"The opportunities that I had to network with other Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics CRM users at Microsoft Convergence was invaluable. I still connect with many of those contacts on a regular basis for information sharing and updates. Also, the presenters and technical staff were more than willing to share product information, ideas, and interact openly."
- Tara Crain, Mid-Continent Instruments

We are excited to announce that Merit Solutions will be exhibiting at Microsoft Convergence 2011 Atlanta this year in April. Please stop by Booth 735 and learn about MAXLife, Microsoft Dynamics AX for Life Sciences.

Attending Convergence can help you make the most of your solution for peak business performance. You’ll come together with the Microsoft Dynamics community of customers, partners, industry leaders, and Microsoft experts to make connections and share valuable insights and knowledge. Interact with other users, see what they’re doing, and learn what works for them. Also, get direct access to product developers and ask specific questions about the issues you confront each day.

Georgia World Congress Center April 10–13, 2011
285 Andrew Young International Blvd., NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30313-1591

Hotel spots are filling up quickly, so register now to secure your spot close to the Congress Center!

Learn more about Microsoft Convergence 2011 Atlanta.

Registration for Microsoft's Convergence 2011 Atlanta is under way—sign up now, and encourage others in your organization to do the same!

Each year, Convergence serves as the intersection its name implies: the meeting point for the Microsoft Dynamics customer business community; the crossroads of learning, discovery and opportunity; the junction of connections and possibilities.

This annual gathering of business professionals is where new product releases are encountered and understood, where best practices are shared and learned, and where business relationships and partnerships are forged and renewed. You’ll walk away from Convergence with knowledge and contacts that can make an impact on your bottom line over the months to come. We hope you join us at Convergence 2011 Atlanta.

Convergence runs April 10–13, 2011, at Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. Register by February 21, 2011, for a $300 discount, and make your travel plans now to get the best deals.

Learn about Convergence 2011 Registration, and then Register Today! 

Merit Solutions will be co-presenting numerous sessions at the Microsoft Dynamics CRM event - extreme 2010!

extreme 2010 is the premier partner event focused solely on Microsoft Dynamics CRM and dedicated to advancing best practices and strategies for Microsoft Dynamics CRM organizations.

Merit Solutions will be presenting during the following sessions:

Adopting Sure Step and Putting It To The Test - 4:00pm, Monday, November 8
You know the advantages of using a solid methodology tool - now how and where do you start with Sure Step? Which templates will help any implementation get off to the right start? Besides covering the basics of the "must have" templates, we'll review tools included in Sure Step for post-implementation optimization services. These tools can drive additional revenue as well as increased customer confidence. Finally, we'll review the path to internal adoption of Sure Step to help you bring your partner organization on board.

CRM Implementation Best Practices - 9:00am, Tuesday, November 9
We've all seen an implementation that took the wrong path. What are the common pitfalls in CRM implementations? How can you anticipate and avoid these situations? A Microsoft escalation manager and a CRM partner will review some common areas of concern and share best practices. Sure Step tools that can aid in implementation will be reviewed.

Increase Sales With Sure Step As Your Implementation Methodology - 2:00pm Tuesday, November 9
Is your sales team using Sure Step in the sales process? Do you know how Sure Step aligns with MSSP? Are your prospects comfortable with your prescribed implementation process? Partners who can speak to a specific process and methodology instill confidence in their customers. Additionally, using forms in the sales cycle that can be easily transferred to the implementation process will bring greater collaboration to your whole partner team. Join us as we review the various tools that can be used with prospects and learn how to get your salespeople up to speed on Sure Step.

Come join Merit Solutions at these sessions to learn more about Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Sure Step!

The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) went live with a brand new website yesterday and it looks great!

We invite all of our readers to join our support of the local technology industry by doing a number of things:

• Create your own ITA User Account (top of the page)
• Subscribe to the ITA Newswire
• View the Upcoming ITA Events
• Become an ITA Member Company

With over 700 member companies, ITA represents organizations from start-up to industry leader across the industry – software, mobile, internet, consulting, online services, electronics, telecommunications, green and across all industries – business, consumer, financial services, travel, manufacturing, healthcare, and so on – that represent Illinois’ diversity of companies “that make the technology, that make businesses run.”