Table of Contents

The Basics of Dynamics 365 .................................................................................... 3

Understanding Dynamics 365 Business Central ....................................................... 4
Exploring Other Dynamics Solutions ....................................................................... 5
Dynamics 365 Solutions – Change of Names ........................................................ 5
Using Dynamics NAV, AX, or CRM ........................................................................ 5
Dynamics GP and Dynamics SL ............................................................................ 5
Which Is the Right Solution for You? ....................................................................... 6
Partner Guidance ................................................................................................ 6
Using Dynamics 365 for Business Benefit ................................................................ 7
Sales ................................................................................................................... 7
Customer Service ................................................................................................ 7
Field Service ........................................................................................................ 8
Project Service and Finance ................................................................................. 8
Marketing ........................................................................................................... 8
Retail .................................................................................................................. 8
Talent.................................................................................................................. 8
Digging into The Much Talked about “Insights” By Microsoft .................................. 9
Power BI ............................................................................................................. 9
Microsoft Power Platform ................................................................................... 9
Microsoft Dynamics 365 AI ................................................................................ 10
Mixed Reality .................................................................................................... 10
Finding the Right Implementation Partner ............................................................ 11
About DynamicsSmartz ......................................................................................... 12

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The Basics of Dynamics 365

Most people, whether it be industry experts or entrepreneurs, often deal with the
dilemma of understanding the product lineup offered with Microsoft Dynamics
Business Solutions, especially if we talk about Dynamics ERP and CRM solutions.
Microsoft has enrolled numerous updates in recent months. Therefore, it is natural
to face issues understanding the Microsoft Dynamics range of products.
Moreover, many businesses may not have defined or documented their processes
which would help give more visibility of their need for ERP and/or CRM solutions.
This is why it becomes necessary to explore each of these solutions in detail before
taking your business to a Dynamics 365 solution. Through this whitepaper, we will
outline all significant aspects of the Dynamics 365 product line that users should
understand when planning to switch for their business solution.
Dynamics 365 could be understood as a series of products that you need to manage
essential operations related to finances, management, sales, resource planning, and
more. Since these operations vary from industry to industry, Microsoft Dynamics has
made a series of solutions that can align well with unique business requirements.
Also, this allows business enthusiasts to pick a complete solution or a single software
service to meet functionality requirements. At all times, it is the choice of the user to
go for cloud implementation or On-Premises deployment. However, the availability
of the features may vary for On-premise users since cloud implementation allows
easy access to the greater functionality features.
Besides this, Dynamics 365 allows the users to choose between a “unified operations
plan” and a “customer engagement” plan. The former lets you enjoy all the
functionalities related to finance and operations which are necessary for retail
purposes, while the later gives you support on sales, marketing, customer service,
field service, and project service automation.
But still, the power platform features such as Power BI, Power Apps, Microsoft Flow,
and Common Data Service can be availed on both a unified operations plan and
customer engagement plan.
Nevertheless, the cost of the Dynamics 365 Unified Operations Plan is $190 per user
while Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement plan is $115 per user. In case you require
both Dynamics 365plans, the cost is only $210 per user.

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Understanding Dynamics 365 Business Central

Though most people consider Dynamics 365 Business Central to be another product
similar to its predecessors, it is designed to meet complete ERP requirements within
the organization with limiting freedom on CRM.
Since Microsoft Dynamics 365 as a full solution was meant to work for large-size
enterprises, Dynamics 365 Business Central was launched with the purpose to meet
the needs of small and mid-sized firms. These may include distribution, marketing,
and wholesale businesses where they need basic business support, along with the
efficiency of business management and warehousing.
However, the premium version of Business Central can also be implemented in the
firms that have more complex tasks such as manufacturing, assembly, and service
management. Also, Business Central allows seamless integrations when it comes to
extensions as it delivers professional support for e-commerce and construction firms.
But still, it is the choice of the end-user to opt between the cloud version or On-
premise version of the Dynamics 365 Business Central, as it may vary with the
scalability and functionality requirements of an organization.
As far as pricing is concerned, Dynamics 365 Business Central can be adopted for $70
per user plan with essential features like CRM, financial management, human
resource management, project management, supply chain management, and
warehouse management.
On the other hand, the premium version of the software has a cost of $100 per user,
as it brings along all the features available with the essential version plus
manufacturing and service management capabilities.

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Exploring Other Dynamics Solutions

Dynamics 365 Solutions – Change of Names

Since most people do not fully know about the transformation that Microsoft
Dynamics had over the years, it is necessary to understand how the change in
technology has given new names to the Microsoft Dynamics product line.

• The “Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central” we know is the successor

with a new name that has taken the legacy business solution “Dynamics
NAV”.
• With exceptional finance management capabilities, “Dynamics AX” has been
renamed to “Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations.”
• The all-time CRM best “Dynamics CRM” is now called “Microsoft Dynamics
365 Customer Engagement.”

