Over the last few years we have seen how Dynamics CRM online has been doubling its growth every quarter. Microsoft is looking at replicating that success by offering the ERP and CRM together in a new cloud offering. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is essentially a piece of software that aims to unify both current CRM and ERP cloud solutions into one cloud service with new purpose-built apps to help manage specific business functions such as financials, sales, operations and customer service.
The technology will integrate with Office 365 to connect the ‘structured workflow’ of business apps with the ‘unstructured workflow’ of collaboration and productivity. It also has deep connections with the cloud office suite, as well as to Cortana voice intelligence and PowerBI data visualization — all of it built on a common platform and data model[1].
Dynamics 365 apps will also provide you with a modern and familiar experience with built in insights, intelligence and workflow. To ensure interoperability and extensibility they also use a common data model and consistent application platform. The combination of these things gives customers a comprehensive solution for business process innovation that lets them:
- Start with what they need by offering apps that fit roles, industries, businesses – and grow at their pace to run their entire business in the cloud.
- Enable greater productivity where they need it by connecting structured workflow of business applications (Dynamics 365) and processes with the unstructured work of collaboration and productivity (Office 365) so employees are empowered with productivity tools surfaced in the context of their business processes, and vice versa.
- Gain built-in, actionable, intelligence with business applications that infuse big data, advanced analytics and IoT into processes which proactively guide employees and customers to optimal outcomes. With Dynamics 365, data and insights are transformed into intelligent action right where it’s needed, and without requiring an army of rocket scientists to make it happen.
- Be ready for growth through nimble, adaptable applications, that allow them to compose, modify and extend processes in real-time. Power BI, PowerApps and Microsoft Flow empower business users to change and adapt their processes without requiring IT support. And organizations can reimagine their business model with a consistent, flexible, extensible platform[2].
In addition to unveiling Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft has also introduced its Microsoft AppSource, which will have 200 business SaaS apps, content packs, and add-ins from Microsoft and its partners that will work with its Dynamics 365. AppSource is targeted to government agencies, financial institutions, and consumer packaged-goods companies.
Microsoft did not disclose pricing for Microsoft Dynamics 365, so it remains to be seen whether it will be a combination of its Dynamics CRM pricing and Dynamics ERP pricing[3].
Which ERP are we talking about ?
Later this fall, Microsoft is planning to deliver two editions of Microsoft Dynamics 365: “Business” for SMBs and “Enterprise” for larger deployments. Each edition has a set of purpose-built applications -- for example, Operations, Sales, and Customer Service.
Business Edition will have the new Project Madeira with Dynamics CRM
Enterprise Edition will have Dynamics AX with Dynamics CRM
Dynamics 365 offers customers the flexibility to grow at their own pace and expand into additional capabilities with ease to run their entire business in the trusted Microsoft cloud.
There are 2 ways to license Dynamics 365 - by application or by personalized role. Role-based licensing is designed to help customers to support their employees in real world enabling them to access functionality across all applications within Dynamics 365[4].
What does it mean for Dynamics GP Customers ?
Just like Dynamics CRM has been offered on premise in addition to online, Dynamics GP will continue to be enhanced and sold to new customers. There are a lot of SaaS offerings around Dynamics GP & CRM – they can breathe easy that they will not be competing with Microsoft.
[1] https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/06/microsoft-gives-frenemy-salesforce-a-shove-with-new-dynamics-365-integrated-cloud-platform/
[2] https://community.dynamics.com/b/msftdynamicsblog/archive/2016/07/06/insights-from-the-engineering-leaders-behind-microsoft-dynamics-365-and-microsoft-appsource
[3] http://www.informationweek.com/cloud/microsoft-dynamics-365-combines-crm-erp/d/d-id/1326188
[4] http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-readies-combined-crm-erp-dynamics-365-cloud-bundle/
