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Workflows, Part 2: Creation, Compliance, and Details
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Workflows in D365 Part 2: Creation, Compliance, and Details
Workflows in D365 Part 2: Creation, Compliance, and Details 700 500 Xcelpros Team

Custom Workflows in Dynamics 365

In the first part of our workflow series, we discussed workflows in Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365), the stages involved in workflows, their benefits, and some use cases. This week, we will teach you how to create a workflow in D365. Finally, we will share how this technology’s workflows can help organizations comply with regulatory requirements to avoid quality assurance issues.

Dynamics 365 lets businesses tailor workflows to match unique requirements, ideally making processes faster and more efficient. With workflows in place, you can focus more on delivering exceptional customer experiences. A recent whitepaper by MSDynamicsWorld discusses how workflows give companies 100% control over orders, increasing gross margins significantly.

Creating Workflows in D365

If you are just starting with Dynamics and are unsure where to begin, you’ll want to consider partnering with a Microsoft CSP (Cloud Solution Provider) that can help. Your Microsoft Partner will be able to guide you through the decision-making process, helping you determine what parts of Dynamics 365 your company can utilize in terms of what software, and for what departments, etc.

Creating a workflow in Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) is very straightforward. You can easily set up simple workflows in D365 on your own in just a few simple steps. As this series is meant to be more of a summary about how simple workflows can be, not a comprehensive guide to setting them up, we’ll only look at a simple workflow. If you want to go deeper and learn about setting up complex workflows that span multiple departments, your Microsoft CSP will be able to help you get started setting up Workflows in D365.

If you already have Dynamics 365 or are in the implementation process, not to fear- you can set up workflows in D365 in a few simple steps. This is not meant to be a comprehensive guide to setting up workflows, but a summary of the steps involved so you understand how simple workflows can be.

Creating a Workflow in Dynamics 365

  1. 1.Defining the Process: Identify the process you want to automate via workflows and the steps involved.
  2. 2.Creating the Workflow: In Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (F&O), go to the “Workflow” module area and select “New Workflow.” Give your workflow a name and define the parameters.
  3. 3.Defining Stages: Identify the stages or steps involved in the process you are creating a workflow for. Then, define the actions that need to be taken at each one of those stages.
  4. 4.Assigning Roles: Assign roles to each workflow stage to ensure that the right people are notified and responsible for completing the tasks.
  5. 5.Testing and Refinements: Test the workflow to ensure it is working as expected, then refine the workflow based on feedback and performance.

Workflows and Compliance

A critical need often overlooked by organizations is ensuring continuous compliance with laws and regulations. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) provide a set of guidelines that employees can follow to ensure that every action taken within the business is consistent, reliable, and compliant with relevant laws and regulations. Thankfully, maintaining workflows and standard operating procedures (SOPs) directly in D365 is one of the best ways for businesses to track and maintain consistency, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Managing and enforcing paper-based SOPs has always been a complex and challenging task. Take advantage of Dynamics’ included workflow capabilities to manage SOPs digitally. This will simplify your business’s SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) compliance with streamlined processes and tasks.

Let us explore how workflows in Dynamics 365 effectively simplify SOP compliance.

Streamline SOP Management

With D365, you can centralize your standard operating procedures (SOPs), enabling easy creation, updates, and storage of SOPs in one place. Workflows are crucial in enforcing SOP usage by guiding employees through the necessary steps and ensuring adherence to established processes. This centralized approach promotes consistency and eliminates the risk of outdated or conflicting SOPs, ensuring your employees can access the most up-to-date procedures.

Simplify SOP Auditing and Reporting

Staying compliant with laws and regulatory standards often requires regular audits and reporting. D365 workflows help simplify collecting and organizing the data required to complete the audit process. By automating data capture and integrating it into the workflow process, your company can generate accurate and comprehensive reports on regulatory compliance and SOPs. These reports provide valuable insights into potential improvement areas, highlight non-compliance patterns, and ensure regulatory procedures are being followed throughout the organization. With workflows in place to simplify auditing and reporting, your organization can identify areas for optimization, strengthening your SOPs and other regulatory compliance processes.

Efficient SOP Approval and Review Processes

D365 workflows automate the SOP management process, reducing manual effort and potential bottlenecks. Whenever a new SOP is created or an existing SOP requires modification, workflows can be configured to automatically route the document to the appropriate department or team member for validation. This workflow-based automation streamlines the process, eliminates delays, and ensures that SOPs undergo thorough validation by the relevant individual(s) or department(s) before implementation. Businesses can maintain a smooth and efficient SOP management process by simplifying the approval and review processes with workflows.

SOP Task Assignment and Tracking Made Easy

SOP compliance involves assigning and tracking tasks related to specific procedures. D365 workflows can help your company automatically assign tasks based on defined roles and responsibilities. Each employee is assigned specific tasks according to their role and permissions within the workflow. This simplifies task management, ensures that individuals understand their responsibilities, and promotes compliance with SOPs. Additionally, workflows provide real-time tracking capabilities, allowing managers to monitor task progress, identify bottlenecks, and take corrective actions promptly.

Proactive SOP Notifications and Reminders

Another key benefit of workflows in D365 is sending automated notifications and reminders related to SOP compliance. For instance, when a task is due or a review is required, employees receive timely notifications. These proactive reminders within workflows help employees stay on top of their responsibilities, ensuring SOPs are followed and due dates are met. By reducing the risk of being out of compliance, workflows can reduce worry and improve overall compliance rates within your company.

Figure 1:Workflows, SOPs, and Compliance

Workflows, SOPs, and Compliance

Simplifying SOP compliance is a critical aspect of maintaining operational efficiency, regulatory adherence, quality control, and risk mitigation. Setting up workflows in D365 can empower your organization to achieve and maintain SOP compliance effortlessly. This helps foster a culture of adherence to regulatory and compliance issues and sets a foundation for long-term success in regulated business environments.

76%

of decision-makers reported that workflows have helped them reduce errors and improve consistency in their business processes, as highlighted in a recent article by SoftwareOne.

Source: SoftwareOne

More About Workflows in Microsoft Dynamics 365

As your business continues to grow and evolve, keeping up with the latest technology and software is essential. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is an excellent solution for efficient operations and improved productivity. Workflows are a critical software component to ensure operations run efficiently and tasks are completed accurately and on time.

As with any technology, there is always more to learn, so many resources are available to learn more about workflows in D365. From online video tutorials and articles to training courses and certification programs, you can use various resources to maximize your software investment (ROI). Learning about workflows will benefit you and your business, whether you are an experienced user or just getting started.

Dynamics 365 F&O Workflows: Conclusion

In today’s digitally driven world, knowing how to use corporate technology tools is essential in maintaining a competitive edge. Workflows in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain are an essential part of this process and are more accessible than ever. From speed to scalability, Microsoft’s flagship Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system helps increase efficiency and profitability, enabling users to customize the platform based on their unique business needs.

In the first installment, we explored the basics of workflows, their key benefits, and some use-case examples. This week, we discussed how to create a workflow, how workflows can help keep companies in line with SOPs and compliance, and provided some additional facts and resources about workflows in Dynamics 365.

Take your business’s quality operations into the future with workflows in Dynamics 365. Workflows help businesses improve efficiency and manage compliance standards without expensive hardware or IT support needs.

Get ready for revolutionary results today!

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Also Read: Quality Management and Control – Best Practices

Maximizing Manufacturing Efficiency with D365 Finance and Operations
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Maximizing Manufacturing Efficiency with Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations
Maximizing Manufacturing Efficiency with Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations 700 500 Xcelpros Team

Introduction

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is frequently considered a solution for upgrading legacy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems due to its simple integrations and compatibility with many companies.

