Microsoft Dynamics 365

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  What is Microsoft Dynamics 365?

Put simply, Dynamics 365 is a new, cloud-based business management platform from Microsoft. It has a suite of business applications that you can purchase licenses for separately, or in combination. Business apps available for Dynamics 365 include: sales, marketing, customer service, field service, project service automation, and a number of enterprise resource planning apps.

Q.  Why should I choose Microsoft Dynamics 365 over other business management platforms?

Here are just a few other things that set Microsoft Dynamics 365 apart from other similar products:

  • Office 365 integration for improved productivity – Microsoft Dynamics 365 seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Office, which means you can get more of your work done from within Outlook, Word and Excel (the Office programs you’re already familiar with). Because of the deep integration, you’ll spend less time switching between applications. Additionally, the common data model that Dynamics 365 is built upon makes it easy to share data and insight between Office 365 and Dynamics 365.
  • Superior flexibility – Traditionally, when you purchase a CRM system you must buy the whole thing up front. But, because Dynamics 365 is cloud-based and its features are grouped into apps that match the functional areas of your business, you can start by just purchasing one or two single apps – whatever you need right now. Then, as your business grows and your requirements change, you can easily add new apps, or purchase one of the available plans for enhanced functionality
  • Embedded business intelligence – Managers and business owners alike dream of having beautiful dashboards and user friendly analytics that make it easy to see what’s happening right now and what their next steps are. However, if your business management solution was not built from the ground up to include these types of analytics, it can be very difficult to get the complete view of your business you were hoping for. But, that’s where Dynamics 365 is different. All the system’s applications offer built-in insights, workflow optimization and predictive analytics delivered via an easy to use web-based, mobile friendly user experience. Thanks to the cloud and machine learning, it connects you to what matters and helps turn insight into action.
  • Unmatched growth potential – Dynamics 365 allows you to build, adjust and grow your business processes in real time. No matter how large your business becomes, Dynamics 365 has what it takes, including a catalog of third-party apps designed to meet unusual or industry specific requirements. In short, it allows your business to grow and evolve without all the complexity, added cost and inflexibility you often run into with other systems.

Q.  What intelligence tools are available with Dynamics 365? Microsoft has embedded very powerful intelligence tools that come as part of your license subscription: Power BI for analytical insights, Cortana Intelligence, which includes machine learning and artificial intelligence, and the IoT suite, which allows you to connect machinary and other assets to Dynamics 365 over the internet

Q.  What is the common data model that’s frequently mentioned with Dynamics 365 and how does it work?

A.  The common data model is the backbone of Dynamics 365, basically the cloud database that it’s built upon. Engineered based on Microsoft’s years of experience with its enterprise customers, this database includes hundreds of business applications, including Dynamics 365, Office 365 and more. To users like you, this means it will much cheaper, faster and easier to integrate and deploy new software in the future.   Q.  How is Dynamics 365 licensed/purchased? Microsoft Dynamics 365 is mainly sold through partners like The CRM Team. If you are interested in this solution, but do not yet have a Microsoft partner, please reach out to us. As for the licensing, when Microsoft reimagined CRM with Dynamics 365, they also redesigned the licensing structure. This new licensing model is designed to give users much greater flexibility, and allow you to realize the greatest value from the product for the lowest cost. There are three licensing options to choose from: a Customer Engagement Plan which gives access to most of the business apps, indivudal app licenses and a Team Member license, which gives limited access to all the apps. You can mix-and-match these different options to find the perfect mix for your business needs and budget. And, to keep payments simple, all licenses you buy are included on a single monthly bill. The main difference between team members and full users (individual app licenses or customer engagment plan), are read/write permissions. With a team member license, you have read access to almost everything in the system and a very specific set of write capabilities. Whereas, with the full user license offered by the plans, you have much more write access.

Q.  Is Office 365, Power BI, ClickDimensions or Adobe Marketing Cloud included with Dynamics 365?

Although they are designed to integrate with Dynamics 365, Office 365, Power BI, ClickDimensions and Adobe Marketing Cloud are all separate purchases.

Q.  I already use Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Can I move to Dynamics 365?

For organizations already using Dynamics CRM online, Microsoft has carefully designed the transition process to be a seamless one. If you are currently using a Dynamics CRM on premise solution, but are ready to make the move to the cloud with Dynamics 365, please contact us so that we can help you with the migration. (For businesses with over 250 Dynamics CRM licenses Microsoft will even cover the costs of this transition).