What is Microsoft Dynamics 365 & What Are the Benefits for a Business?

With Microsoft Dynamics 365, you can manage, streamline and improve virtually every aspect of your business, from financial planning to customer service and sales. But what does Microsoft Dynamics 365 do? And why is it becoming an increasingly crucial platform for businesses in almost all industries?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 refers to various applications or modules that can be integrated into the same platform. If you don’t require the full suite of applications, you can choose the ones you need. For example, if you work in services, you might benefit from the sales and marketing modules but have little need for the supply chain management module.

In addition to being interconnected with one and other, the suite of Dynamics 365 apps can be seamlessly integrated with your existing software solutions, streamlining communications and data access across all your departments.

Provided you choose a team of reliable specialists to install Dynamics 365, there’s no need to uproot your current operations or worry about complicated data transfers. Our experts can have you up and running in no time at all, enabling you to control all your business-critical processes using one simple platform.

At Microbyte, we’re a leading provider of managed IT services and the latest IT solutions to businesses in various industries throughout the UK. Whether you work in healthcare, construction, legal, finance, property or manufacturing, we can implement robust technologies that will elevate your business to the next level.

In this guide, we explain the ins and outs of Microsoft Dynamics 365, including its core modules and features, benefits and business uses.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 in a Nutshell

As mentioned above, Dynamics 365 is a suite of applications designed to help you manage and optimise your critical business applications. Dynamics 365 Business contains modules for finance, marketing and sales, while the enterprise edition can also include modules for commerce, customer service, supply chain, customer data platform, project management, human resources, and more.

Available as a software as a service (Saas), cloud-based management solution, Microsoft Dynamics 365 can be purchased as part of an affordable monthly subscription. There’s no need for you to invest in onsite servers and hardware to operate Dynamics 365. Instead, all your data is securely stored and accessed on remote servers via Microsoft Azure.

While a Full User Licence will give you access to all the modules of Microsoft Dynamics 365, you can choose to pay a monthly subscription fee for just the modules you need. This flexibility makes Dynamics 365 such a smart and cost-effective business solution.

All the Dynamics 365 suite apps are integrated yet standalone, meaning different teams and individuals can access different apps. Moreover, the Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform integrates with other Microsoft solutions such as Teams and Microsoft 365 (previously Office 365) as well as third-party platforms.

Key Modules of Microsoft Dynamics 365

Here’s a brief look at the core modules in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 suite. Remember, you can either choose a Dynamics 365 solution that includes all modules, or you can select just the modules you need.

Finance and operations

The Financial & Operations module keeps all your sensitive financial data and documents in one place, making it easy to access payments, cash flows, debts, assets and managing ledgers. On top of automating various essential operations, it provides real-time performance monitoring to help you reduce costs. It also streamlines accounts to make record-keeping straightforward, offers predictive insights to bolster your bottom line, and generates AI-driven reports.

Sales

The Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales module empowers your sales team to generate more sales by guiding potential customers through the sales funnel and improving communications. Using customer data from various sources, this module can help you make smarter decisions and enhance engagement. It also streamlines a variety of sales-focused tasks to bolster seller productivity. You can also make better-informed decisions regarding the future of your sales strategies using automated reports. Want to try out some innovative sales techniques? Dynamics 365 will help you monitor and tweak your tactics.

Marketing

Dynamics 365 enables you to optimise your marketing campaigns to help you generate leads, nurture sales, and track your progress. The marketing module can automate tasks such as social media and email marketing campaigns and initiate multi-channel advertising strategies. Because it can easily access customer data from other modules within the Microsoft Dynamics 365 suite and third-party software solutions, the Marketing app also allows you to personalise the customer experience to help you maximise your closing rate.

Customer Service

The customer relationship management (CRM) app is available with Dynamics 365 and designed to boost brand loyalty and customer satisfaction. The customer service module features automated intelligent processes that streamline and improve communications, enabling you to interact with customers effectively. It also allows you to easily access your clients’ apps and software solutions so that you can resolve problems quickly.

Human Resources

The Human Resources module is designed to make sure you can find and hire the very best talent for your company without having to pay for expensive recruitment services. This enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution can track down potential candidates on LinkedIn, optimise your onboarding process, and help new recruits familiarise themselves with your business. You can also use Dynamics 365 to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your current team members so that you can optimise and streamline employee development.

Supply Chain Management

If you’re a producer who needs end-to-end visibility of your products across the entire supply chain, you’ll benefit from using Microsoft Dynamics 365’s Supply Chain Management module. In addition to tracking your goods from the production line to the shipment-ready final item, this module can assist with controlling quality checks and implementing modern logistics methods. It also analyses your demand ratio to ensure you always have a sufficient supply.

