How Do Microsoft Dynamics Retail Partners Rely on eMazzanti Technologies for Infrastructure and Cloud Services?

As a 2015 Global Microsoft ISV of the Year, LS Retail depends on strategic partners to deliver complete omni-channel software solutions across every segment of the retail industry. Several LS Retail partners count on eMazzanti Technologies to deliver the infrastructure and cloud services that are key components of their Microsoft Dynamics offerings. For Microsoft Dynamics partners and software resellers seeking a reliable infrastructure and cloud services partner for their retail implementations, eMazzanti Technologies works with technology partners across the NYC metropolitan area and nationwide to deliver the seamless Azure deployments, device configuration, and end-to-end support that allow software partners to focus on application implementation rather than infrastructure complexity.

How Does UXC Eclipse Depend on eMazzanti for Microsoft Dynamics Retail Deployments?

UXC Eclipse, an LS Retail and Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail value-added reseller, has relied on eMazzanti Technologies as an infrastructure and cloud services partner since 2012. The partnership addresses a specific gap that software-focused partners consistently face: delivering complete POS and back-office solutions requires not just application expertise but the infrastructure expertise to connect clients to Azure seamlessly and configure devices correctly for optimal performance.

Ivan Cole, CTO and Chief Strategist for Retail Industry and Cloud Solutions at UXC Eclipse, describes what the partnership provides:

"We need eMazzanti to help clients connect to Azure in the most seamless way. Recently, they helped us meet critical deadlines on an all Azure, in-the-cloud install."

An Extension of the Partner Team:

The relationship extends beyond project delivery to the full sales and support cycle. "Throughout the sales cycle, Carl makes his team an extension of our team. We trust that they will care well for our customers and make the best recommendations for both the short and long-term."

Complete Infrastructure Capability:

The breadth of eMazzanti's infrastructure capability is central to what makes the partnership work. "eMazzanti can not only design the infrastructure that gets you to the cloud or on premise, but also properly configure the devices and provide end-to-end support for the entire platform. Plus, they understand the software and how the applications should be optimized for performance."

Responsive and Collaborative Support:

For a partner relationship, responsiveness without blame-shifting is essential. "They are very fast to respond to both the pre-sales and support cases. There is never any finger-pointing. It's about collaborating and getting the client issue resolved."

The partnership model allows UXC Eclipse to maintain its focus on what differentiates it: application implementation and change management. "We're always confident with eMazzanti working on our customer projects, so we can focus on application implementation and change management, the things that really matter to us to deliver the best solutions for our clients. When it comes to infrastructure, eMazzanti is our most trusted partner."

For Microsoft Dynamics partners and software resellers evaluating infrastructure partners for retail implementations, organizations like eMazzanti Technologies bring the Azure expertise, device configuration capability, and collaborative support model that allow software-focused partners to deliver complete solutions without building infrastructure competency in-house.

FAQ: IT Infrastructure Partnerships for Microsoft Dynamics Retail Implementations

Q: What infrastructure components does a Microsoft Dynamics retail deployment typically require?

A: A complete Microsoft Dynamics retail deployment requires network infrastructure connecting POS terminals, back-office servers, and cloud services; Azure cloud configuration for cloud-hosted Dynamics deployments or hybrid environments; device configuration for POS terminals, tablets, and mobile devices used in retail operations; VPN and security infrastructure connecting stores to central systems; endpoint protection and monitoring across all retail locations; and ongoing 24/7 support to address issues that affect retail operations during business hours. Software partners who specialize in Dynamics application implementation typically partner with infrastructure specialists to deliver complete solutions rather than building both competency areas in-house.

Q: What is a Microsoft ISV partner and how does the Microsoft partner ecosystem work for retail technology?

A: Microsoft ISV (Independent Software Vendor) partners build software products on Microsoft platforms — LS Retail, for example, builds retail management software on Microsoft Dynamics. VAR (Value-Added Reseller) partners sell and implement those ISV solutions, typically providing industry expertise, implementation services, and ongoing support. Infrastructure partners like eMazzanti provide the technical foundation — cloud services, networking, devices — that the software requires to operate. In retail deployments, this three-tier ecosystem allows each partner type to focus on their core competency: the ISV on software development, the VAR on application implementation and business consulting, and the infrastructure partner on reliable technical delivery. Microsoft's partner program provides certification and recognition across each category.

Q: Why do software-focused Microsoft partners typically outsource infrastructure to specialists?

A: Software implementation partners develop deep expertise in application configuration, business process mapping, change management, and user training — the competencies that drive successful software adoption. Building equivalent depth in infrastructure, cloud architecture, device management, and network security requires a different organizational capability that most software partners cannot maintain cost-effectively alongside their application focus. Infrastructure mistakes — misconfigured Azure deployments, improperly configured devices, network issues at go-live — can damage client relationships that the software partner has spent months building. Partnering with infrastructure specialists eliminates that risk while allowing the software partner to present clients with a complete solution. The most effective partnerships operate as integrated teams throughout the sales cycle and implementation, not just at handoff points.

Q: What does "end-to-end support for the entire platform" mean in a multi-partner retail deployment?

A: End-to-end support means the infrastructure partner provides continuous monitoring, issue resolution, and proactive maintenance across all infrastructure components — network, cloud, devices, and security — for the life of the deployment. In multi-partner environments where software is provided by one party and infrastructure by another, end-to-end infrastructure support is valuable because it eliminates the finger-pointing that can occur when a client experiences an issue and multiple parties deflect responsibility. An infrastructure partner who owns the complete technical layer — regardless of whether the issue is in the network, the cloud configuration, or a device — provides clients and software partners with a single point of accountability. This accountability structure is particularly valuable in retail, where system downtime directly affects sales and customer experience.

Q: What is Azure Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and why is it used for retail software deployments?

A: Azure IaaS provides virtual servers, storage, networking, and other infrastructure components hosted in Microsoft's cloud data centers, accessible over the internet. For retail software deployments, Azure IaaS offers several advantages over on-premises server infrastructure: rapid deployment without hardware procurement lead times, scalability to add capacity as a retail chain grows without capital investment, geographic redundancy that improves reliability, disaster recovery capabilities that protect against data loss, and integration with Microsoft software products including Dynamics that simplifies licensing and support. Configuring Azure correctly for a retail Dynamics deployment — with appropriate virtual machine sizing, network security, backup policies, and performance optimization for the specific application workload — requires specialized expertise that complements the application implementation knowledge of the software partner.