What is Microsoft Dynamics?
Dynamics 365 is the next generation of business applications, it allows you to unleash your organisation’s potential by breaking down data silos to connect customers, products, people, and operations.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a set of applications packaged as a ‘Software-as-a-Service’ (SaaS) range of products that come with pre-built integrations to help kick start your business solution. These apps are not a separate range of products to the original Microsoft Dynamics solutions but are actually the evolution of those Microsoft Dynamics 365 products for the Cloud Generation.
Is there a difference between Microsoft Dynamics 365 vs Dynamics CRM Online?
In short, no. There are no real differences in term of functionality within the system, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, was a platform to maintain and develop your customer relationships, has grown into a platform now called Microsoft Dynamics 365 that enables your business to manage a range of data sources in one location by using a variety of applications such as Sales, Customer Service, Project Service Automation and Field Service. The differences are really in way you chose to deploy your solution, how the ‘out of the box’ solutions can be extended, how you pay for them and how they are integrated with other products from the start. When Microsoft officially released their Microsoft Dynamics 365 range of products, it sadly marked the end of the Dynamics CRM as its lead brand for customer management. Microsoft Dynamics 365 re-brand brings together not only their CRM products but their Marketing & ERP solution and markets it all under one global brand.
So why did they change it?
The change is really because the Microsoft Dynamics 365 bundle is bringing CRM together with Microsoft’s other applications to improve your key business processes and increase your businesses productivity. Not only will Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM offer your business the full range of apps to manage your customers, it will also cover a wide range of valuable tools on the power platform and the ever developing Common Data Service to better manage your business data and workflows.
The benefits of migrating to Microsoft Dynamics 365
Dynamics 365 CRM, with its prebuilt integrations allows you to make the most of its Microsoft flow, allowing users to create and automate workflows and tasks across multiple applications and services without the need to use developers. Microsoft Flow allows you to automate everything from simple push notifications and content management to complex business processes with defined steps and stages.
More storage — Dynamics CRM provides 5GB per license as standard. Users also receive an additional 2.5GB of storage for every 20 full licenses, but only to a maximum of 50GB. Dynamics 365 provides 10GB of storage, and an extra 5GB for every 20 full licenses, with no upper limit.
With the Dynamics 365 CRM being hosted in Azure and with the apps having their own mobile solutions you can work anywhere using the device you love. The mobile apps for D365 are available with every licence and every version (Android, iOS & Windows), empowering you to increase productivity and make every second count!
With Dynamics 365 CRM you get the benefit of a host of add-ins such as Voice of the Customer, Gamification, and an array of Portals, meaning you can customise your CRM quickly and easily to ensure your Dynamics Solution meets your business needs.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 utilises business process flow which although has been seen with the CRM solution new user interface means you can tailor these easily to suit your business process with in a matter of minutes. Business process flows are composed of Stages, and within each stage, you can determine the fields that your users need to complete, meaning your business offers a unified service no matter who your customers deal with.
Dynamics CRM only provides a testing and development sandbox for customers with 25 or more licenses; If you have fewer than 25 licenses you would have to purchase a sandbox if they required. With Dynamics 365, every customer receives one sandbox as standard when you purchase your instance of D365. Dynamics 365 also comes with one self-service portal included too.
With the way staffing operations changing, Dynamics 365 supports device licensing for call centres and similar shared device scenarios.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is frequently updated
Microsoft invests more in research and development than other organisation and they are continuously ensuring their customers have the latest and greatest in functionality. The result is regular updates to extend the capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics 365. Twice a year Microsoft ensure that updates are rolled out to their customers meaning you will always be at the forefront of their technology.
Even though Microsoft support for Dynamics CRM will continue to be provided, Microsoft’s focus on updates and new features sits with Dynamics 365 as a priority. If you are using CRM Online and wanting to get the most out of these new releases you will certainly need to take that bold step into the world of Microsoft Dynamics 365 sooner rather than later; further updates will be rolled out to Dynamics 365 long before they reach older versions of Dynamics CRM, or if they are even rolled out at all.
Here are some of the functionalities already rolled out since its release in late 2016
- Power BI
- AI and Machine Learning
- Microsoft Flow and PowerApps
- Email Enhancement
- Mobility Enhancements
- Learning Paths
- Improved LinkedIn Integration
So to answer your question… it’s not ‘What is the difference between Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Dynamics CRM?’ but should really be ‘when do I move from Microsoft Dynamics CRM to Microsoft Dynamics 365?’
To find out more about Microsoft Dynamics 365 please get in touch.