Any business, no matter how large, must always pay attention to customer feedback, product reviews and requests for services. And Microsoft is doing just that. At this year’s Inner Circle event that recognizes top performing Microsoft partners, and gets feedback from extremely committed Microsoft Dynamics service providers, a lot of changes were suggested to the existing Dynamics 365 solution. By reaching out to partners, solution providers, and customers, Microsoft is making some much-needed changes to Microsoft Dynamics 365 – changes that have been suggested and requested by end-users and partners themselves. The Spring Edition of Dynamics 365 will be an expansion of Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Business Edition adding the full capabilities of Dynamics NAV. And in all likelihood, the new solution will be christened Dynamics NAV 2018 R2.

Change 1: Availability

In Spring 2018, Microsoft is going to launch Dynamics 365 in the cloud, based on NAV and will be available in 14 countries: U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, and Finland. The new cloud version, with its state-of-the-art extensibility model will be a perfect solution to target the small and medium business market, enabling customers to bring all their know-how and expertise to the next level.

Change 2: Pricing

The biggest change Microsoft is bringing in 2018 is simplification of the pricing structure and product offering for Microsoft Dynamics 365. Microsoft will offer a single collection of Dynamics 365 applications to digitally transform organizations across all lines of business – Marketing, Sales, Service, Finance, Operations, and Talent – at their own pace.

Change 3: Packaging

Instead of separate editions – Business Edition and Enterprise Edition – 2018 will allow organizations of any size to choose from different price points for each line of business application based on the level of capabilities and capacity needed. For example, Dynamics 365 for Marketing will be offered at multiple price points with different levels of functionality.

Change 4: Portfolio

To meet the need of smaller organizations that usually prefer an end-to-end business management solution, instead of an application for each individual line of business, the 2018 version of Dynamics 365 will offer a new end-to-end business management cloud solution that will be delivered as two distinct offerings:

1. A Microsoft Dynamics 365 cloud application
2. A business application platform for ISVs

Change 5: Partner Network

2018 will also see Microsoft’s Cloud Service Provider (CSP) program picking up pace, as it will help Value Added Resellers (VARs) easily bring Dynamics 365 to customers, and help them in choosing the right solution or the best deployment option. All VARs have to do is 1) meet with their dedicated account manager, 2) establish their marketplace, 3) understand how to quickly and effectively sell Dynamics 365, 4) get into the partner portal, and 5) start selling Dynamics 365. While customers can benefit from the best business process expertise, Microsoft platform knowledge, and years of deployment experience, partners can grow their existing skills, showcase their capabilities, and respond to changing customer needs with the utmost agility.

Countdown Begins

Since inception, Microsoft Dynamics 365 has lived up to the expectations of organizations of all sizes and complexity. And in a bid to continue to meet the needs of small and big organizations and widen user-base, Microsoft is all set to improvise on the Dynamics 365 solution and bring about changes that are centered towards end-user needs. These changes will roll out in 2018 and will be offered through partner-vendor channels. So, whether you’re a small, medium, or large organization, sit back and wait to be impressed by the next iteration of innovative changes from Microsoft – changes that been carefully and precisely made toward the unique wants and needs of businesses in order to accelerate business transformation.

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About the Author - Manoj Nair Manoj Nair is a seasoned IT professional with over 12 years of experience in Software Consultancy, ERP Implementation, Testing, ISV Development & Client Management. He is a Senior Project Manager at Indusa and is responsible of managing various software programs through cross functional coordination. Contributing Author: Malavika Nityanandam

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