Experience: 24 years of AX, GP and CRM.
Projects sought: Full-time, long-term, open to permanent.
Markets: USA (Virginia).
Availability: early May 2015.
Other interests: Genealogy and Local history.
Take a look at Debbie’s profile and CV on 365 Freelance.
Q&A:
- Sandra from 365 Freelance: Debbie, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. What is your ideal role?
Debbie: I really like working with end-users, I find it gratifying to work on a project from the beginning. After the go-live, I enjoy working with people on the ground and helping to make their processes better.
My favourite projects aren’t just about the software, but also about the business processes: when a company makes a big change, there are many factors to take into consideration. It’s all about people and what the client is trying to accomplish.
For instance, one of my recent projects meant I was working with an end-user manufacturer who was going from an old system to Dynamics AX 2012 R3. We were not just taking their accounting over, but also their service management, their trade and logistics… We did a great job improving their processes. Much of their Service Management was handled manually with no tracking of work performed on a specific piece of machinery and how that affected longevity, or up time. The elements implemented in this phase laid the ground work for future improvements including a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).
What helps me with these projects is that I have a strong experience as a Program Manager, and I’ve led architecture teams as well. I consider myself mainly technical. I understand all of the Microsoft stack pieces, which helps me to be a good functional architect. I understand how all the parts fit together. It gives me a perspective with the client which allows me to help them to find the right partner and third-party product and resources.
CRM is an exciting platform for development. I have worked mostly on projects for Dynamics CRM/XRM that involve using the components to build an entire business application. My work on these projects were Enterprise wide for customers in government contracting and also in the Public Sector.
- Sandra: You have such a spread with your product skills– do you have a leading specialisation? How do you keep up-to-date with all of these systems?
Debbie: My leading specialisation is Dynamics AX. To keep up-to-date with all of the systems with which I work, I do a lot of self-training and reading. I’ve used the Dynamics Learning Platform. I like it and I think it’s great that I can access it from the 365 Freelance website – it is a really useful feature for consultants. I found that there’s a huge benefit in playing with the software, testing it and working inside of it.
- Sandra: We understand GP is very popular, is AX getting more popular? Do you find more GP or AX opportunities in the USA?
Debbie: Dynamics AX is getting more popular with various companies of different sizes. Many companies were on older systems and they now have to move on to more recent software.
I’m mainly focussed on AX and CRM at the moment so I’m not really looking for GP opportunities. I prefer AX projects because they tend to be longer.
Lately I have been on Long-term (more than one year) projects, although it varies. At the moment I have a part time project that is potentially very long term.
- Sandra: What are the most common integrations with which you get involved?
Debbie: Every ERP implementation in manufacturing needs five or six data feeds (data points from a piece of machinery). In other industries, ERP implementation will need sales order feeds, for instance. All projects have all kinds of integrations.
For instance, one of my recent projects had seventy-eight points of integration. It’s very common to have many. The integrations vary in technology and complexity. Some may be a simple journal entry upload from the Excel Add in – to Scribe, or more complex ones with AIF, or Web services, sometimes involving asynchronous exchanges. Some development also makes use of the .Net Connector.
- Sandra: What could you tell me about the recruitment market in the US? How do you normally find opportunities?
Debbie: LinkedIn is a huge part of my searches for new projects – it’s what I used for the last two. I also use Monster, from which I usually get a few calls, but I found the opportunities I’m offered from there don’t usually match what I’m looking for.
It used to be easy to find new projects in the US market, I’ve found it a bit harder recently – perhaps it’s the time of year, or the economy. That’s why I was interested by 365Freelance.
- Sandra: What do you think of the 365 Freelance service?
Debbie: I think it’s interesting, I’m hoping to leverage it more. I like that you focus on a few features and that what you do, you do well.
Sandra: Thank you, Debbie! It is great pleasure talking to someone as experienced as you!
About us: 365 Freelance is the first online platform that gives Dynamics partners and end-users instant access to hundreds of contractors. With a network spanning 89 countries, it allows companies to search for freelancers based on their skills, rates and available dates, enabling them to find the best person for their projects without incurring the hefty fees typical of recruitment agencies. Register here – www.365freelance.com.
The post Meet Debbie DeHart, Dynamics AX and CRM Program Manager appeared first on The 365 Freelance Blog.