Upgrading Dynamics CRM on premise to Dynamics 365

In today’s fast-paced business environment, organizations require robust and scalable customer relationship management (CRM) solutions to manage their customer interactions effectively. Microsoft Dynamics CRM has been a popular choice for organizations over the years, providing an extensive set of features to manage sales, marketing, service, and other customer-related activities. However, with the introduction of cloud-based Dynamics 365, the question arises of whether upgrading Dynamics CRM on premise to Dynamics 365 is worth the investment.

In this article, we’ll delve into the benefits of upgrading from Dynamics CRM on premise to Dynamics 365, the upgrade process, and factors to consider before taking the plunge.

Benefits of Upgrading to Dynamics 365

1. Robust Security and Compliance: Dynamics 365 provides advanced security features that comply with industry regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO 27001. This ensures your organization’s data is secure, and you are compliant with any legal requirements.

2. Improved User Experience: Dynamics 365 comes with a new and modern user interface that significantly improves productivity and access to functionalities. Users can leverage the intuitive dashboard to view real-time insights and focus on meaningful data.

3. Enhanced Mobility: Dynamics 365 allows users to access the software from anywhere, anytime, using any device. The mobile app offers all the functionalities, including offline access, allowing users to stay productive even when there is no internet connection.

4. Integration with Office 365: Dynamics 365 integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products like Office 365, Power BI, and PowerApps. This enables users to collaborate more effectively, analyze data quickly, and tailor processes as required.

Upgrade Process

The upgrade from Dynamics CRM on premise to Dynamics 365 can be broken down into four main steps:

Step 1: Assess the current environment: Evaluate your current Dynamics CRM deployment to identify the version of the software, customizations, add-ons, and third-party integrations.

Step 2: Plan the upgrade: Once you have assessed your current environment, create a plan that outlines the scope of the upgrade, including timelines, budget, resource allocation, and communication plan.

Step 3: Execute the upgrade: The upgrade process can be performed either using Microsoft’s online tool or by working with a Microsoft-certified partner. You will need to follow the steps according to the chosen method.

Step 4: Post-upgrade assessment: Test the newly upgraded system to ensure that everything is working correctly, and all customizations and data have been migrated successfully.

Factors to Consider Before Upgrading

1. Customizations and Integrations: Dynamics 365 provides a modern platform that supports the latest tools, frameworks, and technologies. However, customizations and third-party add-ons in your existing Dynamics CRM on premise may not be compatible with Dynamics 365. Evaluate your existing customizations and determine if they need to be redeveloped or migrated.

2. Configuration Complexity: The complexity of your existing Dynamics CRM on-premise deployment, including the number of users, organizations, security, and business processes, will impact the upgrade process’s timeline and cost.

3. Budget and Resources: Upgrading to Dynamics 365 involves investment in software licenses, infrastructure upgrades, and staff training, among others. Create a budget plan and allocate resources accordingly.

Conclusion

Upgrading from Dynamics CRM on premise to Dynamics 365 provides organizations with a scalable and modern solution for managing customer relationships. With enhanced security, mobility, user experience, and integration capabilities, Dynamics 365 offers a wide range of benefits. However, before taking the plunge, it is crucial to assess the current environment, plan the upgrade, evaluate customizations and integrations, and create a budget and resource plan. A successful upgrade will require the expertise of a Microsoft- certified partner or in-house IT team, ensuring that your organization can take full advantage of all Dynamics 365 functionalities.