Dynamics AX is becoming Dynamics 365: what is under the hood of this new cloud-first version from Microsoft?

The Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations ERP, the new version of the Microsoft Dynamics AX solution, is the first “Cloud-First” ERP system in the Microsoft Dynamics range. It is available worldwide with more than 60 languages built-in, and now offers all the ERP and CRM services businesses need in a single environment, with ever greater possibilities and flexibility. But what lies behind this new version of its ERP system? Take a look at what the solution promises, the first reports from users, and the latest new features for 2018…

Reinventing the user experience

By shifting towards a native cloud architecture, the new version of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 solution has completely redesigned the UX and removed some of the barriers that can arise when on the move. The solution benefits from a genuinely innovative look-and-feel, entirely adapted to use with touchscreens on mobile devices. This user-friendly interface was developed to match the style adopted for other Microsoft applications used in business (e.g. Office 365) to ensure users could quickly gain familiarity with it. Re-designing the UX is more than just changing the look-and-feel. Microsoft has enhanced the Microsoft Dynamics 365 solution considerably, with new functionalities to meet the specific requirements of several industries. This boosts responsiveness and productivity, with many tasks now automated and pop-up menus that are displayed depending on what users are doing. The native cloud architecture of Microsoft Dynamics 365 also pushes back the boundaries of collaborative working with greater interoperability. Indeed, a firm’s partners, customers and suppliers can connect to the ERP via an integrated web portal where they can find information on whatever current operations concern them, such as tracking their orders, and potentially interact with the aim of modifying or updating their data, etc. In these times of digital transformation, a successful UX should improve how the business works with partners, by cutting the time spent on such interactions to genuinely optimize business processes.

Microsoft Dynamics 365: first and foremost a technological platform with (almost) infinite possibilities

The Microsoft Azure cloud platform that underpins Microsoft Dynamics 365 in fact incorporates many innovations, such as the Power BI decision-support analysis utility, the Cortana smart personal assistant, and machine learning algorithms. The system promises intelligence and speed of execution to businesses. The solution leverages more value from data available in the information system, and uses that data to the fullest extent, to improve competitiveness. This very obviously places business management at the heart of ERP, to best anticipate customer needs, optimize user efficiency, and ultimately take the best decisions. The platform is also central to digital transformation challenges, and its interoperability facilitates connecting the ERP with new external applications available from app stores, or, preferably, developed in conjunction with the integration partner. These can enhance how the ERP works by adding new functions and applications through vertically-integrated solutions that can address industry-specific issues.

The latest new features from Microsoft Dynamics 365

The latest features added to Microsoft Dynamics 365 confirm these underlying trends: Microsoft continues to enhance the user experience and to simplify business processes to improve staff productivity and boost business growth. The 2018 version of Microsoft Dynamics 365 delivers a number of improvements in the following areas:

• Event-based notifications linked to business processes (invoice payment, data change by a customer using the web portal, etc.);
• Automated optimization recommendations based on an analysis of process chains;
• Simplification of the UX when managing resources and projects;
• New customization options in the solution and PowerApps integration;
• Improved cross-application integration with the Microsoft Dynamics 365 suite;
• etc.