Top 9 Microsoft websites and portals for Dynamics Freelancers
Being a Dynamics independent consultant can be a bit tricky as you aren’t usually recognised by Microsoft as an official community and therefore there often isn’t any direct communication. Unlike partners, you don’t have dedicated Partner Account Managers, Partner Programme hotline, portals with lots of information that can help you deliver solutions for your clients. It could feel a bit isolated so this is why I thought I’d put together a list of the Microsoft resources you can use.
1. Microsoft Partner Network (MPN)
If you have set yourself up as a registered company, you can sign up as a partner organisation. Remember, if you are a partner you get access to more info! This is the generic partner network site where you can manage your partner accreditation; it has a Dynamics section with some useful info: benefits, accreditation info, guides, links to training. It is important as once you become a partner, you will get access to other sites.
Pros – easy to access. Cons – has limited Dynamics info.
https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/uk/Pages/Solutions/microsoft-dynamics.aspx
2. Microsoft Dynamics PartnerSource
If you are registered with MPN and have a Dynamics competency, you should be able to sign up to PartnerSource. One of the most popular portals that holds a lot of info about product updates, demos, usage guides, training materials, events, licensing, pricing, sales materials, etc..
Pros – you are most likely to find what you are after here. Cons – there is an awful lot of info, some of it can be out of date, and it’s hard to navigate; if someone refers you to it, always make sure you ask for the exact link to the document you are after.
https://mbs.microsoft.com/partnersource
3. BizSpark
Really good! You get lots of free software and support if you are developing software, your company is less than 5 years old and privately held & making less than $1M annually. That’ll be most of us then :)
Pros – excellent tool as you get lots of free software, access to software, events and offers. Cons – make sure you link it to the right Microsoft ID (ideally the same you use for the other Microsoft sites).
http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark/default.aspx
4. MSDN
All of you should already be using that so I am not going to go into detail. In case you are a business development/sales resource and not a technology guru, this is where you’d get all your licenses and product subscriptions from.
Pros – great for licensing. Cons – make sure you link it to the right Microsoft ID (ideally the same you use for the other Microsoft sites).
5. Dynamics MarketPlace
Great tool if you are looking for a Dynamics partner in a different territory or a vertical solution locally. If you have a vertical offering or an add-on you’ve developed, or specific skills (i.e. anything that differentiates you) you might want to list your company here.
Pros – nice map view, Microsoft staff are encouraged to use this when looking for specific products or services. Cons – not everyone is registered so you’ll probably have a limited view. Also make sure you are viewing the Microsoft geographic territory you want.
http://www.microsoft.com/dynamics/marketplace-partners/findpartner.aspx/en-gb/
6. Microsoft PinPoint
Basically very similar to Market Place but is not Dynamics specific – it covers all Microsoft technologies. You can find partners by location, competency, industry focus, etc..
Pros – easy to find info. Cons – same as above, not everyone is registered so do your research outside of it as well.
http://pinpoint.microsoft.com/
7. Dynamics community
You can join a number of generic or product specific forums, read the authorised blogs as well as link your own blog so your articles can be listed there.
Pros – great social tool to ask questions and get a number of answers from the product specialist community. Cons – you might need to join different product communities if you implemented multiple Dynamics products.
https://community.dynamics.com/
8. LinkedIn Groups
There are so many LinkedIn Groups. Here are some suggestions but there are many many more: Microsoft Dynamics Community, Microsoft Dynamics ERP- #1 group for AX, NAV, CRM, GP, SL, RMS & MS SharePoint, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Dynamics AX Forum, MS Dynamics (3000+), etc..
Pros – you can ask questions in the forum, find out about events, new releases, get in touch with other customers, partners and experts, etc. Cons – your inbox will fill up with lots more emails.
https://www.linkedin.com (then search for each of the groups)
9. Microsoft Dynamics Twitter account
Great communication channel with 25K followers so don’t miss out.
Pros – you get the latest info. Cons – if you are not a Twitter user yet it might get some time to get used to it.
https://twitter.com/ then search for @MSFTDynamics
Hope you found this list useful! Do share any other links that were missed out.
About 365 Freelance – www.365freelance.com is an online service that connects Microsoft Dynamics partners and end-users directly with available freelancers around the globe.