Using Dynamics NAV, AX, or CRM

For all new users who plan to switch or adopt Microsoft business solutions will only
be able to use Dynamics 365 versions of the software. However, the customers who
are already using Dynamics AX, CRM, or NAV can get license upgrades and
module advancements on their annual support programs.
Aside from this, Microsoft Partner firms can still have active access to work on
Dynamics AX, CRM, and NAV. The partner firms can also provide extended support to
the firms working on Microsoft Business Solutions.

Dynamics GP and Dynamics SL

Dynamics GP and Dynamics SL are independent products offered by Microsoft, which
is why they are still available for purchase and used worldwide along with upcoming
development and support features. The very last update made to Dynamics GP and
Dynamics SL was made in 2018 while more updates are expected to be slated until
2028.
Also, Dynamics GP and Dynamics SL even possess the unique advantage to be
integrated with Dynamics 365 Business Central. The combination of these products
can be used to streamline the entire task of cloud-based reporting with improved
access to analytics features.

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Which Is the Right Solution for You?

The answer to this question is not easy as every industry has its own needs with
considerations to budget. For instance, a user who has some serious ERP needs
would prefer Dynamics 365 Business Central over Dynamics 365 Finance and
Operations since it is half the price and provides the functionalities necessary.
Since there is no specific user’s guide to enterprise versions of the software, it rests
on you to understand your business complexity to make the choice. In case you are a
light user who has a limited budget and a small number of users, you can simply plan
for Business Central. However, if you need more interactions with finances along
with improved control on operations, Dynamics 365 finance and operations may
work for your needs.
If you require more of the CRM features, you can switch to Microsoft Dynamics 365
Customer Engagement, and if you are not so particular about your CRM strategy,
then you could go for Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Nevertheless, Microsoft Dynamics Solutions are packed with all the business-specific
functions that can help in any industry environment. One can switch to any of these
solutions for their business-specific goals that align with the capabilities of the
Dynamics 365 along with productivity features like Power BI, Office 365, etc.

Partner Guidance
Even if you are well informed of the Microsoft Dynamics platform, it is always a wise
idea to reach out to an expert who can help you add value to your business, time,
and money. When you work with a consultant who is a Microsoft Gold Partner, it
brings years of experience to help you attain your ERP and CRM goals.
When you work with an experienced firm, it helps you reach a solution that aligns
with your business needs. An experienced Microsoft Dynamics Consultant can make
you understand all the benefits and limitations involved with a solution. Whether it is
about licensing related implications or the implementation process of the solution,
make sure you seek an expert’s assistance to deliver flexibility and essential support.

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Using Dynamics 365 for Business Benefit

Migrating or adopting a business solution is a big decision. It requires you to

understand your system requirements, budget, and staff requirements well, to avoid
any wrong choices. However, Dynamics 365 is a complete solution that can be used
as a whole or a solo application that allows you to take control of your budget while
fulfilling your business needs.
Switching to Dynamics 365 not only helps you with improved business management
but also works well for process-based operations which brings you the benefit of:

• Workflow Automation
• Process Flow Improvement
• Cross-department Data Control„
• Data centralization
This automation support can help any organization to improve invoice and purchase
management resulting in quicker payments. Also, the ease of inter-department data
flow benefits your order processing, leading to faster shipments with minimum lag
time.
Besides this, the centralization of data gives you control of your business information
for every activity that affects your business growth and operations. Also, it brings an
added advantage to tasks such as customer acquisition, inventory control, etc.
Let us now have a look at a detailed explanation of how automation, data
centralization, and operational flow improvement could help upgrade
management for various departments:

Sales
Dynamics 365 solutions can be used to automate the sales process in an
organization, which includes tasks to notify sales teams about customer inquiries.
Also, these solutions can help improve the sales process with reduced ramp-up times
while centralizing customer interactions or transactions.

Customer Service
Microsoft Dynamics can be used to automate the customer service process by
guiding the entire process to lead generation. These solutions can be used to create
work orders, manage schedules, and process information required to create
customer journeys.

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Field Service
Dynamics 365 can help technicians to fit in more appointments by matching the right
skills to the right task. Moreover, it can also provide mobile access to improve work
orders and billings while synchronizing the inventory for real-time information.

Project Service and Finance

If you are switching to Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, it can bring you
the best of workforce productivity with intelligent automation and Office 365 tools.
Also, it can be used to minimize operational costs with control over budget planning.
Moreover, the real-time insights made available to the user can be used to improve
the product approach using predictive features.

Marketing
For marketing goals, Dynamics 365 can help to configure templates and content
blocks for customer engagement. However, if you need a more lead-oriented
approach, you can utilize a connected sales and marketing process to automate
progress tracking. This can help grow ROI by developing marketing performance.

Retail
For retail goals, Microsoft Dynamics solutions can be used to acquire inventory while
taking insights from market demand, competitive, and season. Also, it can help
deliver convenience to customers through connected order management and
processing. Apart from this, the centralized data features can help improve real-time
visibility on customer, inventory, and product data.

Talent
Dynamics 365 can also help with industry processes related to talent acquisition and
human resource management. It can be used to overcome administrative burden
while streamlining the hiring process, sorting information related to sourcing,
recruiting, and selection. Also, it can be used to add value to professional
development by working on employee accomplishments, certifications, and training.

