This episode is sponsored by Mavim.

As use of Microsoft Power Platform has grown, so  has its influence in customers' business process management initiatives. But Power Platform is almost never the entire story when it comes to governance of processes, IP, and broader challenges like enterprise architecture.

Our guest on this episode, Lennard van Leuen of Mavim, discusses how dedicated BPM tools like Mavim can work alongside tools like Power Apps and Power Automate to provide the most comprehensive management and governance of IP and business processes at the enterprise or department level. We discuss different kinds of automation, what the term "hyper-automation" means to Mavim, and what Microsoft's product roadmap means for the future of business process management initiatives.

Show Notes:

• 1:30 - Breaking down the different types of automation commonly seen in the Microsoft Dynamics & Power Platform ecosystem
• 3:30 - How do Power Platform tools fit with Mavim's tools and customer needs?
• 4:00 - How Mavim defines hyper-automation and some context
• 5:30 - Handling more complex automation and BPM scenarios
• 7:00 - Takeaways from the Build conference related to Power Platform
• 8:00 - The outlook on tools like form recognition in the context of BPM
• 9:00 - Business process management as a broader opportunity for organizations
• 11:30 - How to incorporate governance into BPM and automation initiatives
• 14:00 - How organizations are augmenting existing enterprise systems with Power Platform capabilities
• 19:00 - How newer tech like RPA can complete more process automation scenarios

Resources:

• Lennard's article on hyper-automation with Mavim and Power Platform

This episode is sponsored by Formpipe.

Dynamics 365 Business Central users face a variety of document automation challenges, especially as their organizations grow and interface with more third parties. The question inevitably arises: how far can the customer push standard Business Central capabilities before they need to look for a specialized solution? The team from Formpipe, makers of Lasernet, have been working with BC and NAV customers for years and join us on this episode to provide an update on their experiences working with BC customers and deploying Lasernet to meet broader and more complex document and output automation needs related to international expansion, regulatory requirements, and changing vendor and customer needs. We also discuss where an investment in advanced automation needs fits into the context of a move to Business Central from an older ERP solution.

Show Notes:

• 1:30 - What do Business Central document automation standard capabilities look like?
• 3:00 - Typical requirements lead BC customers to seek more advanced features
• 4:15 - Why paper documents are less common and electronic documents are often the default today
• 5:00 - How Lasernet helps BC customers with more complex requirements around format, process, and rules
• 6:45 - When an organization might invest in document automation before a move to BC (or not)
• 8:30 - How has BC has evolved to better support advanced ISV capabilities
• 10:15 - Advances for Lasernet's BC integration
• 11:30 - Getting started with a Lasernet deployment for BC (and the role of partners)

For more information on Lasernet for Dynamics or the Lasernet Connector for Business Central, please visit: https://www.formpipe.com/en/software/lasernet/dynamics-365/ or if you would like to set up a demo, you can contact sales@formpipe.com.

This episode is sponsored by Columbus.

The data and reporting needs of Dynamics ERP customers have changed over the years, but the skills and tools have not always kept up. Preparing for the next phase of operational and financial management is largely about gaining control of business data as strategies and processes change, workers face new  demands on their time, and executives envision a landscape driven by cloud technology.

On this episode we are talking about the evolving challenges of data management and analysis with Michael Simms VP of digital advisory and data & analytics at Columbus. Simms is a veteran of the Dynamics AX and F&SCM space and has been on the front lines with customers for many years, working to help organizations get control of their business data with reporting and analysis.

Show Notes:

• 2:30 - The state of traditional data warehouses
• 4:00 - The importance of curated data sets in today's data management landscape
• 5:15 - Modernizing data skills for today's demands
• 9:00 - The emergence of data lakes and how it relates to Dynamics ERPs
• 10:15 - What to do with legacy data warehouses when planning for future cloud investments
• 14:30 - The strengths of Azure Synapse and Mike's recent experiences helping clients
• 17:45 - The importance of creating authoritative data sets and the governance challenges
• 21:00 - Looking ahead to new reporting suites for business apps
• 22:00 - Advice on developing expertise as a Microsoft customer

For more information about Columbus and our data and analytics solutions, visit us at

https://www.columbusglobal.com/en-us/solutions/data-analytics

This episode is sponsored by HSO.

