At a bustling Convergence (News - Alert) 2011, thousands of attendees today convened to gain an inside glimpse into Microsoft (News - Alert) Dynamics AX 2012, the ERP software part of Microsoft’s portfolio of ERP and CRM solutions, designed to help customers execute an easy and flexible move to the cloud.

The event, hosted by Microsoft Corp.’s CEO Steve Ballmer (News - Alert) as well as Kirill Tatarinov, corporative vice president for Microsoft Business Solutions, served as a premier gathering for ERP and CRM developers and thought leaders to learn how the Microsoft Dynamics portfolio brings value to existing technology ventures, offers agility in an ever-changing market, and helps businesses become more dynamic, no matter the environment.

With the cloud version of the new Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, seeing immense success and implementation into business environments, Microsoft has now shifted its focus to an ERP solution positioned to bring customers to the cloud. Using the Windows Azure platform, customers can conveniently move to the cloud on their own time and realize similar advantages that occur in on-premise usage.

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is delivers a unified business process repository and “model-driven architecture,” coupled with a recognizable user experience and implemented collaboration tools, which will make way for agility in the business environment. Thus, users will be prepared for and eager to embrace change.

“Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 frees customers from the electronic concrete that has plagued the ERP industry for so long,” Tatarinov said. “Customers want flexible, yet cost-effective business applications that work the way they do instead of being forced to adapt to the software.”

The ERP system in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is guaranteed to perform the processes required by businesses daily, as well as simplify decisions, through Unified Natural Models that offer easy modifications for changing business needs; simplicity via a RoleTailored experience and enhanced BI capabilities; as well as a powerful foundation that enables partners to deliver packaged vertical offerings and brings important ERP functionality to an array of operations.

One customer, Bob Jablonski, operations manager of Hydra Power Systems, spoke to how the ERP solution has benefited his business. “Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 delivers phenomenal functionality. With richer BI capabilities, the ability to easily develop and change business processes, and the ability to seamlessly interoperate with Microsoft Office, we expect to empower all of our employees to get the data they need, when they need it, to collaborate better and, overall, to lower our operating costs.”

Attendees of Convergence 2011 also got a detailed look into the Microsoft Dynamics Cloud Partner Profitability Guide, which delivers “clear guidance on how to benefit from this shift and serves as a great starting point for all partners looking to build a strong, cloud-based business,” said David Goad, managing director of eSavvy Pty. Ltd.

Partners and independent software vendors were also informed that they could pair the profitability guide with the Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace, a way for customers to test and purchase solutions that best fit into their companies’ needs.

The beta version of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is set to be released this month, while the final product has a scheduled launch of August 2011.

Tammy Wolf is a TMCnet copy editor. She also writes articles for TMCnet on a wide range of topics, including IP communications and information technology. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Janice McDuffee