Get the best of Microsoft Dynamics 365 with flexible and affordable pricing plans

Recently Microsoft has introduced it’s a new cloud-based ERP system that runs on a Microsoft Azure platform, namely Dynamics 365. It’s an integrated cloud solution which helps you manage your entire business functions, say, Sales, Customer service, Field service, Marketing, Project service automation, Operations and Financials at one place conveniently. To make a true customer-centric platform, it has been designed to encapsulate the key features of erstwhile Dynamics ERP and CRM systems. Furthermore, it integrates with business intelligence capabilities and Office 365 to make a complete business application.

The best aspect of this solution is that it provides the users the great flexibility in choosing the applications you want, by subscribing that particular Apps according to your need. For instance, if your business has major activities in Sales, you just need to subscribe Dynamics 365 for Sales. Here, you will need to pay only $95, and not for other applications.

Here, we provide an overview of the flexible Microsoft dynamics 365 pricing plans, depending on various factors.

1. Business sizes:

  a.  Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Edition– Applications for small and medium-sized organizations, usually about 10-250 employees. It includes Financials and will include Sales, Marketing and Customer Service functionality.

 b.  Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition– Plans and applications for businesses with hundreds to thousands of users, for 250 or more employees. It includes the capabilities of Dynamics CRM Online and Dynamics AX, such as Sales, Customer Service, Field Service, Project Service Automation and Operations (ERP).

2. Packaged Plans or Individual applications:

  a.  Plans—you can choose among various packaged plans which give you access to multiple apps.

  b.  Applications—alternatively, you can also subscribe individual apps, where the users need access to only one  Dynamics 365 app.

3. User types:

  a.  Full user—Full user is the one whose work requires them to use many functionalities in the applications

  b.  Light user—Light user is the one who need the application for completing smaller tasks.

Enterprise edition

Plans

Dynamics 365 Plan 1 $115 per user/month Includes these apps: •  Dynamics 365 for Sales •  Dynamics 365 for Customer Service •  Dynamics 365 for Field Service •  Dynamics 365 for Project Service     Automation + Microsoft PowerApps and Microsoft Flow

Dynamics 365 Plan 2 From $210 per user/month Includes all the Plan 1 apps + Dynamics 365 for Operations •  Manufacturing and supply chain •  Retail and commerce •  Finance

Team Members
$10 per user/month

Includes light use of these apps:

•  Dynamics 365 for Operations

•  Dynamics 365 for Sales

•  Dynamics 365 for Customer Service

•  Dynamics 365 for Field Service

•  Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation

+ Microsoft PowerApps with Flow

Individual Apps
Depending on the particular application

Dynamics 365 for Operations	$190
Dynamics 365 for Sales	$95
Dynamics 365 for Customer Service	$95
Dynamics 365 for Field Service	$95
Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation	$95
+ Microsoft PowerApps	$40

Business edition
For small and medium-sized businesses
Sold through Microsoft Cloud Solutions Providers

Just start with the Financials app. Then you can easily add Sales, Marketing and Customer Service later on. Each Financials app full user license includes one external accounting professional license. This allows you to securely connect with your accountant in the cloud for richer accounting services.

Dynamics 365 for Financials (Full use)	$40
Team Members(light use)	$5
External Accountant	$5

Explore Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and NAV Add-Ons from MetaOption which helps your businesses and boost your operations efficiently across various industries.

References: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Licensing | Dynamics 365 Apps | MetaOption

Agile project implementation methodology at CloudFronts

 We have been hearing a lot about Agile Methodology for project implementation. But, we also need to see if it is the right choice for Dynamics world. Agile in short says “Do not wait till end, rather let’s see the deliverable in pieces”. Well, that’s justified too. Clients here get to see their baby at regular intervals. Each delivery sprint can go in a controlled manner from End-to-End delivery cycle like the complete projects does, excluding the deployment phase, which happens at the end of the last Sprint of the project.

We at CloudFronts practice Agile for all the project implementation. In fact, our PSM solution is getting redesigned to suit the needs of such Agile project implementation. This is done in order to help project managers keep the data intact in CRM and do not scatter it in multiple excel files. Right from Project creation to Resource allocation to Gantt Charts to Time sheet’s we keep all of it inside CRM so that the PM is in pace of the project and all is in single place.

Agile generally demands clear requirements for the project to be implemented. Keeping this in mind the project moves through Sprints. The following image illustrates “Where does Sprints come into picture”.

We too follow the standard practise dictated by Agile:

1. Daily stand up meeting
2. Iteration planning
3. Unit testing
4. Release planning
5. Burndown/team-based estimation
6. Coding standards
7. Continuous integration
8. Automated builds

The project planning is done in MS Project in Sprinted approach. Though MS Project is not the ideal tool to do Agile Planning but taking the advantage of its flexibility that allows us to do it.

 
We have the following documents in place for each Sprint and the Sprints coming ahead:

1. Daily Agile task allocation Sheet: This is an Excel sheet where we allocate the tasks to the team during the daily stand up meeting and mark the Pending tasks that are incomplete.
2. Sprint Document: This contains the following 4 things:
   1. Achievable
   2. Backlog
   3. Completed
   4. Other Remarks

   All the incomplete tasks from previous sprint are move to next sprints Backlog section.
   This also then becomes the part of the current sprint.