Opportunities to modernize field services come in many forms. Our guests on this episode, Max Dinser and Mike Hammons of HSO, help us understand some of the scenarios and technology choices they are helping clients make and where Microsoft's cloud services fit. Some organizations need an overhaul of their field service management, which might call for the deployment of Dynamics 365 Field Service and specialized add-on solutions. Other firms are trying to enhance their field teams' capabilities  by adding augmented reality solutions, providing better insight into equipment via IoT, or asking field workers to help fulfill new business models based on new types of service agreements.

Max and Mike also share the new tech that they are most excited about, ranging from analytics to IoT to automation tools. And we discuss some of the unique scenarios that differentiate one organization's needs from another.

Show Notes:

• 2:30 - Tech trends that are impacting the field service market today
• 5:15 - How do organizations take the steps to adopt new tech?
• 8:30 - A growth model for service businesses
• 12:00 - Why so many companies are still in a reactive state and should start small with adapting their service portfolio
• 14:45 - Microsoft's progress on D365 Field Service and other ways to support it
• 16:30 - What goes into service planning
• 19:30 - Using Power Platform to round out out of the box solutions
• 21:00 - Perspectives on servitization with Microsoft tech
• 25:00 - What do digital twins do for service management?30:00 - The role of IT and the business in service technology investment
• 33:30 - What the HSO team is excited about in the tech landscape

The report mentioned: Key Drivers for Growth in Service: Research Report with Microsoft and Noventum

For additional resources and workshop from HSO: Connected Field Service

This episode is sponsored by KwikTag by enChoice. To learn more about KwikTag and the benefits of SimplyAP, the cloud AP automation solution, visit kwiktag.com.

The Dynamics 365 Business Central ecosystem has seen drastic changes in the last few years, thanks in large part to the product's rapid evolution. That greater maturity means the product can now address the needs of more organizations, and that has also drawn in more ISVs willing to invest in integrating their solutions.

Our guests from KwikTag by enChoice, director of marketing and channel Mary Miller and VP of product Mike Fernandes, share their observations on the changes in the Business Central ecosystem, from buyer attitudes to ISV priorities. Solutions of the future will be easier to deploy (like through AppSource), provide more pre-built AI capabilities, and generally do more for less.

Mary and Mike discuss the importance of enChoice's acquisition of AI-driven OCR platform provider Sypht and the launch SimplyAP for Business Central, KwikTag's new solution for BC that is designed for rapid deployment and uptake.

Show Notes:

• 1:30 - Where do Mike and Mary see the Business Central market today?
• 5:00 - Important advances in Business Central that help ISVs publishing integrated products
• 7:00 - Improvements in Business Central APIs and solution publishing
• 9:00 - Why younger workers are changing expectations around making business solutions easier to find, deploy, and use
• 10:30 - How Kwiktag have adapted their product strategy to meet market demands
• 13:45 - Adjusting pricing and technology to meet the needs of growing organizations that need AP automation
• 15:00 - Opportunities to add intelligence to the AP process  in KwikTag's product roadmap via the Sypht acquisition
• 17:00 - The launch of SimplyAP for Business Central
• 18:30 - Planning for the second half of 2022

While often out of the spotlight, hundreds of Microsoft Dynamics professionals in Ukraine have worked for years with customers and partners around the world. Like the rest of their country, they saw their lives upended by the Ruissian invasion in February with some fleeing the country and others heading to bunkers or into military service.

To understand more about the current situation for Ukrainians in the Dynamics community, we asked the leaders of three partner organizations to tell us about how their Ukrainian employees are doing today. Volodomyr Svyrydenk, CEO of OntargIT, Charlotte McCormick president of ArganoArbela, and Thomas Ajspur, CEO of Enavate, share their experiences, both managing from abroad and, in the case of Volodomyr, returning to Ukraine as the war continues. They discuss the need to understand the trauma their employees were experiencing, the logistics of working amid the upheaval, and the need to come together as a community.

