What is the Difference Between Dynamics Connections and The ISV Society?

Aug 20

6 min read

Updated: Aug 24

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ISVs have more options than ever when it comes to growing their presence in the Microsoft Dynamics and ERP ecosystem. But with different organizations offering different types of support, it can be challenging to understand which resources are the right fit for your goals.

A question we often hear is: “What is the difference between Dynamics Connections and The ISV Society?”

While both organizations support ISVs, they focus on different areas of growth. In fact, many ISVs choose to work with both because the services complement each other and address different needs.

The right choice depends on what your business is looking to accomplish.

Table of Contents

What Does Dynamics Connections Help ISVs With?

Dynamics Connections focuses on something different: building meaningful relationships between ISVs and the right VAR partners.

Our mission is to connect SMB VARs with Microsoft Dynamics and Acumatica ISVs whose solutions align with their customers, industries, and business models.

With more than 110 ISVs in our library and 180 active VARs participating in our program, Dynamics Connections has built a trusted network based on understanding the needs of both sides of the channel.

ISVs work with Dynamics Connections when they are looking for:

Personalized introductions to qualified VAR partners
Increased awareness and understanding of their solutions among VARs
A trusted advisor who understands their products and goals
Stronger channel relationships built over time
A resource library that helps partners discover the right solutions

Rather than relying on cold outreach or broad networking, Dynamics Connections helps create targeted connections based on product knowledge, partner needs, and shared goals.

What Does The ISV Society Help ISVs With?

The ISV Society focuses on helping ERP software vendors increase visibility, create marketing momentum, and stay connected with the broader ecosystem.

Through its Participation Program, ISVs can create an annual visibility plan using Participation Credits that can be applied to a variety of initiatives throughout the year. Rather than focusing on individual events, the program gives software vendors the flexibility to participate in opportunities that align with their marketing goals, product launches, target ERP communities, and business priorities.

ISVs may turn to The ISV Society for support with:

Shared marketing campaigns and initiatives
Online visibility events
Content creation and promotional support
Partner marketing activities
Campaign planning and execution

The ISV Society serves as an extension of an ISV’s marketing efforts, helping companies maintain consistency and build awareness within the ERP community.

How Is Dynamics Connections Different From The ISV Society?

Dynamics Connections helps ISVs solve a partner enablement and relationship-building challenge by creating meaningful connections between ISVs and VARs.

The biggest difference comes down to the type of support each organization provides.

The ISV Society helps ISVs build year-round visibility through its Participation Program, providing flexible opportunities that help software vendors increase recognition across the ERP ecosystem.

Both approaches are valuable. They simply support different parts of an ISV’s growth strategy.

Can ISVs Work with Both Dynamics Connections and The ISV Society?

Yes!

Many ISVs use both resources because they serve different purposes. Marketing visibility and channel relationships are both important parts of building a successful ecosystem presence.

An ISV may use The ISV Society to expand awareness and maintain consistent marketing activity while using Dynamics Connections to develop deeper relationships with VARs and identify the right partnership opportunities.

Finding the Right Channel Support for Your ISV

Growing within the ERP ecosystem takes more than simply being visible. Long-term success comes from building trust, creating strong relationships, and connecting with the right partners.

At Dynamics Connections, our focus is helping ISVs and VARs find the right fit through personalized introductions, product knowledge, and a relationship-first approach.

Whether you are looking to expand your partner network or better understand where your solution fits within the channel, Dynamics Connections is here to help you build connections that create lasting value.

Why the ERP Ecosystem Needs More Collaboration, Not More Competition.

ISVs have different needs at different stages of growth. Some are looking for additional marketing support and visibility opportunities, while others are focused on building stronger relationships with VAR partners and expanding their channel presence.

While Dynamics Connections and The ISV Society both support ISVs in the ERP ecosystem, their approaches are designed to solve different challenges.

The comparison below highlights the key differences between each organization and how they can help ISVs achieve their goals.