There are multiple benefits of following Agile:

1. Development process gets streamlined and simplified.
2. Higher rate of customer satisfaction.
3. Reduces risk.
4. Improves project Visibility.
5. Success rate for project goes higher by 70%
6. Reduces the cost of development.

So, this is what CloudFronts follows as Agile practice. Hope you found this article useful. We will continue to publish more articles as we implement “Agile” that works for Dynamics projects !
 

Azure Function

 

Introduction:

Sometime it happens that you want to write small piece of code and it should be accessible from outside but you may not have infrastructure ready for it. In that situation you can write a function which can be called from anywhere. Azure function provides required infrastructure for code you need to write and you can make it available within few minutes.

You can use Azure functions where you code does not include any complex logic. Azure functions can be used for very small pieces of code which can be invoked via any triggered events.

You can choose your language to write the code like C#, F#, Node.js, Python or PHP. Azure Functions lets you develop server less applications on Microsoft Azure.

Description:

1. Features:

Azure function provides the below features:

• Choice of language – We can write functions using C#, F#, Node.js, Python, PHP, batch, bash, or any executable.
• Pay-per-use pricing model – Pay only for the time spent running your code.
• Bring your own dependencies – we can include other library as well if needed.
• Integrated security – Protect HTTP-triggered functions with OAuth providers such as Azure Active Directory, Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Microsoft Account.
• Simplified integration – Easily leverage Azure services and software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings.
• Flexible development – Code your functions right in the portal or set up continuous integration and deploy your code through GitHub, Visual Studio Team Services.

2. Function Task:

Functions provides templates to get you started with key scenarios,

• Blob Trigger
• EventHubTrigger
• Generic webhook
• GitHub webhook
• HTTPTrigger
• QueueTrigger
• ServiceBusQueueTrigger
• ServiceBusTopicTrigger
• TimerTrigger

Create your first function:

1. Prerequisites:

   Windows Azure Subscription – you can also subscribe for a free trial of Windows Azure from URL.

2. Add Function Apps
   • In order to host your code, you must have a function app created in the Azure.
   • Login to the azure portal and click on the +(plus) sign
   • Select the function app and provide the required details

   

3. Provide the Azure function details as shown below.

   Provide all the required field value and click create, you will able to see below screen,

   

4. Create function:
   • Click on the plus sign as shown

   

   • Select the httptriger-csharp
   • Provide a unique name to the function and click create
   • Now you are read with the function that can be access from anywhere.
   • This is the template you can write your own code, we will work with the sample code that generated automatically.

   

5. Let’s test the function from outside.
   • Copy the url form the console as show

   

6. You will get the code url that can be called from any API tester application, lets we called it from the Postman application.

   As you can see in the below screen, I called the function from Postman and in out window you will find that it is showing message. It shows some validation message because I have not provided the required fields.

   

7. I provided the name you will find that output shows the name with greeting.
   
8. View the function logs
   

Integrating Twilio with D365 CRM Online to send SMS Messages using Microsoft Flow

  One of the most popular ERP systems that is amazingly popular among all small and mid sized businesses is Microsoft dynamics NAV integration. Installing CRM NAV integration is extremely easy and simple and its interface is so easy to understand that anybody can learn it within no time. This is the reason NAV integration has earned a good reputation in the market and people love using it as well.

In today’s cloud based environment if you upgrade dynamics NAV you will surely have an edge in your business as compared to your peers. With improved functionality enhanced capabilities and new features your business productivity will be boosted multiple times reducing your overall business cost improving customer service.

Introduction:

SMS Messages can be sent from a D365 CRM Online to an individual using the Twilio. In this blog, we will see how we can send SMS Messages from CRM using Twilio and we will be using Microsoft flows to achieve this.

Pre-Requisites:

• Twilio Account
• D365 CRM
• Microsoft Flow

Steps to be followed:

Dynamics 365-

1. 1. Create two fields in Contact Entity, named as
      a. Send SMS
      b. SMS Sent

Data Type (Two options)

Twilio-

To Connect Twilio in Microsoft Flow You require:

• Twilio Account Id
• Twilio Access Token

Steps:

1. Sign in to your Twilio account
2. Click on Dashboards
3. Under Project info tab you can find the Account SID and Auth Token (Copy this value and paste it somewhere you will require this values in MS Flows) 
4. Setup Phone Number.   
   a. Click on “All Products & services”

   b. # Phone Numbers

   

MS Flow

1. Login to Microsoft flow.
2. Select Create from Blank.
3. Select Dynamics 365 connector.a. Select when a record is updated trigger.b.  Select the organization name and Entity.
4. Select “+New Step” and “Add a condition”a. Enter condition in “Edit in advance mode”.Condition:

   @and
   
   (
   
   equals(triggerBody()?['cf_sendsms'], true),
   
   equals(triggerBody()?['new_smssent'], false)
   
   )
   

5. If Yes

   a. Enter Twilio Account Id which is Acoount SID and Twilio Access Token which is Auth Token.

   b. After Connection is being established.