If you want one system to help your manufacturing company optimize operations and increase efficiency, Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations software provides comprehensive, integrated, and cloud-based solutions that help streamline processes and make better business decisions. MS Dynamics 365 has powerful tools, features, and analytics to improve customer experiences and drive business growth.

In this post, we will discuss why Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is an excellent choice for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for manufacturing companies.

What is Microsoft Dynamics 365

At its core, Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. This powerful software solution enables organizations to streamline their operations and efficiently manage various aspects of their business from a unified platform. Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) is a modern, cloud-based ERP that builds upon the strengths of its predecessor, Dynamics AX.

Dynamics 365 is a comprehensive suite of business solutions for manufacturing companies, including accounting, supply chain management, and project management. By leveraging the power of D365, businesses can streamline their processes, increase visibility, and drive growth and profitability. This software is designed to help manage customer orders, inventory, financials, and supply chain operations. It is an ideal ERP implementation for companies with a single platform to coordinate their entire operation.

With a familiar, easy-to-use interface, Dynamics 365 allows manufacturers to analyze data, generate reports, and collaborate on projects from anywhere in the world. MSD365 helps streamline processes, improve customer service, and even reduce costs associated with managing operations via sophisticated analytics capabilities that give companies insights into their performance.

The software enables users to access the latest technological enhancements such as machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT). With these capabilities, manufacturers can make better-informed decisions quickly and accurately, increasing efficiency.

Ultimately, Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations offers innovative and efficient ways for manufacturing companies to effectively manage their resources and operations. Implementing this powerful ERP system enables companies to enhance their operations and better serve their customers.

Microsoft D365 F&O is one of the most popular enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in the world. According to an article on Apps Run the World, by 2026, the market size for ERP applications is projected to reach a staggering $112.3 billion, witnessing a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. This shows an increase from $104.1 billion in 2021.

Benefits of Dynamics 365 for Manufacturing Companies

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a well-known ERP system, specifically designed for the manufacturing industry. D365 continuously offers unique features and functionality tailored to the needs of this often-regulated sector. With MSD365, manufacturers have greater control over every aspect of their operations, from production to inventory management to Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

Implementing Dynamics 365 improves efficiency, boosts productivity, and reduces costs for manufacturers, with powerful tools for managing processes like sales, marketing, accounting, and operations. Manufacturers using Dynamics can easily access key data and information in real time to make more informed decisions about the way their processes work.

The elevated level of flexibility and customizations enables the product to scale with your business and is easily configured to meet specific requirements of any size manufacturing operation. There is also a wide range of integration options to ensure compatibility with new or existing business applications.

Implementation is one thing, configuration is another. When properly configured, Microsoft Dynamics 365 helps optimize the flow of information throughout the entire organization. This leads to faster decision making, improved customer service, and improved financial results. Microsoft’s manufacturing-focused ERP helps save money for businesses by reducing repetitive, labor-intensive tasks such as inventory tracking, billing, and more.

As a bonus, data gathered through these systems provides valuable insights into customer behavior, allowing companies to tailor their offerings to better meet customer needs, leading to higher revenue and overall customer satisfaction.

Beneficial Features of Dynamics 365 Finance

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a comprehensive business management solution that offers a range of features to support financial and operational needs of manufacturing businesses. Some benefits of D365 Finance for manufacturing businesses are:

Figure 1:Beneficial Features of Dynamics 365 Finance for Manufacturing Companies

Beneficial Features of Dynamics 365 Finance for Manufacturing Companies

  1. Production Control: Dynamics 365 Finance enables manufacturers to efficiently manage production processes via real-time visibility into production schedules, resource allocation, and inventory levels. It helps manufacturers optimize production processes, reduce lead times, and improve overall productivity.
  2. Inventory Management: Dynamics 365 Finance provides a robust inventory management system that helps manufacturers track inventory levels, manage to reorder points, and monitor real-time stock movements. It enables manufacturers to optimize inventory levels, reduce stockouts, and improve order fulfilment rates.
  3. Cost Management: Dynamics 365 Finance provides powerful cost management capabilities that enable manufacturers to accurately track costs associated with production, inventory, and other business processes. It helps manufacturers identify cost-saving opportunities, reduce wastage, and improve profitability.
  4. Supply Chain Management (SCM): Dynamics 365 Finance provides advanced Supply Chain Management (SCM) capabilities to manage a manufacturing company’s entire supply chain, from procurement to distribution. It enables manufacturers to optimize their supply chain processes, reduce lead times, and improve supplier performance.
  5. Financial Management: Dynamics 365 Finance provides comprehensive financial management capabilities that enable manufacturers to manage their finances efficiently. It helps manufacturers streamline financial processes, such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, and financial reporting, and provides real-time financial insights to support informed decision-making.

Overall, Dynamics 365 Finance provides comprehensive features that can benefit manufacturing businesses by improving production efficiency, optimizing inventory levels, reducing costs, and enhancing overall financial management.

Manufacturing Companies Already Using Dynamics 365

It’s always helpful to hear from other companies that have already experienced the benefits of using Microsoft Dynamics 365.

For example, one customer reported that they could streamline their production processes, which enabled them to increase their forecasting accuracy. They also saw a dramatic reduction in their inventory costs thanks to improved accuracy and automated system alerts.

Another customer reported a 50% increase in their productivity after implementing the software. With these results, it’s no wonder more manufacturing companies are turning to Microsoft Dynamics 365.

The platform also scored high ratings in user satisfaction surveys. According to Gartner, Microsoft Dynamics 365 has received 4.3 out of 5 stars based on customer reviews, with 89% of users saying they would recommend it to other businesses. Microsoft’s system also performs well when it comes to scalability and agility, with 87% of customers reporting that it can scale easily as their businesses grow.

Dynamics 365 Finance- Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Microsoft Dynamics 365 is the choice for manufacturers looking for a powerful, flexible, and user-friendly ERP system.

With its comprehensive suite of tools and seamless integration with other Microsoft applications, Dynamics 365 enables manufacturers to streamline their operations, optimize supply chain management, and gain deeper insights into business performance.

Our team of experts at XcelPros is committed to helping businesses like yours unlock the full potential of your project through customized implementation and ongoing support. By partnering with us, you can rest assured that your Dynamics 365 solution will be tailored to your specific needs and optimized for maximum performance.

So why wait?

Schedule a call today to learn more about how we can help you harness the power of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and take your manufacturing business to the next level.

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How Chemical Companies Benefit from Dynamics 365 Finance
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How Chemical Companies Benefit from Dynamics 365 Finance
How Chemical Companies Benefit from Dynamics 365 Finance 700 500 Xcelpros Team

Chemical companies always look for ways to optimize their operations and maximize profits. Today, one of the most effective ways to achieve these goals is by implementing a modern chemical ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 finance and operations (D365) software is part of an advanced, cloud-based platform that fits most chemical companies perfectly. This blog explores how most chemical companies benefit from Microsoft’s D365 for Finance.

According to a survey conducted by Forrester Consulting, chemical companies that have implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations have experienced a 20% improvement in operational efficiency, a 15% increase in customer satisfaction, and a 10% reduction in supply chain costs. This highlights the significant impact that Dynamics 365 is having on chemical companies and their ability to streamline operations, improve customer service, and reduce costs.

What is Microsoft Dynamics 365

Microsoft’s D365 is an industry-favorite, integrated ERP solution providing a wide range of business functionality for finance, operations, sales, customer service, manufacturing, supply chain management, project service automation, and more.

The Dynamics platform is designed for use in any business environment, whether a large enterprise, SMB, or hybrid-remote blend. The current version of D365 focuses on helping organizations streamline processes, increase productivity, and gain greater visibility into their operations.

