Dynamics 365: What it means for current Microsoft Dynamics GP and CRM users

Microsoft’s recent announcement regarding the evolution of Microsoft Dynamics CRM towards a new cloud-based platform named Dynamics 365 has sparked a lot of questions from the current user base. As JOVACO is committed to staying up to date on the latest technologies and trends, we are taking this opportunity to provide you with some of the information that has been released since the announcement.

First, we want to reassure our Microsoft Dynamics GP customers: Microsoft has confirmed that there will be a continued roadmap for GP, along with NAV and SL which will also remain available for those organization who prefer to have an on-premise solution. As such, Microsoft will continue to develop these solutions with additional features and functionalities.

So what is Dynamics 365? This product is a new cloud-based offer for Microsoft customers who wish to leverage cloud technologies and capabilities and who are interested in integrating different aspects of their organization. With a host of new features and new fully integrated modules this will make for a seamless user experience and a comprehensive integrated ERP and CRM solution that can even manage finances on top of customer interactions, orders and marketing. As it shares the same vision that JOVACO has developed over the last few years with GP, JOVACO’s vision will continue to evolve in the same direction while offering an on-premise ERP solution that will be available alongside Dynamics 365.

The transition from Dynamics CRM Online to Dynamics 365 thus mostly affects current Dynamics CRM Online users as this will be the new version for all current Dynamics CRM Online customers.

So what does this mean for existing Online customers? There will be no changes in the short term: your current package and contract will remain unchanged and transition plans towards the new licensing models will become available as your contract is up for renewal.

Two different plans will be available for Dynamics 365 users: the Business Edition for organizations with fewer than 250 users and the Enterprise Edition for organizations with more than 250 users. Dynamics 365 Business Edition will also feature a “light” financial module, currently known as Project Madeira, but this is mostly a feature for CRM users that may not have access to a full-fledged ERP solution such as Dynamics GP. As such, Project Madeira will not be replacing GP. This ERP module will be available on November 1 while the CRM modules (Sales, Marketing, Service) for the Business Edition is expected to be released in Spring 2017.

We are here to help you make an informed decision and assist you through the transition to the new version and addition of new modules. For more information regarding the transition to Dynamics 365, read our previous article regarding the Dynamics 365 announcement. Still have some questions? Feel free to contact us at 1-888-988-3535, extension 122.