   • Enter the From and To Phone Number.
   • Enter Text message which you want to send.

   

6. Click on “Add a connection” –> Dynamics 365 – Update a record.

Overall Flow:

Enable Power BI Report and Dashboard in D365 Portal

 

Add Power BI report and Dashboard in D365 Portal

Introduction:

This blog explains how we can add Power BI report and dashboard in D365 portal.

Below are the Steps:

Step 1: Set up Power BI from Portal Admin Center

1. Go to the Dynamics 365 Administration Center page and select the Applications tab.

2. Select the name of the portal for which you want enable Power BI visualization, and then select Manage.

3. Click on Set up Power BI integration –> Enable Power BI visualization.

4. Click on Enable button you will get the below message.

Step 2: Add Power BI Visualization in D365 Portal

– Liquid tag is used to add the Power BI dashboard and reports.

Parameters used in Liquid code:

1.) Path: Path of the Power BI report or dashboard.
2.) Authentication type: There are two authentication type Anonymous and AAD.

If the Power BI report or dashboard is secure, then we use authentication type as AAD. It ensures that it is shared with Dynamics 365 Portal Azure Active Directory authenticated users.

Adding Anonymous Reports:

1.) Click on File 🡪 Publish to web.

2.) Click on Create Embed Code.
3.) Click on Publish.

4.) Copy below Link.

Liquid code: {% powerbi authentication_type:”anonymous” path:”URL” %}

5.) Add the liquid code on Web page where you want to display the report.
– Click on Edit 🡪 Language Content🡪 Source

– Add the Liquid code in Source code.
– Click on ok and Save.

– Report on Web Page.

Adding Secured Dashboard:

1.) Click on Share.

2.) Copy the Dashboard Link.

3.) Displaying Dashboard on Portal.

– Add the liquid code on Web page where you want to display the dashboard.
Liquid code: {% powerbi authentication_type:”AAD” path:”URL” %}
Click on Edit 🡪 Language Content🡪 Source

Dashboard in Portal:
– It will ask you to sign In to see the secured Power BI Report.

– Sign In and Accept the Permissions.

– Now you can see the Dashboard in Portal.

 

Integrate Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement Apps with Microsoft Teams

Before getting into details, firstly I would like to talk about Microsoft Teams. If you’re familiar with MS Teams, you know that it is chat and collaboration platform – a place to manage all your conversations, files and important tools in one team workspace. You can access SharePoint, Power Bi and now Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement right from the Teams app and can collaborate. Microsoft Teams comes with the Office 365 subscription and is present with both web and desktop version as well.

Dynamics 365 page can be added as a tab on Microsoft Teams channel they are working on to allow easy access to the customer information. The tab added on MS Teams channel is a fully functional page that means you can edit any records or navigate to related records without leaving the app. You can also use Dynamics 365 Bot for quick updates on records.

Before getting started,  enable Microsoft Teams integration feature from Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement:

1. Sign in as a System Administrator.
2. Go to Settings > Administration > System Settings > General.
3. Enable Microsoft Teams integration.

Let’s get started:

1. I hope you already have Microsoft Teams App installed on your system.
2. Go to the Teams channel where you want to add a Dynamics 365 page as a tab, add a tab by clicking on the + button.
   
3. Search for Dynamics 365 App.
   
4. After clicking on the Dynamics 365 App, you will be asked to select the Organization and the App module. Select the same from the dropdown accordingly and click on SELECT.
   
5. Search for the entity you want to connect the to this channel and click on SAVE.
   
6. It is done, you can now edit the record details or navigate to the related records in Dynamics 365 from MS Teams app.
7. Once you complete the above steps, you will see a notification of record is successfully connected (see above image). Any changes done here will be synchronized with the Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement apps.
8. Once the integration is done, Teams also provides the feature to associate files. Any related documents uploaded in the Files tab in Microsoft Teams will also appear in D365 Customer Engagement apps under Documents for the record. Similarly, any documents added in D365 for Customer Engagement apps will appear in the Files tab on Microsoft Teams.Below images is of Microsoft Teams Files tab:
   
   Below image is of D365 for CE app > Documents:

   In the below images, you can see various locations for documents, this is because I have also enabled SharePoint integration. You can select the specific location or All File to view each file related to this record. As you can see in the below images the files uploaded on Microsoft Teams appears over here.
   

9. If you want open a record in Dynamics 365 for CE and you are in Microsoft Teams currently, don’t bother to enter the URL. Click the Go to Website icon.
   

Setting up the Dynamics 365 Bot:

You can set up the bot feature to interact with Dynamics 365 Apps. You can also use Dynamics 365 bot to look up and make a quick update on any record. For setting up please follow the below steps.

1. You can go to the Chat on the left side of the Teams app, and then select Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement apps.
   
2. In the welcome message from Bot, it provides some abilities of the bot. You will need to click on Sign in.
   
3. Select Org and then Click on NEXT.
4. Enter credential and Sign in. The Dynamics 365 bot setup is complete and some option is already loaded to get started.