The advent of Microsoft Dynamics 365 took place in the year 2016 when Microsoft created Dynamics AX, a combination of CRM and ERP applications. Microsoft was a starter in making such an offer and providing an integrated solution for both CRM and ERP to the customers. Given that the businesses these days are being more dynamic and consist of unique situations, it is essential for software developers to come up with applications that are more consistent with the ever-changing trends. With these times ahead of us, Dynamics 365 proves to be a powerhouse combination of different services that are enabled to provide a single solution. Thus, it also eliminates the possibility that users face while choosing from different options available.
What Exactly Is the Data Model of Dynamics 365?
In the usual scenario, it is seen that the enterprise software is attuned to the company’s techniques. This means the techniques of data handling along with the database format will be specific to the company’s software. So, it sort of restricts the application’s compatibility with some of the external applications that they might otherwise prefer to use. Also, nowadays, it is quite a challenge to upgrade and integrate the databases that have been already customized. However, Microsoft has managed to head into a different route altogether through consistent and standardized schematics.
With the new and updated system, the users will be able to utilize any solution deployed on Dynamics 365. The key difference here is that users will be browsing the applications via a new application store called Microsoft AppSource. With Dynamics 365, users can integrate themselves with various applications from Microsoft and other apps through a typical API.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Uses
There are various ways in which Microsoft Dynamics can be utilized, and these are:
- Bringing the entire business into a singular platform by connecting with people across different applications. Integrating the data from various platforms such as LinkedIn, Office 365, Dynamics 365 Business Central, Azure, etc.
- Making decisions more smartly with Analytics, AI, guided actions, suggestions, etc.
- Customizing different applications to your requirements rather than letting it affect the business analogy. You will be able to have multiple app integrations with your current system or even go for several customization options available at Microsoft Power Platform.
- You will be able to refurbish the tactics of your organization through incorporations of Mobile devices, social media, Mixed reality, AI, and much more. This also assists in the development and innovation of the business.
Applications of Dynamics 365
Dynamics 365 is incorporated with a plethora of revolutionary features and applications that include:
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Customer Service
There are multi-channel options available with Dynamics 365 for customer engagement, self-service benefits, self-care platforms, etc. It also includes several tools dedicated to agent support and community engagement.
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Customer Insights
With the help of customer insights, organizations will have an overall view of customer-related data in the platform of Dynamics 365. This way, users can find actionable data and insights as well. This feature also incorporates the module of Power BI to enhance proper visualization and data analytics. In addition, several AI tools are offered to ascertain the consumers’ behavior patterns and different trends to collect predictive information.
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Field Service
Several tool components are primarily being utilized for scheduling and planning resources, inventory management, contract management, insights related to IoT products, customer communication, etc. All this has made Dynamics 365 an essential tool in field service.
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Marketing
With the integration of the CRM tools and Adobe Marketing options with Cloud Integrations, Dynamics can provide targeted marketing tools that are personalized for the customers to assist in campaign management. You can utilize the Dynamics platform according to your demands.
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Finance and Operations
A fantastic feature of Dynamics 365 is that it offers proper management of finance options for users and tools for analytics and reporting. Some inclusions are project management and manufacturing tools, scheduling options, production planning, cost management, inventory control, warehouse management, and management of the supply chain.
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Automated Project Service
Scheduling resources, automated planning, project management, cost management, time management, service analytics, and other features are also included in this package. It can get you everything you are looking for to make your project a bit easier.
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Sales
With a sales module, users can get actionable insight regarding different customer sources, journeys, personalized services, data analytics, customer engagement, performance metrics, sales productivity, etc., across different platforms that include Shopify and Magento.
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Retail
Some components of Dynamics also incorporate business tools, merchandise management options, employee management benefits, operational insights, etc., for business owners.
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Talent
There are cloud services interconnected with Human Resources across different platforms such as LinkedIn. This helps in HR management. Dynamics 365 also plays a crucial role in onboarding, hiring, and attracting employees from different HR sectors and programs.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Editions
There are two main versions of Microsoft Dynamics 365. One is the Business Edition, which can be used by SMBs, and the Enterprise Edition is meant for Medium and Large Enterprises.
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Enterprise Edition
This particular edition consists of apps related to Dynamics CRM such as Automated Project Services, Marketing, Sales, Field Services, Customer Services, etc., along with other applications from Microsoft PowerApps. In addition, a top-notch ERP solution is also included in the edition.
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Business Edition
This particular edition was a development from Project Madeira. This project was based on Cloud CRM/ERP. Companies with a small employee count, such as between 100 and 250, are recommended to use this edition. There are three modules included in the edition: sales, finance & operations, and marketing.
Is Dynamics 365 A Replacement for Other Microsoft Dynamics Products?
While there are a lot of speculations about Dynamics 365 being a replacement for other products from Microsoft Dynamics that are centered on CRM and ERP, it is not the truth. The newest applications of Dynamics 365 were created using the base of the previous products, but these are not a replacement. Users can also use other products such as Dynamics NAV, SL, GP, CRM, or AX. Instead, Dynamics 365 acts as an alternative platform for utilizing and licensing business applications. It is incorporated with additional features just to increase the functionality of Microsoft.
Pricing Options for Dynamics 365
The pricing of Dynamics 365, when compared to all the other competitors in the market, such as Oracle, SAP, and Salesforce, is considered a bonus. In addition, there is licensing based on roles and bundles. The users most commonly prefer these two due to their amazing features.
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Customer Engagement Package
This is an engagement package for the users offered by Dynamics 365 to assist in providing support for customer relationships. Organizations looking forward to having proper CRM benefits can use this plan. The price of the package is $115 for every user per month.
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Unified Operations Package
This package provides complete use of different applications that cater to management and connections to a company’s business operations. The package price is $190 for every single user per month.
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Dynamics 365 Package
This package is a very popular since it provides the best value for your investment. Users will achieve a completely comprehensive and affordable way of using all applications. Not to mention that they can also upgrade the plan according to their needs. The price of the plan is $210 for every user per month.
Why Should One Select Microsoft Dynamics 365?
Between the integrations of CRM & ERP and Microsoft’s productivity, users are getting a golden deal with Microsoft Dynamics 365. They can use the intelligent platform to receive data regarding transactions, customer behavior, customer records, customer preferences, and added details. Apart from that, they can receive intellectual information about the organization’s inventory, shipping options, and orders. Still not enough? Microsoft Dynamics 365 also boasts excellent modules and features and analytical information tools for proper decision-making. One of the added benefits of using such as platform is the supreme integration to other Microsoft application that comes with it. For companies that mostly rely on tools such as Azure, Outlook, Office 365, etc. Dynamics 365 is the right option to choose. The union of the sister products with the CRM options will provide superior-quality service to users.
Wrapping Up
While ERP focuses on business operations, CRM mostly aids customer-related issues. However, a combination of both systems can allow efficient performance across organizations. Hence, Dynamics 365 is a worthy platform with all the required features and the right modules that fit into the correct size. Moreover, the platform can be customized according to the user’s requirements, which is a stellar benefit to companies and organizations worldwide looking for management software that can be tailored to their company policies and rules.
