eXtreme 365, where Dynamics 365 and Intelligent Business Cloud communities come to learn, had an action-packed conference in Long Beach at eXtreme365. This is the “partner only” event for Dynamics. A smaller group and no customers gave partners a chance to get to know and understand the new Partner and Dynamics Management teams without worrying about messaging to customers. The new Microsoft management team has an impressive cast of characters with a very good, although very different set of experiences than Dynamics and applications. I think they will breath some new ideas and innovations to our existing partner model.
As always, it was also a blast to watch Mike Ehrenberg, Microsoft Technical Fellow and CTO Business Solutions, present the product futures. He is always the fan favorite. The vision is all coming together. When I think back, this is the vision that people like Mike began describing back in 2004-2005. It is great to see it all happening. I am especially excited about the potential of CDS (Common Data Service) and how ISVs and SIs can exploit the commonalities of data.
Monday evening, we had a great panel discussion and got to see the personalities interact. Ron Huddleston, Microsoft Corporate Vice President, One Commercial Partner; Gretchen O’Hara, Microsoft Vice President of Marketing, One Commercial Partner; Karen Del Vescovo, Microsoft Vice President US Channel and Partner; and Casey McGee, VP Partner Development, US, ISV, SI, Partners. Very fun to watch. Had a great dinner at the Skyroom after. Maribeth and I got engaged there 32 years ago. It was very sentimental for me.
Toby Bowers, Microsoft Senior Director, Worldwide Business Applications and Industry did nice work, he may be the right person to drive the industry message through Microsoft and its customers.
The next eXtreme event is in Dubrovnik, Croatia. I am looking forward to it.