Microsoft has today raised the curtain on Dynamics 365, while also officially unveiling the AppSource enterprise focused app store. Dynamics 365 will arrive in the fall and will see Microsoft combine its current CRM and ERP cloud solutions into a single service.
The new service will feature purpose-built applications that will be designed to provide solutions for specific business functions. Microsoft announced Dynamics 365 today and said the apps will center on Sales, Field Service, Marketing, Financials, Project Service Automation, and Customer Service.
AppSource is a business-focused app store that was accidentally leaked by Microsoft last week before being removed. It was then re-uploaded, suggesting an official announcement was imminent. Microsoft confirmed the store today as a place for enterprises to find SaaS apps from Microsoft and its partners.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpq_Y9LuIB8
In the blog post, Redmond said AppSource currently houses over 200 apps, services, content packs, and add-ins, with more developer support to come. Here is the AppSource store.
“For ISVs, Microsoft AppSource is your destination to market line-of-business (LoB) SaaS apps to business users. Drive discoverability and usage of your apps within an existing global network of business customers through co-marketing opportunities, lead generation and the support of Microsoft’s worldwide ecosystem and sales force.”
However, Dynamics 365 was really the focus of Microsoft’s announcement today. The company says that customers will be able to use apps independently, so they can only pay for what they need. Dynamics 365 apps work together with built-in insights, predictive intelligence, and workflow optimization.
Microsoft also announced Power BI, Office 365, and Cortana Intelligence integration with Dynamics 365 apps.
“For example, Cortana Intelligence will enable cross-sell recommendations to help sales reps predict which products and services a customer will need. Access to IoT data inside Dynamics 365 for Field Service will enable preemptive action from field service agents by connecting asset monitoring and anomaly detection so they can take action before failures occur, avoiding costly customer service issues.”