With advanced AI/ ML (Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning)-powered analytics, deep integration, and cloud computing capabilities, D365 gives organizations real-time insights into their operations. The system also allows users to track and monitor performance, manage financials and accounts payable/receivable, and improve operational efficiency. Leveraging the power of the cloud and the efficiency of modern artificial intelligence (AI), D365 can help organizations reduce costs and create unmatched value across their enterprise.

How is D365 being used by chemical companies?

Today, Microsoft’s D365 is used by chemical companies to streamline every part of their operations. The platform has been refined over time to integrate seamlessly with existing business systems, making it easier for companies to take advantage of a growing list of powerful features quickly. D365 allows chemical companies to reduce costs and improve efficiency by automating key financial processes.

One of the biggest advantages for chemical companies after implementing Dynamics 365 is far better control over their inventory. With integrated inventory management functionality, these businesses can track their stock levels in real-time, allowing them to adjust their ordering and production schedules accordingly. This helps ensure that there are always enough materials to meet customer demands. In addition, integration with other systems gives businesses a more accurate view of their supply chain, enabling them to identify areas where they could save money or streamline processes.

Another major benefit of using Dynamics is better visibility into financial performance. With a clear, up-to-date picture of current financial health, businesses can make more informed decisions about optimizing their operations. This includes identifying cost savings opportunities, improving their cash flow, and gaining insights into areas marked for improvement.

Year after year, Microsoft D365 continues to prove itself as an invaluable tool for chemical companies. By helping businesses reduce costs, gain greater visibility into their operations, and more effectively manage their inventory, Dynamics 365 finance and operations software is helping these companies take their business to the next level.

What about the benefits?

Across the industry, we see an increasing chemical companies taking advantage of the powerful features included in Microsoft Dynamics 365 to optimize their business processes and operations.

This includes the ability to streamline operations with automated workflows, increase visibility and control with real-time data and analytics, and enhance customer service.

Figure 1:Benefits of Dynamics 365 Finance for Chemical Companies

Benefits of Dynamics 365 Finance for Chemical Companies

The ability to integrate D365 with other industry-specific solutions gives chemical companies more insight into their production and inventory management, along with their financials.

The ability to make more informed decisions helps these companies reduce their costs by reducing the number of materials that go unused, and through better planning of their production cycle. These companies end up improving their customer service with faster order processing, real-time tracking of orders, and automated notifications when an order is ready for delivery.

Overall, the use of D365 provides chemical companies with numerous benefits, from increased visibility and control over their operations to reduced costs and improved customer service. As the industry evolves, companies will continue to find new ways to capitalize on the features of D365 to stay competitive.

Schedule a call to Learn more about the Benefits of Dynamics 365 Finance for Chemical Companies

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What does the future hold?

Year after year, the future of D365 continues to look extremely promising. As the platform continues to evolve, chemical companies can leverage more advanced capabilities to streamline their operations further. This includes improved automation, data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence designed to help optimize processes and uncover deeper insights. Cloud-based functionality will continue to be a major component of this platform, enabling companies to access their data from any device, anywhere in the world.

In the coming years, we will see more organizations leveraging Dynamics 365 to achieve their business goals. These companies should consider investing in this technology sooner than later to remain competitive. With various options available, businesses of all sizes should be able to find a solution that meets their specific needs. Not sure where to start? This is where most businesses look to their trusted Microsoft Partner to help understand what products suit the needs of their business, both now and in the future.

User stories

User stories are a fantastic way to show how other companies achieved success with Microsoft’s finance and operations software. User stories highlight the versatility of D365 and its ability to support a wide range of business functions, from sales and marketing to finance and operations.

Whether you are considering implementing D365 for the first time or looking to expand your current platform use, user stories provide insights into how other businesses have successfully navigated the implementation process and used D365 to drive their desired outcome.

Chemical Manufacturing

A well-known chemical manufacturing company produces and supplies various products to customers worldwide. As part of their mission to be more competitive and stay ahead of the industry curve, they decided to invest in Microsoft Dynamics 365.

The cloud-based solution allowed the company to quickly get up and running without needing a lengthy on-premises installation. The system immediately provided the company with real-time visibility into its financial performance and a comprehensive overview of its operations. As a bonus, the company could access data securely and easily connect to its existing systems.

After implementing D365, the company quickly realized increased efficiency, transparency, and accuracy across its financial and operational processes. The platform has enabled the company to streamline its supply chain, reduce inventory costs, and improve customer service by providing an accurate view of its inventory levels. They also found themselves better positioned to manage their production and procurement processes, allowing them to respond quickly to customer demands.

Conclusion

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance is becoming invaluable for chemical companies looking to streamline their processes, increase efficiencies, and save time and money.

With robust capabilities and flexibility, D365 can provide the support needed to make more informed decisions and the ability to automate many complex manual tasks. The result is a more organized and efficient organization better equipped to serve customers and grow.

Deciding to go with Microsoft D365 allows chemical companies to benefit from streamlined processes, improved accuracy, increased visibility into their financial operations, and better customer service. In addition, they’ll have access to powerful insights that help them make better decisions leading to growth and success.

With Microsoft Dynamics 365, chemical companies can be assured that they are making the most of their resources and maximizing their growth potential. Not sure where to get started? Work with your partner to ensure you’re both on the same page. Need a push in the right direction? Our team is waiting to answer your questions. Get ahold of us today!

The Road to Success Implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365
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The Road to Success: Implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365
The Road to Success: Implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 700 500 Xcelpros Team

In chemical manufacturing, the efficacy of a corporate enterprise resource planning (ERP) framework is one of the most important things businesses focus on. Does your current ERP allow you to effectively manage your operations without needing complicated 3rd-party software? These types of integrations will always be seen as weak links.

This is an area where Microsoft Dynamics 365 shines. With a growing list of robust capacities and functions, D365 gives businesses a clear path to upgrade operational processes, elevate efficiency, and stimulate development.

The first step to ensuring successful implementation is developing an appropriate approach and plan.

In this article, we will detail key reflections and leading approaches to ensuring Microsoft Dynamics 365 works as intended.

Research done by TechValidate revealed that 86% of corporations that used Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O saw an enhancement in accuracy and completeness of their data. (Source: TechValidate)

Figure 1:Implementing D365 – The Road to Success

Implementing D365 - The Road to Success

Set attainable goals

Establishing realistic business goals is a major step to successfully deploying D365. These goals serve as a fundamental basis to ensure the software’s implementation is specifically tailored to the company’s distinct requirements and needs, thereby enabling the accomplishment of desired results.

To start, any KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and essential processes for success need to be identified and ordered by priority. Once these objectives have been determined, the appropriate Microsoft Dynamics 365 modules and features that suit the business’s goals can be selected. This step calls for deciding which customizations and integrations are required.

A complete understanding of the company’s objectives and requirements ahead of time makes it easier to determine appropriate timeline expectations and allocate resources accordingly. This lowers the possibility of any unforeseen issues occurring during the deployment process.

Develop a Comprehensive Implementation Plan

Getting Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations software up and running can be a complex mission for the uninitiated, with several moving parts that must all come together simultaneously. This includes setting up the modules and features of the software, data migration requirements, system integration, personalization, training, and more. To guarantee a successful implementation, you will want a detailed implementation plan outlining all process stages, timelines, roles, responsibilities, and key milestones.

Producing a detailed implementation plan helps recognize potential issues and hazards that could arise after the process starts. A proper plan helps lessen or prevent untimely postponements, allowing the project to progress as expected.

A thoughtfully drafted plan should lay out all stages of the implementation, including data migration, customization, training, and system testing, setting timelines for every stage of the process, and marking out the essential milestones to permit progress tracking. Assigning roles and responsibilities at every step guarantees resource ownership and effective use.

Choosing the Right Implementation Partner

Ensuring you work with an experienced implementation partner is another essential puzzle piece for a successful deployment of D365.

