After returning from in Atlanta last month, the Metafile Information Systems team and I were thrilled with the immense opportunity to network with, and learn from, the Microsoft Dynamics partner community.
While Metafile did exhibit at last years conference, this year marked our first as a Convergence Gold Sponsor. As we become more deeply engaged with Dynamics partners, we’re excited about just how much our accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR) automation technology is in line with Microsoft’s direction in the Dynamics space.
A prime example is Microsoft’s intensifying focus on the cloud and its call to Microsoft Dynamics partners to champion the cloud’s security and agility among fellow partners and their customers. When it comes to AP/AR automation technology in the cloud, Metafile is finding interest in its cloud-based AP/AR and workflow automation solution steadily increasing. In fact, while we’ve offered a hosted solution option for the past four years, cloud installations over the past year have outpaced installations in the previous three years combined.
As the march to the cloud continues to intensify, our customers are showing an increased interest in a critical trend identified at Convergence: more cloud-based options for Microsoft Dynamics installations that are secure, quick to implement and easy to use. In his keynote to Convergence attendees, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer identified “Dynamics-in-the-cloud” platform providers such as , who enable VARs to offer their ERP and CRM solutions from the cloud quickly and inexpensively.
As it happens, Metafile announced its own partnership with SaaSplaza at Convergence. Our partnership will offer Microsoft Dynamics partners secure access to SaaSplaza’s SAS 70 Type II-certified turnkey platform that will fully integrate with our cloud-based AP/AR automation solution.
This means Metafile’s Microsoft Dynamics partners can offer our hosted solution without having to invest in technology and tools to execute and support cloud implementations. The result is faster time-to-value for customers and boosting our partners’ potential for long-term recurring revenue. It’s just one example of Microsoft partners’ efforts to bring the cloud closer to home for enterprises.
In summary, Convergence 2011 was an entirely rewarding experience. As Microsoft continues to champion the march to the cloud with its partners, it’s clear that simplicity, savings, focus, and flexibility in the cloud will continue to be critically important.
By Nick Sprau,
