DATA SHEET
Proof of Concept
Pilot test your Microsoft Dynamics solution under real conditions
Introduce your solution
to stakeholders and
test it under real
conditions.
Proof of Concept can:
 Validate “on the ground” that your
Microsoft Dynamics solution will
meet your business needs.
 Ensure that your solution can be
deployed successfully.
 Help your enterprise decision-
makers arrive at a purchasing
decision quickly and cost-
effectively.
 Introduce your Microsoft
Dynamics solution to your staff to
obtain their acceptance.
 Provide an initial system
configuration that can be carried
forward to the next phases of
implementation.
You are evaluating a Microsoft Dynamics® solution for your enterprise: Microsoft Dynamics AX for
enterprise resource planning (ERP) or Microsoft Dynamics CRM for customer relationship
management. How can you ensure that this solution will work effectively in your unique environment?
How can you demonstrate to other stakeholders in your business that your Microsoft Dynamics
solution will meet their requirements? The answer is Proof of Concept (POC). In this technical
engagement, our consultants will install your Microsoft Dynamics solution in a test environment, to
validate your technical requirements with your data under real business conditions.
This pilot test will introduce the solution to stakeholders throughout your enterprise. They will have the
opportunity to understand first-hand how the solution can help them achieve their business
objectives—and they can offer input into revising the installation as needed.
In addition, POC will help our consultants adapt the technology to meet your precise needs for
enterprise resource planning or customer relationship management.
If you have purchased our Fit Gap and Solution Blueprint engagement, our consultants will use the
findings from that analysis for installing the POC pilot test. At the end of POC, they will update your
Solution Blueprint to reflect the test results. The updated Solution Blueprint will become a valuable
tool in the next steps toward implementation.
Proof of Concept: Part of Sure Step Methodology
for Microsoft Dynamics solution deployment
Sure Step is a comprehensive methodology that provides a consistent approach and proven tools to
help you with your deployment of Microsoft Dynamics AX or Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Proof of
Concept is one of five Sure Step Decision Accelerators: short engagements that help enterprises
make purchasing decisions for Microsoft Dynamics solutions. The others are Architecture
Assessment, Fit Gap and Solution Blueprint, Scoping Assessment, and Business Case.
The Sure Step Methodology also offers Architecture and Design offerings, a series of short
engagements that can guide you through the technical decisions required for deployment.
Ask your Microsoft or partner representative how the Sure Step Methodology can help you deploy
your Microsoft Dynamics solution.
Is Proof of Concept a good choice
for your enterprise?
Proof of Concept can help you if:
 You have chosen a Microsoft Dynamics solution to address a new
business need, but your team has no existing references to assess
the changes that will take place on deployment.
 You have questions about your Microsoft Dynamics solution that
need answers before you finalize your purchasing decision.
 You are rolling out a Microsoft Dynamics solution throughout an
enterprise that is large, complex, multi-site, multilingual, or global.
 Your IT decision-making process is complex, with a number of
stakeholders working toward consensus.
 You and your team prefer a “try before you buy” approach.
How does the pilot work?
Our consultants will confer with you to understand your business
requirements. They will install your Microsoft Dynamics solution in a
“sandbox” environment, using your business data and operating under
real business conditions. The installation may include a test server,
Active Directory® service, and Microsoft® Exchange Server integration. It
will be configured to provide high-level support for your business
processes in general, and our consultants can provide configuration and
support for any critical business processes that you may wish to test in
greater detail. The pilot test may include any ISV add-on products you
have chosen.
Our consultants will prepare and conduct a pilot test , the duration of
which will depend on your needs. They will review the findings with your
enterprise business and IT decision-makers. Your team can experience
the look and feel of your Microsoft Dynamics solution and get the
answers to any questions they make have. All configurations and
developed interfaces will be transferable to the final implementation of
your solution.
How POC advances your Microsoft
Dynamics solution:
 Validates “on the ground” that your Microsoft Dynamics solution will
meet your business needs.
 Ensures that your solution can be deployed successfully, even if
you have complex business or technical requirements.
 Helps your enterprise decision-makers arrive at a purchasing
decision quickly and cost-effectively.
 Introduces your Microsoft Dynamics solution to your staff to obtain
their acceptance—and gives them the opportunity to have input into
the implementation process.
 Provides an initial system configuration that can be carried forward
to the next phases of implementation—and allows updating of Fit
Gap and Solution Blueprint, which will make the next phases faster
and more efficient.
Proof of Concept provides
assurance and builds team support
Our Proof of Concept consultation is a quick and cost-effective way to
test your Microsoft Dynamics solution under real conditions. This pilot test
can provide you with assurance that your objectives are technically
feasible—and helps build support among decision-makers and the team
who will be working closely with your solution.
To build confidence and consensus, contact your Microsoft or partner
representative for more details about Proof of Concept for Microsoft
Dynamics AX or Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Sample POC Scope

For more information

about consulting and support
offerings from Microsoft,
contact your Microsoft or
partner representative or visit
www.microsoft.com/
services

© 2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This data sheet is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Microsoft
is either a registered trademark or trademark of the Microsoft group of companies.