	Dynamics Connections	The ISV Society
Primary Focus	Building strategic relationships between ISVs and VARs, with a focus on meaningful connections, channel development, and long-term partnership	Increasing ISV visibility with partners and customers through marketing, education, and community opportunities
Main Goal	Helping ISVs connect with the right partners and helping VARs discover solutions that fit their customers	Helping ISVs achieve consistent, year-round visibility and support, with opportunities to educate and reach both partners and customers across the ERP ecosystem.
Best For ISVs Looking For	Trusted introductions, channel development, VAR recruitment support, and stronger partner relationships	Marketing support, campaigns, and increased ecosystem exposure
Approach	Personalized matchmaking based on product knowledge, partner needs, industries served, and business goals	A flexible Participation Program that allows ISVs to choose opportunities that align with their marketing goals and calendar
Key Services	VAR matchmaking, ISV education, partner introductions, ISV Library access, ISV Showdown with comparison matrix and Buyer’s Guide, and channel guidance	Platform (ERP) Demo Days, Industry Demo Days, ERP Tech Stack Days, Challenge Spotlight Days, ISV Society Fast Pass sessions, and year-round participation opportunities
Relationship Model	Relationship-focused with an emphasis on long-term channel partnerships	Community-focused with an emphasis on shared visibility and marketing activity
How ISVs Benefit	Gain access to relevant VAR relationships, develop their channel presence, and identify opportunities to expand their partner network	Gain consistent marketing support and opportunities to reach more people in the ERP ecosystem
Core Question It Helps Answer	“Which partners are the right fit for my solution?”	“How can I increase awareness and visibility for my solution?”
Primary Challenge It Solves	Partner enablement and trust-building	Consistent visibility and ecosystem participation
Audience Reach	Microsoft Dynamics and Acumatica VAR partners	ERP partners and customers across multiple ERP ecosystems

We’re Stronger Together: Why Many ISVs Choose Both Programs

For many ISVs, the best results do not come from choosing either Dynamics Connections or The ISV Society. They come from using both programs together, because each one supports a different part of the growth equation.

Dynamics Connections is built to help you expand your partner footprint through targeted introductions and relationship building. If your goal is to get in front of the right Dynamics and Acumatica VARs, build channel momentum, and create real opportunities for partner-led growth, this program focuses on the matchmaking and visibility that move the needle.

The ISV Society is designed to help you strengthen what happens behind the scenes. It supports ISVs with community, shared learning, and resources that help you operate more effectively, refine your approach, and stay aligned with what partners and the market are asking for.

When ISVs participate in both, they get a more complete advantage:

More reach plus stronger readiness: Dynamics Connections helps you get in the room with the right partners. The ISV Society helps you show up with clearer messaging, better strategy, and stronger execution once those conversations start.
Faster learning cycles: The ISV Society helps you learn from other ISVs, spot patterns, and avoid common mistakes. Dynamics Connections helps you apply those insights in real partner conversations, with introductions that are relevant to your solution and goals.
A stronger long-term ecosystem presence: One program helps you build relationships and visibility. The other helps you stay connected to a community that is actively sharing what works. Together, they support sustainable growth, not just one-time exposure.
More confidence for partners evaluating your solution: Partners want to work with ISVs that are credible, prepared, and easy to engage. Being active in both programs signals that you are invested in the ecosystem, committed to improvement, and serious about building successful partner relationships.

If you are an ISV looking for both momentum and maturity, the combination is simple: Dynamics Connections helps you grow your network. The ISV Society helps you grow your capabilities. And in a partner-driven market, that is exactly how many ISVs create a stronger, more scalable path forward.

Choosing the Right Support for Your Growth Goals

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to growing an ISV business. The right resource depends on what your organization needs most today, whether that’s increasing visibility, creating marketing momentum, building partner relationships, or finding the right channel connections.

Many ISVs leverage both types of support as part of a broader growth strategy. By understanding the role each organization plays, ISVs can make informed decisions about the resources that will best support their long-term success in the ERP ecosystem.