Partners have banded together to raise money for the Dynamics community. You can donate to support them at: https://dynamicsukraine.org/

Show Notes:

• 2:45 - The latest conditions for Ukrainians at our guests' organizations
• 6:30 - Helping relocate some employees and support others who have stayed
• 8:30 - The challenges of leading in a wartime situation\
• 11:00 - What support to their Ukrainian workers need?
• 12:30 - How partners are coming together to help each other with work and logistics
• 15:00 - Estimating how many people are impacted in the Dynamics community overall
• 17:00 - Expectations for the future: Rebuilding and beyond
• 20:00 - How to help - https://dynamicsukraine.org/

The technology needs of today's deskless worker reflect the pressures they face in their day-to-day work experiences. On this episode we are looking at the mobile capabilities that deskless workers are taking advantage of today and how various tech advances suit different roles.

Our guest, Trevor Metcalf of Resco, shares his perspective on the wide range of organizations investing in new solutions for field workers and how they prioritize those requirements to deliver solutions that are optimized for different scenarios, from humanitarian work to retail to travel and leisure.

And Trevor shares some interesting perspective on the future of mobile solutions. More organizations are coming around to the idea that entire workforces can embrace mobile solutions, he says, allowing them to design a future that in some cases is completely free of desktop interfaces.

Show Notes:

• 1:15 - What is the macro view for deskless worker experiences today?
• 3:00 - Employers' pressure to deliver positive workforce engagement
• 4:30 - How do you define the deskless workforce today?
• 7:30 - Where are the next mobile tech opportunities for workers?
• 10:30 - Why deskless workers need tailored solutions that aren't generic
• 12:30 - Resco client stories that reflect typical needs for various types of organizations
• 16:30 - How to design for the workers' needs
• 18:00 - Why starting small on new mobile capabilities is a smart approach in many cases
• 19:00 - Why today's mobile solutions can stand on their own, without a desktop interface for the back office
• 23:45 - Planning for Resco.connect 2022

A message from Resco:

Join Resco on June 9th, 2022 in Charleston, SC at Resco.connect 2022 to share ideas & spark debates around deskless workers.

Explore the agenda and secure your tickets while they last!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rescoconnect-tickets-320874302677

We’re Resco, one of the global leaders in developing cross-platform mobile software solutions. We enable companies to collect, access, share and evaluate vital business data in the field.

Today, Resco products mobilize over 200,000 licensed users at 2000+ corporate customers worldwide and are supported by a network of 600+ partners.

If you want to learn more about Resco, visit: https://www.resco.net

Microsoft revealed its plans to revamp its partner model recently, replacing the Partner Network with the Cloud Partner Program. In the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform space, veteran partners have already started to take measure of the impact of the changes - how Microsoft will score their performance in the channel and what benefits they will gain, lose, or keep as a result.

Our guests, AJ Ansari of DWSi and Peter Wolf of Azamba, tell us that, on the whole, the early signals from Microsoft about the new program have been discouraging. They cite a number of reasons, from the details of the new scoring system to Microsoft's lack of outreach. Neither AJ nor Peter believes that Microsoft engineered the new program to hurt healthy and growing business applications-focused partners, but their concern is real and they believe Microsoft will begin hearing a rising chorus of questions and criticisms as the program nears the planned implementation date.

AJ and Peter discuss this issue from range of perspectives, including the new scoring, the business value of different benefits like IURs, and the realities of trying to run a Microsoft partner business under the new program.

See also:

• The Crancer Group discussion of the evolving Microsoft Partner Network
• Microsoft documentation on the Solutions partner for Business applications
• Upcoming webcast:  Business Apps Partner Chat, May 2022: Microsoft’s New Cloud Partner Program – What's Changing and What's In It for Me?

Microsoft partner organizations, especially those fully committed to the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform channel, should not be surprised to hear that managing their Microsoft relationship is an important element of their business success.

