Advancing Microsoft 365: New capabilities and pricing update

Advancing Microsoft 365: New capabilities and pricing update

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

Today we are announcing expanded availability of AI, security, and management capabilities coming to Microsoft 365 offerings in 2026.

The post Advancing Microsoft 365: New capabilities and pricing update appeared first on Microsoft 365 Blog.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.

Advancing Microsoft 365: New capabilities and pricing update

Microsoft 365 Copilot Business: The future of work for small businesses

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

We’re excited to announce the general availability of Microsoft 365 Copilot Business—a comprehensive, full-featured AI solution built for SMBs.

The post Microsoft 365 Copilot Business: The future of work for small businesses appeared first on Microsoft 365 Blog.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 named a Leader in three Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ reports: Cloud ERP for Service-Centric Enterprises, Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises, and Cloud ERP Finance

Microsoft Dynamics 365 named a Leader in three Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ reports: Cloud ERP for Service-Centric Enterprises, Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises, and Cloud ERP Finance

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

In today’s economy, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have evolved far beyond traditional back-office functions. They are now strategic drivers of growth, agility, and resilience. Modern business leaders require ERP solutions that deliver more than transactional processing; they need intelligence, insights, and automation at scale. Selecting a platform with embedded AI today helps set your organization up for tomorrow’s competitive advantage.

We’re excited to announce Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a Leader in three Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ reports:

We believe the recognition of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Leader placement in all three Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ reports shows our commitment to delivering end-to-end coverage for modern organizations. Our expertise is especially critical as most businesses today need the flexibility to manage both products and services, backed by the trust and security of a robust financial backbone. With embedded AI capabilities at the core of Dynamics 365, enterprises can confidently unify operations, adapt to evolving market demands, and help ensure their financial systems are secure, scalable, and future-ready.

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Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Service-Centric Enterprises

The Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Service-Centric Enterprises as of September 2025
*This graphic was published by Gartner, Inc. as part of a larger research document and should be evaluated in the context of the entire document. The Gartner document is available upon request.

The ERP landscape is evolving rapidly. Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for service-centric enterprises predicts “by 2027, 62% of ERP application spending will include AI capabilities, a significant leap from just 14% in 2024.”1 Dynamics 365 is at the forefront of this transformation, helping businesses harness AI to drive efficiency, agility, and growth.

Dynamics 365 is a software as a service (SaaS) ERP, delivered from Microsoft Azure data centers worldwide. It combines natively developed ERP components with a robust partner ecosystem to deliver industry-specific functionality. Serving midsize to large service businesses across EMEA, the Americas, and APAC, Dynamics 365 is designed for scale and flexibility.

Our core competencies

  • AI-powered innovation: Embedded AI through Microsoft Copilot delivers actionable insights and automates finance, operations, and service processes. Tasks like account reconciliation and cash flow forecasting can become simpler and smarter.
  • Connected ecosystem: Smooth integration with Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Power Platform, and Azure enables unified data and workflows across the enterprise.
  • Industry-specific capabilities: Our partner ecosystem extends Dynamics 365’s functionality for specialized industries, supporting flexibility and scalability.

Key strengths driving leadership:

  • AI-powered capabilities: Advanced AI empowers organizations with actionable insights and automation to enhance critical business processes.
  • Integrated business management: Core financial and operational systems seamlessly connect with productivity and collaboration tools, enabling holistic visibility and informed decision-making.
  • Cloud platform advantage: Built-in integrations with enterprise-grade cloud services provide scalability, security, and a unified data foundation for innovation and growth.

Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises

The Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises in September 2025
*This graphic was published by Gartner, Inc. as part of a larger research document and should be evaluated in the context of the entire document. The Gartner document is available upon request.

Microsoft is also recognized as a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Supply Chain Management and Finance solutions, which in our opinion underscores our commitment to helping upper-midsize and large enterprises transform operations with intelligent, connected systems.