You want to work with a team that understands your sector, business needs and functional requirements. Your best option is working with Microsoft Partners, with appropriate technical expertise, understanding, and background in implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 for your unique business type.

A Solution Partner should be able to provide consistent support throughout the implementation. This can range from system configuration and data migration to training and various levels of post-implementation support. An experienced partner will provide important instructions and discernment, enabling you to make wise choices that match your corporate goals.

Develop a Strong Change Management Plan

The implementation of a new ERP system like Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a massive shift for any organization, with a resulting need a successful change management plan to guarantee a seamless transition.

A thorough change management strategy needs to focus on

  • Communication,
  • Education, and
  • Support needs.

A crucial part of handling the shift is communication; timely and open dialogue through the duration of the execution is essential. This can incorporate normal updates, feedback systems, and more opportunities to get input from personnel.

Proper instruction is another fundamental part of making sure employees are equipped with the required information and proficiency to work with the new system. Detailed instructions tailored to the demands of varied user groups – such as supervisors, end-users, and technical personnel – should be provided to each user as soon as possible.

Education should be addressed via several means, including classroom teaching, e-learning, and on-the-job aids.

Developing an effective change management plan that covers communication, education, and support requirements means there should be less resistance to change and helps guarantee your staff is prepared and capable of operating their new system.

Data Migration and Integration

The overall efficiency of D365 relies heavily on the accuracy and completeness of the data in the system. For this reason, some Partners consider it important to devise a separate plan just for data migration and integration tasks.

This plan should identify the necessary data to be migrated, focus on cleaning up any existing data issues, and map migrated data to the right fields of the new system.

This leads to better planning and execution of the integration processes, which includes specifying the systems to be connected, understanding the data flow and mapping, and putting protocols in place to handle data synchronization and transfer.

Performance Monitoring

Microsoft’s D365 Finance and Operations software is a long-term investment needing continuous maintenance to ensure ongoing success. As your business changes and grows, it’s good practice to monitor and assess your implementation to identify improvement areas diligently.

Keeping an eye on your data and KPIs lets you identify patterns, trends, and aberrations that signal regions that need enhancement. You can then address these matters and maximize your processes for more proficiency and success.

This can include frequent checks to guarantee that your new system operates in line with your goals and achieves your set KPIs. As the implementation progresses, you may want to modify your plan to incorporate new features, customizations, and integrations.

Monitoring your performance is just as important as ensuring your software has the most current updates and releases from Microsoft. Keeping your ERP up to date allows it to be validated and compliant.

Final Thoughts

Business success can be defined in several ways, such as achieving financial profitability, positively impacting society, establishing a strong brand reputation, or achieving personal fulfillment.

Regardless of the definition, success in any project can benefit things like job satisfaction, growth opportunities, increased revenue, and the ability to make a difference in the world.

A successful D365 implementation requires forethought, clear business objectives, and an action plan focusing on these objectives. This is where working with a knowledgeable implementation partner can make all the difference in the world, as their insight and knowledge become pivotal for achieving success. Just setting up an effective change management plan to manage data migration and integration and consistently reviewing and refining your implementation will guarantee success in the long term.

Not sure where to begin? Your partner can help you effectively plan and implement Dynamics to enhance your business operations to attain your goals—having trouble finding a partner that understands your needs? Our team can help you understand your options and ensure you are on the right path. Following the proper steps and being fully aware of the available features can help ensure a successful deployment of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and open the door to streamlined processes, boosted productivity, and high-octane growth.

Why wait? Schedule a demo call with our D365 experts today and get started on your own successful Dynamics 365 Implementation.

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Implement your ERP The Right Way to Boost your Company’s Efficiency
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Implement Your ERP The Right Way to Boost your Company’s Efficiency
Implement Your ERP The Right Way to Boost your Company’s Efficiency 700 500 Xcelpros Team

Running a business isn’t always easy, especially when there’s a lack of communication and no system in place to monitor data from your operations – problems all too common with legacy systems. The sooner businesses address these issues the better, and that means making sure whatever Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution you choose can support your business now, and in the future. Having the right solution in place will be the best way to ensure you’re able to keep meeting your goals.

Across industries, modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations have become increasingly common. According to Deloitte, nearly 53% of IT executives say that effective Cloud ERP implementation is their top priority. A recent report from Allied Market Research expects the global ERP market to reach $117.09 billion by the end of 2030.

In this post, we touch on the importance of implementing a modern ERP – like Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 products – correctly and what they bring to the table.

Properly Implementing a Modern ERP

It’s true that modern ERP solutions like Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management open businesses to more possibilities. Microsoft’s ERP solutions offer Direct integration to Office products, enhanced collaboration, advanced analytics designed to generate actionable insights and boost efficiency, and more.

Often forgotten, though, is making sure you can implement a chosen solution properly – and this means collaborating with a Partner that understands the needs of your industry.

Figure 1:Benefits of Working with an ERP Implementation Partner

Benefits of Working with an ERP Implementation Partner

Important benefits of working with an ERP implementation partner include:

Fully streamlined and automated processes

With older systems, manual task allocation, tracking, and monitoring are becoming tougher and tougher as the system generates more data for every transaction. As workflows become more complex, organizations have to make significant investments to keep them up to date.

Microsoft’s D365 can automate and standardize even the most complicated workflows for efficiency.

Reduced cost

According to Deloitte, as much as 22% of operational cost savings happen with Microsoft ERP implementations. This has both a direct and indirect impact on overheads.

With powerful automation features, you can streamline how you schedule your resources. Microsoft’s D365 can easily automate tasks like task allocation, traceability, and report creation. This automation results in fewer errors and a reduced need for human intervention. This reduces organisations’ need to invest in third-party monitoring and optimization solutions.

Centralized data

Older, legacy solutions with siloed applications greatly hinder modern performance. This leads to excessive back and forth to access the correct data. This can be tough for any team, with the lack of instantly accessible data hampering performance and the ability to make quick decisions.

Advanced ERPs like Microsoft Dynamics 365 give users immediate access to critical data without additional effort or wasted time. All critical data is available from one platform where your teams can access whatever they need.

Performance monitoring and Real-time collaboration

Continuously finding and resolving issues is a crucial part of organizational growth. Microsoft’s D365 provides an extensive 360-degree view of tasks and workflows, allowing organizations to generate reports with actionable insights easily.

Teams that stay connected remain result driven. A proper ERP implementation means everyone in your organization will have access to performance data in interactive reports that users can share with other stakeholders. Users can share data, discuss goals, plan strategies, and work more efficiently with other departments.

Improved flexibility

D365 allows businesses to adapt to any changes in market demand quickly. This includes updating workflows as needed, allowing them to scale as your business grows.

This highly depends on your partner’s understanding of your industry and how your software is set up.

Best practices, reducing failures

A report from Deloitte revealed that nearly 55-75% of all ERP implementation efforts fail, citing poor system selection, incompetent data migration, and lack of implementation best practices – all related to your implementation partner.

To reduce the chance of failure and increase the possibility for success in any ERP implementation means following best practices:

Identify your ERP implementation objectives

Before starting any ERP implementation project, it’s important to have a good understanding of the following:

  • Why do you need a new ERP? What is your proposed timeline?
  • Will your new ERP need additional customizations?
  • What functionality is critical to your business?
  • What kind of downtime can you afford?
  • What is the budget for your ERP implementation?

Selecting an ERP that aligns best with your goals

You wouldn’t wear dress shoes to a construction job, would you? The growing ERP market has different solutions, each with specific features. Make the wrong choice, and you could be stuck with that solution for years and years – this is where an experienced partner could guide you in the right direction.

For example, you may be leaning towards a lower-cost option, but is that solution scalable? Does it include access to everything you need, or will it require a significant customisation investment?