Our guest on this episode, Joe Corigliano, understands the importance and complexity of these relationships between Dynamics partners and Microsoft. Joe joined Microsoft as part of the Great Plains acquisition of the early 2000's and has worked both as an employee and as a member of the channel ecosystem in the years since. Now working with Microsoft ISVs from the outside, he shares his perspective on what top performing Dynamics 365 ISVs are doing well today and what he foresees in Microsoft's ongoing partner engagement efforts and broader community planning.

Show Notes:

• 1:30 - Joe's history in the business apps ecosystem, dating back to Great Plains
• 3:30 - Observations on the current state of partners
• 5:00 - Why it is so challenging for partners to manage their Microsoft relationship
• 6:30 - What it means to be a globally managed ISV and how to achieve that level of attention
• 10:00 - Why ISVs should pursue a globally managed status
• 12:30 - Observations from Inner Circle and the ISVs who were invited this year
• 15:30 - Themes coming out of both Inner Circle and Directions North America 2022
• 17:30 - How should ISV IP align with Microsoft's goals?
• 20:00 - The benefits of tying into a Microsoft industry cloud
• 22:00 - Are partners getting enough from Microsoft in terms of strategic guidance?
• 26:00 - Microsoft channel leadership and the future of Microsoft's own conference strategy
• 28:00 - What does Microsoft's goal of Business Apps becoming a $10 billion segment mean for their public image, including their events roadmap?

We wrap up a busy April with a news roundup edition of the podcast. We begin with a dive into some performance details from Microsoft's Q3 2022 earnings, including a miss on Dynamics revenue, strength in Power Platform, and stabile and healthy Azure growth. From there we discuss recent news about Dynamics SMB strategy and leadership, industry partnerships, Azure in Africa, HR, and more.

Show Notes

• 0:30 - Diving into Microsoft's earnings announcement and commentary
• 4:15 - Our interview with Microsoft's Mike Morton
• 7:00 - Dynamics 365 Business Central roadmap updates
• 8:45 - Piloting an Azure Data Lake export from Business Central
• 9:45 - Hybrid cloud and multi-cloud investment data
• 11:15 - New high profile cloud partnerships with Boeing and Rogers
• 12:30 - Microsoft reveals its new Cloud Partner Program
• 15:00 - A Dynamics GP roadmap update
• 16:45 - When will Microsoft Azure
• 18:00 - Planning and managing automated database migrations to Azure
• 18:30 - Experts explore Dynamics 365 Human Resources top features, collapsible groups, and advanced duplicate detection

This episode is sponsored by Avanade.

Ecolab, a leading provider of water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services, has undergone major business transformation initiatives using Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. On this episode we hear from Ecolab's Rachel Hart, program manager for Industrial sales and service applications, in conversation with leaders from Avanade's North American sales and service team. They discuss Ecolab's organizational and technical accomplishments and how the investments in digital transformation have been executed in a way that benefits the organization.

Rachel explains that the work is much more than just technology and platforms, it’s innovating to enable the right user experience and ensuring your users are setup for success.

From Avanade:

If your organization is on a similar journey and you want to learn more, you can reach out to Abi Sridhar by email or on LinkedIn.

This episode is sponsored by Versapay.

From the rise of remote work to the inconveniences of paper checks, it’s no surprise that a recent survey indicated that 93% of CFOs are already digitizing accounting operations. But not all digitization efforts are created equal. This is especially true when integrating solutions with ERPs like Microsoft Dynamics.

In this episode, we speak with Versapay senior product manager Meredith Mitchell and national partner manager David Gersten about the state of AR in 2022, including their experiences building new and improved integrations to Dynamics ERPs, how improved maturity in AR technology aligns with broader goals of the CFO, and their view on evaluating AR solutions.

Show Notes

• 1:00 - Trends and CFO sentiment around accounting modernization related to Dynamics 365
• 7:30 - Global conditions that are motivating businesses to modernize AR: pandemic changes, inflation pressures, security
• 12:00 - The benefits of building a network between vendors and buyers
• 18:00 - Recommendations for modernizing finance with Dynamics ERPs
• 23:00 - Launching Versapay's newer Dynamics 365 Finance & SCM integration
• 26:00 - Microsoft tools and technology that show promise for CFO needs
• 30:00 - Why e-commerce integration shows so much promise
• 32:00 - Looking to the future at Versapay for product development and new partner opportunities

A message from Versapay:

Put what you learned here about Versapay's integrated payment solution for Microsoft Dynamics 365 into action. Book and attend a meeting with Versapay and you’ll get a complimentary $15 gift card to Starbucks or Uber Eats.

