“What kind of cool opportunities are there in the research and education space and how can we leverage that technology?” These were the types of questions that educators at Northeastern University asked themselves when looking for solutions to provide unique, immersive experiences for their students. Education and experiential learning have seen incredible value in the development of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality technology and content, according to Statista.¹ Traditional, more passive learning methods are failing to meet the needs of modern education, and institutions like Northeastern University are rapidly exploring and adopting more innovative and impactful solutions.

Students need a tactile, active, and hands-on experience that helps them retain information longer and apply acquired knowledge in real-world situations, even while learning. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Guides and HoloLens 2 give professors and leaders in learning and development a game-changing approach to experiential and hands-on learning.

Move from traditional to experiential learning

The biotech department at Northeastern University knew it needed to expand its traditional learning model to provide students with more experiential learning opportunities. They discovered Microsoft’s mixed reality solutions and immediately saw the value of applying this technology to lectures, classroom training, and research.

The value of mixed reality became even more clear after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown university facilities and sent students home. Northeastern University started using mixed reality as part of their pandemic response, working to ensure students didn’t miss out on their education even while at home. Using Dynamics 365 Guides and HoloLens 2 the students at Northeastern University received an immersive learning experience despite the challenges of the coronavirus lockdown.

“The HoloLens really emphasized the power of visual learning in a specific space, but not actually having to be there.”Jared Auclair PhD, Director of Executive Training and Biotechnology Programs, Northeastern University

Reduce training time with Dynamics 365 Guides

Before Northeastern University introduced mixed reality to the training process, it took three hours for Dr. Auclair to teach a relatively simple technique inside the lab. Working closely with his students, Dr. Auclair often spent time in person to help them get it right. Now, using Dynamics 365 Guides, Northeastern University has cut training time by 83 percent. Students can now acquire the technique required in no more than 30 minutes and discovered a new-found independence.

“We can get them into HoloLens 2, and they can go through a program by themselves being guided by the guides. It’s a beauty of it that I don’t have to be there. And then, we can bring them in the lab and ensure they’ve been trained properlyI think Dynamics 365 Guides has the potential to be a game-changer in the training realm of biotech.”Jared Auclair PhD, Director of Executive Training and Biotechnology Programs, Northeastern University

Empower students to do more with mixed reality

In addition to reducing training time, mixed reality has freed up critical time for specialists who no longer need to be present during in-classroom training. They can spend this extra time giving feedback and preparing the student for more complex techniques. At Northeastern University, students using mixed reality can quickly apply their skills in the real world and appreciate the independence and flexibility this learning method provides, particularly during such an uncertain time.

“We’re excited about exploring the new possibilities of using this kind of technology for experiential learning in whatever kind of setting, given that this technology is now more widely available.”Nick Wilson, Associate Director, Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning Through Research, Northeastern University

Get started with Dynamics 365 Guides

• Take the next step by trying a 30-day free trial of Dynamics 365 Guides.
• Read how Dynamics 365 Guides is transforming remote nursing education at University of Michigan.
• Learn how MSR and Sheba Medical Center meet urgent staffing demands with HoloLens 2 and Dynamics 365 Guides.
• Discover how to navigate the skills gap with Dynamics 365 Guides.
• See how companies across industries are getting the most out of mixed reality.

1-“XR/AR/VR/MR technology investment directions worldwide 2016-2019″, Lionel Sujay Vailshery, March 16, 2021, Statista.

The post Northeastern University uses Dynamics 365 Guides mixed reality to deliver experiential learning appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

We have made the decision not to invest in transitioning the Russian payroll capabilities in Dynamics AX 2012 R3 over to Dynamics 365.

However, we’ll continue to support existing Russian payroll capabilities for organizations on an Enhancement Plan during the mainstream support and extended support through October 12, 2021 and January 10, 2023, respectively. For more information about Dynamics AX 2012 R3 lifecycle, read this article.

Although we do not recommend it, organizations can continue using Russian payroll capabilities with the knowledge that all regulatory updates and non-security hotfixes for Dynamics AX 2012 R3 will end on October 12, 2021, and security hotfixes will end on January 10, 2023.

Here are answers to some common questions for organizations impacted by this decision.

Why is support of Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Russian payroll capabilities not being continued in future releases?

