Besides the technology, marketing also makes up a big part of the AppSource validation. This extends from clear app descriptions to work instructions and app brochures.
We are approaching the end of this calendar year. Looking back, I can already conclude that it was an exciting, energizing and challenging year for the Foodware 365 team rebuilding the solution from scratch. Resetting their minds, no more typical ERP restrictions, thanks to having access to the whole Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform. This platform enables us to create the most valuable solution in the Food Industry. There is still one hurdle to take and to explore, the road to AppSource. AppSource is Microsoft’s app store where users can try & buy their purpose driven extensions for Dynamics 365 Business Central and other Microsoft business applications.
If you have been following our blogs the past year you already know creating Foodware 365 is not solely focused on creating lines of codes. Creating Foodware 365 has many domains where processes were needed to be designed, evaluated and secured. If we take a look at AppSource, technology and marketing are two
main focus areas.
When it comes to the technology part, an app is more than just a set of tables, pages and functions. It is complemented with automated test scripts, version control, upgrade code, languages and much more. To ensure a troublefree experience from an end-user perspective every app is validated by Microsoft. First of all they run through a set of comprehensive automated tests. Prior to making it available on AppSource the apps will also be tested manually and feedback will be supplied to us.
Besides the technology also marketing makes up a big part of the AppSource validation. This extends from clear app descriptions to work instructions and app brochures.
For Microsoft the goal of these validations is to ensure a consistent end user experience while browsing through AppSource finding the right solution. When he or she has found the correct app, Microsoft need to make sure it can be installed easily and runs on Business Central.The end user should not hit any issues within their environment, for them it should be business as usual. Just one difference: a Foodware 365 solution is available in their environment.
For us, the ISVs, it does not end after the app is live on AppSource, actually we’re driving upwards into the next intersection. As Business Central will continuously be updated for Microsoft, so should our apps. That means that we already have designed and put these processes in place. Updating our apps does not only mean compatibility with every new Business Central version. More importantly, we will continuously adjust and add features and functions in our apps, making sure that we help our end users not only with today’s challenges, but even on the challenges of tomorrow.