For Microsoft Dynamics AX Partners, Certification Requirements Are Good, But Giving the Power to the Customer May Prove Better….

Recent consolidation and alignment within the enterprise software industry almost assuredly guarantees that topics such as these are not isolated within one software channel. However, I can't imagine Microsoft stepping in to save a failing implementation, but I would not be surprised to find Steve Ballmer (CEO, Microsoft) soon addressing the same type of issues within its customer base.  After all, most Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) customers have migrated from or evaluated at least one of the enterprise business applications from SAP or Oracle in the past. 

For starters let's review the base level partner requirements for the Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics AX competency.

Employ (or contract) with 1 or more individuals who, combined, must complete and pass the following 5 exams:    

• Microsoft Dynamics AX Development Introduction
• Microsoft Dynamics AX Financials
• Microsoft Dynamics AX Installation and Configuration
• Microsoft Dynamics AX Trade and Logistics
• Microsoft Exam 70-431-TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance or Microsoft Exam 70-432-TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Customer Reference Requirement:                                       

• Submit at least 3 customer references, each featuring the implementation, deployment, customization, or maintenance of Microsoft Dynamics AX.

These requirements are not terribly difficult to achieve, so many partners, including Advanced Systems Integration (ASI),...