Conditions:

• To receive a $15 Starbucks or Uber Eats gift card, you must book and attend a meeting with a Versapay Sales Development Representative.
• This offer is only available to people located in North America (USA and Canada)

This episode is sponsored by Binary Stream Software.

The thinking around service-based business models has moved far beyond traditional scenarios. Today, forward-thinking businesses in a range of industries are taking service-oriented (or XaaS) approaches that require all corners of the organization to embrace changes in process and technology.

Our guest, Khaled Nassra of Binary Stream Software, a global software and services firm focusing on subscription management, consolidation accounting, and lease administration, helps us unpack some of the reasons why subscription-based business models are succeeding today. We discuss recent research on the performance of forward-thinking firms compared to their traditional counterparts, regulatory pressures, and the technical fundamentals that make new subscription and service models possible.

Show notes:

•  1:30 - Describing the origins and concepts around a service-oriented approach to business
• 4:00 - What does the market really want in terms of a pivot to a service mindset?
• 5:30 - Research on subscription-based models and their growth potential
• 7:00 - The legacy vs new market potential for innovation around services and subscriptions
• 9:30 - Technical fundamentals of new business models
• 11:45 - The organizational support required for services-focused execution
• 15:30 - Key regulations for revenue recognition and financial management
• 18:45 - Microsoft's message on subscription-oriented models to the market and to partners
• 21:00 - How are partners adapting to offer more subscription-focused offers to clients?
• 23:00 - Recommendations on getting started with digital tools to support transformation

From Binary Stream:

Binary Stream is a global solution provider for Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERPs with over 20 years of experience supporting over 2500 customers. The company recently cemented its status as an expert in subscription management and completed a licensing agreement with Microsoft for its Subscription Billing Suite solution for Dynamics 365 Finance; and continues to develop leading services and solutions in the space. You can learn more about Binary Stream or get in touch with the team here.

This episode is sponsored by Formpipe.

Despite all the investment in digitization of paper, organizations still face huge volumes of paper documents and manual processes. That's according to Lennart Garbarsch, CEO of Tabellae. He speaks with Formpipe's Ben Saxton on this special MSDW Podcast episode about Tabellae's efforts to help organizations expand their document and output automation across more departments and more core business processes. He also offers feedback on the human side of the automation, both in terms of project execution and user adoption.

• Show Notes:
  1:45 - Why so business document automation still remains today
• 4:45 - Accelerating automation projects that had been slated for the future
• 7:30 - How to help make people more comfortable with the move to cloud document management
• 10:30 - The future of industry-specific document needs in retail, logistics, and other areas
• 12:30 - The demand for a single view of content and documents across internal and customer-facing processes

For more information on Formpipe, please visit www.formpipe.com or contact them at sales@formpipe.com

This episode is sponsored by Resco.

There is an important deadline looming for Dynamics 365 Field Service customers and the future of their mobile application strategy. Ivan Stano, COO of Resco joins us to discuss that change in direction and customers' options. We also discuss some of the broader mobile technology challenges faced by Microsoft customers today, interesting future-looking tech, and Resco's plans in the Dynamics 365 space beyond field service.

