Microsoft Dynamics 365 FAQs_

Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based business application platform from Microsoft that offers a suite of integrated applications designed to help organisations manage their core business processes. It combines the power of customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) into a single, unified solution. Dynamics 365 empowers businesses to streamline operations, improve customer relationships and make data-driven decisions. 

Dynamics 365 comprises various modules, each tailored to specific business needs: 

• Sales: Manage sales pipelines, track opportunities and forecast sales. 

• Customer Service: Provide efficient customer support, manage cases and improve customer satisfaction. 

• Field Service: Schedule and dispatch field service technicians, manage work orders and optimise resource allocation. 

• Project Operations: Manage project-based businesses, including resource planning, financial management and time and expense tracking.  

• Business Central: A comprehensive ERP solution for small and medium-sized businesses, covering finance, sales, purchasing, inventory and more.  

• Customer Insights (Data): Unify customer data from various sources and analyse it for greater visibility. 

• Customer Insights (Journeys): Create personalised customer journeys, automate marketing campaigns, and measure their effectiveness. 

Dynamics 365 offers numerous benefits to organisations of all sizes. Some of the key advantages include: 

• Increased productivity: By automating routine tasks and streamlining workflows, Dynamics 365 can significantly boost productivity. 

• Improved customer relationships: With a comprehensive view of customer interactions, businesses can deliver personalized experiences and enhance customer satisfaction. 

• Enhanced decision making: By providing real-time insights and analytics, Dynamics 365 enables data-driven decision-making. 

• Scalability and flexibility: The cloud-based nature of Dynamics 365 allows businesses to scale their operations as needed without significant upfront investments. 

• Integration with Microsoft products: Seamless integration with other Microsoft products, such as Microsoft 365 and Power BI, enhances productivity and collaboration. 

For more specific benefits, check out our product pages for the individual Dynamics 365 modules. 

Dynamics 365 can be a powerful tool for business growth by: 

• Optimising operations: Streamlining processes and automating tasks can reduce costs and improve efficiency. 

• Improving customer satisfaction: By delivering personalised experiences and addressing customer needs promptly, businesses can build stronger customer relationships. 

• Making data-driven decisions: Leveraging insights from data can help businesses identify new opportunities, mitigate risks and make informed decisions. 

• Scaling operations: The scalability of Dynamics 365 allows businesses to adapt to changing market conditions and grow their operations. 

Dynamics 365 offers robust integration capabilities, allowing businesses to connect with various systems and data sources. Some common integration methods include: 

• API integration: Using APIs, businesses can connect Dynamics 365 with other applications and databases. 

• Power Automate: This low-code/no-code platform enables automation of workflows and integration with various systems. 

• Data import/export: Data can be imported from and exported to external systems using various data transfer methods. 

The primary licensing method is by named user subscription. This is where you get licences to cover the various people within your business using the app.  

• Full users: These are users whose work requires the use of the feature-rich business app’s functionality. They have access to all the capabilities within the app.  

• Light users: These users have more limited needs and access. They can perform specific tasks within the app.  

There is also device licensing. This method allows multiple users to share a single device licence. It’s suitable for scenarios where several users use the same device intermittently. However, it’s essential to note that device licensing is available only for specific Dynamics 365 apps. 

The cost of Dynamics 365 depends on several factors, including the number of users, the specific modules required, and any additional services or customisations. Microsoft offers various licensing options, including subscription-based models and perpetual licenses. 

Our licensing guide details the different prices across Dynamics 365. 

Microsoft employs robust security measures to protect data stored in Dynamics 365. These measures include: 

• Data encryption: Sensitive data is encrypted both at rest and in transit. 

• Access controls: Role-based access controls limit access to authorised users. 

• Regular security updates: Microsoft regularly releases security patches and updates to address vulnerabilities. 

• Data backup and recovery: Regular backups and disaster recovery plans ensure data integrity and availability. 

The learning curve for Dynamics 365 varies depending on the user’s technical expertise and familiarity with CRM and ERP systems. Microsoft provides comprehensive training resources, including online documentation, tutorials and instructor-led training. 

Dynamics 365 offers a high degree of customisation through various methods, including: 

• Configuration: Many settings and options can be configured without coding. 

• Power Apps: Create custom apps to extend the functionality of Dynamics 365. 

• Power Automate: Automate workflows and integrate with other systems. 

• Custom development: For complex customisations, developers can use .NET to create custom plugins. 

We have a dedicated Microsoft Dynamics 365 Support team, where we offer a range of support packages to cater to each specific clients’ needs. Our UK based Service Desk offers technical support to clients all over the UK and we provide onsite, remote. We also provide assistance 24/7 outside of normal business hours, including weekends and Bank Holidays.  

The cloud storage offered by Dynamics 365 is stored on Microsoft Dataverse. The default storage capacities include: 

• 10 GB for the Dataverse for Apps Database (for entity definitions and record data) 

• 20 GB for the Dataverse for Apps File (for attachments in emails and notes in Dynamics 365 apps, such as PDFs and images) 

• 2 GB for the Dataverse for Apps Log (for tracking changes in records and attribute data) 

With each Dynamics 365 Enterprise user license, you’ll get extra storage entitlements: 

• 250 MB per user for Dataverse for Apps Database 

• 2 GB per user for Dataverse for Apps File 

• No additional storage for Dataverse for Apps Log (Enterprise licenses for Sales, Customer Service, and Field Service are included) 

The Power Platform Admin Centre manages the storage capacities and usage. If the available storage falls below 15%, notifications will be sent. If storage exceeds capacity, you won’t be able to copy, restore, create, or recover an environment. 

In the Power Platform Admin Center, administrators gain insight into the storage capacity allocation and usage through comprehensive reporting. They’ll be alerted if the storage limits are getting close to or surpassing their limit. To increase storage capacity, administrators can opt to purchase add-ons, such as;

• Dataverse Database Capacity at £30.20 per GB
• Dataverse Apps File Capacity at £1.50 per GB
• Dataverse Apps Log Capacity at £7.50 per GB