Microsoft updates for Dynamics 365 and Power Platforms

Microsoft updates for Dynamics 365 and Power Platforms

Microsoft launches 2020 Wave 1 updates for Dynamics 365 and Power Platform

Microsoft continues to add support and resources for organizations during this difficult tie. They have released updates in the 2020 Wave 1 that consists of over 400 new features and apps for Dynamics 365 and the Microsoft Power Platform. You can access the Microsoft updates for Dynamics 365 and Power Platforms here. Here are some of the updates that you can look forward to.

B2C and B2B customer journeys across sales, marketing, and service.

Dynamics 365 Customer Insights allows you to develop your customers’ profiles and learn more about their actions and behaviors in real-time. Using Dynamics 365 Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, and Field Service, businesses can take advantage of new capabilities. Some of these capabilities are AI-powered predictive sales forecasting, enhancement of marketing campaigns with a more personalized approach, and more.

It’s time for seamless omnichannel retail experiences

“Dynamics 365 Commerce delivers an end-to-end solution that helps organizations deliver personalized, omnichannel experiences through advanced e-commerce capabilities, intelligent product recommendations, and enhanced clienteling.” Watch the Microsoft Business Virtual Launch event to see how a well-known shoe brand, Dr. Martens, can replace all outdated legacy applications with a suite of Microsoft applications. If you are looking for a more in-depth tailored solution for retail, we suggest you take a look at LS Central which is built to integrate directly with Dynamics 365 Business Central.

To find out the full list of new features that can add more value to your business, watch the Microsoft Virtual Launch Event.

Now for the Power Platform

“Microsoft Power BI is delivering new capabilities focusing on three key areas to help businesses drive a data culture.”

  • Microsoft has added the highly requested decomposition tree AI visual, a new experience, and added a modern ribbon that users are familiar with from Microsoft Office.
  • Microsoft has added full application lifecycle management, with the ability for customers to move an app through a deployment pipeline. They have also completely opened Power BI’s semantic models by adding full support for the industry-standard XML for Analysis (XMLA) protocol.
  • Finally, to help businesses weave business intelligence deeply into the fabric of their organization, Microsoft has added support for Microsoft Information Protection and Microsoft Cloud App to protect data even when it leaves Power BI, added deep integration with Azure Synapse, and a completely revamped Microsoft Teams integration.

You can find out more about the new functionality in the event link above. If your business is in need of a new powerful solution, or you are interested in the Microsoft updates for Dynamics 365 and Power Platforms, contact us to find out how we can assist you. info@allonline365.com

Business continuity during COVID-19: A wake-up call

business continuity during covid-19

Ensuring business continuity during COVID-19. A wake-up call

As the majority of the world is on lockdown, businesses have had to follow government regulations by shutting their doors. This has been a trying time for everyone. Small and medium-sized businesses don’t necessarily have the expertise or infrastructure for a “work from home” environment to resume business continuity during COVID-19. It’s time to take a hard look at the technology systems used in business processes.

The problem

Both businesses and individuals are dealing with the stress of the unknown. Both in terms of health and financial stability as we await the unconfirmed day-to-day business continuity during COVID-19. It is important to take note of whether businesses lack the infrastructure currently to continue operations, or whether a cloud-based solution would be applicable to them. Business owners need to use this time to review and research the solutions available. Businesses need to reflect on how they can upgrade and digitally transform their businesses to ensure sustainability to accommodate online and remote working environments.

The reality

Microsoft has seen a 775% surge in the demand for cloud-based services from the start of the coronavirus outbreak. Microsoft Teams has come to be a platform that companies have become dependent on daily for communication and collaboration. Power BI, Microsoft’s business intelligence reporting platform, grew by 42% in one week due to its ability to share COVID-19 dashboards and reports around the globe. The tech giant is living up to its expectations of businesses around the world by offering powerful and intelligent tools. These tools keep companies operational and give staff and customers the comfort that it is “business as usual”.

