How can cross-training into Dynamics AX give your ERP career a boost?

ERP solutions can be compared to athletes running a marathon. We’ve seen an intense beginning from your Oracle and SAPs, sprinting right from the get-go. However, as the 20th mile is reached, their speed begins to slow and then Microsoft shows up: a master of the long distance race, overtaking on the sprint finish and winning the race. 

This is a perfect analogy to illustrate the current growth of Microsoft Dynamics AX; just as the elite SAP and Oracle plateau, Microsoft Dynamics AX has overtaken like Usain Bolt on Red Bull. This blog highlights the possibilities for ERP specialists switching over to Microsoft Dynamics AX to boost their career prospects.

Understand the opportunity

So why consider cross-training into Microsoft Dynamics AX? First, we will have to forget the myth that cross-training is the same as switching from professional rugby to football. It won’t be a fresh start, but a sideways step that will decrease the amount of competition and obstacles in your path to career success.

Imagine you’re a Functional Consultant being asked what is the most valuable thing about your experience? Would you say it’s your knowledge of a particular ERP? Most likely not. No consultancy wants a product specialist with a narrow knowledge of a specific technology.  

They’d prefer employees with an insightful understanding of business processes, business consulting and implementation methodologies. Building these skills requires years but it takes just months to learn a new system.  

You should also consider that Microsoft rarely fails. As the king of the jungle, Microsoft usually gets what it wants (think Xbox, SharePoint and Office!). With their trusted reputation, their desire to win, and their huge investment, it’s almost certain that Microsoft Dynamics AX will pave the way as the ERP market continues to evolve. Considering this, why not step in to a promising market with limited candidate supply but soaring demand?

Practicalities

You’re probably thinking that as a principle this sounds great, but how do you actually go about cross-training? Well, this can be done in two main ways:

Firstly, some top organizations who use Cognitive Group for their Microsoft Dynamics recruitment provide comprehensive cross-training programs for people with great business consulting skills. If you have experience as a Finance, T&L, or HR & Payroll consultant from other ERPs, some companies will cross-train you into Microsoft Dynamics AX via a one-to-one mentorship plan with experienced specialists and sponsored courses with Microsoft themselves. These programmes do not involve a salary drop as feared by many!

On the other hand, you could take the initiative yourself! Microsoft has a list of courses designed to help you gain certification in several modules which would undoubtedly make you attractive to Microsoft Dynamics recruiters.

In summary, as Microsoft Dynamics AX continues its growth and candidate supply struggles to keep up, employers are now considering talent from other ERP backgrounds who could cross-train into Microsoft Dynamics AX. So if your career marathon has hit the proverbial ‘wall’ in a stagnating and competitive ERP market, get your AX trainers on, and win the race!

Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss cross-training, or any other recruitment issues you may have:  

Web: http://www.cognitive-group.com

Email: info@cognitive-group.com

Tel: 0203 587 7772

EU Toll-Free: 00800 4433 2929

Cognitive Group specialise in Microsoft Dynamics jobs and recruitment focusing on the following technologies: Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and other roles in the Microsoft Stack.

9 things we learnt about Microsoft Dynamics and retail at Convergence today

   

1.       Retail is transforming from mass merchandising to personal experiences

2.       Connected retail solutions empower people throughout the shopping experience

3.       To achieve this you need:

-          a complete customer view

-          modern store experience, combining physical interaction with product and digital experience

-          empowered workforce

-          streamlined operations

4.       Microsoft Dynamics can enable retailers to deliver the next generation shopping experience by providing store solutions, ecommerce, social and mobile commerce

5.       Power BI tools are enabling informed decision making and empowering the retail workforce to provide an enhanced customer shopping experience

6.       Native retailer apps increase customer sales conversion by 21%

7.       Technology is driving a unified commerce journey, allowing retailers to engage, nurture and delight

8.       Predictive and proactive machine learning which incorporates big data enables targeted consumer recommendations to be made

9.       Microsoft’s move to the cloud is key to delivering the new retail experience

Cognitive Group are specialists in Microsoft Dynamics jobs and recruitment with a focus on Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and other roles in the Microsoft Stack. Get in touch if oyu would like to meet for a coffee at Convergence! 

Web: http://www.cognitive-group.com  

Email: info@cognitive-group.com

Tel: 0203 587 7772

EU Toll-Free: 00800 4433 2929

Convergence Day 1: What have we learnt?

As the first day of Convergence EMEA 2015 draws to a close, these are the main things we've learnt today: 

  

RETHINKING YOUR DIGITAL STRATEGY

According to Forrester, 94% of businesses have a digital strategy but there is confusion on what it is. To succeed you need to reshape the business around customer outcomes and desires. Data security and analytics are high priorities for driving a superior customer experience.

