Joe's Blog

I have been given the honor of being selected as being a trainer for the Microsoft Metro and Enterprise Go programs on Visual Studio 2008.  We’re having the Trainer Prep in one of my favorite European cities, which is Amsterdam.  Yes, someone had to do it the last week of September and once again it is me!

Also, the Dynamics Customer Relationship Management software (CRM) 4.0 and AX 5.0 (used to be known as Axapta G/L) training programs will be starting up in October and I am looking forward to be part of those also.  The Dynamics CRM 4.0 (code named Titan) Ascend training program gave me the opportunity to travel the world the first half of the year and meet a lot of worldwide CRM partners.  It was an awesome experience.

Visual Studio expertise is a huge part of leveraging the Dynamics environment.  Microsoft has done a great job of opening up the development of their CRM 4.0 product through the use of Visual Studio and I am expecting the same treatment for AX.  Another great thing they are doing with these products and their whole line is integrating Business Intelligence (BI) as a core component.  Instead of requiring the customer to create a transformation system between the Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) data and Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) dimensions, measures and cubes; you are given an Analytical Framework that transforms the data into a Analysis Services Data Source View that ties right into a pre-designed cube.  Very cool stuff!

To get up to date on Visual Studio 2008, check out both the “Community Driven” Gold Coast Users Group http://GCUsersGroup.org in Boca Raton, Fl and the Gator Microsoft Users Group http://GatorMUG.org  in Gainesville, Fl  (at the championship University of Florida), which are having  meetings in November on the topic.  Oh yeah, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 are also coming.  Keep your eyes on these Users Groups and this blog for more info.