Show Notes:

• 2:00 - Understanding the Dynamics 365 Field Service mobile app transition
• 5:00 - Evaluation criteria when deciding between Resco's field service solution and Microsoft's new Power Apps-based solution
• 7:15 - Reco's deeper mobility history with Microsoft
• 9:30 - Observations on the recent growth of D365 Field Service overall
• 13:00 - The future of service industry investments at Microsoft
• 14:00 - New capabilities developed by Resco in areas like augmented reality, guides, and more
• 16:30 - The new mobility landscape with field services - how will organizations make the decision between their options
• 20:00 - Why offline remains such a big challenge
• 24:00 - Resco's plans in other parts of the Dynamics 365 space like Business Central
• 25:00 - Resco's presence at DynamicsCon 2022

More information:

• More information on the mobile app transition: www.resco.net/transition
• Resco's profile on MSDynamicsWorld

On this episode, the MSDynamicsWorld and MSCloudNews editorial team discuss recent news coverage and popular expert articles. Topics range from Ukraine to executive changes in the Microsoft Business Applications organization to ISV alignment strategies to the conference outlook.

Show Notes:

• 0:30 – Microsoft community response to war in Ukraine
  • Microsoft partners and professionals with Ukraine connections express growing concern, dismay
  • What does the Russian invasion of Ukraine mean for cloud security?
• 4:00 – Cloud security outlook related to the Russian invasion
• 6:15 – Executive departure: Business Apps channel lead Cecilia Flombaum
• 8:20 – Executive departure: Muhammad Alam's departure
• 10:20 – Microsoft completes the acquisition of Nuance
• 13:15 – Advice for ISVs on aligning properly with Microsoft
• 15:00 – Getting ready for DynamicsCon 2022 virtual event.
• 17:00 – Broader event outlook for March and April -
• 17:45 – The future of hybrid cloud
• 19:00 – Gaining an advantage in contract manufacturing

This episode is sponsored by DBSync.

Data integration challenges remain at the center of today's IT modernization efforts. From common ERP and CRM modernization scenarios to complex hybrid strategies with legacy applications, some of today's most important real-life enterprise software projects rely on reliable integration capabilities.

My guests, Connor Evans and Avinash Rao of DBSync, share their observations about current investments in integration technology for the modernization of ERP, field service, e-commerce, and more. They share some recent project scenarios in the Dynamics space, discuss the role of Power Platform, and offer some project management tips.

Show Notes:

• 3:00 - The landscape for integration needs in today's organizations
• 4:30 - Having an integration plan amid ERP modernization
• 8:00 - How to think about integration platforms alongside Power Platform
• 10:00 - Supporting integrations long-term
• 11:00 - Recounting a Dynamics 365 customer story - National Maintenance and Construction
• 13:00 - Tecman's work on integrating Business Central and Shopify
• 15:30 - Why experience with integration projects matters
• 19:30 - The importance of post-go-live support for new integrations
• 20:00 - How to assess your next integration with DBSync

DBSync’s Cloud Data Management Platform helps automate data integration workflows, getting everyone on the same page with the same sales and accounting information. Seamlessly connect SaaS, cloud and on-premise applications without the burden of installing and maintaining software and appliances.  

Either use our bi-directional pre-built template or go with a customized more complex, and dynamic mapping to fit your unique requirements.

Useful Links:

• Dynamics 365 Connector
• Dynamics 365 x Quickbooks Integration
• Dynamics 365 x Shopify Integration

Microsoft continues to update Dynamics 365 Project Operations on a monthly basis. For those keeping a close eye on the product, new and improved features can make a big difference in how organizations use the software. Microsoft MVP Kuldeep Gupta has been keeping MSDW readers informed on key updates of the current release wave in areas like sub-contracting, approvals, and project tasks. He joins us to share more about the product's evolution, his clients' needs, and his new role since he last joined the podcast.

Show Notes:

• 1:15 - Kuldeep's new role
• 3:15 - Overall trends in the evolution of Project Operations
• 5:45 - The importance of sub-contracting updates
• 9:00 - Perspective on the introduction of modern approvals
• 12:45 - PSA to PO upgrade status and opportunities
• 16:00 - The difference between PO and PO Lite
• 17:30 - The importance of the monthly update cadence
• 19:00 - Implementation trends

This episode is sponsored by Mavim.

As low-code tools like Microsoft Power Platform mature, organizations see promising new options for the future of their legacy processes and systems. But when considering investments in Power Platform-enabled enhancements like new connectors, custom integrations, RPA, or custom applications, organizations shouldn't lose sight of the potential impact on managing business processes. 

