Plumbline Solutions - Software Consulting Services

April 2008 Newsletter

In this Edition:

I hope all of you who were fortunate enough to attend Convergence this year found the event productive. I was especially impressed with the increased number of integrated Microsoft Dynamics SL solutions that ISVs are offering. If you were not able to attend the ISV session showcasing SL solutions and would like the list of the solutions available, please send me an email and I'll get it out to you.

I also encourage anyone who has developed a Dynamics SL add-on to submit their company and product information to us so we can include it on our website under the Link Exchange Program. More details about the information we need to profile your solution can be found here. While we would like you to publish information about our company on your site in exchange for profiling your company and product on ours, it isn't crucial. Our main goal is to offer the Dynamics SL community with a comprehensive place to find offerings that can enhance their SL solution.

Best Regards,

Todd Michael
Director of Sales & Marketing
Plumbline Solutions, Inc.
(419) 581-2973

Plumbline Solutions provides software engineering services for Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) Channel Partners and Microsoft^® Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). We offer software development, application support, and technology consulting, with a focus on delivering excellence and building lasting relationships.

Key features contained in Microsoft Dynamics SL Feature Pack 1

With many returning from Microsoft Convergence 2008 in Orlando, Florida or for those who were unable to attend, Microsoft Dynamics SL 7.0 FP1 will be a major step towards empowering customers to be more effective in their roles within their company. Extensive work is being put into the product to deliver the functionality partners and customers need to take advantage of the flexibility of Microsoft Dynamics SL.

Some of the key additions include: Sortable Grids, Doc Share and Project Web Time [read more].

SL7 Issue in Windows Terminal Server Environment

If you have customers that randomly receive a system message 20004 - Unable to create OLE links between parent.exe and logon screen, please note that there is a hot fix for this issue and some other issues regarding the behavior of VBA and customizations.

When using Microsoft Dynamics SL 7.0 or 7.0 SP1 on a Terminal Server or Citrix Server, non-administrators may receive one or more of the following errors:

System message 20004 - Unable to successfully create OLE links between application and parent program

System message 20406 - Error loading VBA project. HRESULT = 0x80040546

HF 7.001_15408SY addresses this problem. The HF will need to be applied to the APP server and the Terminals server. We highly recommend that you apply this update for any clients with SL installed in a WTS environment. It is available for download from CustomerSource and PartnerSource.

In general, it is a good idea to always apply the latest hot fix when it is cumulative. When multiple hot fixes affect the set file(s), we maintain the cumulative fixes in one file as opposed to keeping all of the individual ones, of which some would be obsolete.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Marketing Community Call:
Apr 8, 2008 11:00 A.M. Pacific

This 90-minute session will be a rapid-fire recap of the many offers and opportunities available to help you drive business as Microsoft moves into the final quarter of its FY08 fiscal year.

Tech-Ed 2008 held in Orlando, FL
U.S. Developers: June 3-6
U.S. IT Professionals: June 10-13

WPC 2008 July 7-10 in Houston, TX

Dynamics SL User Group Fall Meeting will be held in Hartford, CT Sept. 17-19

This user group is no longer Construction-industry specific. It now welcomes all SL users to exchange ideas and information. Learn how your customers can sign up for this Dynamics SL user event: www.dynamicsusersgroup.com.

Name: Patrick Wedge

Background: As a member of Plumbline Solutions Contract Development Team, Patrick provides both automated and manual testing services for the Microsoft Dynamics SL product. Most recently Patrick created automated test assets and framework for the Solomon product line while working for Microsoft and Solomon Software. Patrick has almost 10 years experience working with the SL product in various testing roles [read more].

CONGRATULATIONS to these three SL Partners that won awards at Convergence:

Greatest number of new adds - AccuNet, Columbus Ohio
Overall greatest revenue gain in the first half of FY08 – NexVue, Stanford Connecticut
Project Driven Excellence – this Partner uses the product internally and allows prospects to view functionality through Business Portal – New Vision Consulting, Oklahoma City, OK

Shared SL ISV Booth - Plumbline is looking into creating a shared booth area for Dynamics SL ISVs at Convergence 2009. Some ideas are to rent booth space and offer product demonstrations, distribute marketing collateral and forward leads generated at the booth to smaller ISVs that cannot justify the expense of securing their own space. if you have ideas or would be interested in participating, please let us know.

Leverage Microsoft Programs to maximize your marketing dollars.

VMAX is a new program that provides a means to break into vertical marketing with minimal investment and great results. Learn more about participating in this program by contacting Katie Roda via email or (425) 707-9193. We found other useful vertical marketing resources available here.

Ready-to-Go Campaigns simplify the time and effort of putting a marketing plan together. Specific campaigns eligible for discounts and reimbursements can be found here.

Access Plumbline Solutions' Link Exchange for a list of Microsoft Dynamics SL add-on products in one easy-to-search area: Plumbline Solutions' Link Exchange

To participate in the Plumbline Solutions' Link Exchange Program and gain greater visibility for your products or services , e-mail us or read the participation details.

If you have consultants in your organization that are not receiving the Plumbline Newsletter, please forward a copy of the newsletter to them and have them click on the "Subscribe me!" link in the email. Sign-up is also available on our website. We want to make sure we have these professionals “in the know” about the latest SL activities and ensure they have access to the monthly hints & tips.

To read previous issues of our Newsletter click here.