Payroll is not included in the global strategic focus of the Dynamics 365 portfolio. Partners and ISVs are best positioned to provide payroll functionality that is compliant with local regulations and tax updates.

What Russian payroll solution is recommended when I move to Dynamics 365 Finance?

We recommend that organizations work with their implementation partner to determine the best local payroll solution based on their specific needs.

Does being active on a support or service plan ensure continued support for the Dynamics AX 2012 R3 solution?

Yes. Organizations active on an Enhancement Plan will receive mainstream support and extended support. The mainstream support for Dynamics AX 2012 R3 ends on October 12, 2021. Extended support for Dynamics AX 2012 R3 ends on January 10, 2023. For more information about Dynamics AX 2012 R3 lifecycle, read this article.

Can I continue to use the Russian payroll capabilities included in Dynamics AX 2012 R3?

Yes, but regulatory updates and non-security hotfixes for the Russian Payroll feature for Dynamics AX 2012 R3 will be discontinued on October 12, 2021.

Is support for Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Russian payroll capabilities being retired?

No. Dynamics AX 2021 R3 is included in mainstream support until October 12, 2021, which means Microsoft provides security hotfixes, non-security hotfixes, and regulatory updates. After the end of mainstream support, it will be included in extended support from October 13, 2021 to January 10, 2023. Microsoft will continue to provide security hotfixes only. There won’t be additional support for non-security hotfixes nor will there be regulatory updates. Dynamics AX 2012 R3 will be out-of-support starting on January 11, 2023. For more information about Dynamics AX 2012 R3 lifecycle, read this article.

Will the Russian payroll capabilities of Dynamics AX 2012 R3 be available in Dynamics 365 on-premises deployments?

Russian payroll capabilities of Dynamics AX 2012 R3 won’t be available in Dynamics 365 as a cloud service or for on-premises deployment. We suggest you work with your implementation partner to determine the best option for you.

What if I want to continue to use the Russian payroll capabilities after the end of the mainstream support for Dynamics AX 2012 R3?

Organizations using Russian payroll capabilities in AX 2012 R3 are welcome to use it after it is discontinued. However, we do not recommend doing this, as payroll regulations are continuously changing, and the existing product will not be compliant.

Will out-of-the-box integration be provided with any payroll solution for Russia, similar to integration with some US solutions, such as Ceridian or ADP?

Microsoft works with ISVs on enabling seamless integration with payroll providers for different geographies. Monitor Microsoft AppSource and other communication channels for alternative solutions.

Next steps

We recommend that you contact your implementation partner to determine the best payroll solution to meet your needs and build a plan to migrate to a new solution.

Send email to RUPayrollInquiry@microsoft.com with any questions about these changes. Find more information about the Russian payroll capabilities in the documentation.

The post Update for our customers using Russian payroll capabilities of Dynamics AX 2012 R3 appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Most companies use sales pipeline data to gauge a very generalized picture of future sales. But imagine if your company’s data was accurate enough to predict next month’s revenue within a few cents? If an organization can standardize on top-performing sales processes and establish an accurate, targeted picture of the customer, pipeline data becomes far more reliableand future sales become far more predictable.

Insurance brokerage and advisory company Willis Towers Watson (WTW) collected extensive sales data across systems within the organization, but they lacked a centralized system to view the collected data. The company adoptedMicrosoft Dynamics 365 Salesto capture data in a single system where they could extract insights to optimize sales practices and prioritize high-converting customers. By using insights to drive success into sales practices, WTW has increased the reliability of their sales pipeline, making future revenue far more predictable.

“In January, we ran our numbers based on prior performance and predicted almost to the penny what the number would be for new business going forward. Probably very few companies have been able to do something like that.”Luis Maurette, CRB Global Head of Sales and Client Management, WTW

Sales predictability can be increased when sales leaders have two key things:

1. An accurate picture of high-conversion customers: Seller conversion rate will increase and sales cycles will close faster if you can provide your sellers a picture of your highest-converting customers. With the right tools, customer profiles can easily be developed from the characteristics of existing customerssales intelligence you already have. According to LinkedIn, 74 percent of sales intelligence users said the tools are extremely critical or critical in closing deals.
2. Better, faster sales processes: According to McKinsey, sales performance management can drive up to a 10 to 20 percent increase in revenue per salesperson. That means if you leverage tools that help you identify sales best practices and standardize them across your company, your sales cadence becomes predictable.