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Digging into The Much Talked about “Insights” By Microsoft

When it comes to the factors that make Dynamics 365 a must-have for a business
solution, the “Business Intelligence” and “Insights” are the features that capture the
attention of the users. Though it can be considered as an unnecessary practice by
some, switching to such technology has become essential in order to stay ahead of
the competition and maintain business growth. After all, it not only helps you to keep
your data sorted but brings more visibility to it.
Over the years, Microsoft has created several business intelligence tools that have
offered exceptional analytical capabilities. Also, the business organizations have
made the best use of the technology to pair data with machine learning software to
make it more valuable. Such solutions have also contributed to the data
management practices as Microsoft has turned its focus more on the combination of
technology that uses AI, ML, and AR into the business processes.

Power BI
If there is one thing that has made Microsoft Business Analytics yield extraordinary
performance, it is Power BI. Visual dashboards and cloud-based business intelligence
allow the users to have maximum connectivity.
The integration of Power BI with Office 365 tools can help users get the advantage of
connecting to numerous data sources. On top of this, the users get the advantage of
features, such as Power Query that can be used for simplified data collection,
integration, and ultimately creating visual reports.

Microsoft Power Platform

A combination of Power Apps, Power BI, and Microsoft Flow, Microsoft Power
platform is built on the Common Data Service for Apps. The Power platform is
designed to help businesses support their unique workflows and business processes
through “apps” created with a combination of these tools. The point-and-click
approach to app building makes it easy for anyone familiar with Microsoft Office to
customize and extend Dynamics 365 and Office 365.

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Microsoft Dynamics 365 AI
After the success of Power BI platform features, Microsoft has now shifted its goals
towards predictive modeling using artificial intelligence. However, if you would like
some added advantages with your business management, you can simply choose
from these Dynamics 365 AI applications that can be customized for unique business
needs, compiling with Microsoft Azure.
1. Dynamics 365 AI for Sales: You can get insights into trends that can help
predict the customer’s response.
2. Dynamics 365 AI for Customer Service: It can be used to optimize support
operations and improve customer service experiences. „
3. Dynamics 365 AI for Market Insights: If you need to get social insights from
the web to understand customers, it is made for you.

Mixed Reality
Microsoft is also aiming to introduce mixed reality extensions to target a broader
market with Dynamics 365. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Remote Assist provides
collaboration options for field service technicians which make it easier to take
command over market statistics.
Apart from this, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Layout can be used to create 3D models
along with Microsoft HoloLens that can define the virtual experience for better
business planning.

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Finding the Right Implementation Partner

Microsoft Dynamics 365 has the capacity to implement a stronger business

foundation as it brings so many benefits to operational and management practices.
The only thing it takes to get the complete advantage of these business solutions is
finding the right implementation partner. It is essential that your implementation
partner must be an informed authority such as a Microsoft Gold Partner firm that
can add more value to your investment. Here are a few things to keep in mind when
choosing the right support:
1. Check the initial response of the service partner which you are likely to
choose. In case, you are not convinced with their sales cycle, consider this to
be an early warning.
2. A good firm that understands Microsoft Business Solutions will always give
their time to explore and understand your existing process. Make sure it is
someone who can find all the positives and negatives in the current process
before suggesting any implementation.
3. Make sure you only trust a partner firm that has a good relationship with
Microsoft. It must a verified and authorized business that has complete
training and resources required for an updated response.
4. Make sure you always check for past achievements and customers. You can
also try to connect with their clients to learn more details about the service
they received throughout their implementation.
5. Your implementation partner should help you understand the entire path of
implementation with defined time estimates, training, and project planning
assistance.
6. Make sure you understand the training program well. Your implementation
partner should provide you all the information related to training, the time
required, along with ongoing options.
7. Last but not least, make sure you ask your implementation partner for the
support on the business solution. This must include a clear detail of unique
business requirements that you are likely to develop in the future.
All in all, it should be a partner firm that gives their time and resources to your goals.
It should be a firm which is responsive to your queries and can quickly demonstrate
their experience. The one who can give straight answers with professionalism will
make it much easier for you to work on Microsoft Dynamics 365.

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About DynamicsSmartz

DynamicsSmartz is a Microsoft Gold Partner firm that specializes in providing quality

business solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics technology. We have proficiency in
Dynamics CRM and ERP software solutions, making us a preferred choice for
software and services in North America, Canada, and Asia-pacific regions.
We have a team of Microsoft experts who can help you with all small, mid-market,
and even large level integrated business solutions with their experience of delivering
services to Fortune 1000 companies.
Since it is experience and knowledge that can help steer your business out of difficult
times, DynamicsSmartz can help you pivot with confidence. We ensure optimal
performance while working on solution development with a shared goal of driving
maximum efficiency and productivity to our customers.
Are you looking for some advice on Microsoft Dynamics technology? Do you need a
consultation implementing a personalized solution for your business? Let our
experts reach you and help you move closer to your business goals. Call today!

Phone: 1-647-696-4534
Sales: [email protected]
Customer Support: [email protected]

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