![Collage of pictures from the Directions](https://www.yaveon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/yaveon-microsoft-directions-2023-recap.jpg)
Golden times:
the Directions EMEA 2023 in Lyon
Power in partnerships: This was the motto of this year's Microsoft partner event Directions EMEA, which took place in Lyon from November 1 to 3. Together with numerous partners, we listened to exciting news from the Microsoft world and exchanged experiences. Being part of this event as a Gold Sponsor was not only a huge honor, but also a confirmation and incentive at the same time. Off to golden times!
![Logo-direction-emea Logo Directions EMEA](https://www.yaveon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Logo-direction-emea.png)
YAVEON as Gold Sponsor: a complete success!
We have been part of Directions EMEA for many years - but this was our first time as a Gold Sponsor. You could feel the goosebumps when our trailer was shown for the first time on the screen in the main hall, and the participants were also visibly impressed.
In our keynote speech, Partner Manager Michael Ebinger explained in ten minutes in a compact, honest and humorous way: Why YAVEON? Of course, we were not only represented on stage, but partners could also meet us at our booth - great conversations and numerous new contacts included.
Another highlight was our partner dinner, which took place in the heart of Lyon. It is always a pleasure to meet our partners, shake hands and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. Thank you to everyone who attended!
Of course, Directions also is a place to celebrate, so the community party on the final evening was a party we won't forget.
Focus of today and the future: Artificial Intelligence and SaaS
The technical focus of this year's Directions was on Artificial Intelligence and Software as a Service (SaaS). So we learned with a twinkle in our eyes that BC stands for "Before ChatGPT". Microsoft has done a great job with its Copilot and launched the AI-tool that automates everyday tasks. Evaluations with Excel, creating presentations or processing emails are made easier and faster.
Cloud solutions have been a favorite in the IT world for several years now and have become the dominant form of hosting. Companies choose Software as a Service and rely on service packages that provide software. What we have seen has made a lasting impression and we are pleased to be able to pass on these opportunities to our customers.
Thank you
Before we let the participants of team YAVEON have their say, we would like to say thank you:
- Thank you to the organizers who made this event possible.
- Thank you to everyone who took part and shaped the days..
- Thank you for the discussions and exchanges.
- Thank you for the partnerships.
- Thank you for the network.
The Business Central community is and remains unbeatable!
Directions EMEA 2023: What the YAVEON team says
![Partnermanager Jonas van Schwartzenberg](https://www.yaveon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/jonas-van-schwartzenberg.jpg)
How many times have you been to Directions EMEA with YAVEON?
1 x
How did you like YAVEON's appearance as a Gold Sponsor overall?
Very good, the location of the booth and the booth itself were great!
What were your professional and personal highlights?
Michael's keynote, the interesting discussions with the partners and the Copilot keynote of Microsoft.
What trends from the Microsoft universe did you take away with you?
Integration of AI in the CRM system - a successful feature!
Jonas van Schwartzenberg
![](https://www.yaveon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Hannes-Storz-1x1-1.png)
How many times have you been to Directions EMEA with YAVEON?
3 x
How did you like YAVEON's appearance as a Gold Sponsor overall?
Awesome
What were your professional and personal highlights?
ISV Session YAVEON
What trends from the Microsoft universe did you take away with you?
SaaS
Hannes Storz
![](https://www.yaveon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Nicolas-Liebthal-1x1-1-scaled.jpg)
How many times have you been to Directions EMEA with YAVEON?
3 x
How did you like YAVEON's appearance as a Gold Sponsor overall?
The 2023 show in Lyon was the best show I've been to so far.
What were your professional and personal highlights?
For me, the entire concept of our appearance was a highlight, starting with the keynote speech, in which Michael gave a great presentation. From our trailer to our booth with our competent team members and our giveaways. At our own partner dinner, the focus was once again on networking. Every year it's great to see familiar faces and meet new ones. The YAVEON community in particular is growing!
What trends from the Microsoft universe did you take away with you?
The Copilot has become a huge focus in Microsoft's strategy. From a marketing perspective, it is already impressive to see what is possible.
Nicolas Liebthal
![Partnermanagerin Jamie Pagé](https://www.yaveon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/jamie-page.jpg)
How many times have you been to Directions EMEA with YAVEON?
1 x
How did you like YAVEON's appearance as a Gold Sponsor overall?
