If you are a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales, Customer Service, or Power Platform user, here’s some information you need to know! There’s a big, wide world of resources out there for people just like you. One of the best resources is Dynamics User Group.
Dynamics User Group (or DUG) is a user and partner community, independent from Microsoft, focused on personal and professional growth for Microsoft Dynamics 365, Dynamics GP, and Power Platform professionals. Their goal is to empower everyday users, administrators, developers, and partners with the tools and information required to excel in their professions. And the best part … membership is free!
The DUG website can be found here: https://dynamicsusergroup.com/
Their website contains online discussion forums, live and virtual events, a YouTube Channel with over 500 educational videos, and information on conferences as well as local and regional meetups.
The engine behind DUG is a small group of paid professionals who work closely with the Dynamics User Group Advisory Committee and the programming committee for planning new content. They are very active and offer lots of great resources!
I recently attended DynamicsCon in Las Vegas (https://dynamicscon.com ), and it was a phenomenal experience. I met other Dynamics partners as well as users and gained as much from my personal interactions as I did from the sessions I attended. DUG has a strong relationship with Microsoft, but is completely independent, which offered the best of both worlds. Some Microsoft experts attended and provided presentations, but, more often than not, real-world users and partners led the informational sessions. They would make statements like:
“This feature came out nine months ago, but it was really not helpful until a couple of months ago when this new capability made all the difference.”
Or
“You’ve been told that such-and-so is great, but it is not ready for prime time yet.”
On the other hand, I also heard,
“If you are not using this great new resource in Dynamics, then you are missing out. Here’s how to find it and use it.”
This kind of real-world experience was extremely valuable, AND people were genuinely willing to help each other after sessions concluded. In fact, I’ve made several great connections that are making a positive impact on TopLine Results months after the event.
Not every region has a local DUG; nevertheless, on the website you can find the one closest to you: https://dynamicsusergroup.com/meetup/
Currently, there are 65 groups across 18 countries. During DynamicsCon, many regional groups made time to connect over lunch during one day of the conference. On another day, DUG facilitated lunch groups based on industry, so you could meet other Dynamics users in the same field. There’s nothing like exchanging ideas with people who share a common experience!
Milwaukee has a Dynamics User Group, but it stopped meeting when the primary facilitator was no longer able to lead the group. Never fear, though, because TopLine Results is teaming up with Comcentia to restart the Milwaukee DUG. Our first meetup is scheduled as a casual get-together on July 29th, from 4:00-7:00 pm at The Landing at Hoyt Park in Wauwatosa. All are welcome! Please join us! Sign-up details will be on Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/dug-meetup-wisconsin/events/
If you have any questions about DUG or about Microsoft Dynamics, please reach out. We are always willing to help! Call us at 800-880-1960 or email info@toplineresults.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.