Why You Need to Upgrade to Dynamics 365

Several organizations still operating with the legacy versions of Microsoft Dynamics AX are in the process of considering moving to Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Such a decision necessitates the careful consideration of pros and cons across the various aspects involved in the upgrade. Fundamentally, the question such enterprises are facing is whether the costs – both monetary and operational – are worth the benefits. So, what exactly are the compelling arguments to invest in the upgrade? Let us consider some of the new features and functionalities Microsoft Dynamics 365 has to offer and why they are an improvement. From lowered capital outlay and customized cloud deployment, to replacing inherently cumbersome infrastructure, the benefits are many.

We live in an age in which technology is offering businesses considerable operational advantages as well as making those improvements available at a significantly reduced entry cost. Such a scenario results in a more level playing field and, consequently, further intensified competition. When it comes to platforms like Microsoft Dynamics 365, which offer agility in operations as well as synergistic alignment of processes, such advantages are considerable. Being able to streamline functions and reduce operating costs, while also delivering better quality of output, can have a transformative effect on any business. However, while the decision to adopt such a solution is intuitively compelling, enterprises that have an existing solution need to assess the gains they will make against the cost and disruption of the upgrade. While Microsoft actively recommends a cloud-based approach for the platform as the most transformative, Dynamics 365 offers the flexibility of a fully cloud-based solution, a hybrid solution and an on-site option. Many of the deployments in mid to large scale businesses are, in fact, cloud deployments that take advantage of shorter upgrade times, established industry precedents and available updates. Nevertheless, businesses with specific needs that are not cloud friendly at the moment, or those that prefer a more graded changeover process, can opt for hybrid or on-premises options as a short to medium term arrangement.

Addressing Common Concerns Regarding Dynamics 365

To address the most common concerns that accompany any upgrade, here are a few specifics that most new users are curious about, when it comes to the support their business – as well as individual users – receive as part of Dynamics 365.

• Dynamics 365 is a subscription-based service – Costs include monthly platform updates and six monthly application updates. Cloud based deployments also receive ongoing application updates, saving users the maintenance costs associated with legacy solutions.
• All updates to a Dynamics 365 deployment are non-disruptive – This has been done to ensure there is no lost productivity or lost days.
• Dynamics 365 is mobile workforce ready – All stakeholders using the solution can be configured with an access to the entire suite from any mobile device, operating platform or browser.
• The Microsoft license that comes with Dynamics 365 includes IaaS and PaaS, as part of your subscription.
• Employees can be easily trained and assisted, in the use of the solution. The Microsoft Task Guides, which offer instantly accessible instructions, can help in the use of processes that a user rarely encounters or is new to.

Why Upgrade from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365?

Apart from the fact that mainstream support for Microsoft Dynamics AX has been phased out, there are several compelling reasons to upgrade to the Dynamics 365 option. The upgrade offers businesses a cloud-based solution that integrates all necessary CRM and ERP functions and supports standard existing tools, such as the entire MS Office suite etc. Dynamics 365 can be deployed as a completely web or cloud-based solution, as opposed to Dynamics AX, which is essentially a workstation optimized application, with some web based and mobile friendly features. Any version of a Dynamics 365 deployment is also significantly lowered in its infrastructure footprint. Here are a few important ways in which the upgraded solution is different to its predecessor:

• Capital efficient solution – Dynamics 365 makes onsite servers and several other types of cumbersome and capital-intensive infrastructure necessary for Dynamics AX, redundant. Regular and automated updates free up employees to concentrate on tasks more important to core business goals. Dynamics 365 also adds further value by providing disaster management and back-up facilities.
• Enhanced agility and comprehensive solution – Dynamics 365 effectively dismantles silos between your mission critical business platforms and leverages data across an integrated workflow. Not only does the upgrade create efficiencies as a comprehensive solution for CRM, ERP, BI and IoT needs, its flexible functionality eliminates the need for customized deployment and third-party extensions.
• Accessibility with security – Dynamics 365 is powered by a HTML5 browser-based interface that ensures accessibility across all devices, browsers and platform. Along with ensuring seamless functionality, the solution also provides state of the art security features and access control. Dynamics 365’s data integrity and privacy features are built into its cloud deployment.
• Inbuilt analytics and process synergies – Dynamics 365 provides businesses with Microsoft Power BI based analytics tools as a standard built in feature of the suite, enabling data driven insights. Its user-friendly and one-stop dashboards and reports make business processes transparent and promote highly efficient and synergistic operations across the entire organization.

Conclusion

It is incumbent on contemporary businesses to identify and deploy streamlined processes and decision making that is also empowered and effective. In an improvement for end-users and day-to-day operations, Microsoft has delivered a solution that not only improves on Dynamics AX, it redefines possibilities. To understand how Microsoft Dynamics 365 can help your business achieve optimal operational capacities and efficiencies, please reach out to us via our contact form.