The solution

This time, although uncertain in many respects, can be used to research and review technology solutions to not only assist, but also to ensure that you can advance and grow your business. Even during difficult times, such as COVID-19. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a product that offers you the opportunity for an end-to-end view of your business wherever you are, on multiple devices. Whatever industry you are in, Dynamics 365 Business Central can lay down standard business processes with the added benefit of intelligence. When your business grows, the Dynamics 365 Business Central solution is geared to grow with it.  Along with select add-on solutions for specific industries, which will assist in taking your company to the next level.

If you are thinking about your lack of business continuity during COVID-19, take the next step and contact us to find out more about how we can get your business online and assist with streamlining processes. All from working remotely. Email us on info@allonline365.com.

Written by: Romy Künneke, Marketing Coordinator

Outgrown accounting software: Why you need to upgrade

outgrown accounting software

My company has outgrown its accounting software, now what?

One of the challenges we find our customers face is that their business is expanding, but their systems can’t keep up. If you are a small to medium-sized business and have trouble executing standard accounting processes, it’s time to admit that you have outgrown your accounting software.

It’s time to address the accounting elephant in the room

When a business starts out we understand that there are certain financial restrictions that prohibit you from scaling to more advanced systems. We find most small businesses either start with manual processes or use Sage and Quickbooks. Fast forward 5 years, your business has employed more staff, revenue has increased and you are looking at opening another location of your store. Just like using that trusty old second-hand car that cannot run forever, neither can your business on outdated software.

Companies that do not consider their long-term growth and change will eventually find their chart of accounts is no longer suitable for tracking financial transactions according to the current state of their business. Often accounts payable stunts business growth, which can hold you back from reaching your full potential. A number of challenges that creep into your business should start raising alarm bells for you. The next step is to recognize that your current methods just aren’t working anymore. Now it’s time to implement the right tools to optimize your business for success. Let’s look at some of the pain points associated with these challenges.

Accounting process pain points

  • Your payroll is growing: Basic accounting software allows you to support a certain number of employees. Once this limit is exceeded you are more than likely going to start pulling your hair out manually processing payroll activity.
  • You need more detailed reports: Standard reporting templates may have done the job in the past, but now your business is requiring more advanced and detailed reporting to help make better-informed decisions. Your current system probably won’t let you integrate more cutting-edge templates which means you are starting to miss out on a number of opportunities.
  • Customization limitations: You may be able to make minor adjustments in your system, but you will reach a point where the functionality you need is not included in your software. Purchasing additional resources to help you is not the answer.
  •  You’re expanding: Multiple locations or expanding abroad is a great achievement, but if your system cannot handle multiple currency options or integrate end of day transactions from multiple stores into one platform, you’re in for a bumpy ride.

The above points are just some of the challenges many small to medium-sized businesses face. If you can relate, then you know how much time and energy is wasted trying to get the information you need.  Why carry on putting yourself through these debilitating processes? Imagine you can solve all the above and more with one solution?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to the rescue

Goodbye, old accounting software, hello (ERP) enterprise resource planning system. “Dynamics 365 Business Central is a flexible, scalable, comprehensive business management solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses.” That description just sounds heavenly. This ERP solution caters for all your business needs, allowing you to integrate all your business processes into one unified platform. This solution really is the next step for your business and is catered to smaller organizations, making it affordable. Another benefit to this system is that it allows customizations and integrations with other tools to make sure your system meets your specific industry business needs. Automation and business intelligence capabilities are just the cherries on top.

If you are looking to learn more about how Dynamics 365 Business Central can help you implement new processes let us know and one of our experienced consultants will help. Contact us on +27 (21) 205 3650 or email us on info@allonline365.com.

Written by: Romy Künneke, Marketing Coordinator, allonline365

Resources: Dynamics 365, Accounting Department, Accounting Today

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