Additional Modules

Many more optional extras, modules and customisations are available for Dynamics 365. Just give us an idea of your business processes, and we’ll be able to let you know which modules in the Dynamics 365 suite could benefit you. Some of the most popular additional modules include Project Automation, Commerce, Field Service and Business Central. If you run an enterprise with hundreds of employees, it’s highly likely you’ll benefit from one or more of these modules. Give our experts a call, and we’ll point you in the right direction.

The Benefits of Microsoft Dynamics 365

Here are some of the key benefits of this robust platform:

Integrated Applications: Combines CRM and ERP capabilities into a unified platform, allowing seamless interaction and data sharing across business functions such as sales, marketing, finance, and operations.
Customisation and Flexibility: Highly customisable to fit the specific needs of various industries and businesses. It offers a range of modules and third-party integrations to enhance functionality.
Scaability: Scales with your business, accommodating growth and changes without requiring significant system overhauls. This ensures long-term usability and reduces the need for frequent software changes.
Improved Productivity: Provides tools and automation to streamline business processes, reduce manual tasks and improve overall productivity. Integration with Microsoft 365 enhances collaboration and efficiency.
Data-Driven Insights: Advanced analytics and AI capabilities provide actionable insights, helping you make better-informed business decisions. Real-time data and reporting features enhance visibility and control.
Enhanced Customer Experience: Improves customer relationship management by offering a 360-degree view of customer interactions. This allows for personalised service and better customer satisfaction.
Cloud-Based: Available as an affordable SaaS platform with a monthly subscription fee based only on the apps you need.
Mobile Accessibility: Allows access to the platform from anywhere using mobile devices, ensuring that teams can stay productive and connected on the go.
Security and Compliance: Ensures high levels of security and compliance with various industry standards. Regular updates and security measures protect sensitive business data.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for multiple disparate systems by providing an all-in-one solution. The subscription-based pricing model can be more cost-effective compared to traditional software purchases.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Key Features

The list of Dynamics 365 features could go on forever, but here are some of the features that we commonly see bring significant benefits to just about all businesses:

Intuitive Interface for Customer Service Reps

The Dynamics 365 Customer Service workspace combines everything in a single organised environment. Real-time conversations or email replies can offer solutions or confirm what action has been taken on their behalf. Also, automatically generated artificial intelligence transcripts of past phone communications allow reps to quickly grasp the important points that were covered to make informed decisions.

Straightforward Setup

Provided you choose a team of reputable IT experts, getting up and running with Dynamics 365 couldn’t be more straightforward. All your data across all software solutions will be combined into one simple-to-use platform. You’ll find the user interface intuitive if you’re familiar with other Microsoft solutions such as Office 365 and Teams.

Integration with Third-Party Apps

To get started with Microsoft Dynamics 365, you don’t need to overhaul your entire IT setup. Thanks to storing data on Microsoft SQL Servers, the suite of apps in Dynamics 365 seamlessly integrates with each other and other Microsoft solutions, including Office 365, Azure, Teams, and all solutions that make up Microsoft Modern Workplace. We can also connect Microsoft Dynamics 365 to a host of third-party software solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dynamic 365 come with Office 365?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Office 365 are separate products but are designed to work seamlessly together. Dynamics 365 is not bundled with Office 365, but you can integrate the two to enhance productivity. For instance, you can use Outlook to manage customer communications within Dynamics 365 or integrate Excel for advanced data analysis.

Does Microsoft Dynamics work on a Mac?

Yes, Microsoft Dynamics 365 can be accessed on a Mac. Since Dynamics 365 is primarily a cloud-based solution, it can be used through a web browser, which is compatible with macOS. Additionally, there are specific applications and integrations available for macOS users to enhance the Dynamics 365 experience.

Is Dynamics 365 good for small businesses?

Yes, Dynamics 365 can be great for small businesses. It’s cost-effective, scalable, comprehensive and easy to use. It’s also cloud-based, meaning you don’t need any onsite servers to power it. No matter how big or small your business is, Dynamics 365 can improve customer communication, sales, marketing, finances… just about all your critical business processes.

Learn More about Microsoft Dynamics 365

The world of business is becoming increasingly competitive. Fortunately, thanks to powerful software solutions such as Microsoft Dynamics 365, even small companies can compete with huge enterprises. With better customer, sales, marketing and financial insights, you’ll be empowered to elevate your business to new heights without spending a fortune in the process.

If you’re interested in learning more about Microsoft Dynamics 365, its multitude of business benefits and how it could optimise your company, don’t hesitate to call us. At Microbyte, we offer a range of managed IT solutions with perks such as a 24/7 helpdesk, security solutions and remote monitoring services.