Your Comprehensive Guide to Microsoft Dynamics 365

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is the tech giant’s collection of apps that aims to help businesses grow and streamline their processes.

Whether you want to segment your customers or streamline your operations, Dynamics 365 has a module for you. Familiarize yourself with this cloud-based platform to reap its benefits:

• What is Microsoft Dynamics 365?
• 5 features of Microsoft Dynamics 365
• How to get started with Dynamics 365
• FAQs

What is Microsoft Dynamics 365?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a suite of apps that can improve company-wide efficiency and customers’ experience with a business.

It includes a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) software and an enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform that you can integrate into different departments’ functions, including:

• Marketing
• Sales
• Customer service
• Supply chain
• Field Service
• Finance

5 features of Microsoft Dynamics 365

Like most CRM platforms, Dynamics 365 has many features that can help you streamline your processes, nurture relationships with prospects and customers, and grow your business.

Think of Dynamics 365 as modular furniture. Like a modular couch that you can customize according to your living room size and preference, you can choose the Dynamics 365 modules that go into your suite of apps to fit your business need and size.

Here are some handy modules or features of Dynamics 365:

5 key modules of Microsoft Dynamics 365 for SMBs

1. Sales
2. Customer Insights
3. Customer Service
4. Finance
5. Business Central

1. Sales

Dynamics 365’s sales module enables businesses to manage their sales pipelines efficiently. With this feature, sales leaders can see an overview of their team’s sales tasks, assignments, and pipelines.

Like all other modules in Dynamics 365, the sales module has integrated AI and analytics, which provide real-time insights. These insights inform sales teams on which leads to prioritize and which are close to buying.

Sales teams can also automate routine tasks like following up with contacts, thus streamlining their processes.

2. Customer Insights

Customer Insights is a module that helps businesses understand their audience better and create personalized experiences for them. After all, personalization drives 72% of consumers to engage with a brand.

The Dynamics 365 Customer Insights enables businesses to unify their customers’ demographic, psychographic, and behavioral data into a secure platform. With built-in AI and analytics, it can make predictions and provide real-time insights.

In addition, marketing teams can also create customer segments and discover new audiences. Providing personalized customer journeys is then possible, engaging prospects and customers.

3. Customer Service

The Dynamics 365 Customer Service helps support teams resolve tickets faster. As a result, it can foster customer loyalty.

Businesses can provide excellent customer service by diagnosing and troubleshooting issues on any channel. Equipped with AI, this module gives service teams real-time insights and helpful sentiment analysis.

4. Finance

The finance module helps businesses track and accurately predict cash flow. Its AI features and automation make financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting easier.

Businesses can also manage their taxes with Dynamics 365 Finance. Its AI-powered billing ensures that no invoice or collection falls through the cracks.

5. Business Central

Business Central is an all-in-one solution for SMBs covering sales, customer service, finance, and operations.

SMBs can use it to grow their sales and streamline their service operations. Managing your supply chain becomes a breeze, as vendor management, purchasing, order fulfillment, and returns are under one platform.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 101: How to get started

Microsoft Dynamics 365 can streamline your processes and grow your bottom line. However, it doesn’t happen overnight. The magic lies in the strategic planning and implementation of Dynamics 365.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Identify your objectives
2. Analyze your current processes
3. Determine the modules you need
4. Train your team
5. Work with consultants
6. Migrate your data
7. Test Dynamics 365 with a small group
8. Roll out your modules
9. Monitor and improve your processes

1. Identify your objectives

When you use Microsoft Dynamics 365, establish clear objectives for investing in the tool. Start by identifying the roadblocks you face with growing your business.

Here are some questions to help you get started:

• Do you want to understand your target audience’s needs better and personalize your marketing efforts?
• Do you want to streamline your sales processes?
• Do you need a tool to manage your cash flow?
• Do you want to improve your after-sales support?
• Are you looking for a tool for SMBs to manage your sales processes, cash flow, operations, customer service, and supply chain?

2. Analyze your existing processes

Take the time to map out and analyze your existing processes. Do you spot bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or customer pain points?

Identify areas that you can improve with the help of Dynamics 365 modules. Ask yourself: Will automation and AI-enabled insights help in some parts of the processes?

By analyzing your processes, you can quickly move to the next step.

3. Determine the modules you need

Once you’ve identified your objectives and examined your processes, you can determine the modules you need.

After all, you don’t need to avail of all the modules to get started. You can add more modules as you scale your business.

4. Train your team

Set up your team for success by providing training. Prepare comprehensive training plans so they can maximize the use of Dynamics 365. Doing so empowers them to use the platform and create strategies that involve Dynamics 365’s advanced features.

5. Work with expert consultants

While Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a robust tool that can grow your business, maximizing its features and customization requires teaming up with experienced consultants.

A Microsoft Dynamics 365 consultant like WebFX can guide you, ensure smooth migration to the tool, and troubleshoot any issues you encounter. In addition to technical consulting, these experts can help you measure your return on investment (ROI) from Dynamics 365.

6. Migrate your data

Plan your data migration with your consultant. Experienced consultants can help you onboard, set up, and migrate your data.

Ensure your data is accurate to avoid hiccups in the future.

7. Test Dynamics 365 with a small group

Before you implement Dynamics 365 for the entire organization, test it with a small group of employees. Gather initial feedback from employees so you can fine-tune your process before rolling it out to everyone.

8. Roll out a company-wide implementation

After your testing phase, you can roll out a company-wide implementation of Dynamics 365.

Provide adequate support to company employees during the early days of adoption. That way, they get assistance when they face hiccups and immediately address any issues.

9. Monitor and improve your processes

Measure the success of your strategy by tracking your key performance indicators. Strive to continuously improve your processes and try new features as you scale your business.

You can also eventually add more modules if needed. Then, monitor your progress to see if you’re reaching your goals and maximizing the modules.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 FAQs

Maximize your Microsoft Dynamics 365 investment by partnering with WebFX

Streamlining your processes to grow your bottom line is possible with Microsoft Dynamics 365. To make the most of your modules, consider hiring a Dynamics 365 consultant like WebFX.

Our team will take the time to understand your business, processes, and goals. Whether you need assistance with automating tasks, segmenting customers, or tracking your ROI from your Dynamics 365 investment, you can count on our team to help drive the desired results.

Contact us online or call us at 888-601-5359 to speak with a strategist!