HOW TO ENABLE TRANSFORMATION

Build the intelligent cloud, create more personal computing, reinvent productivity and business process, and this will enable business transformation

Reinvention of productivity and business process has four areas;

- Built for teams and networks

- Personal organisation and insight

- adaptive systems

- people centric security

SKYPE

Skype for business is already inside Office 365, which will remove the need for having a conference system - you can join a meeting at one click. It will improve meeting efficiency and deliver significant cost savings as well as great conference calling, document collaboration and broadcast capability. The new broadcast Skype capability announced today means a company 'meeting ' revolution will take place that could transform the way every company operates

POWER APPS

Microsoft launch of power apps which makes it easy to create, connect and share business information by creating specific business apps

POWER BI

Power BI is coming to office 365 

Cognitive Group are specialists in Microsoft Dynamics recruitment with a focus on Microsoft Dynamics AX jobs, Microsoft Dynamics CRM jobs and other roles in the Microsoft Stack.  If you’d like to find out more about current job opportunities in Microsoft Dynamics AX or Microsoft Dynamics CRM, or arrange a meeting at Convergence, do get in touch: 

Tel: +44 (0) 203 587 7772

EU Toll-Free: +800 4433 2929

Email: info@cognitive-group.com

Website:  http://www.cognitive-group.com

What does the future hold for Microsoft Dynamics in Retail?

We were recently invited along to K3’s annual retail conference to discover how Microsoft Dynamics, K3 and partners are using the latest technological developments in the retail sector. The event focused on how the customer’s experience should be at the centre of a retail business and how this can be accomplished through the latest Microsoft Dynamics technology and a personalised experience from the store staff.

Changes in shopping trends

Mary Portas, a well-known retail consultant, was on hand to give her views on how she sees retail developing in the near future. She believes that we are currently in a redefining period and the manner in which customers buy items has altered significantly. Internet trading is becoming stronger, with online sales anticipated to increase by 18.4% in 2015, whereas sales from shops are anticipated to lower by 1.4% (econsultancy.com).

Developments in e-commerce are providing customers with an enhanced understanding of the items they are purchasing, with 3600 angles, catwalk demos, access to stock information, and the ability to see reviews via social media and apps. In addition, Mary noted that retailers are carefully considering the retail experience. She used Apple’s Genius Bars as well as coffee lounges in White Stuff as examples of shops that form an emotional link between the customer and product.

Mary believes that retail stores will change and they will increasingly become used as:

•             Centres for picking up goods from online shopping

•             Community/social areas

•             Showrooms

In addition, the sales assistant’s duties have altered drastically as advisors assume the responsibility of brand representatives with advanced awareness of products and brand.  In view of each of these developments, her main emphasis was that the consumer experience needs to be the central priority for any retail business which wants to thrive.

 

How will Dynamics support this?

The head of K3 Multichannel Retail, Max Way demo’d the Microsoft Dynamics AX POS solution, showing the way stores now have the ability to offer customers a huge range of selections and options when making a purchase. To quote Microsoft, ‘This is where point of sale (POS) can become point of service’. Sales assistants can make use of tablets with Microsoft Dynamics AX to offer the client the following:

•             Detailed item specifics

•             Illustrations of items purchased by other consumers

•             Items which match the product they are purchasing

•             Consumer’s order background via a CRM system

Consumers will be able to comfortably create a wish list at home on their personal tablet or mobile. This will connect wirelessly to the tablet of the sales assistant at the shop so that when the customer visits, the assistant is then able to easily find the products, making the whole sales procedure faster.

Sales assistants can have other branches’ stock databases on the tablet, to inform consumers about availability of stock. This can then be portrayed in form of a map, indicating the nearest shops, which again improves the retail experience of the consumer.

Another enhancement is that goods can be paid for using a tool attached to the tablet and the receipt can be emailed to the consumer. This eliminates queuing and is a chance for businesses to obtain information on their customers which can then be used for marketing or analysis.

As the retail industry is developing, consumers are demanding more in terms of customer service, speed, convenience and overall retail experience.  The K3 conference clearly showed how Microsoft Dynamics AX, CRM and NAV are supporting shops in staying at the forefront of the latest retail trends, providing the consumer with the best experience, and making sure that they remain satisfied and devoted by their favourite brands.

How would you like to develop your career in retail? We have access to many Microsoft Dynamics jobs in the retail sector, get in touch to find out more!

Email: info@cognitive-group.com

Tel: 0203 587 7772EU Toll-Free: 00800 4433 2929

Web: http://www.cognitive-group.com  

Cognitive Group are specialists in Microsoft Dynamics jobs and recruitment with a focus on Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and other roles in the Microsoft Stack. Get in touch!

Microsoft Dynamics Jobs | CRM Project Manager at Global Gold Partner

Dynamics CRM Project Managers - how would you like to work at one of the largest global consultancies?

http://www.cognitive-group.com/

Cognitive Group was founded with the vision of building a
highly professional and respected Microsoft Dynamics recruitment business which
is differentiated by its exceptional service. Our aim is to always deliver
results, build relationships for the long term and provide the best experience
for our clients and candidates.

