The Valuable Benefits of Joining Microsoft User Groups and Attending User Conferences

Last month, several members of the Cargas team attended Microsoft’s GPUG Summit and D365UG/CRMUG Summit in Nashville Tennessee. As Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM software solutions have evolved through the years, the level of support and educational opportunities through Microsoft user groups and their annual conferences has reached new heights.

If your company is using Dynamics GP or Dynamics 365 CRM, you can gain a lot by becoming part of the Microsoft user community.

Empowerment via Enhanced Knowledge and Skills Development

Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM have vast capabilities, but sadly, often customers only use a portion of what they pay for. By joining user groups, you will give your staff the opportunity to learn how to use the software to its fullest potential in your organization.

User groups offer expanded support resources that help increase your understanding of software features and functionality. You get access to tip sheets, toolkits, and online forums where you can post questions and answers. As a member of a user group, your company also receives discounts on Microsoft conferences and classes.

Local user group chapter meetings and annual conferences provide opportunities to expand your team’s technical and application-based skillsets. Microsoft user group conferences offer sessions covering topics that you may not otherwise have time to explore on your own. You can even experiment with software features through product-specific kiosks and hands-on labs.

Also, conferences provide direct access to Microsoft support specialists who can help you resolve issues. Through attending this recent conference, one of our systems consultants had an SQL script emailed directly to her from Microsoft—which normally would have required the submission of a support ticket.

Camaraderie

The networking and relationship building opportunities that user groups offer open the door to making quality professional connections. You meet and form bonds with other software users, Microsoft staff, Microsoft partners, and ISVs (independent software vendors). With the ability to directly share best practices and discuss challenges with others who use the same software your company is using, you learn from each other as well as from Microsoft.

How to Join a Microsoft User Group

You can join Microsoft user communities by registering online.

Membership costs to join user groups vary depending on company size and the number of software user licenses a business has. For example, costs are as follows for the Microsoft Dynamics GP user group:

  • Small Business (1–9 GP licenses) – $450 annually
  • Mid-Market (10–49 GP licenses) – $800 annually
  • Large Enterprise (50+ GP licenses) – $1,100 annually

As a Microsoft Gold certified partner, Cargas has experienced the advantages of user group membership first-hand and through our customers. We encourage you to consider joining the groups for the Microsoft solutions your business uses. It’s an easy way to give your team the knowledge and resources it needs to get the most from your software.