Microsoft has gone to lengths to ensure their Dynamics 365 ERP is a perfect fit for different enterprise types, combining CRM (Customer Relations Management), accounting, finances, marketing, planning, supply chain management, and more, unlike lesser ERPs.

Migrate data with utmost diligence

Lost, misplaced, or duplicated data is another major cause of failed ERP implementations. Even a single piece of critical data can lead to expensive fines, damage to a business’s reputation, or worse. This is why following best practices for migrating customer data is so important.

Data integrity should be at the top of the list in any ERP implementation.

Prioritize training

You may have worked with a certain ERP in the past, giving you a clear understanding of how it works – but not everyone has had the same experiences. This is precisely where Change Management comes in. Even if your chosen solution seems easy to use, your team must be comfortable with its capabilities. This means ensuring sufficient, ongoing training is part of the plan for any implementation.

If your users don’t receive the training necessary to complete their work in the new ERP system, you’ll never be able to achieve the results you’re after.

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot that goes into making sure your ERP implementation goes according to plan. Make the wrong choice, and your business will be stuck with inefficient or sub-par functionality that requires heavy customization or the added cost of third-party add-ons – an expensive decision.

The best way to ensure you make the best choice the first time around is teaming with a partner that’s been there before.

Experienced ERP partners will understand the best practices for your industry and which solutions make the most sense. They’ll work with you to optimize your ERP implementation according to your needs, giving you the best chance for success and long-term enjoyment of a scalable solution.

Schedule a Call today to see how we can help.

Advanced Analytics and Power BI in Chemical Manufacturing
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Advanced Analytics with Power BI in Chemical Manufacturing Industry
Advanced Analytics with Power BI in Chemical Manufacturing Industry 700 500 Xcelpros Team

Chemical manufacturing is a complex process with several different variables to consider at any given moment. Staying ahead of the competition today means using technology to help drive productivity and profitability.

Advanced analytics features in Power BI supply valuable insights into the substantial amounts of data that enable chemical manufacturers to make more informed decisions and optimize their operations.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how advanced analytics in Power BI can help chemical manufacturers drive productivity and profitability, including how data-driven decisions can be used to improve performance, reduce costs, and create more value for the business.

Power BI and the benefits of Advanced Analytics

In the chemical industry, data-driven decisions are necessary for businesses looking to maintain a certain level of efficiency and profitability. This means that organizations need access to reliable analytics and insights from their data to make strategic decisions that lead to better outcomes. Advanced analytics in Power BI are powerful tools that can help chemical companies maximize their productivity and profitability.

Advanced analytics solutions offer various features designed to help chemical companies find trends, uncover hidden patterns, and predict future events. Using the latest AI-based algorithms, these advanced analytics solutions can uncover insights that would otherwise be impossible to discover, resulting in improved decision-making and more efficient operations.

Power BI is an analytics tool that provides an interactive platform for visualizing and slicing data. Included features like charts, graphs, and dashboards allow users to easily explore and analyze data from anywhere, making it easy to gain a comprehensive understanding of their data and make more informed decisions.

Figure 1:Benefits of Advanced Analytics in Power BI

Benefits of Advanced Analytics in Power BI

Integrations

Power BI is a powerful business intelligence tool that can integrate with various systems, including enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), financials, and more. These integrations make connecting data across different platforms easier, ensuring that all stakeholders have access to the information they need to make decisions quickly and accurately.

For businesses in the chemical industry, Power BI integrations can be incredibly useful for businesses in the chemical industry. They allow companies to make better use of their data and get insights from multiple sources. An ERP integration can help track inventory and orders, while a CRM integration can offer information about customer preferences and buying habits. By connecting these different systems, businesses can better understand their market and customers.

In addition, Power BI integrations can be used to improve operational efficiency. By integrating various systems, such as enterprise asset management (EAM) and predictive maintenance systems, businesses can get real-time insights into their equipment’s performance. This can help them find potential problems before they become major issues and ensure that their operations run smoothly.

Overall, Power BI integrations can be invaluable for businesses in the chemical industry. By connecting multiple systems, they can gain better insights into their operations and customers, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. With Power BI, businesses can make better use of their data.

Automatic Reporting

Power BI supports automated reporting to help show trends and improve productivity. This automation allows companies to quickly find problems or opportunities within their processes and operations, which helps them make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.

With automated reporting capabilities, businesses in the chemical industry can save time by automating data collection and reporting processes. They can also receive help from the insights generated by this process, allowing them to make smarter decisions in less time. With accurate and up-to-date data, businesses can measure performance, compare trends, and optimize operations more effectively.

Overall, automatic reporting with Power BI helps businesses in the chemical industry achieve greater efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

Report Customization

Power BI gives businesses several ways to customize reports to meet the needs of any business, including those in the chemical industry. Businesses can quickly and easily customize their reports to streamline the entire process. This includes creating personalized visualizations, adjusting the format and layout of data, and adding new elements to existing reports.

Customized reports can give these businesses key data points to check progress, performance, and safety. Reports can be tailored to track specific aspects of a business’s operations and production, allowing for more efficient and effective decision-making. The customization process is highly intuitive and provides users with an interactive dashboard for creating and editing reports.

Overall, report customization provides businesses in the chemical industry with the tools they need to stay ahead of their competitors and maximize their value in the market. With custom reports, companies can easily identify trends and make better decisions faster, increasing productivity and profitability.

Simplified Collaboration

Power BI was designed from the start to promote collaboration and communication across teams in the chemical manufacturing industry, simplifying data sharing and streamlining how different departments and locations work together to achieve their objectives.

One of the main benefits of Power BI is that it helps users break down data silos. By allowing users to pull from multiple sources, such as cloud-based databases and on-premises sources, Power BI enables users to get a comprehensive view of their data. This helps decision-makers in the chemical manufacturing industry better understand the relationships between different pieces of data, which can then inform more informed decisions.

Power BI also makes it easier to access and share data with others within the organization. Through built-in visualizations, users can easily create a dashboard of all the data they need to review, making it easier to collaborate on data-driven decisions. Power BI also offers custom security settings, allowing users to control who can view, edit, and access the data. This ensures that sensitive data stays secure and private while allowing users to collaborate on projects.

Power BI’s collaborative features make it an invaluable tool for the chemical manufacturing industry. By eliminating data silos, users can access a single source of truth that can be shared with anyone in the organization. Additionally, its ability to restrict access to certain data and its customizable security settings help keep confidential information safe. Finally, its built-in visualizations help make it easier for everyone involved in a project to collaborate on data-driven decisions.

Predictive Maintenance, Throughput Analytics, and Maximizing Value

Chemical manufacturing is an incredibly complex industry with many operations and processes. Fortunately, advanced analytics and Power BI can help chemical producers make data-driven decisions and optimize their production, maintenance, and supply chain operations. Three advanced key analytics–based tools can help chemical producers improve their performance: predictive maintenance, throughput analytics, and maximizing Value.

Predictive maintenance is one of the most effective ways to ensure the best performance of chemical manufacturing assets. This tool uses machine learning algorithms to identify patterns in equipment behavior and predict potential failures before they occur. Predictive maintenance also helps to minimize downtime by enabling initiative-taking maintenance actions. This approach can increase operational efficiency and reduce costs associated with unexpected equipment breakdowns.

Throughput analytics are essential for optimizing production operations in chemical manufacturing. By analyzing production data, chemical producers can gain insights into their processes’ efficiency, find improvement opportunities, and reduce waste and inefficiency. Yield analytics can decide how effectively raw materials are being converted into finished products, while energy analytics helps producers identify areas of excessive energy consumption. Finally, throughput analytics enables chemical producers to optimize their production schedules by tracking the performance of each stage of the process.

