Microsoft Dynamics Cloud Computing is part of Microsoft’s strategy to up the stakes in the rapidly growing market for cloud-based ERP. Microsoft’s Dynamics GP 2013 and Dynamics NAV 2013 products can now be accessed for deployment on Azure service. The launch of the products has provided customers with another option for cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning services just like NetSuite and other similar products in the market. While the launch of the service may have been delayed, Microsoft wanted to make sure the applications ran smoothly on Azure before expanding the business.
Microsoft Dynamics Cloud Computing Guidelines
The Windows Azure team worked closely with the first ‘go-live’ partners and customers, as well as the other key stakeholders, to guide and develop tools so that deploying on Azure becomes a great experience. Since ERP applications act as the backbone of a business, Microsoft saw it wise to ensure that Azure was in a position to stably deliver Dynamics before it could be released into the market.
However, Microsoft does not directly sell Dynamics GP and Dynamics NAV as software-as-a-Service (SaaS), but through Microsoft partners from around the world. These partners tweak and extend Dynamics products for various customers across industries. The same is expected for Azure deployments.
Cloud-based CRM delivers full functionality but at a fraction of the cost. It also takes lesser time. If your organization is in dire need of expertise and resources to efficiently deploy and maintain software, then this product can serve your needs. The advantage of Microsoft Dynamics CRM is that the cloud option never locks you into the cloud or any specific cloud model. As soon as your needs change you can always take your data with you.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Deployments Options
1.Dynamics CRM Online –provided by Microsoft, this offering is public cloud subscription as a service (SaaS). This powerful option is flexible and suited for companies that required much less customizations or data, but need a more turn-key solution.
2. Private Cloud Dynamics CRM – provides a private cloud for Dynamics CRM, combining the great convenience of the cloud subscription (service model), with powerful unlimited customization and unique integration capabilities associated with the typical on-premise deployment. In addition, it also delivers a powerful, higher level of security best for organizations with restricted information.
Deciding Which Option is Best for You
Deciding which type of deployment is best for your organization can be a daunting task. Microsoft Dynamics Cloud Computing offers unlimited solution. You can have your CRM systems built for your company and deployed on your own terms, complete with personalization and integrations. With just a little guidance, you can choose whether the Dynamics CRM Online is best for you and your business. If you decide to use a third-party service with Dynamics CRM, you should choose one that will best serve your needs. The service should have:
- Single-tenant Configurations
- Highly-secure environments
- Customized Solutions
- Dedicated Resources
- Industry Expertise
- 99.99% up-time guarantee
Using Dynamics AX in the Cloud with a Third-Party Service
Microsoft’s ERP solution Dynamics AX has broad application across industry verticals, offering specialized solutions for Manufacturing, Public Sectors, Retail, and Services. Dynamics is so flexible that it can fit any organization (large or small) and continues to be a significant player in ‘two-tier’ Enterprise Resource Planning implementations. It is highly capable of working with geographically dispersed organizations to deliver superior functionality, making cloud deployment more compelling.
Microsoft Dynamics AX on Azure
End-to-end management services for Dynamics AX on Azure – with 99.99% uptime guarantee – at the application level is essential for smooth running of the service. This is where Service Level Agreement gets useful when dealing with third-party services.
Dynamics AX Cloud ERP and Agility
Dynamics AX, and ERP in general, is well known for agility. By placing your Dynamics application in the cloud, you can rapidly increase the agility of the ERP offering to customers and their businesses. Any business has a role: to delight customers. Therefore, taking advantage of cloud computing can help you grow your business.
For most companies, investing in Dynamics AX would have been quite restrictive 10 years ago, but cloud AX today offers more opportunity to harness the power of this flexible ERP system – thanks to the power of cloud computing. Equipping your customers with this powerful cloud Dynamics AX will reduce your overall cost, as it will be providing the service from the cloud.
What Value Does the Cloud Add to Dynamics AX?
The basic reason why organizations invest in an ERP system, such as Dynamics AX, is to derive value that the entire organization can benefit from. For instance, to improve how an organization manages its people, financials, production, processes, and even business intelligence.
As organizations grow more dispersed, and as the overall size and shape of a typical enterprise changes rapidly in a dynamic global economy, having an ERP solution in the cloud means that you can get to enjoy true flexibility.
Deliver ERP capability to everyone in your organization regardless of where they are and no matter the kind of gadget they may be using. This feature is more important in the industries that are served directly by the Microsoft Dynamics AX, such as retail and services, the public sector, manufacturing and distribution.
Microsoft Dynamics Partners in the business of selling Dynamics AX or any other ERP solution from Microsoft can easily sell cloud AX to help create a source of recurring revenue that can be lucrative for years to come.
Conclusion
Dynamics GP and Dynamics NAV customers who select the Azure option are hosted in a safe and secure virtual private cloud and on a virtual Machine (Windows Azure), with computer, Web, and mobile client access. You can now build your own demo environments and even customize them much faster than before. It can get a customer instance up and running in not time (within an hour).
The Azure option can help companies reduce their operational costs and boost their revenue. Azure-based deployment pricing is determined entirely by partners and customers. Apart from Dynamics AX, which is used by project based organizations, Microsoft’s other Dynamics product SL is the company’s high-end offering for large organizations. As Microsoft Dynamics Cloud Computing keeps growing, the next significant release of Dynamics AX is expected to receive the Azure treatment.