May 2, 2012:  Ariett ReqNet Cloud – a complete Requisition to Purchase Order to AP Invoicing Software as a Service solution for Dynamics GP is now available on Microsoft Windows Azure. Transaction based and built on a common approval workflow with Azure Reporting, Federated Services and Mobile Approval, ReqNet helps companies control spending from a single eProcurement platform. Easy to use and quick to deploy for Travel/Purchase Requests, PO Creation, Supplier PunchOut, Receiving, AP Invoicing, and Expense Reporting with Electronic Document Manager, ReqNet Cloud offers Web-services to GL, Vendors, and Accounts Payable. Sales@ariett.com.

April 26, 2012:  Socius welcomes Directed Technologies Inc. to their affiliate network in the Microsoft Dynamics Master VAR Program – http://www.socius1.com/socius-welcomes-directed-technologies-inc-to-their-affiliate-network-in-the-microsoft-dynamics-master-var-program/.

March 14, 2012:  MIG & Co. is pleased to announce their customer, Computer Data Source, was recognized by Microsoft® with the 2012 Technology Innovation Award as part of the Microsoft Dynamics Customer Excellence Awards program. They will be honored by Microsoft executives at an awards luncheon on Monday, March 19, at Convergence 2012 Houston, the premier Microsoft Dynamics user conference.  The 2012 Customer Excellence Awards, which are presented in 9 categories, recognize and celebrate Microsoft Dynamics customers that have achieved notable accomplishments using their Microsoft Dynamics solutions. www.mig.com

March 13, 2012:  SBS Group is proud to be named one of the Best Places to Work in New Jersey for the second time. As a leading technology consulting firm, SBS Group provides accounting and business solutions to mid-sized companies through a network of regional offices across the United States. SBS Group is now ranked among the top privately held businesses in New Jersey for the second time in three years. Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the 100 Best Places to Work in New Jersey. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This phase was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This phase was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking.

March 12, 2012:  Plumbline Consulting, LLC was recently named as one of the 2012 Best Employers in Ohio. As a leading technology consulting firm, Plumbline Consulting provides accounting and business solutions support to Microsoft Dynamics partners across the United States. Visit www.plumblineconsulting.com to read the press release.

We’re getting close – Convergence starts in 6 days!  This last week brings you tips from Christa Freeland of Journyx.

Let’s face it: Microsoft Convergence isn’t cheap for companies sponsoring the event.  Are you doing everything you can to amplify your company’s presence at the show?  Allow me to offer a recommendation on how to amplify your company’s voice that won’t result in additional booth expenses. It’s also quite fun. Hooray!  Vendor, meet my good friend, social media.

Oh, you’re familiar with social media? Great! Then here are a couple of pointers to make sure you are using this connection to the fullest.

1.  Pay attention to the Twitter hashtags. Appropriate, general hashtags for Convergence are:

1. #Conv12 — represents the actual event
2. #MSDYNCOMM — represents the Microsoft Dynamics Community

Of course, if you’re like Journyx and have a relationship with specific Microsoft software solutions – in our case, Great Plains – you can do some digging for a more specific hashtag. For GP, we use #MSDYNGP. Just do a little research and find out what’s commonly used. When people type these hashtags into the search field, your tweet will show up in the feed. It’s a great way for them to receive live updates on what you’re doing!

2.  Does your company have a Facebook page? In anticipation of Convergence, snap photos of your giveaways and put them in a special album. Upon arriving at the show, take some shots of your team first arriving in Houston, manning the booth, or at the mixers afterward. Uploading these photos will add a personal touch to your page and promote what you have to offer. Please be aware of the show’s “Rules and Regulations” and sharing the photos!

3.  Consider Google+ or LinkedIn.  Although Google+ isn’t as widely used, Google IS the most popular search engine. Because of this, it might be worth creating content if you have a Google+ Brand Page. LinkedIn just announced a feature that allows users to follow a company page and receive updates. Not a bad idea to get linked up with professionals on the “world’s largest professional network”.

Hope this gives you something to think about if social media wasn’t already on your radar. There is already a conversation occurring on these platforms and it’s up to you to participate. Don’t miss this great opportunity! After all, the Convergence motto is “The Value is in the Connections”.

Check out the Tip of the Week Festival to see a list of past tips.

This week brings you tips from Jasmine McNellis of The Partner Channel.  If you would like to provide a Convergence tip for a future post, please contact Jasmine@thepartnerchannel.com.

Houston Tips
Welcome to Houston, Texas!  America’s fourth-largest city is a cosmopolitan destination, filled with world-class dining, arts, hotels, shopping and nightlife.

-Here are Houston’s top 10 things to see & do.

-Looking for a shopping guide?  Check out the best places to shop in Houston.

-Check out Tutankhamun:  The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs at the Museum of Fine Arts which is one of the places to visit because it houses a large selection of art.

-The first public park in Houston, Texas is Hermann Park and it is a great location to visit if you are interested in nature and exploring.

-Here’s a guide to 15 iconic Houston meals.

-Make sure to dress accordingly – average weather temperatures in March are a high of 73°F and a low of 51°F.

-Visit the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau website for additional information about Houston.

Check out the Tip of the Week Festival to see a list of past tips.

February 23, 2012:  SBS Group announces Automation Consultants, Inc. as the most recent addition to its Partner Network.  As a leading technology consulting firm, SBS Group provides accounting and business solutions to mid-sized companies through a network of regional offices across the United States. With over 25 years of successful experience in providing business management solutions, SBS Group’s Partner Network is a Microsoft Dynamics Master VAR working with Microsoft Dynamics™ Partners across the nation. Bringing almost 30 years of technology and information systems expertise, Automation Consultants joins the Partner Network as SBS Group New Mexico.  A long-time Microsoft Dynamics GP partner, the team brings extensive industry expertise in hi-tech, manufacturing, distribution, non-profits and healthcare to the SBS Desert Mountain Region.