Maximizing Value is important for enhancing the profitability of chemical producers’ supply chains. Power BI uses advanced tools to analyze customer data and uncover valuable insights that can be used to create new products and services that meet customer needs. Value maximization can also help chemical producers find opportunities to reduce costs in their supply chains by streamlining processes, finding more cost-effective sources of raw materials, and improving planning operations.

Next Steps

As with any technology solution, getting the most out of Power BI for your chemical manufacturing business requires a solid implementation plan. To ensure success, best practices for implementing Power BI at a chemical company should include these steps:

  • Gathering requirements from key stakeholders to find specific data needs and business goals.
  • Designing an analytics solution tailored to the organization’s unique business and data environment.
  • Developing an end-user interface that is intuitive and easy to use.
  • Training users on how to get the most out of their Power BI data.
  • Testing and refining the system to ensure it meets the needs of all stakeholders.

If you are ready to take the next step in using advanced analytics and Power BI to improve productivity and profitability in your chemical manufacturing business, contact us to learn more.

Schedule a call, our experienced team can help you design, implement, and support a custom solution tailored to your requirements. With the right analytics solutions, you can drive performance while getting the insights you need to stay competitive in today’s changing markets.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for SMBs Is it the right ERP for you?
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Why SMBs should consider Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central?
Why SMBs should consider Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central? 700 500 Xcelpros Team

Introduction

Every business needs a reliable way to effectively manage its operations to remain profitable and grow over time, regardless of the industry. While large organizations have the resources to invest in dedicated solutions that help them keep track of their processes, small businesses often work with many different programs to get everything they need out of one platform.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers small businesses the flexibility and ease-of-use of an all-in-one solution that caters to many departments in their organization, including sales, finance, project management, human resources, service desk and more.

What is it? Why should SMBs consider using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Master planning, or master scheduling, is the formal process of creating a set of goals and strategies for an organization to achieve its vision. Master Planning is an essential business management practice used by many companies to maintain control and strategic direction.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a complete business management software solution that can replace traditional desktop applications, making MD365 Business Central an effective alternative to other enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions.

Dynamics 365 Business Central includes analytics and business intelligence tools to let small businesses better understand how their business is performing and what areas could use improvement. This Microsoft software offers every business owner everything they need to run their firm efficiently, such as sales force automation (SFA), financials, customer relationship management (CRM), project management and human capital management.

Essentially, MD365 Business Central is designed to be a comprehensive system that provides its users with real-time information from all aspects of their business. MD365 Business Central was built as an easy-to-use business management solution so that small businesses can make better decisions and improve their daily operations.

The intuitive design of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central means anyone can quickly learn how to use it, reducing training costs and improving employee productivity.

One of the main reasons that small businesses should consider using MD365 Business Central is because it’s a complete business management solution that doesn’t require additional software. This makes MD365 Business Central an increasingly attractive option because its users don’t have to spend money on extra software licenses or pay hefty implementation fees.

Critical Features for Today’s Modern SMBs

Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Business Central product is aimed squarely at mid-market businesses or SMBs. Some key features include a user-friendly interface and customizable dashboards that allow business owners to easily track their progress toward goals and monitor metrics such as sales performance, inventory levels and more.

The solution also offers financial management tools that includes a budgeting feature that helps businesses manage their cash flow by forecasting future expenses against projected revenues. Small businesses can take advantage of plenty of other benefits with Business Central, but they may be hard to see if you’re not familiar with how solutions like these work.

For example, using Business Central allows companies to quickly react to changing market conditions without making costly changes on an ongoing basis. This agility gives them a leg up over competitors who can’t move as quickly. It’s no wonder why Business Central is one of Microsoft’s fastest-growing business solutions.

This solution has been built with today’s businesses in mind, offering tools that make life easier and more productive than ever before. For example, small business owners can now complete payroll and HR management tasks through their mobile devices, allowing them to work when they want and where they want.

Microsoft Dynamics solutions have been built with today’s businesses in mind, offering tools that make life easier and more productive than ever before. When a business is just starting, there’s no need to spend thousands of dollars on the software they don’t need or have time to learn how to use. Business owners can now cover all of their basic accounting needs with Business Central at a fraction of what similar solutions cost just a few years ago.

Business owners also have access to an online community where they can ask questions, share ideas and connect with others working in similar industries—all without leaving their desktops or mobile devices.

Is Business Central right for you

Business Central is designed to be customized for each industry. Some industries have pre-built templates that are offered out of box, but other industries will need a custom solution that is tailored specifically to their business needs. For example, a family-owned construction company will have very different requirements from an S corporation than a fully distributed software development firm working out of cubicles in 3 different countries. Business Central is extremely customizable for every industry.

Microsoft continues to partner with top industry leaders in every sector including retail, healthcare, government and more to provide a customized experience in every iteration.

Common Considerations

Business owners need to be aware of the various business solutions available. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a suitable ERP solution that businesses can consider, especially if they are small businesses or startups.

There are several advantages with Dynamics 365 Business Central, including its many CRM options. SMBs need to consider these options and the other available solutions before choosing Dynamics 365 Business Central. In addition, they also need to ensure they choose the right level of customization to suit their company’s needs and ensure it is set up correctly before using it.

If your business is considering moving to MD365 Business Central from another software, then you should think about what’s important to your business and how you want your business run. You should compare and contrast each option based on functionality, cost, time frame for implementation, integration possibilities (especially with other systems), etc.

SMBs can use an assessment tool like Microsoft Power Platform to find out which features in Dynamics 365 Business Central might benefit their business. They also need to look at their specific needs before choosing a solution because they will get precisely what they pay for in terms of customizations, number of users and more.

Let’s take a look at why SMBs should use MD365 Business Central in more detail.

Let’s have a look

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a good choice for SMBs because of its affordable pricing, ready-to-use business apps, and flexible deployment options. So much of small business success is about customization and Microsoft knows that.

Whether you want to add just a couple of new business processes or implement a complete digital transformation plan, Microsoft Dynamics 365 can help your business stay competitive with powerful functionalities designed for small businesses.

Microsoft has been an innovator in what’s now known as business process management—helping businesses succeed by streamlining their operations into repeatable workflows—for more than 25 years. Now, with MD365 Business Central, even small businesses can access previously reserved technology for Fortune 500 companies.

Also Read:

Dynamics 365 Business Central vs Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations: Comparison

References: Connect operations across your small or medium-sized business

Customizations and Configurations in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP
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Customizing Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP
Customizing Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP 700 500 Xcelpros Team

Intro to ERP Customizations

You have your eyes set on an Enterprise Resource Planning solution and want to jump into the implementation phase without delay, but do you know what will be necessary to make that happen? Dynamics 365 customizations can help ensure your ERP solution meets your needs precisely and enables you to get the most value out of your investment in the software.

Here are some standard customizations to consider when implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance or Supply Chain Management Enterprise Resource Planning solutions. What are common customizations? Why do companies customize their ERP implementation?

Should you customize your ERP?

While customization is technically possible with any enterprise software, it’s best to customize what you need. That’s because each customization is an additional layer of work that can cause things to go awry down the road. This doesn’t mean your new ERP will run without a hitch—but it should mean fewer and less problematic hiccups in implementation and usage over time.

If you are considering customizing, consider some important questions first: Will your customizations be well-supported by your vendor? What kinds of training do they offer? Are there customizable modules available for what you want to do? Should you customize you ERP?

You may have good reason to customize if one of your goals is streamlining business processes or integrating disparate data sources. It all depends on what you’re trying to accomplish and how far along you are in your overall project lifecycle.

In general, though, you don’t rush into customization just yet. Plan out how it’ll fit into your end goals before diving into development or taking on a project manager.

