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Dynamics 365 - Q&A with our Sales Team

Post Author: Joe D365 |

Our sales team got together and rounded up some of the most common questions they've been hearing about Dynamics 365. Today's blog includes their answers and a few other resources to keep you in-the-know about the latest Dynamics 365 news!

What is Dynamics 365?
Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based solution, said by Microsoft to be the next wave of "intelligent business applications across CRM and ERP." Dynamics 365 provides businesses with the ability to mix and match products and subscriptions through a new licensing model, so that they're only paying for what they need right now, with the ability to expand into other parts of the application as their business changes and grows.

How is it different than what we know as Dynamics CRM today?
Right now, it isn't. The only change today is the new Dynamics 365 licensing structure. The Dynamics CRM modules of Dynamics 365 (known as the Sales, Customer Service, Project Service and Field Service applications) still show the same entities, fields, customizations, etc. that you are accustomed to. However, Microsoft has unveiled some big enhancements, coming to Dynamics 365 in the future, such as a new and improved Outlook client, a new business process flow designed with extended capabilities, editable grids across entities (that's right, I said editable grids!), enriched search that allows you to sort, group, and filter, and so much more. With the new licensing structure, businesses have the potential to utilize more of the fantastic cloud functionality that is encompassed in Dynamics 365. For example, with the Plan 1 license, customers now have access to a portal, social engagement, a sandbox environment to test and develop in, and the ability to start utilizing project and field service.

What are the different licenses that are available?
Dynamics 365 licenses are focused more around the workload of the end user. There are two separate licensing models – Business Edition and Enterprise Edition. Within both divisions, Microsoft has divided users into light users and full users. Light users are assigned a Team Member license, that gives them access to read data across all of the different applications, as well as run reports, and the ability to do some light updating. The Full users within both editions are split into Plan licenses and Application licenses. Within the Enterprise Edition, users can be assigned a Sales, Customer Service, Project Service, Field Service, Power Apps or Operations (previously known as Dynamics AX) application license.

If a user needs access to more than one application, or across applications, they can be assigned a Plan 1 or Plan 2 license. Plan 1 licenses include access to PowerApps, Sales, Marketing (in the future), Customer Service, Project Service, and Field Service. The Plan 2 license gives users access to all of the applications (including Operations).

In the Business Edition, users can currently be assigned a Business Edition license (which is essentially a Plan license), an application license for Power Apps or Financials (previously known as Madeira), or a Team Member license. In the future, Sales and Marketing will also be available within the Business Edition.

If you're more visual, here's what was just described, in a diagram:

Dynamics 365 - Q&A with our Sales Team
Dynamics 365 - Q&A with our Sales Team

What privileges are included with each of the licenses?
With Dynamics 365, there are Team Member, Application, and Plan licenses. Team member licenses give users light access across all applications. Application licenses give users access to one specific portion of functionality, and Plan licenses give users full access across applications. More information on the licensing, and what access is included in each, is available in Microsoft's pricing and licensing guide.

What is the cost?
In the Enterprise Edition of Dynamics 365, the retail price is $10/user/month for the team member license, $40/user/month for a Power Apps license, $95/user/month for a Sales, Customer Service, Project Service or Field Service application license, $190/user/month for an Operations license, $115/user/month for a Plan 1 license, and $210/user/month for a Plan 2 license. However, if you're an existing Dynamics CRM online customer, you can finish out your current CRM subscriptions, adding additional licenses to that subscription at your current cost, until your subscription renewal date. At that time, you will be transitioned over to Dynamics 365 licenses, at the transition cost.

If I'm a current CRM subscriber, how does the transition pricing work?
If you currently have Microsoft Dynamics CRM online Professional, Basic or Essential licenses, at the time of renewal, you will be transitioned over to Dynamics 365 licenses, at a transition price. That transition price will then be good for one year, before the license cost increases to the retail price. If you'd like to learn more about the transition prices and how they work, please contact us.

So if I currently have Dynamics CRM, how do the licenses map to Dynamics 365?
There is not a 1:1 relationship between the current professional, basic and essential CRM licenses, and the new Dynamics 365 licenses. The old Dynamics CRM licenses used to be based around the level of access the user needed to the system. However, the new Dynamics 365 licenses are based more around the user's job function. Therefore, you will want to look at your user base, and analyze what portion of the system the user needs access to, and what Dynamics 365 license that equates to. For example, a current Professional CRM user could need either an Application license, or a Plan license. A current Basic CRM user could need either an Application license, a Plan license, or a Team Member license, and an Essential CRM user could likely make do with a Team Member license.

What's the time frame for transitioning?
Current Dynamics CRM users will have until their subscription renewal date to transition to Dynamics 365 licenses, at transition prices. Those transition prices will be good for one year, at which point the business will be transitioned to retail prices for the Dynamics 365 licenses.

What happens to my Office365 subscription?
Office 365 will be deeply entwined with Dynamics 365, as it was with Dynamics CRM in the past. However, Office 365 licenses, subscription costs, ect. will not be affected. You'll still see the same Office365 licenses and functionality you're used to, with the introduction of Dynamics 365.

What if I currently use CRM on premises?
If you are using CRM on premise, you have two options. If you want to fully take advantage of all of the awesome Dynamics 365 functionality, you will need to migrate to Dynamics 365 online, which PowerObjects would be happy to assist you with. Otherwise, if you choose to stay on premises, upon renewal, you will be transitioned to Dynamics 365 licenses, at the transition cost, for one year.

Where do I go to find out more about Dynamics 365?
There are a ton of great Dynamics 365 resources available for you. As the number one gold Microsoft partner for two years in a row, PowerObjects is one resource that you can always go to. Please reach out to us if you have questions! Microsoft has also provided a very informational Dynamics 365 web page, and Microsoft's TechNet also has various articles with additional information.

Well, that's it for now folks! We hope this information answered some of your questions. And again, if you would like any additional information, just give us a call!

Happy Dynamics 365'ing!

Joe CRM
By Joe D365
Joe D365 is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 superhero who runs on pure Dynamics adrenaline. As the face of PowerObjects, Joe D365’s mission is to reveal innovative ways to use Dynamics 365 and bring the application to more businesses and organizations around the world.

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