Fast access to data, fewer systems to pull data from, and easy collaboration with teammates and stakeholders optimize processes, and in turn makes sales cycles faster.

Identify customers more accurately, win more customers

A better understanding of the customers leads to higher conversion rates. Marcelo Fama, Head of Latin America CRB Ops at WTW says that with the new capabilities offered by Dynamics 365 Sales and Microsoft Relationship Sales (which includes LinkedIn Sales Navigator), “We identify more opportunities sooner with the highly effective, automated triggers in the sales process that come with the platform.” At WTW, they are now able to target unique audiences because of data in Dynamics 365, and have accelerated the sales process because clients recognize right out of the gate that they understand their clients’ needs.

Increase speed and collaboration with Teams

When sellers can quickly access account managers and subject matter experts for quick information within the context of a deal, sales cycles close faster. WTW plans to leverage the integration of the One Microsoft platform to optimize their sales processes. With Microsoft Teams embedded in Dynamics 365 Sales, sellers can share and edit CRM records within the context of chats and channels, providing the seamless collaboration between segments and regions critical to closing deals. “We have aspirations to become even more connected as a company and to accelerate growth through standardized processes,” says Maurette.

Success depends on making it stick

Historically, the failure rate for large-scale change efforts like new customer relationship management (CRM) programs has been as high as 70 percent. WTW reversed this trend and within six months of rapid deployment, 90 percent of WTW sellers were up to speed and using the new tools to work faster and more efficiently.

“In my 18 years at WTW, I don’t think we ever expected staff to adopt anything at above 80 percent, let alone a sales platform. It’s just outstanding.”Jim Blaney, Head of Sales and Client Management, Corporate Risk and Broking, North America, WTW

By tapping into the true value of Dynamics 365 Sales, WTW makes more data-driven decisions with consistency across the company rather than decisions based on guesswork. And the company has a deeper understanding of its clients and can better create targeted campaigns and deliver relevant, personalized services.

Learn more about Dynamics 365 Sales

Want to learn more about Dynamics 365 Sales? Watch Dynamics 365 Sales demos or take the Activate Digital Selling guided tour to see how Dynamics 365 Sales can empower your sellers with actionable insights.

Read more about how Willis Towers Watson brought predictability to their pipeline.

We’re always looking for feedback and would like to hear from you. Please head to the Dynamics 365 Community to start a discussion, ask questions, and tell us what you think.

The post Bring predictability to your revenue pipeline with Dynamics 365 Sales appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

The past year has brought dramatic change to almost every facet of our lives. We have seen the same disruption play out across every industry, from retail to healthcare to financial services. Customer expectations are fundamentally altered, and it’s hard to imagine things going back to the way they once were.

As organizations work to stay relevant in this new world, they need digital solutions, with a strong software development strategy to meet the evolving needs of their customers. That means, they need developers.

But for developers, the way we have thought about development and product management has changed little in the past 50 years. Although we have moved from binary to assembly to third-generation languages, we have not seen a fundamental shift.

As organizations look for industry-specific digital solutions tailored for their space, developers need to increasingly shift their mindset from coding to composing clouds and components.

The post Build differentiated SaaS apps with Microsoft Industry Clouds appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Change is not always easy. Economic disruptions from COVID-19 have compelled most organizations to assess whether their legacy systems, processes, and infrastructure can provide the necessary agility to remain competitive. While shifting market conditions have accelerated cloud adoption, some are still weighing migration costs, complexities, and risks against the benefits. There are many reasons to migrate to the cloud, but not everyone is ready. That’s why Microsoft launched the Dynamics 365 Migration Community. Whether you’re unsure where to start, what next steps look like, or simply have questions, the Community has answers. Join the Dynamics 365 Migration Community for exclusive access to Microsoft resources that can accelerate your journey to Dynamics 365.