Edwin Jongsma of Mavim joins us on this episode to discuss how he views low-code in relation to business process management. We discuss the impact on governance, how these issues intersect in Microsoft's industry cloud strategy, and what the Mavim team are seeing in the Microsoft channel related to legacy application replacement.

Show Notes:

• 1:30 - How low code trends and vendors are evolving
• 2:45 - What complexity in low-code apps means for traditional enterprise apps like Dynamics 365
• 4:00 - Supporting governance for organizations making big bets of Power Platform
• 7:30 - The maturity levels around low code governance
• 9:00 - Process implications of Microsoft's push for industry cloud solutions
• 12:15 - The Microsoft partner journey to industry solutions: Building a process repository
• 14:45 - What does the growth of low code mean for legacy applications?
• 16:15 - The challenge of understanding and transcending as-is processes defined by legacy apps

More from Mavim:

• Improving low code with business process management (Article)
• Low Code No Code and Business Process Management (White Paper)
• Going Cloud on a Deadline? It's Never Too Late to Find a Better Way (White Paper)

Our editorial team returns for a fast-paced discussion about recent Microsoft Business Apps and Azure news coverage and expert articles. It's the first roundup episode of 2022 and helps us catch up on what's new and important in the community.

• 0:45 - Microsoft announces GA of finance insights features for Dynamics 365 Finance
• 2:45 - How Power Platform professionals re-invented their careers
• 4:45 - Microsoft CVP Vasu Jakkal on why security is so important to Cloud for Financial Services
• 6:30 - Microsoft takes on cloud security solutions: What it means for partners, rivals
• 7:30 - Why Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare matters in the healthcare IT market
• 9:45 – global's acquisition of Dynamic Consulting and new financing
• 12:30 - Finding the right fit: A Microsoft partner CEO shares his acquisition experience in the channel
• 13:45 - SignUp Software plans for new stage of growth in Microsoft channel following IPO
• 15:00 – Expert contributor highlights: House of the Future and Quantum computing in the cloud

When a new application changes the way a business operates, it is changing the way individual workers carry out their jobs. Our guest, Derek Lichtenwalner, a digital transformation specialist at water bottling company BlueTriton Brands, understands the impact of  changes better than your average solution developer because he made the transition to his current role after working several in roles on the company's production line.

Now a Microsoft Power Apps expert at the company, he is responsible for developing and enhancing applications that the production workers use to inspect and maintaining equipment.

Derek tells us about how Power Apps changed the trajectory of his career from production to digital transformation, and how he now interfaces with both the company's employees and management.

Show Notes:

• 2:00 - How Power Platform was introduced at his company
• 4:15 - Why Derek tends to look at the user's perspective first when designing apps
• 5:00 - How a hackathon kickstarted Derek's Power Apps work
• 8:15 - Details about the autonomous maintenance app that Derek works with.
• 10:30 - The technology that make the app work, like Azure AD connector
• 11:30 - Observations on app speed
• 14:00 - Maintaining relationships with app users and getting feedback.
• 15:30 - Getting involved in the Power Apps community
• 16:30 - On changing career plans as a result of Power Apps work
• 18:30 - What Derek is looking forward to in Power Platform
• 19:30 - Why the business still needs to add automation
• 20:30 - Lessons or advice to newcomers to Power Apps (helping others with questions, speed up dev of their applications)

This episode is sponsored by Avanade.

In a landscape of global competition and supply chain complexity, manufacturers are turning to some of the most interesting and newest technology offerings to help fuel their success. And our guests,

Jennifer Johnson, Avanade’s North America Manufacturing Industry lead, and Thomas Nall, Avanade’s Global Manufacturing Industry lead, share their perspective on the investments their manufacturing clients are making or planning as modern manufacturers. From big data and data transformation to disruptive technology and sustainable manufacturing, they share stories from the field and how Avanade is helping manufacturers move the needle when it comes to data, technology and innovation. 

