Overview of Dynamics 365 Applications

Aug 14, 2024

Dynamics 365 Overview

Dynamics 365 is a comprehensive suite of business applications covering both customer-facing and back-office functions.

Key Features

  • Modular applications that work together.
  • Can be configured/customized to meet specific business needs.
  • Integrates seamlessly with Microsoft products (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel).

Types of Business Applications

  1. CRM (Customer Relationship Management): Focuses on customer interactions.
    • Applications: Sales, service, and marketing.
  2. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning): Manages back-office functions.
    • Applications: Finance, inventory, supply chain management, etc.

CRM Applications (Customer Engagement)

1. Dynamics 365 Sales

  • Formerly known as Dynamics 365 CRM.
  • Used to manage customer relationships and sales pipeline (lead management, opportunity tracking, closing deals).

2. Customer Service

  • Core Function: Case management for service requests.
    • Features: Ticket management, queues, SLA management, knowledge base, omnichannel service (email, phone, chat, WhatsApp, SMS, social media).
    • Supports self-service capabilities via chatbots and portals.

3. Field Service

  • Manages dispatching skilled technicians for service delivery.
    • Features: Work order management, proactive service through IoT, mobile capabilities.
    • Scheduling agents by skill, geography, availability, etc.

4. Marketing Automation

  • Fully integrated with sales and service applications.
    • Segmentation based on data from CRM applications.
    • Real-time triggers for communication (email, SMS, push notifications).
    • Event registration, landing pages, and customer journey orchestration.

5. Customer Data Platform (Customer Insights)

  • Unifies customer data across various systems for a 360-degree view.
  • Advanced segmentation, including AI-based predictions.
  • Can export data for targeted marketing.

6. Customer Voice

  • Built-in survey tool for customer satisfaction with NPS scoring and sentiment analysis.
  • Surveys can be triggered by events in sales and service applications.

ERP Applications

1. Finance

  • Comprehensive finance management (general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, cost/project accounting).

2. Supply Chain Management

  • Inventory management, production planning, distribution planning, demand forecasting.

Additional ERP Applications

  • E-commerce platform integrated with finance.
  • Human resources management.
  • Project operations management.
  • Business Central: Tailored for small to mid-sized businesses providing finance and operations capabilities.

Additional Applications

  • Mixed Reality: Remote Assist allows technicians to receive guidance in the field using HoloLens.
  • Intelligent Order Management: Optimizes existing supply chains with AI.
  • Fraud Protection: AI-driven protection against online fraud.

Integration with Microsoft Stack

  • Dynamics 365 is part of the Microsoft ecosystem, including Microsoft 365 and Azure.
  • Supports identity management and security management.
  • Power Platform: For low-code automation, custom applications, chatbots, and reporting.

Resources

  • For more on Power Platform, check out additional resources or demos on Dynamics 365 sales.