Mike Nottali's firm is in your category, Kate. They support Sage 100, but actively promote only Acumatica; they dropped 90 Minds as a result. Mike told me that he would have stayed in 90 Minds if we had the same sort of robust business-oriented (such as FOTF) sessions as occurred 5 years ago.
The experiments we've run in the past 5 years on Acumatica clearly showed that the break-fix orientation of our core group really can't really work with Acumatica without a strong anchor, sort of like Wayne. I am skeptical that we can find that person/firm to start.
acu-connect seems to be gaining steam. It is quite different from 90 Minds, but close enough to explore partnership/cannibalization.
Acumatica made it clear that their focus is on maintaining/growing their larger VARS, international expansion, and local user groups. 90 Minds won't get any attention from them with those priorities. (Larger VARS generally have their own internal technical resources to address 90 Minds-like q&a.)
acu-connect's premise is as a resource to end-users and partners for ISV solutions to expand Acumatica's functionality. This is a consulting mindset that I've encouraged 90 Minders to take for a couple years now; I don't think it's getting much traction. I think this is the only possible avenue to developing an Acumatica section, but I don't yet see exactly how that happens.
Attending A Summit as an exploration is fine with me. BUT I do think Anne needs to go with a very clear set of questions, suggestions, responses to "what does 90 Minds do, and why do you think we have any interest in you here?", and a target list of people/firms to run into. Otherwise, it will be a waste.
This won't be a walk in the park. But I support this sort-of last shot.
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Jerry Norman
At-Large BOD Member, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-23-2021 16:13
From: Kate Krueger
Subject: Acumatica Summit
So Yes!
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Kate Krueger
Business Applications Manager
Eide Bailly, Inc.
Denver CO
970-692-5113
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-23-2021 16:13
From: Kate Krueger
Subject: Acumatica Summit
I agree that this may be an avenue for growth and I like the reconnaissance element of how events are going these days. I think Karen's point is great that if this trip could result in some clear feedback as to how to attract resellers that focus on other products then it would be worth the investment. I'd be especially interested in the feedback from resellers who support both Acumatica and Sage but only attend Acumatica's events - if there is such a person.
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Kate Krueger
Business Applications Manager
Eide Bailly, Inc.
Denver CO
970-692-5113
Original Message:
Sent: 06-23-2021 16:05
From: Jim Woodhead
Subject: Acumatica Summit
Anne,
If it is an avenue you want to pursue then you have the green light from me.
Jim
Jim Woodhead | Principal Consultant
p: 800.627.9032 x125 | m: 619.990.3946
w: dsdinc.com
Original Message:
Sent: 6/23/2021 4:04:00 PM
From: Robert Wood
Subject: RE: Acumatica Summit
I'm back as of today. Maine is beautiful. Salem, MA, is neat. Boston is crazy but has great food.
Jim flies out tomorrow evening and comes back Sunday.
I think Karen got to the same conclusion I did when Anne and I talked about this right before I left.
--Robert Wood
Consultant
www.ddfcgi.com
352-615-5898
--
Eric Hoffer: "In times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists."
Sent from my portable brain
Original Message:
Sent: 6/23/2021 3:22:00 PM
From: Karen O'Lane
Subject: RE: Acumatica Summit
The idea to have a booth at the summit was to capture the attention of attendees walking through the booths, let them know who we are, and the benefits of joining our group. Our booth location was not great so we didn't capture as many fish in our net as we had hoped. But the bigger issue, IMO, is that we are a Sage-focused group and we haven't seemed to find the "build it and they will come" offerings for resellers who focus on other products. We're going to have to find out what would draw Acumatica resellers to our group, and if we don't have what they want now, at least get the feedback and then work on plans to build it. The glue that has always held 90 Minds together is the need for sharing knowledge and helping each other fix things in Sage that break. This is sort of less of an issue with Acumatica. But it doesn't mean that there are no other opportunities. Since we are trying to grow our organization, and bringing in new members is one way to do that, it may be worth $1,745 for networking and reconnaissance. I dislike throwing good money after bad, but this is a different approach than the last time and Anne is an engaging personality. We should investigate all possible avenues for growth until they are exhausted. Do we need a short ad-hoc meeting about it when Robert returns from vacation?
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Karen O'Lane
Accounting Systems, Inc. (ASI)
Fresno CA
803.252.6154 x242
559.577.4142
90 Minds Treasurer