Show Notes:

• 2:15 - How to approach questions around getting data right for manufacturers and their supply chains
• 6:30 - The importance of standardizing data
• 8:00 - What do manufacturers face when they take ownership of new business systems?
• 11:30 - Facing organizational change across many roles, from IT to the shop floor
• 15:00 - Does more data open opportunities for new roles and responsibilities?
• 17:00 - Trends in modernizing IoT
• 18:30 - What do organizations need to understand about digital twins
• 21:00 - What other new technology holds promise?  (augmented reality, predictive analytics, and more)
• 28:00 - Do pressures of the pandemic prove instructive for future tech planning?
• 29:30 - Are executives eager to talk about the future of their businesses, competition, and consumer habits?
• 33:30 - Growing interest by customers in taking a technology-first approach
• 36:30 - Reasons for optimism about technology investment in manufacturing

Connect with Jen and Tom on LinkedIn and visit Avanade.com for more information on Avanade - the leading digital innovator, creating great experiences and realizing results for their clients through the power of people and the Microsoft ecosystem.

• Jen’s LinkedIn profile
• Tom’s LinkedIn profile
• Avanade’s website

This episode is sponsored by Beanworks.

The twelve months from March 2020 to March 2021 were an important year for financial automation vendor Beanworks for a few key reasons. The pandemic made their tools indispensable, both for existing clients and those companies scrambling to get away from paper-based financial processes. The company was also acquired by Quadient, which marks the next phase in the company's history.

Beanworks CEO Catherine Dahl joins us to talk about some of the key moments in her company's history, from their challenging start picking up the pieces of a previous firm to their product development roadmap, post-acquisition plans, and more. The company operates with the current and future needs of finance department workers in mind, Dahl says, and their product portfolio, from managing purchase orders to invoices to expenses to payments, reflects that worldview.

Show Notes:

• 0:30 - The importance of 2020 for Beanworks, including the pandemic and their GP integration launch
• 3:00 - The story of Beanworks' acquisition by Quadient
• 4:15 - The origins of Beanworks in 2012 and earlier efforts
• 6:00 - Competing and differentiating in the AP automation space
• 9:45 - Building a Microsoft channel program and features for the Dynamics product line
• 10:45 - Differentiating in the marketplace
• 13:00 - Customer stories and needs: managing payables by exception, work from home, and more
• 17:00 - Planning for growth
• 18:45 - What is required to continue innovation in finance into the future
• 21:15 - What to expect from the next generation of accounting professionals

Eliminate 83% of data entry, with AI-powered header and line item data capture, so your team can focus on higher-value tasks. Manage POs, invoices, payments and expenses from a central platform. For more information visit beanworks.com or email us at sales@beanworks.com

This episode is sponsored by Columbus.

Microsoft has made some important updates to its desktop-as-a-service lineup this year, with the launches of Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). To help make sense of the differences, the strengths of each, and how they stack up in the broader marketplace, we are joined  by Jason Valenzano, senior technical solution architect for managed services at Columbus. Jason walks us through some of the  details and differentiating factors of Microsoft's virtual desktop offerings and where organizations can best apply each one today.

Factors like onboarding and the complexity of the surrounding IT environment, including security and hybrid needs should be at the top of the list, he says. But don't underestimate the employee experience benefits of the right desktop as a service offering like the flexibility of work location, streamlined IT support, and choice of the devices people can use to get work done.

Show Notes:

• 2:00 - Defining desktop as a service
• 3:30 - What is Windows 365 and what does it mean for Microsoft
• 5:15 - How Azure Virtual Desktop differs from Windows 365
• 7:45 - How does an organization figure out the right fit for one of these offerings
• 11:15 - Pricing as a factor in the decision
• 16:00 - How IT and other departments influence decision making on desktop technology
• 19:30 - How heavier computing needs factor into a virtual desktop decision
• 22:30 - Managing deployment in a growing or a distributed global workforce
• 25:00 - Security and ransomware protection
• 27:45 - Onboarding considerations - accounts, licensing, and more complex tools and decisions
• 30:00 - Competitive landscape for desktop as a service

For more information on infrastructure and application management services, please visit https://www.columbusglobal.com/en-us/solutions/application-management or contacts Luke.Dudenhoeffer@columbusglobal.com.