Connect to experience

Dynamics AX and Dynamics CRM customers face some important decisions on modernizing their current solutions. The Dynamics 365 Migration Community is dedicated to helping on-premises customers considering their move to the cloud. Microsoft brings together solution architects, migration partners, and financing experts to address concerns while connecting customers to the resources necessary to make informed, timely decisions. Just getting started? Community resources can help you build an individualized migration plan. Leverage the Dynamics 365 Migration Community to learn best practices, request a migration assessment, or ask questions in devoted product forums. Moving towards implementation? The Community has you covered. Understand the business value of migrating to the cloud, find a migration partner, or resolve licensing questions. Regardless of where you are in your journey, the Dynamics 365 Migration Community can help.

• Connect with technical experts, migration partners, and fellow customers
• Ask questions in devoted Dynamics AX and Dynamics CRM forums
• Gather insights and best practices from focused resources and content

The Dynamics 365 Migration Community centralizes our expertise and resources to address your biggest migration concerns.

Assess the value

With so much to considerknowing where and how to begin is not always clear. Microsoft established the Dynamics 365 Migration Program to simplify things. Start with a Standard Migration Assessment (SMA). This no-charge, no-obligation assessment helps customers understand the possible value and steps involved in moving to the cloud. Looking at both functional and technical processes, the SMA assesses potential benefits from new cloud capabilities and determines how to best leverage your code in Dynamics 365.

• Understand the benefits of moving from an on-premises solution to the cloud
• Tie identified business objectives to Dynamics 365 functionality
• Optimize your migration processes, reducing effort and cost

Understand the impact

When weighing cloud benefits, most organizations focus on the technical and often overlook the financial gains and business outcomes that result from the efficiencies the cloud can create. Microsoft Catalyst provides on-premises customers with a picture of the quantifiable economic benefits and value of migration. This is a great way for decision-makers to understand their total cost of ownership in the cloud compared to on-premises solutions. Migration value assessments from Microsoft Calayst use industry benchmarks, peer comparisons, and potential solution benefits to illustrate your possible efficiency gains in the cloud.

• Answer performance questions relative to peers
• Identify which KPIs are most valuable to your organization
• Leverage trends and process changes to find hidden opportunities
• Develop clear next steps to drive your migration to the cloud

Join the Dynamics 365 Migration Community

Have migration questions? No matter where you are in your migration journey, Microsoft has the resources to support you. Join the Dynamics 365 Migration Community today and get answers that advance your move to Dynamics 365.

The post 3 resources that advance your on-premises migration to Dynamics 365 appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Many of the forces driving rapid change in B2C commerce are now propelling transformation in the B2B space. Buyers of all types demand an easy, convenient online shopping experience, a requirement that has been accelerated by the pandemic and as Millennials take the decision-making reins.

Over time, the demand for an omnichannel, user-centric e-commerce experience will grow in every space, including B2B. The good news is that with B2B e-commerce for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce, we’re delivering the same integrated, secure, and seamless experience for B2B e-commerce as we do for B2C companies. Plus, businesses who compete in both spaces can use the same holistic commerce solution in both scenarios.

1. B2B buying is moving online

When examining how the pandemic has accelerated e-commerce, it’s clear that this rapid transformation has touched every industry, every sector, and every business type. Online shopping hit new records before the pandemic and surged more than 209 percent in April 2020 alone, according to ACI.

In the B2B arena, more buyers are shopping online than ever before, too. According to McKinsey & Company, just 20 percent of B2B buyers say they hope to return to in-person sales. This proves to be especially true in sectors where field-sales have long dominated, including pharma and medical products. And this shift is not just for small purchases. B2B consumers are making large purchases online. The same McKinsey & Company research found that 70 percent of B2B decision-makers are open to making remote or self-service purchases over $50,000, and 27 percent would spend more than $500,000.

According to Digital Commerce 360, US B2B e-commerce sales increased by 11.8 percent to $2.19 trillion in 2020, up from $1.3 trillion in 2019. This market is near double the opportunity as B2C e-commerce, which was $861.12 billion in 2020, according to Digital Commerce 360.

Kent Water Sports have been actively working with Microsoft to bring Dynamics 365 Commerce to both consumers and business partners to improve buying experiences.

