Digital Advisor Navigates the Intersection of Business, Processes and Technology

Dynamics 365 is evolving rapidly, and many companies are in doubt about how to react. Columbus’s dedicated team gives them a helping hand.

Traditionally, a company’s ERP solution was like the engine of a container ship. Apart from regular lubrication and care, you left it alone. It would then run reliably for years. On the other hand, it was so costly, cumbersome and risky to implement major changes that most people preferred to postpone them for as long as possible.

But Dynamics 365 has shifted the business system into the cloud and Microsoft pushes out updates eight times a year. New functionality, bugfixes and security fixes are dumped at regular intervals without having to wait for them or even pay for special development.

“It’s a huge advantage for companies. There’s no question at all about that. But, on several points, the rapid evolution of Dynamics 365 challenges both classical ERP thinking and the company’s business development,” says Britt Munk-Madsen, Director of Solution Optimization at Columbus.

The challenge of maintaining an overview of the many options

So, if the business has any needs, there is virtually no reason to wait to implement them. The question is rather how to prioritise, so that the ERP system constantly plays a role when the business needs to be developed

For example, we no longer need to keep meticulous lists of wishes and needs and wait patiently for the next ERP project or re-implementation before we can change anything.

“For many companies, Dynamics 365 will probably be the last ERP solution they implement. So, if the business has any needs, there is virtually no reason to wait to implement them. The question is rather how to prioritise, so that the ERP system constantly plays a role when the business needs to be developed,” says Britt Munk-Madsen.

So you are now in a situation where it is no longer the platform that gets in the way of wishes and plans. Instead, the challenge is to gain an overview of all the options and learn how to make the best use of them.

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Need for deep insight and constantly updated knowledge

“We used to be locked in and restricted, but that is no longer the case – to put it mildly. It’s probably a bit like growing up in a deprived society and suddenly stepping into a huge supermarket with full shelves, where new goods are constantly being added,” says Britt Munk-Madsen.

I can well understand that our customers are in doubt about where to start first, and which measures will have the greatest positive effect for their particular business. That’s the kind of questions we help them find answers to.

To gain the necessary overview, you need in-depth insight into the architectural direction that Microsoft is taking with Dynamics 365. It also requires practical, up-to-date knowledge on how to take advantage of both existing and future features and technologies.

It was this that led to the formation of the Columbus Solution Optimisation department, which helps customers to gain an overview of the options so they can make the most of the constant development of Dynamics 365.

“I can well understand that our customers are in doubt about where to start first, and which measures will have the greatest positive effect for their particular business. That’s the kind of questions we help them find answers to. It’s all aimed at ensuring that the solution always supports their business,” says Britt Munk-Madsen.

Input for constant business development

So, Britt Munk-Madsen and Solution Optimisation are in ongoing discussion with companies about how to optimise processes and opportunities.

“It’s all about providing concrete, updated and relevant input for continuous development, and ensuring that customers capitalise on their ERP investment,” says Britt Munk-Madsen.

“But that’s easier said than done. Because, even though traditionally business systems have had a reputation (maybe partly deserved) for being a trifle static, there has been a huge amount of activity in recent years. In order to be able to provide expert advice, you need to be right in the middle of the intersection between business development, consulting, processes and technology. That’s incredibly exciting and professionally challenging,” she says.

Would you like to find out more? 

If you are interested in other aspects of everyday life at Dynamics 365, then we have collected a number of experts’ best advice on how to get your system in the best conditions after go live.