By Tammy Weisberger Got a question about tracking leads with Microsoft Dynamics CRM? Want to share a hot tip for how to easily integrate your customer database with Microsoft Outlook? Look no further than the Microsoft Dynamics Community. Home to live chats, newsgroups, and a wealth of informative articles, this community makes connecting with technical advice easier than ever. “The Business Solutions Community is the place to share knowledge, offer assistance, and solve problems with others in business situations similar to yours,” said Soni Meinke, a senior product manager in the Microsoft Business Solutions group. Get On-the-Job TipsLive chats put you directly in touch with Microsoft employees who can offer time-saving software tips to help boost your productivity. For example, in a December 2004 chat dedicated to Microsoft Axapta supply chain management, customers found solutions to their database troubles in real-time conversations with several Microsoft Business Solutions—Axapta program managers. Microsoft employees often share the live chat stage with Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) and partners who can shine fresh light on the product under discussion. The Microsoft chat rooms are where all the magic takes place. Log in with your Microsoft .NET Passport to see what's on the docket for the day. Or browse the Microsoft Technical Chat Calendar to find an upcoming chat that addresses questions you have brewing. Learn How to Use a ProductLive webcasts take the guesswork out of mastering a new Microsoft Dynamics product by connecting you with Microsoft employees who can identify best practices. For example, in the December 2004 Advanced Look at Microsoft CRM webcast, a veteran of the Microsoft Business Solutions team presented a strategy for how you can help your sales team win more business by giving them the tools they need. Or, if you’re in the market for more cost and time-effective financial management, the Understanding the Basics of Microsoft Dynamics GP Financials webcast might be just the presentation you need. Looking for information on a particular product but don’t see an applicable live webcast scheduled? There’s a good chance the topic has already been addressed. Visit the On-Demand Webcasts page to find recorded versions of past webcasts. Troubleshoot Technical ProblemsFrequented by MVPs, Microsoft employees, and your industry peers, Newsgroups are one of the best online forums for getting your tough computing questions answered. Need help learning how to print two receipts automatically after each transaction? Post a question to the Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) newsgroup. Want to learn how to use the calendar to automate the scheduling of follow-up sales calls? Query the Microsoft CRM newsgroup. Because the newsgroups are so popular, it’s very possible that your question has already been asked and answered. The top of every newsgroup page offers a search option. Use it. You might find the answer to your question is already out there. Network with Like-Minded ProfessionalsAlthough the Microsoft Dynamics Community is brimming with how-to information and practical advice, the community team recognizes the value of linking to community sites outside the Microsoft fold. Related communities—non-Microsoft communities that participate in the Microsoft Community Partnership Program—offer additional opportunities for you to connect with peers and Microsoft partners. An integral part of the Microsoft online community, these forums—maintained by third-party industry experts—offer a wealth of objective information, from blogs and product reviews to tools and downloads. Hone Your ExpertiseIf you want to deepen your knowledge of a particular business application topic, the Microsoft developers, product support specialists, and industry experts who write articles for the community can help. For example, Carlton Collins, CPA, frequently dispenses hands-on advice about topics near and dear to the accounting industry, such as meeting Sarbanes-Oxley regulations and outgrowing QuickBooks. Look for these articles in the Expert Advice section of your favorite Business Solutions Community home page, such as the Microsoft Dynamics GP Community. If you don’t find the topic you’re interested in, give that site’s Expert Advice Archive a try. It just might have what you’re looking for. Finding answers to your questions about Microsoft Dynamics products has never been easier. Catherine Feldhausen, a business manager for the Microsoft Communities and CRM team, said it best: “No matter how you like to participate, you can potentially connect to developers, IT professionals, and home users all around the world—without leaving your office!” Tammy Weisberger is a writer based in Everett, Washington.
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