Why The End of Microsoft Dynamics GP Exam Certifications is Bad News For Customers

Recent announcements have Microsoft certifications retiring for Microsoft Dynamics GP, SL and NAV (but not Dynamics AX and CRM). This can have a number of partners to breathe a sigh of relief that keep pace with the certification, while an individual achievement, still bears a job that could result in billable hours. But for partners and people like me who have been in the channel for years and have been certified in every possible launch of a product certifications were just a part of doing business - maybe not a nice part, but I had a purpose. Heck, I was a proud achievement!

Now that those days are gone, we will look back at the history of certifications GP to see how we got to this point and that these changes might mean for the future ...

In 2000, the great transition from Great Plains Software ("GPS") of Microsoft has seen an impact on the achievement of certification. GPS had certifications for almost all application areas: Finance, distribution, manufacturing, field service, project accounting, Integration Manager, Report Writer, Dexterity developer two levels of certification - Certified Systems Engineer Dex and Dex Integration Developer certification - and the certificate Pinnacle installation Specialist (CIS), which showed their experience with the product installation.

When the transition is complete, the space has been done in the framework of the Microsoft Certified Professional for Finance and distribution, and field service, manufacturing and project accounting exams became optional. The examination CIS then known as Microsoft Dynamics GP Installation and Configuration exam. Tests such as Integration Manager and the two tests were cut certification program Dex. In fact, most of the people who had been certified for version 5.0 at the time of the given program automatically MCP.

Fast forward to 2005 and the program of the MCP program implemented additional Microsoft Dynamics GP Certified Master, which in practice meant the installation and configuration of expenditure, as well as financial management, and an elective. While this was more of a personal achievement, it really did not affect the capacity of community partners to do business with Microsoft. In fact, I remember being a Certified Master times. Things move in a sort of automatic pilot, at this point.

In 2009, the Service Provider Agreement ("SPA") entered (vaguely) certifications execution as a mechanism to enhance channel partners and the fact that it has a number of staff members required certificates. It was no longer the case that an individual might have all certifications, giving the pair an automatic pass to sell the product.

Then in 2012 the world of certifications has done a complete 180 Microsoft certifications began connecting to the Microsoft Partner Network ("NMP"), and wellness programs. NPF has seen a renewal of the old and and the transition to a competency model, which was broadly in line with the thrust of the company for a vertically integrated programs for channel partners Silver Gold Partner. As such, it had silver and gold competencies for CRM, ERP, and almost all other vertical markets technology might think.



These skills require a number of different people who work for a partner organization to maintain the certifications that, when combined organization and would be "competent" in a particular technology, both vertically and in silver or gold (depending on the number of individuals). This has forced a number of partners to close the doors. Others simply changed direction and decided it was not worth the hassle, while others simply joined forces to survive the harsh demands. To make matters worse, this model also translated into almost SPA executed if the partners can make orders according to their state of class certification. All that was needed was a person to be out of compliance for the entire organization partner to be affected.

Here we are in August 2014 and again Microsoft has decided to change the rules by removing certifications Microsoft Dynamics GP, SL and NAV, maintaining the requirements of Microsoft Dynamics AX and CRM; sending mixed signals to the partner community.

For all this, I have always believed certifications - such as an MBA, for example - were a mechanism to assure customers that their respective partners and consultants had made a reasonable effort and conscious understanding of the product have been sold and implemented. E 'was also a way for consultants to develop a way of specialization in a specific area. After all, not everyone can be an expert in installation, and certainly not everyone can be an expert in the manufacturing sector. Certifications obtained at least reasonable evidence that a person understands the theory and philosophy behind each piece application that he / she is chosen to be certified.

Now, do not get me wrong, I also understand that a certification is not necessarily the panacea it is sometimes portrayed to be. Yes, there are rats book consultants "you really cannot articulate a business model in real life a system process, but it's been 100 certifications. This is the reality!

But to ramble a bit ', these drastic changes in the approach will lead to many discussions kitchen table if a product or another is going to be around for a number of years from now. Microsoft has made no attempt to hide his push for Dynamics AX and Dynamics CRM as a global company ERP and CRM platforms. But at the same time, continues to make significant investments in Dynamics GP (I cannot really speak to other ERP applications). The channel partners, and has always been faithful, has adapted to these multiple changes of direction in recent years. Unfortunately, as partners we are accustomed to the "here-you-deal-with-it" approach. I do not think that's a good thing either.

Another issue that could be made is that Microsoft is a mission to reduce costs and, consequently, it is easier (and we need less people) to manage the certification programs less, well, more. This sounds like the same tired arguments defund public education with the hope that students will become more intelligent with less. I'm not sure I subscribe to this theory. In any case, reinforcing the content in question and improve the global certification process, Microsoft would have a major impact on reducing the number of partners you have to work to help in the process, not the number of certifications.

The game losing only in all this is that the customer Dynamics GP. I met a good number of clients and organizations over the years, trying to get the right specialist to help with the needs of business and execution. One of the mechanisms at their disposal was MCP transcript of an individual. This is no different than the process of hiring a network engineer or an accountant. At least you want to make sure that the individual in question was an institution of higher education and holds a master's degree or a similar position are interviewing specialties.

Unfortunately, being certified is not a requirement. So the client gets their own devices to find out if the person in front of you is qualified to implement a system around their complex business needs. Good luck with that!