We blog regularly about how Microsoft Dynamics systems help the end user and businesses to overcome pain points and improve operational processes, it is also interesting to note how being part of the Microsoft Dynamics Partner Network can help IT professionals achieve their career goals and develop their industry knowledge. In a series of blogs we will be looking at some of the benefits of being a part of this ever-expanding, global community from different employees’ perspectives starting with our Microsoft Pre–sales Solution Specialists.
Being a part of one of the fastest growing business technology markets in the world – At the forefront of product innovation
Microsoft operate a wide ecosystem of partners who sell, implement and maintain technology solutions direct with clients.
The Microsoft Dynamics Network has grown considerably over the last few years with the Gartner study, Market Share Analysis: Customer Relationship Management Software, Worldwide, 2014 naming Microsoft as one of the fastest growing CRM providers. Not only this but, Microsoft are gaining ground in business process applications with triple-digit growth of the Dynamics CRM Online installed base in 2015 and the overall Dynamics business growing revenue by double digits.
Microsoft see massive potential for future growth, “The CRM and ERP markets combined are over $60 billion, and represent a massive opportunity for reinvention as they shift to the cloud and mobile experiences...At Microsoft, we push the boundaries of what is possible through a broad range of research and development activities that seek to identify and address the changing demands of customers, industry trends, and competitive forces.”
So, what’s it like to work within a community which is experiencing such growth, diversity and invests heavily in product innovation?
We spoke to Prodware’s Microsoft Pre-sales Consultant Andrew Cooper; with over 15 years working with the Microsoft Dynamics NAV product, he has truly seen both the growth of Microsoft and how the product has evolved over the years. “The Microsoft Dynamics NAV product has changed over the years and that’s what makes my job so interesting – keeping up-to-date with the latest features, and identifying even the smallest of tweaks, can bring the businesses I work with huge benefits… Microsoft have really invested in their product, which makes my job so interesting and relevant. Bringing these investments to life to solve real customer pain-points is hugely satisfying, the dramatic growth in Microsoft Dynamics popularity means more people are interested in hearing about NAV. Customers also often feel more secure knowing that Microsoft has a consistent development schedule, it really guarantees the longevity of the product, but also my ongoing career options.”
The people and variety of projects
Satya Nadella summarised his vision for the employees of Microsoft, “Simply stated, I want Microsoft to be the greatest place to work for smart people who are hungry to make a difference. It’s been said that culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit. We spend far too much of our lives at work not to find deep meaning in what we do. “
Andrew outlines the benefits he receives from working for the Microsoft Partner Network, “The Partner Network is now so large that you can work from virtually anywhere, along the way I have worked in the UK, Spain, France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Ghana, Angola, South Africa, USA and Switzerland. Experiencing different cultures and working with different people is definitely a perk of the job. You can meet people with the same interests including fellow Pre–sales Solution Specialists who are incredibly smart to bounce ideas off and work together to give customers great experiences with Microsoft Dynamics.”
Craig Langford is a Microsoft Pre-sales Consultant at Prodware UK and echoes Andrew’s sentiments, ” It is very rewarding to be part of a growing community that has a positive impact on businesses around the world. With such a progressive market the only way to keep ahead of the curve is to make sure you are a member of the Microsoft communities across various platforms.
As a Pre-sales Consultant I get to work with a variety of people ranging from MDs, to Sales Representatives in the field. I am lucky enough to work with front-line customers, who are driving the strategic vision and technological innovation within their companies. The interaction I have on an internal level is also varied, but my main interaction is with Technical Consultants and Developers.”
Microsoft Pre–sales Solution Specialists – Training and development support
In addition to training and support supplied by your direct employer – the Microsoft partner; Microsoft Partner Technical Services supports partners through the customer lifecycle with technical presales assistance. This helps Pre–sales Solution Specialists build their expertise with technical training through partner advisory hours, webcasts and resources readily available through the partner network portal.
Microsoft Partners invest heavily in their employees, with experience in both Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Dynamics NAV, we asked Craig how he benefits from Microsoft learning resources.
“The personalised Pre-sales deployment assistance is key to winning business. Microsoft Technical Services supports me and my colleagues across the entire sales lifecycle from discovery to deployment. Not only are resources readily available but there is a community of fellow Partners and experts who are ready and willing to answer any questions I might have. Technical Services allows me to work on my Pre-sales and deployment skill set and helps companies achieve a competitive advantage by getting technical consultation and customised assistance, such as proof-of-concept guidance, competitive assistance, feature overview and comparison guidance, request for proposal (RFP) questions and technical licensing recommendations, to name just a few.”
Remaining relevant by providing Microsoft technology, Microsoft channel partners have access to business analysis tools and insights needed to understand how to succeed and grow in a technology-driven world.
Microsoft provides powerful, innovative, and robust technology that meets the needs of organisations of all types and sizes. A comprehensive product stack of cloud, hybrid, and on-premises solutions means that Pre–sales Solution Specialists within Microsoft community remain technologically relevant and interested within their IT career.
If you would like to join a community of thousands of partners around the world with the power and experience of Microsoft behind them, Contact Prodware today to find out more about our current vacancies.
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