A well-rounded appearance and perfect total package in every aspect.
What were your professional and personal highlights?
My personal highlight was meeting all the partners in person for the first time and the various sessions and presentations.
What trends from the Microsoft universe did you take away with you?
AI & Copilot are getting stronger and stronger!
Jamie Pagé
![](https://www.yaveon.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/stefan-klammler.jpg)
How many times have you been to Directions EMEA with YAVEON?
1 x
How did you like YAVEON's appearance as a Gold Sponsor overall?
Really well positioned!
What were your professional and personal highlights?
News about BC (e.g. Copilot) and the BC community
What trends from the Microsoft universe did you take away with you?
Copilot, various other integrations
Stefan Klammler
How many times have you been to Directions EMEA with YAVEON?
1 x
How did you like YAVEON's appearance as a Gold Sponsor overall?
Very good
What were your professional and personal highlights?
Personal highlights: Michael's presentation at the keynote; meeting partners that I work with.
Professional highlight: Roundtable on manufacturing with James Crowter
What trends from the Microsoft universe did you take away with you?
AI, AI, AI and modularization of code with MS Business Foundation
Philipp Seufert
![Head of Partner Management Michael Ebinger](https://www.yaveon.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/michael-ebinger.jpg)
How many times have you been to Directions EMEA with YAVEON?
5 x
How did you like YAVEON's appearance as a Gold Sponsor overall?
Great!
What were your professional and personal highlights?
Gold sponsor, keynote presentation in front of 3,000 people and the subsequent rush of partners with positive feedback about wanting to work with us.
What trends from the Microsoft universe did you take away with you?
Microsoft is investing more and more in Copilot/AI
Michael Ebinger
![Consultant Katharina Ifland](https://www.yaveon.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/katharina-ifland.jpg)
How many times have you been to Directions EMEA with YAVEON?
3 x
How did you like YAVEON's appearance as a Gold Sponsor overall?
YAVEON was represented 100% positively. High compliment!
What were your professional and personal highlights?
Very nice partner dinner with lots of great conversations
What trends from the Microsoft universe did you take away with you?
AI, AI, AI
Katharina Ifland
![Sascha Reichert](https://www.yaveon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Sascha-Reichert-1x1-1-scaled.jpeg)
How many times have you been to Directions EMEA with YAVEON?
Five times (or six times if you count the virtual Corona Directions)
How did you like YAVEON's appearance as a Gold Sponsor overall?
Absolutely successful! From the booth to the promo video, Michael's keynote speech and our concentrated appearance with 20 people in the YAVEON dress.
What were your professional and personal highlights?
While SaaS/BC online was still an issue in recent years, it is now standard. Azure & Power Platform are still very present, but AI is now finding its way into daily work with Copilot. Even if the areas of application are still manageable at the moment, the start has now been made and we will see more scope and depth with every update. In addition, our partner dinner was another highlight for me - it's great to see how this network is developing and how internationally our solutions are being used.
What trends from the Microsoft universe did you take away with you?
Definitely AI/Copilot (in BC but also in GitHub, for example), further integration between BC and the Power Platform. And my highlight: BC is "growing up" with every (major) release. New functionalities are constantly being added that help us to operate our customers' systems professionally. Whether a (re)integrated debugger that can also be used by consultants, new tools for telemetry or best practices for implementing automated tests. We are continuing to make great strides forward.
Sascha Reichert
How many times have you been to Directions EMEA with YAVEON?
2 x
How did you like YAVEON's appearance as a Gold Sponsor overall?
Very good, professional (booth and presentation)
What were your professional and personal highlights?
Professional: various sessions and the 10-minute presentation by YAVEON in the keynote on thursday.
Personal: meeting some contacts I've known for many years.
What trends from the Microsoft universe did you take away with you?
AI, Copilot and SaaS only
Timo Flad
How many times have you been to Directions EMEA with YAVEON?
5 x
How did you like YAVEON's appearance as a Gold Sponsor overall?
Excellent!
What were your professional and personal highlights?
The keynotes on Wednesday and Thursday (especially Michael´s presentation). Various technical presentations relating to the Power Platform, Copilot, Locations BC, MS Regional Session Switzerland, YAVEON Partner Dinner
What trends from the Microsoft universe did you take away with you?
Copilot, AI
Dirk Böhm
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