The Microsoft Dynamics 365 benefit

Late last year, we were introduced to Microsoft’s latest iteration of its Dynamics service—Dynamics 365. The service officially launched in the Philippines in November and while Microsoft is working with its clients interested in transitioning to the new platform, we get to know more about it from Cian O’ Neill, chief operating and chief marketing officer for Microsoft Philippines. We did a quick Q&A with him to talk about its benefits and what it brings to the enterprise space.

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If you are to explain Microsoft Dynamics 365 to a layman, how would you explain it?

Dynamics 365 is a very simple system, a system set of technologies that actually enable businesses connect its CRM [customer relation management] and ERP [enterprise resource planning] and the modern tools of collaboration and sharing. When you think of those, many, many companies today have separate CRM systems, separate ERP systems, and various set of collaboration tools. So what it [Dynamics 365] does is bring those two things together. And the reason why we’re so excited about it is we think about the concept of digital transformation is very much top of mind…

Can you expound further on the idea of digital transformation and how Dynamics 365 relates to this?

Many people talk about digital transformation, how do they enable their employees more, how do they connect with customers more, how do they optimize their operations more, and how do they transform their products. Then, one of the hottest topics today is security. So all of that is wrapped around and built on the security of the Azure platform. We have customers across public sectors, across small businesses. It was just launched in November, but we are seeing lot of traction, because customers are seeing the need in terms of how they can build integrated view, how they can break down silos, CRM, and ERP, and how they can use intelligent business applications to drive new revenue streams.

I think the most important point is there’s such a change in the needs of customers. We recognize that our customers have different needs. Harnessing the power of data is the future. Our CEO Satya Nadella talks about data being the new currency. Harnessing data drives new intelligence, new insight. At the same time, ensuring that you have the comfort and confidence that’s backed up with enterprise-grade security, because it’s one of the biggest concerns.

What is included in a Dynamics 365 account?

Dynamics 365 is very much a modular-based piece, so you can go as light or as full as you want. You can start off obviously with your modular applications—whether it’s a sales module or it’s a marketing module. So if you’re a small business, which is 98 percent of businesses in the Philippines, you want a very light touch. You can be one user with access to different modules—whether sales, financial, field services, or customer service—you can have something as simple as that, or you can have a full system or full ERP for big companies. The beauty of the cloud platform is it’s very much driven by what you need.

For those interested in moving to or trying out Dynamics 365, how are you helping out these customers?

We’re doing workshops with them, we’re being pragmatic in terms of it’s not a one-size-fits-all scenario. I always go back to the pillars: How do we help our customers engage their customers? How do we help our customers empower their employees? How do we help our customers optimize their operations? How do we help our customers transform their products? We’re helping one step at a time. It’s a natural progression as we move to harnessing more data, getting more intelligence, integrating systems, and breaking down silos.