On April 20th several AVF customers traveled to our offices in Baltimore to attend the first showcases of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 and the Role Tailored Interface.

AVF Consulting's Vice President of Sales, Jeremy Fass, presented the statement of direction Microsoft has established for Microsoft Dynamics NAV and discussed why it is so important for customers to have an upgrade plan.  Jeremy also reviewed how this statement of direction is a part of Microsoft's broader goal of promoting creativity, intuitiveness, and integration within the entire product stack.
 
Senior Sales Executive John Janiczek provided a detailed demonstration of the new Role Tailored User Interface and gave attendees a first hand look at the future of Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions. John showed how users could customize their view and set up Roles to accommodate how they would work. He also demonstrated some of the exciting new integration options, such as having your Outlook inbox embedded in your NAV interface, the ability to stream Twitter feeds to contact cards, and new Excel features allowing easy mass updates of data in NAV.

Attendees were particularly impressed with the streamlined view of the interface, as well as some of the functionality improvements. One of the other features of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 that garnered applause was the ability to save reports as Excel Documents or PDF's for easy sharing. Attendees also appreciated the ability to save filters and place them in your Navigation Pane for easy access. To learn how to save filters in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009, visit our Tips and Tricks section.

If you were unable to attend the event on April 20, AVF is offering another showcase of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 on June 8, 2010 in Chevy Chase, MD. Don't miss the opportunity to see what NAV 2009 has to offer and why you should plan to upgrade. Click here for more information or to register.

If you would like more information on Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009, including a copy of the statement of direction, visit our Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 resource page.

Beginning  June 1, 2010, Microsoft will require that all customers be enrolled in a Business Ready Enhancement Plan when making additional license purchases on supported versions of Microsoft Dynamics NAV, LS Retail, and Serenic Navigator. This means that customers must be current on their maintenance plans for Microsoft to process any orders for additional users or modules.

Microsoft and LS Retail Offer Maintenance Forgiveness

If you are not enrolled in the Business Ready Enhancement Plan, but would like to add users or modules, please be aware that licenses must be purchased by May 31, 2010. After that date, you will no longer be able to purchase licenses of Microsoft Dynamics NAV, LS Retail, or Serenic Navigator until you re-enroll in the Business Ready Enhancement Plan.

Microsoft's Business Ready Enhancement plan is a program that was created to provide customers access to innovative functionality upgrades and important updates that help ensure their solution is compliant and performing at the highest level.  Re-enrolling means your organization can regain unlimited access to online training material to technical information, right at your fingertips through Microsoft's CustomerSource. This can help improve your team's performance, increasing return on your investment. It also provides you with comprehensive online support and services to mitigate potential issues.

Microsoft and LS Retail recognize that this policy change may cause more of a burden for customers who have been off of maintenance for a long period of time and are offering customers the chance to re-enroll for a discounted rate. Customers who re-enroll in the Business Ready Enhancement Plan by May 31, 2010, will save 50% on their back pay. Re-enrolling by May 31 will also eliminate all late and penalty fees. Please note that Serenic customers are not eligible for this promotion.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss re-enrolling in the Business Ready Enhancement plan, please contact Jeremy Fass at 410-296-5100.

Serenic Explorations is an annual User Conference for Serenic Navigator users. The event provides Navigator Users the chance to learn about new products, network with other users and Serenic Employees. Explorations is an excellent opportunity for nonprofit customers to stay up to date on current events and best practices related to their Serenic Navigator software. 

Serenic is also offering the following group and advanced registration discounts:

Group Discount Available until August 14, 2010
As a special offer, if three people from the same organization each register and purchase a conference registration, the fourth person from your organization is half-price!

Companion Information
Companion Fee of $190 Per Person includes: Wednesday's Welcome Reception and Thursday evening's event at Lucky Strike (companions must be 21 years of age or older). 

For more information on Explorations 2010 visit Serenic's Website or register here to purchase your tickets.

One of the cool new features of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 is the ability to save filters. You can now filter a list page and save that filter for quick access in the navigation pane.

Lets take a customer list as an example. Say you have a segment of customers that you want to easily filter to, such as Sales Orders from a certain Location Catagory.

1. Filter the list to show only sales orders from a certain Location Catagory as you normally would, in this case BLUE

2. Then, click the Sales Orders button just above the Filter Pane and select "Save View As…"

3. Name the filter something relevant, like "Location Blue" and save it in the Home navigation pane button.

Now you will see "Location Blue" under "Sales Orders" on the navigation pane.