Community Summit 2024 has once again proven to be an invaluable event for professionals in the tech and business landscapes. This year’s summit was hosted in San Antonio, Texas from October 13th-17th and brought together thousands of attendees, from Microsoft Dynamics users to industry experts, for four days of sessions, hands-on learning, and networking opportunities.
The LS Retail team in the Americas had a fantastic time meeting with partners and learning what to expect for the coming year. Here’s a look back at some of the main highlights:
Continued innovation with AI and Copilot
AI and Copilot were standout themes at Community Summit 2024, emphasizing practical applications for improving workflows and simplifying tasks. Sessions highlighted ways to incorporate Copilot to make jobs easier and streamline processes, with multiple booths prominently featuring AI-driven solutions.
One of the notable sessions, led by Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Principal Product Manager Blazej Kotelko, focused on Productivity with Business Central Copilot and Power Automate. Kotelko introduced Copilot Studio, a new tool enabling organizations to customize Copilot to their specific needs, aligned with Microsoft’s vision of “Your Copilot, Your Way.” The session also showcased updates to Power BI, with enhancements to the Power BI connector and multi-language report capabilities, all geared toward optimizing the user experience.
Another impactful session, Supercharge Your Sales Program with Copilot, reinforced the importance of data quality in getting the most out of Copilot’s capabilities. A key takeaway emphasized that Copilot is only as effective as the data it’s provided; users were encouraged to supply comprehensive data within CRM systems to maximize Copilot’s potential.
Possibility of GP users moving to Business Central
For over 30 years, Dynamics GP has been a trusted solution within the ERP community, supporting countless businesses in managing their finances and operations. However, at Community Summit 2024, Microsoft emphasized a clear commitment to Business Central as the future of cloud ERP for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). With robust support for cloud infrastructure and access to Microsoft’s suite of cloud-based tools, Business Central presents a compelling next step for GP users.
The shift has prompted many long-time GP users at the Summit to consider transitioning to Business Central. Conversations centered around the benefits of a cloud-native environment—particularly the flexibility of Azure, streamlined updates, and enhanced security features—making Business Central a modern solution designed to evolve with future business needs.
Insightful and informative sessions
This year’s Community Summit also presented a diverse range of sessions led by Microsoft experts. These sessions catered to a wide audience, from technical professionals to business leaders, offering insights into Microsoft’s latest advancements and best practices across a range of topics. Technical sessions focused primarily on optimizing performance in the Dynamics 365 environments, cloud migration, mitigating implementation failures, and much more.
Building lasting partnerships in the Microsoft community
Community Summit is an essential event to connect deeply with the Microsoft ecosystem. The LS Retail team seized the opportunity to engage with a wide network of peers and partners, sparking valuable conversations about overcoming industry challenges, while exchanging fresh insights and exploring forward-thinking solutions.
“Attending the North America Community Summit is a fantastic opportunity to connect with partners and clients in a vibrant and collaborative environment,” says Jim Martell, Regional Sales Director for LS Retail in the Americas. “It’s not just about networking; it’s about building a community that thrives on shared goals and mutual support. Every conversation is a chance to learn and grow, making the experience truly rewarding.”
Want to know what events the LS Retail team will be attending next? Check out our events page and book a meeting with our team!
