Consolidation Progress Report

Two “waves” of Dynamics ERP releases will bring greater consistency across the products’ user interfaces (UIs), programming interfaces, and use of Microsoft technology. The first wave of releases spans 2005 to 2007 and includes AX 4.0 (which shipped in June 2006), GP 9.0 (Dec. 2005) and GP 10.0 (planned for 2007), NAV 5.0 (planned for midyear 2007), and SL 7.0 (planned for 2007). The second wave will run from 2008 to at least 2009 and will bring one or more additional releases to each of AX, GP, NAL, and SL.

Benefits

Although not yet complete, Wave One has helped Microsoft improve research and development efficiency and, at some level, lays a foundation for future product consolidation. Benefits to Microsoft, its customers, and partners include the following:

User interface consistency and usability. Wave One Dynamics products share a common UI look and feel modeled on Outlook and use a set of common UI controls, which eliminates some redundant development effort within MBS. In addition, the new UI should benefit customers in several ways—for one, the new Outlook-style navigation model is easier to learn and use. Furthermore, a common UI should make it easier for users of the various ERP products to eventually transition to the consolidated product, since the UI of that new product will presumably be similar (or identical) to that of the older family of products.