We have built entire teams for the top 40% Microsoft
Dynamics partners and the largest software vendors, consultancies and end user
organisations.

Specialities: Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics CRM,
Microsoft Dynamics NAV and other technologies in the Microsoft stack. 

If you are a business looking for Microsoft Dynamics
professionals or an individual looking for Microsoft Dynamics jobs, get in
touch with Cognitive Group:

Email: info@cognitive-group.com

Tel: 0203 587 7772

EU Toll-Free: 00800 4433 2929

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Microsoft Dynamics Jobs | Consultant Dynamics Senior Lead en Finance

Microsoft Dynamics Jobs | Consultant Dynamics Senior Lead en Finance



Etes-vous a la recherche d’un poste de Consultant Dynamics Senior Lead en Finance ? Voici une opportunité de carrière chez un Leader en Informatique Européen Partenaire Microsoft.

Do you speak French and English? We have an opportunity at a Microsoft Partner leader in IT and Enterprise transformation, who are currently recruiting a Senior Lead Consultant with an expertise in Finance. This is an opportunity to become the lead of a Global Practice already generating over $100m.



The client is one of the top 5 Microsoft partner established for the last 6 years across the following sectors: Retail, Distribution and Supply Chain.Their Global presence in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Pacific give them access to large and complex international Projects.



If you have a strong expertise in Microsoft Dynamics AX Finance with the ambition to become a practice lead in France and you are fluent in French and English, we would like to hear from you - please contact Ange on T: +44 20 3587 7721.

Pour plus d’information contacter Ange Peyandane :



T: +44 20 3587 7721

M: +447531934989

EU Toll free: 00800 4433 2929

E: ange.peyandane@cognitive-group.com







Cognitive Group are a  professional and respected Microsoft Dynamics recruitment business. We focus  on delivering results, building relationships for the long term and providing an exceptional experience.



Why not get in touch when you are searching for your next Microsoft Dynamics job?



Specialities: Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Dynamics NAV and other technologies in the Microsoft stack.

Email: info@cognitive-group.com

Tel: 0203 587 7772

EU Toll-Free: 00800 4433 2929

W: http://www.cognitive-group.com

Five reasons to look forward to this year’s Convergence EMEA

Every year Microsoft Convergence offers a wonderful chance for those in the Microsoft Dynamics sector to learn about examples of implementations along with upcoming advancements. The 2015 conference is almost here; what can we anticipate this year?

AX7 Release

The latest update is anticipated in 2016’s first quarter so everyone, from Microsoft to its clients (and definitely its rivals as well!) is likely to be discussing the possible influence AX7 will have.  Convergence will present seven sessions devoted to the release and the ways you can benefit from the improved functionality it will offer.

Development of the Cloud

Microsoft has made huge investments in Azure cloud and has begun to offer its business applications through Dynamics online. Dynamics CRM Online has already been launched and AX will soon become part of the cloud party.

The huge expenses normally linked to ERP projects should not be a hindrance to companies who want to use an ERP to streamline their business any more. Sessions at Convergence will discuss the reasons for, and practicalities of, migrating your information to the cloud.

Advancements in Retail

Worldwide, 2,200 and more retailers are strengthened by Microsoft Dynamics implementations. Microsoft is dedicated to its retail branch which handles everything such as; EPOS, control of supply chain, and marketing. A number of retail clients will be at Convergence to discuss their experiences of Microsoft Dynamics, such as Swarovski, Pandora and Mont Blanc, with various committed retail sessions.

Upcoming CRM Upgrade

With the latest release anticipated the coming year, Dynamics CRM will likely be one of the conference’s main focuses. 18 sessions will be available, involving upcoming CRM updates such as gamification, mobile and online.

Unrivalled Networking
 

More than 4000 Microsoft experts will be in attendance so this is an ideal chance to interact with others in the Microsoft Dynamics sector. Events take place night and day and majority of the delegates reside in the 10 recommended hotels; therefore, this is the ideal place to unite with other firms that may be working on related projects.

Cognitive Group are going to be in attendance at Convergence; therefore if you want to organise a meeting to talk about your future projects and the possible staff requirements, do get in contact. In case you cannot visit the conference, ensure you check Microsoft's website for Convergence since they normally create a video library of all sessions when the conference is over.

Cognitive Group are professionals in Microsoft Dynamics employment and focus on jobs in Microsoft Dynamics AX, jobs in Microsoft Dynamics CRM and other technologies in the Microsoft Stack. If you want to discover more about job possibilities in Microsoft Dynamics CRM or Microsoft Dynamics AX, then get in touch.

Tel: +44 (0) 203 587 7772

EU Toll-Free: +800 4433 2929

Email: info@cognitive-group.com

Website:  http://www.cognitive-group.com