AI and new facilities in 2023-2024
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) software that provides businesses with various operations management tools. It offers a range of features and capabilities that can help companies streamline their processes, improve customer service, and make data-driven decisions. Dynamics 365 is an important tool for businesses of all sizes, as it allows them to manage their finances, sales, customer service, and operations all in one place, improving efficiency and productivity.
Microsoft constantly works to improve Dynamics 365 and provide businesses with new features and capabilities. The 2023 release wave 1 covers new functionalities planned to be delivered to the market from April 2023 to September 2023 and includes exciting updates across Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. The release wave 1 infuses AI, automation, and analytics across Dynamics 365 Finance and Project Operations with new Dynamics 365 Copilot capabilities that help streamline processes. Copilot in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central empowers workers with AI tools to get more done with less effort. The release also improves user experiences that will help users enter, update, and analyze data across Dynamics 365.
Integrate AI into Dynamics 365
One of the most significant benefits of integrating AI into Dynamics 365 is the ability to automate tasks, generate ideas, and gain insights using natural language with the world's first AI copilot in CRM and ERP. This will enable employees to work more efficiently and effectively, freeing up time to focus on more strategic projects. Additionally, AI will help users better understand their customers, enabling them to deliver more personalized experiences and build stronger relationships. With these benefits, AI in Dynamics 365 will be a game-changer for businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve and drive growth in future years.
Microsoft has a clear vision for integrating AI into Dynamics 365. The company aims to democratize the use of generative AI so that businesses can deliver experiences that build customer loyalty while improving employee productivity.
New facilities and updates coming to Dynamics 365 in 2023-2024
The plan includes Dynamics 365 Finance and Project Operations updates, which will integrate AI, automation, and analytics. Early access to these updates is available, and users can find key dates and other information in Microsoft's release plan. Microsoft also focuses on enhancing the Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Virtual Agents, Microsoft Dataverse, Microsoft Power Platform governance and administration, and data offerings.
The wave 1 release brings new features to Dynamics 365 applications, including Marketing, Sales, Customer Service, Field Service, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Project Operations, Finance and Operations cross-app capabilities, Human Resources, Commerce, Fraud Protection, Business Central, Connected Spaces, Guides, Customer Insights, and Customer Voice, as well as Microsoft Viva Sales and Microsoft supply chain platform and its supporting products.
Microsoft has provided a list of important dates for release for 2023 on its website, but it's important to note that some delivery timelines may be subject to change.
| Milestone | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Release plans available | January 25, 2023 | Learn about the new capabilities in the 2023 release wave 1 (April 2023 - September 2023) across Dynamics 365, Microsoft Power Platform, and Microsoft Cloud for Industry. |
| Early access available | January 30, 2023 | Test and validate new features and capabilities that will be part of 2023 release wave 1, coming in April, before they are enabled automatically for your users. You can view the Dynamics 365 2023 release wave 1 early access features now for Dynamics 365 Sales, Dynamics 365 Customer Service, Dynamics 365 Field Service, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, Finance and Operations cross-app capabilities, Dynamics 365 Business Central. |
| Release plans available in additional languages | February 21, 2023 | The Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 release plans are published in 11 additional languages: Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Spanish, and Swedish. Microsoft Cloud for Industry release plans are published in 4 additional languages: French, German, Dutch, and Spanish. |
| General availability | April 1, 2023 | Production deployment for the 2023 release wave 1 begins. Regional deployments will start on April 1, 2023. |
Let’s have a look at some of the new features provided:
-
Marketing
New B2B analytics dashboard, frequency capping, multiple email recipient activation, email timeline, customizable preference centers, Urchin Tracking Module (UTM) marketing tagging, and new lead scoring builder.
Pictures from: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/release-plan/2023wave1/finance-operations/
Product description using AI-generated content by Copilot:
Pictures from: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/release-plan/2023wave1/finance-operations/
-
Sales
Enhanced sequence capabilities support personalized and account-based engagement, actionable AI-powered suggestions within the seller workflow, an updated form layout, and a new opportunity management workspace. Additionally, enhanced email templates, content suggestions, SMS capabilities, and various new abilities to create, loop, and optimize sales sequences.
-
Service
Enhancements to voice features, unified routing, embedded Microsoft Teams collaboration, and elements of the agent workspace such as the case form, timeline, and conversation control.
-
Finance
Enhancements such as further automation of complex tax scenarios, full end-to-end automation of accounts payable and ledger settlements to expedite the close, updated currency revaluation posting profile, new ways to define financial tags, the extension of multiple tax ID reporting to more EU countries, expanding out-of-the-box regulatory compliance coverage to additional LATAM countries, accounts payable automation with invoice capture, new record to report and procure to pay data models.
-
Operations
Enhancements to omnichannel sales strategies with improved ways of managing attribute-based pricing, integrated soft reservations, and optimized end-to-end process integration across Dynamics 365 Sales and Supply Chain Management, new features like expanding the Project Budgeting and Time-Phased Forecasting.
Pictures from: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/release-plan/2023wave1/finance-operations/
These new facilities are expected to improve the user experience and provide new data analysis and management tools. The release plan for the 2023 wave 1 will continue to evolve as new features are added, and users can stay up to date by following Microsoft's release announcements. These updates will improve the overall user experience and provide new opportunities for businesses to streamline their operations and improve their bottom line.
Conclusion
With its integrated suite of applications, customizable modules, and powerful AI capabilities, Dynamics 365 can help organizations streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and make real-time data-driven decisions. Microsoft's commitment to ongoing development and innovation will ensure that Dynamics 365 remains relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
OPTI delivers solutions and integrations based on Microsoft Dynamics 365. Please contact us here.
