Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step 2010 : The Smart Guide to the Successful Delivery of Microsoft Dynamics Business Solutions

The smart guide to the successful delivery of Microsoft Dynamics Business Solutions

• Learn how to effectively use Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step to implement the right Dynamics business solution with quality, on-time and on-budget results.
• Leverage the Decision Accelerator offerings in Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step to create consistent selling motions while helping your customer ascertain the best solution to fit their requirements.
• Understand the review and optimization offerings available from Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step to further enhance your business solution delivery during and after go-live.
• Gain knowledge of the project and change management content provided in Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step.
• Familiarize yourself with the approach to adopting the Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step methodology as your own.
• Includes a Foreword by Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step Practitioners

In Detail

Delivering business solutions is more than just product play. Software is often viewed as the enabler; however, the key to success is how the solution is implemented and how the implementations are managed. With this as the background, Microsoft has developed Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step as the full lifecycle methodology for the Dynamics business solutions portfolio. Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step enables you to maximize your Dynamics investments and increase your efficiency to select, sell, deliver, operate and support your business solution.

This book details the use of the Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step methodology to enable the full lifecycle of Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step business solutions engagements. Guidance is provided on the due diligence process for the customer that overlaps the solution selling cycle for the service provider, through to the solution implementation phases, encompassing on-going maintenance and upgrades.

This book provides detailed coverage of how to use Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step to successfully deliver Dynamics solutions for your business.

The book begins by focusing on the aspects of due diligence and solution selling- whether you are the customer or the service provider, you can learn how you work together to select the right solution to meet the organization's needs.In the ensuing chapters, you will learn how Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step can help improve the overall quality of your Dynamics business solution, including coverage of proactive and post go-live optimization offerings and a thorough explanation of how to upgrade your Dynamics solutions to the latest release of the products.

Finally, the book discusses the essence of Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step projects and how to successfully deliver these business solutions, including project and change management disciplines and processes.

Additional key topics such as a guide to adopting Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step are also provided if you are looking to develop a consistent process in your organization.

Maximize your Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step investments, from solution selection or solution selling, to solution delivery and support

What you will learn from this book

• Understand how to effectively use Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step to implement the right Microsoft Dynamics business solution with quality, on-time and on-budget results.
• Learn business solution selling techniques and guidance to accelerate and close a sale, as well as related guidance on specific industries
• Discover how Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step support's your buy cycle, as you progress through your needs assessment, alternatives assessment and risk assessment stages
• Examine the different options to choose from for your business solution delivery, including waterfall and agile approaches
• Acquire insights into how you can proactively optimize the business solution during implementation, as well as continue to maintain the health of your solution in production
• Determine the approach and tools available to upgrade your business solutions to the current product releases
• Gain knowledge in key areas such as the project and change management disciplines provided in Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step
• Familiarize yourself with the approach to adopting the Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step methodology as your own

Approach

A focused tutorial, this book is much more than just another step-by-step guide into project management. This book shows you how to implement Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step business solutions, with Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step providing the basis. This book will also help you to plan, align, and orchestrate your sales activities. It will orient you to tactics required to be efficient, proactive, goal driven and flexible in your Microsoft Dynamics engagements.

Who this book is written for

If you are a Dynamics consultant, developer, or in a customer resources or sales role that requires guidance and knowledge of the ERP/CRM business solutions space or to deliver business solutions that meet or exceed the expectations of your organization, then this book is ideal for you.

Chandru Shankar is a Microsoft Services Director, responsible for driving solutions and offerings for the Microsoft Dynamics Program Office. He is also the Architect of Microsoft Dynamics Sure Step, the implementation methodology for deploying the Microsoft family of ERP and CRM solutions, and is responsible for the functional design and content flow in the methodology.

Chandru has consulted for companies in a variety of industries, including Aerospace, Automotive, CPG/Retail, High-Tech and Manufacturing. He has undertaken multiple implementations of ERP & Supply Chain solutions, in numerous capacities including Program/Project Manager, Solutions Architect & Lead Consultant. His consulting skills are complemented by several years of Manufacturing Industry experience.

Chandru has also functioned as Adjunct Faculty for a major University, where he has covered topics including Supply Chain/e-Business Design, Strategy & Architecture for MBA students & Company Executives. He has spoken in multiple internal and external conferences over the years, as well as conducted training programs around the world.

Vincent Bellefroid

Vincent Bellefroid is a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), founder and co-owner of Plataan. Plataan is a Gold Certified Partner of Microsoft, an independent training and consultancy bureau specialized in Microsoft Dynamics and Project Management. Vincent is an experienced implementation consultant, who has worked with a number of customer and partner organizations, including global SI's. Building upon his distinguished ERP implementation career, Vincent is now responsible for Project Management and Quality Control at Plataan.

Vincent was one of the early adopters of Sure Step in Europe and has been evangelizing the true value of Sure Step ever since. He has conducted multiple Sure Step training sessions, while helping the Microsoft Sure Step team develop the training materials and courseware. Vincent also guides Microsoft Dynamics partners through the certification and adoption process of Sure Step.