Start exploring ERP customization options

Microsoft recommends that the best approach to understanding what customizations exist for Microsoft Dynamics 365 is to begin by creating a customization request on the Dynamics Marketplace. The Dynamics Marketplace offers organizations pre-built or partially built business solutions, known as applications for Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations. Microsoft applications on the marketplace allow organizations to quickly get started with an out-of-the-box solution that can be customized to meet their specific business needs. They also offer organizations a way to familiarize themselves with how other customers have customized and extended Microsoft’s standard applications.

These samples can provide a good starting point, making it easier for new customers to identify opportunities to extend the capabilities of their implementations. For example, if you want to know how your customer could extend Microsoft’s standard application functionality, start with their existing sample apps. If you’re going to learn how they could leverage PowerApps or Flow to create more dynamic forms in real-time using the line of business data, check out sample apps developed by partners. When exploring these samples, remember that they may not fit your specific requirements but are valuable sources of information about additional functionality available from third parties that can augment your implementation project.

Microsoft D365 customization and configuration examples

An excellent example of ERP customization is the configuration of Microsoft D365 Finance or Supply Chain Management (SCM) so that only particular users can access everything in your system. In contrast, other users only see their specific parts. You can even create a separate security model for internal versus external use. This granular configuration means you’re not dealing with dozens of different user interfaces—you have one. Still, depending on your level of access, you see only specific tabs, pages, and menus. Since everyone sees what they need to know, it’s easier for everyone to work together.

Learn more about Customizing and Configuring Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP.

Let’s start

Some of the more common examples of D365 customization include:

Adding more functional modules

Dynamics 365 comprises numerous modules, each with its specific function. Organizations can easily offer users significantly increased functionality by allowing them access to different modules simultaneously.

Adding additional Fields

Often, based on the specific data your organization needs to collect, more than standard forms within D365 may be required. For this reason, Microsoft added the ability for Sysadmins and Power Users to include custom fields through the workspace personalization options. These supported field types are the easiest way to allow users to track additional data and can consist of, Text, Numbers, Decimals, Date/ Time, Date, Picklist, and Checkboxes.

Customizing workspaces

Users also can create their workspace with different functionality than out-of-the-box modules. Users can add Live tiles, Lists, Power BI tiles, and Links. This can result in a very focused workspace that lets users complete their job more efficiently.

Adding custom reports

Creating custom reports saves companies significant money during an implementation project. Microsoft’s D365 gives users several different ways to create custom reports. This includes simple Filtered views that can be exported to Microsoft Excel, the Report Wizard that asks the users simple questions before generating a statement, and SSRS for creating more complex reports.

Microsoft’s AppSource

Microsoft’s AppSource allows you to explore and try approved D365 extensions designed to add specific functionality or seamlessly tie in other third-party software solutions your business requires.

Custom solutions

Even in the same industry, business models can vary wildly from one company to another – For requirements that can’t be met by existing solutions available in Microsoft’s AppSource, customers can work directly with partners that have experience developing complex business solutions.

Self-service functionality

Companies can take advantage of increasingly valuable tools like Microsoft Flow, and the Microsoft Power Platform to help develop one-of-a-kind processes and integrations for whatever solution needs it most. These tools are some of the best ways to make your solution fit your specific requirements.

Final Thoughts on D365 Customization

Should you customize ERP? Yes. Of course, you should. Because the real question is, what customizations do you need to make your solution work best for your organization? Organizations that choose to implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 often know they will need to customize the software, but don’t always have a clear idea of how to approach it—they want to maintain standard functionality and ensure their data remains accurate as possible. The best way to go about customization is to understand why organizations are customizing in the first place.

While ERP comes with a lot of built-in functionality, that’s not to say you shouldn’t consider customizing it to fit your organization. ERP implementations are rarely perfect and require various organisational modifications to function correctly and integrate seamlessly. You might customize for various reasons—for example, if you’re using multiple ERP solutions or have different business units with unique needs—but one thing is for sure: customizing your implementation can save you time and money.

Whether you’re dealing with manufacturing companies, retailers, wholesalers or logistics companies, there are sure to be some everyday things to consider when customizing your new software implementation.

Reasons to choose Microsoft dynamics business banner
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Microsoft Dynamics 365: Features and Benefits
Microsoft Dynamics 365: Features and Benefits 1400 1000 Xcelpros Team

Introduction to Dynamics 365

Cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software continues to shine as more companies focus on moving away from archaic legacy solutions. Modern replacements can do more now than ever thought possible, including processing much more complicated tasks to fill current needs and requirements.

With ERP solutions becoming increasingly important to properly running a modern business, choosing the right one is a big deal. Once things like budget, time-frame, and availability are addressed – the final decision is often a compromise based on the needs of different departments like; Sales and Marketing, Operations, Customer Support, Financial Management, and more.

One of the best comprehensive solutions available is Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 line of products – designed as all-in-one enterprise resource planning solutions that help businesses stay competitive.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is being used in more than 150 countries worldwide, with millions of customers, so it just might be worth understanding just how this popular solution benefits businesses.

Sales and marketing

While most departments stand to benefit from Microsoft Dynamics 365, sales and marketing departments will find many of its tools especially helpful. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement helps enterprises manage all kinds of professional activities – like marketing, sales, service delivery, and more – under one roof. For example, its native capabilities for data capture and customer relationship management help salespeople move more smoothly through every part of their day.

Regarding marketing campaigns, Dynamics 365 can automate much of a campaign’s launch so marketers can focus on other tasks that require more time and attention. It also enables cloud deployments by default which guarantees high levels of agility and flexibility without making existing investments obsolete.

Operations and customer support

Operations departments will benefit greatly from Microsoft Dynamics 365’s ability to integrate with CRM and other back-office applications. User management, reporting, and information sharing become much easier when all these different systems are operating on one platform.

Customer support teams can use online chat or emails to collect feedback from customers who contact them. Microsoft Dynamics 365 helps sales teams stay organized by setting up follow-up reminders, so they don’t forget about clients after an initial meeting.

Financial management and regulations

Microsoft Dynamics 365 provides financial departments with a single source of real-time data to manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, and more. Financial departments are often under immense pressure to deliver accurate numbers as fast as possible to management and stakeholders.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 will cut down on accounting errors by providing accurate data that is easy to access. This should make it easier for CFOs and auditors to find insights into improving business processes.

It’s also designed to meet compliance regulations such as Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), etc. These regulations require companies across all industries to take steps to protect information held or transmitted on their systems against unauthorized access or disclosure.

This is an area where the functionality in Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 products is invaluable.

Business Intelligence

Monitoring critical KPIs along with real-time operational data can be the difference between succeeding and simply operating. Every company needs a way to track this information, allowing them to react to any scenario. The Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Intelligence (BI) solution is designed to help analyze and monitor data from multiple sources and deliver information that can be used to make strategic decisions.

Business Intelligence departments choose Microsoft Dynamics 365 because of its ability to integrate with other Microsoft products. Another reason departments choose one software or another is the cost, and D365 has proven cost-effective and able to increase revenue through increased operational efficiency. Microsoft’s solution offers real-time insight into how a company is performing while providing a single source of information that can be accessed quickly and easily at any time. This enables a company to adapt its sales, marketing, and procurement strategies more quicker, giving them an edge over the competition.

Project Management

Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers project management departments their own robust tools to help manage and streamline their projects. These tools include time reporting, Gantt charts, and more advanced features like project prioritization and resource management. As soon as they launch Microsoft Dynamics 365’s streamlined Project Management module, users see how easier it is to organize tasks, track time on certain charges, and manage overall progress.

Also, with full integration into other modules within Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), it becomes possible to seamlessly pull data from all parts of an organization into one central location, giving managers better insight into data across divisions without having to search for information or sift through emails manually.

In addition, Microsoft’s D365 Project Management can help alleviate an often overlooked problem in small businesses: meeting basic compliance requirements.

