We are kicking off our new podcast series, the Biz Apps Classroom, and our hosts, Julie Yack of 365.training and Jason Gumpert of MSDynamicsWorld.com, discuss how this project arose and where it will be going in future episodes. They chat about some of the training and learning themes influencing the Power Platform and Dynamics 365 landscape today and trade notes on recent conference experiences and Microsoft product announcements. Julie also shares some observations from her most recent classroom training work.

Stay tuned for upcoming episodes of the Biz Apps Classroom, where we will examine topics like the influence of AI, Microsoft certifications, training resources, classroom and teaching styles, the evolution of the Microsoft business applications products, and more.

Special offer: Listeners can support the podcast and get a discount on an annual plan for 365.training by visiting https://365l.ink/MSDW.

Show Notes:

• 1:00 – How to make sense about training in the Microsoft Biz Apps ecosystem today
• 3:30 – Julie’s history with developing training content in the Dynamics space
• 4:15 – How the hosts will develop new episode ideas and how listeners can get involved
• 7:00 – Why some training materials have remained valid for several years while other topics change frequently
• 8:00 – Addressing different types of learners, learning needs, and learning resources
• 9:30 – Why certifications still matter
• 11:00 – Why in-person training remains important in some scenarios
• 13:30 – Training digital immigrants versus digital natives
• 16:00 – How will AI impact training?
• 19:30 – Julie’s experience leading in-person labs at Ignite 2023
• 22:00 – Can Power Platform remain a platform both for citizen developers and pro devs?
• 23:15 – More Ignite 2023 in-person experiences
  

Contact our hosts:

• Julie Yack – julie@365.training
• Jason Gumpert – jgumpert@msdynamicsworld.com

The analysts at Everest Group have published their latest ratings of systems integrators in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 ecosystem, and changes in the space reflect both product trends and attitudes toward enterprise software investment.

Our guest, Everest Group practice director Abhishek Mundra, discusses the factors that his time uses to assess service providers in terms of partnership with Microsoft, types of engagements, project outcomes, attitudes toward value realization, and more. And he explains why some firms have risen to become major contenders based on factors like geography or industry.

Learn more about the Everest Group report here.

Show Notes:

• 1:45 - Goals of Everest Group's assessment and the factors that impact it.
• 4:45 - What has changed since their last assessment, both in terms of Microsoft's portfolio and the provider results
• 10:30 - Why more global enterprises are deploying Dynamics-based solutions
•  13:45 - Emerging types of engagements
• 15:15 - What do customers say that service providers need to improve on?
• 18:15 - How to realize value from very expensive enterprise software engagements and how providers manage
• 19:30 - New entrants to the Dynamics 365 service provider market (and some removed from the report)
• 23:00 - The range of Sis - how are midmarket firms competing alongside larger ones?
• 24:30 -  How SIs manage their relationships with Microsoft
• 29:30 - Why customers engage with multiple Microsoft partners
• 32:45 - More plans in Everest Group's report calendar