O365 App Launcher introducing a new icon - Dynamics 365

Arpit Malhotra, 08 November 2016

You might just not see anything called "CRM" in your office 365 app launcher in the near future. Microsoft's next generation intelligent business application aka Dynamics 365 will replace the word "CRM" enduringly impacting businesses to grow, evolve and transform. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a cloud service that consolidates CRM and ERP capabilities and deliver applications that work together to manage not just only the traditional CRM sales, marketing, service scenarios but also includes Customer Service, Operations, Financials, Field Service, Project Service Automation, Marketing and Customer Insights.

Existing CRM consumers will be able to upgrade their current CRM Online subscriptions into the new Dynamics 365 service when they are ready without having to change anything.

On-premise CRM won't be going away anytime soon considering it's a significant customer base. However, Microsoft's focus and investment are clearly going to be on leveraging the power of the wider Microsoft cloud capabilities through Azure and Office 365.

Microsoft would also offer migration tools to aid process for those who would like to move their on-premises CRM systems to the cloud.

Utilizing rich advanced capabilities such as Power BI, Office 365, Azure, Cortana Intelligence, PowerApps, Flow, IoT, Machine Learning have significantly empowered Dynamics 365 platform. Here are some of the key features that Dynamics 365 offers:

Integration with Office 365

CRM app has integration with Office 365 but is somewhat limited. With Dynamics 365, the integration has gone to a whole new level providing users a full-blown integration. For instance, users can now drill into the details of a customer record of Dynamics 365 from within the Outlook email and even see further details such as associated sales opportunities and launch Dynamics 365 for Sales app or other apps from within the email.

Dynamics 365 has its own app store/Marketplace called AppSource

Microsoft AppSource is a marketplace that allows business users to hunt for business apps specifically that best suit their organization. In addendum, it allows them to connect businesses with partners and developers so they can offer input on application's development.

Common Data Model/Service

Data management and integration across apps and business processes are simplified as Dynamics 365 uses common data model/service shared with office 365. It gives us ability to extend Dynamics 365 functionality by building custom apps using common data model/service.

Dynamics 365 comes with fully mobile offline mode support

Dynamics platform let users work with their Dynamics 365 apps in offline mode on their iOS, Android and Windows phone or tablet while working in a remote area with limited or no internet connectivity.

Artificial Intelligence

Dynamics 365 comes with built-in artificial intelligence that helps you to do your job efficiently by providing recommendations directly into your Dynamics system by collecting your office 365 data and other data source on the Internet.

So when you come right down to it, CRM will still be the same product but with more features than ever. It certainly involves a good learning curve for us all and to know what can be accomplished with it to drive digital transformation for businesses.