I'm here in Atlanta, GA for Microsoft Convergence, the 14th annual user conference for Microsoft Dynamics business applications, along with over 8,000 attendees.

Yesterday, Microsoft announced the general availability of the Dynamics GP 2010 (version 11.0) ERP software solution.  The opening keynote address was delivered by Stephen Elop, President of the Microsoft Business Division. The spotlight was the agile interconnectivity of Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 simultaneously working with both on-premise and on-demand systems including Customer Relationship Management SaaS software, instant messaging, video conferencing, word processing, spreadsheet and email programs. Some of this was pretty interesting, so you may want to take a look at this live demo: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/dynamics/videogallery.aspx. 

Dynamics GP 2010 enhancements include:

• Tighter integration with other Microsoft business solutions and cloud computing technologies
• 100+ new dashboard indicators / KPI's
• 400 Excel and SQL Reporting Services (SRS) web based reports
• Simplified and enhanced workflow automation
• Web based ERP enhancements

Interesting Microsoft facts shared during the keynote on their cloud strategy including the Windows Azure platform:

• 20 million customers now using Microsoft cloud computing applications
• 70% of programmers focused on developing applications for the cloud
• Spending $9.5 billion on R&D in 2010

Simply put, it appears that Microsoft is "all in" as it relates to cloud and software-as-a-service technology.

- Mike Chadwick, Director of Sales, Tensoft