Let’s discuss the best offerings from Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP for your business needs today-

Schedule Call

Final Thoughts on Dynamics 365

Regardless of the industry, implementing an ERP today is a big step. Pick the wrong ERP or fumble the implementation and risk significantly disrupting your operations. Microsoft’s devotion and investments into their Dynamics 365 products have topped millions in order to create systems that balance both functionality and affordability.

Because Microsoft Dynamics 365 is so affordable and user-friendly, it’s no wonder that businesses from all sectors choose Dynamics 365 as their system of record. Dynamics 365 has been adopted by over 1 million users worldwide since it was launched in 2016. To this point, Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 system is primed to continue as a leader going forward. It’s easy to get started with Microsoft Dynamics 365 today:

Managing Production Resources With MRP and ERP
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Managing Production Resources With MRP and ERP
Managing Production Resources With MRP and ERP 700 500 Xcelpros Team

At a Glance

Materials requirements planning requires:

  • Inventory control
  • Master production schedules
  • Sales forecasts

The most accurate MRP also includes communications with departments outside of production, keeping everyone aware of what’s going on

Introduction

An ERP (enterprise resource planning software) with an integrated MRP (materials requirement planning component) is a great way to boost production by ensuring materials arrive when the machines and manpower are available to use them.

Today’s top enterprise resource planning (ERP) software packages all include some form of MRP. These solutions helps the entire company, not just production, find ways to improve performance and boost profits.

Advantages of MRPs

Where MRPs shine is their ability to plan, schedule and control materials and their requirements, especially when managing inventory.

“The primary function of an MRP system is maintaining the right quantities of inventory. Inventory management includes what material is required, when it is needed and in what numbers,” one post states.

MRP’s are also great at helping production plants reduce human errors and working times by proactively planning ahead of schedule. For example, understanding what materials are needed and when, manufacturers are much less likely to run out of important ingredients.

Other materials requirement planning benefits of MRP software include:

  • Simplified work scheduling and distribution
  • Materials requirement forecasting, helping you determine what you will need and when
  • Typically lower complexity than an ERP that may include finance and marketing functions

Effective material requirements planning has three main components:

  • A master production schedule
  • Sales forecasting
  • Managing inventory

The first of these is the Master Production Schedule (MPS).

Master Production Schedules

“A Master Production Schedule (MPS) is the part of production planning that outlines which products need to be manufactured, in which quantity, and when,” a manufacturing blog states.

Figure: 1Key Benefits of Using an MPS

Key benefits of using an MPS

Key benefits of using an MPS includes gathering all information required for:

  • Building, improving and tracking sales forecasts
  • Determining desired inventory levels
  • Calculating required raw materials purchases to meet production requirements
  • Determining the labor mix of people and schedules
  • Balancing plant capacity with actual load

Schedule a call to know more about managing production resources with MRP and ERP.

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Providing this information requires a certain amount of information. To work effectively, an MPS requires six essential inputs:

  1. 1.Starting inventory: What is available right now?
  2. 2.Sales forecast: What do you expect to sell this period?
  3. 3.Current orders: How many orders are in the production pipeline?
  4. 4.Required products: How many of which products need to be produced to balance supply and demand?
  5. 5.Safety stock: What quantity of raw materials and subassemblies must be on hand to deal with spikes in demand?
  6. 6.Production capacity: How many products can your equipment and staff produce when everything is running smoothly?

Having all of this information lets an MPS help you determine your rough-cut capacity. This involves knowing how much time it takes to produce each product and your total productive hours. (When used with a modular ERP, you can also learn what causes bottlenecks and find ways to boost the time machines and people are manufacturing products.) Another MPS function is considering batch sizes in production runs. The total production run should be a multiplier of your batches.

With all of your data in place, an MPS lets you simulate planned purchasing and production. Working with other MRP components, you can create an inventory plan for each selected MPS. You’ll know exactly what you need to build the products.

Like every business though, it’s impossible for an MPS to function in a vacuum. A key part of the MPS is also required for your MRP: your sales demand forecast.

Sales Forecasting in MRP

Sales forecasting, also known as demand forecasting,works to anticipate customer behavior using historical data and other information. Accurate sales forecasts are important to production because they help in multiple ways:

  • Planning budgets and negotiate supplier contracts
  • Planning and track inventory, reducing the time between raw materials coming in and finished products going out (i.e., the turn rate)
  • Identifying production bottlenecks while letting managers make crucial decisions on tradeoffs

Demand forecasting works with MRP to determine material availability for potential sales. The BOM in turn determines the quantities of each raw material required to produce the final products. Using demand forecasting, an MRP can ensure that supply chain, production plan and expected demand match. You have what you need to keep your customers happy without overspending on inventory or missing crucial parts.

Demand forecasting also helps in supply chain management by planning production activities around expected delivery dates for each component. Instead of tying up all production resources to make everything at once, components can be produced when the raw materials arrive. The result is fewer bottlenecks caused by multiple processes requiring the same machines or people at the same time.

“Demand forecasting is a useful tool that can help businesses attain optimal inventory levels, efficient purchasing practices, and overall better supply chain management capabilities.

“When used in conjunction with MRP software, it can improve the efficiency and cash flow of your business by providing the necessary functions to utilize the data and use it to plan production better,” as mentioned in a previous post.

Effective materials resource planning requires access to sales demand forecasts, current and anticipated inventories plus a thorough knowledge of the production environment. The question is: Do you want to have different programs from several companies providing this information?

In this case, an ERP with MRP functions has some advantages over a less expensive stand-alone product.

Advantages of Using an ERP system for Production Planning

Previously mentioned, “An ERP in production planning keeps updating the status of materials in real-time and reorders them automatically when the stock needs replenishment. These systems also use a Just-In-Time scheduling strategy to further reduce the need for holding large quantities of work-in-process items.”

The inventory control system in a modular ERP also has the ability to automate inventory tracking by creating barcode and QR code labels. These can be attached to everything from individual items to pallet loads, and then scanned electronically. The result is an accurate inventory of raw materials. Knowing what you need improves your ability to meet customer orders on time, boosting customer satisfaction.

A modular ERP such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 can provide managers with a top-down view of a manufacturer’s operation. Unlike an MRP focusing solely on production, enterprise resource planning software can monitor more than just production status in real-time.

Key benefits of using an ERP with an MRP module include:

  • Improved customer service by ensuring timely product delivery without sacrificing quality.
  • Smoother workflows by automating repetitive tasks in areas beyond the production floor such as the warehouse and order management.
  • Enhanced inventory control based on real-time access to information such as shipping schedules, sales orders, machine availability, staffing and key raw materials.
  • Equipment maintenance scheduling to ensure key machines are kept in good working order during planned downtimes, not crashing in the middle of a production run.
  • Better morale by reducing stress through enhanced coordination. One group is not left idle while waiting for another to finish.
  • Enhanced use of your workforce, maximizing people, not just machines.
  • Improved quality control by passing tests at production checkpoints.

The most important reason for using a modular ERP over a stand-alone MRP is communication: Data flows throughout the company. It’s not siloed in production, sales or inventory. Every department knows what is going on throughout the company.

For example, if a conflict or pandemic is identified near a key supplier, your supply chain management module can help locate a safer, more consistent supply. Knowing what products might be affected by materials shortages lets sales know what to push and what to back away from.

The Bottom Line

Effective resource planning in manufacturing is much more important than just assembling products. It means having plans that look at everything from the availability of the smallest components to ensuring key machines and staff are available at the right times. It also means having the money to stock up on materials when a shortage is expected. Balancing everything lets your company provide capital improvements without sacrificing quality or customer service.

Buying into MRP is no easy task; before diving in, take a close look at every ERP to ensure your company ends up with a system that can support your goals, now and in the future. What you need is a system like Microsoft’s Dynamics 365.

Also Read: Advantages of a Material Requirement Planning System (MRP) vs. Manual Planning

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