“Our customers are thrilled to see inventory levels and receive automatic shipping notifications from our system now that we’ve added the Dynamics 365 B2B e-commerce capabilities. Altogether, it’s a much better experience for our B2B customers. Rhett Thompson: IT Corporate Director” – Kent Water Sports

2. Supply chain agility is a necessity

The pandemic has highlighted just how critical supply chain agility is, as demonstrated by the headline-making supply chain shocks. In addition to the toilet paper shortages in the pandemic’s early days, other supply chains, such as medical supplies, silicone chips, appliances, and even bicycles, have buckled. A year later, supply chains have still not fully recovered.

According to a November 2020 commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Microsoft, supply chain agility is one of the three major areas that retailers and consumer packaged goods companies are focused on as part of a successful digital commerce strategy. These businesses are addressing agility by increasing visibility throughout their product’s journey and embracing technologies such as machine learning and AI to drive automation. Companies must be able to connect supply chain technology with their digital commerce systems to gain access to real-time inventory visibility and leverage AI to optimize fulfillment and ensure inventory availability at the right time and place.

3. User experience is at the forefront

In recent years, consumers have come to expect certain conveniences when shopping online that improve their experiences. From depositing checks through a smartphone app to sending money instantly without a fee to grocery delivery, companies have increasingly made our lives easier through integrated technologies and a focus on the customer experience. When shopping online, B2C consumers have come to expect easy-to-use digital storefronts, customizable products, package tracking, and simplified checkout and payment options.

As Millennials become more senior in business, they’re questioning why B2B should be any different, citing a disconnect between an archaic spreadsheet-driven B2B buying experience and how they conduct their personal online activities. Back in 2017, Forrester already noted that Millennials have taken over B2B buying power, with 73 percent of Millennials involved in B2B purchasing decisions. A more recent study by Demand Gen found that 44 percent of Millennial respondents indicating they are a primary decision-maker at their company for purchases of $10,000 or more.

Creating a seamless customer experience is a must for all businesses. B2B e-commerce is no exception and companies like Britax Rmer have been working with Dynamics 365 Commerce to provide more robust experiences and discoverability for retailers and streamline the customer’s buying journey.

4. Personalization requires integration

Personalization is a growing trend in B2C retail that is making its way to the B2B commerce space, too. B2B buyers are sophisticated. They’re the tech-savvy Millennials and buyers of all ages who are used to seeing personalized recommendations, purchase history for easier reordering, chat options for instant customer service, and more.

Delivering this personalization requires a more integrated customer experience, from in-person to online and back again, which relies upon unified data and greater transparency. In a special blog series for retailers, we discussed how to achieve visibility through Dynamics 365 Commerce in part two of the series. The takeaways from this series can be applied to B2B, too.

Although e-commerce is booming, it’s expected that in-person shopping for both B2C and B2B customers will rebound. Before the pandemic, Capgemini Research Institute found that 59 percent of consumers worldwide had high levels of interaction with brick-and-mortar stores. As things return to the new normal, a lower number, 39 percent, expect a high level of interaction with physical stores. B2B retailers need to deliver seamless omnichannel experiences that tie together online and offline interactions.

5. Security, privacy, and fraud prevention are critical

In our Forrester study, security and privacy were highlighted as the third critical component for successful digital commerce, while expanding e-commerce widens the scope of risks. In addition to protecting customer data, businesses must protect themselves from both fraud and security breaches. According to Retail TouchPoints, online fraud losses reached $40 billion globally in 2018. The study also showed that 52 percent of retail and CPG decision-makers consider the increasing level of sophistication of online threats or attacks as a major security challenge for digital commerce.

A robust system is required for combating fraud, which is why we’ve made it easy to integrate Microsoft Dynamics 365 Fraud Protection into Dynamics 365 Commerce. It provides tools and capabilities to decrease fraud and abuse, reduce operational expenses, and increase acceptance rates while safeguarding user accounts.

How to get started with B2B e-commerce for Dynamics 365 Commerce

We’ve created B2B e-commerce for Dynamics 365 Commerce to help you streamline and simplify self-service buying for your B2B customers. It provides a unified omnichannel solution that can meet organizational needs for both B2C and B2B e-commerce in a single platform. It also helps companies provide more personalized e-commerce experiences while ramping up security, privacy, fraud prevention.

Learn more about B2B e-commerce for Dynamics 365 Commerce today or contact us to join a demo or to speak with a specialist about Dynamics 365 Commerce.

The post 5 trends transforming B2B buying and e-commerce appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.