Dynamics 365 integrates with the broader Microsoft ecosystem. Azure provides scalability and security; Microsoft 365 enables collaboration, and Power BI delivers actionable insights. When data flows freely and tools work together, businesses can operate faster, smarter, and with greater confidence.

Key strengths

Three core strengths for driving enterprises success:

  • AI-powered automation: Advanced AI and Copilot technologies enable intelligent automation and empower organizations to create custom agents for streamlined and tailored workflows.
  • Unified cloud platform: Seamless integration across Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem delivers a secure, scalable, and unified foundation for business operations.
  • Global capabilities: Comprehensive localization and language support helps ensure Microsoft solutions meet the needs of organizations worldwide.

Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP Finance

The Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP Finance October 2025
*This graphic was published by Gartner, Inc. as part of a larger research document and should be evaluated in the context of the entire document. The Gartner document is available upon request.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance has been recognized as a Leader in the Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP Finance for its Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute. In an era where CFOs face mounting pressure to deliver agility, transparency, and predictive capabilities, Dynamics 365 Finance stands out as a transformative solution.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance is a robust platform designed for enterprises operating across multiple geographies. It offers extensive financial dimensions, user-defined tags, and a global chart of accounts, enabling organizations to manage complex, multi-entity environments in over 50 countries. These capabilities support compliance with diverse regulatory frameworks while maintaining operational efficiency.

One of the most innovative features is Microsoft Copilot Studio, which empowers users to build AI agents using natural language. This functionality allows finance teams to automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for strategic decision-making.

Key strengths driving leadership

  1. AI automation
    Microsoft Dynamics 365 leverages Copilot and embedded AI agents to deliver advanced automation across core business processes. These capabilities support predictive analytics, automated transaction processing, and real-time insights, empowering finance leaders to:
    • Enhance forecasting accuracy by analyzing both historical and live data.
    • Minimize manual reconciliations, freeing up valuable time.
    • Identify anomalies in transactions to help reduce compliance risks.
  2. Customer-driven innovation
    Microsoft’s product development is guided by direct customer feedback, gathered through surveys, advisory boards, and innovation hubs. This approach has resulted in:
    • Low-code automation tools that enable teams to build workflows without developer support.
    • Enhanced dispute resolution features, streamlining interactions between organizations and their customers.
    • Capabilities that optimize cash flow management, supporting business business resilience in dynamic markets.
  3. A global partner ecosystem
    Transformation is a collaborative journey. Microsoft’s extensive global partner network brings specialized expertise in cloud migration, industry-specific solutions, and deployment support. Whether operating in manufacturing, retail, or professional services, organizations benefit from:
    • Tailored implementations that help accelerate time-to-value and mitigate risk during transitions from legacy systems.
    • Co-development opportunities that foster innovation and deliver best-in-class solutions for unique business needs.

Why this matters for CFOs

The role of the CFO is evolving from financial steward to strategic advisor. Today’s finance leaders must deliver insights that drive growth, manage risk, and enable agility. Dynamics 365 equips CFOs with tools to:

  • Predict outcomes using AI-powered analytics.
  • Automate routine tasks, freeing resources for strategic initiatives.
  • Collaborate seamlessly across global teams through integrated workflows.

Looking ahead: The future of finance

As we approach 2026, the finance landscape will continue to shift toward intelligent automation and predictive capabilities. Microsoft’s vision for agentic AI promises a future where finance teams operate with unprecedented efficiency and foresight. From managing exceptions autonomously to delivering real-time scenario planning, these innovations will redefine what’s possible in enterprise finance.

Organizations that embrace these technologies today will be better positioned to navigate uncertainty, capitalize on opportunities, and maintain a competitive edge.

Your path to a smarter future

Microsoft Dynamics 365 exemplifies how technology empowers business leaders, including CFOs, operations executives, and IT strategists, to move beyond transactional processes and become architects of enterprise strategy. We believe being recognized as a Leader in three Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ reports: Cloud ERP for Service-Centric Enterprises, Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises, and Cloud ERP Finance, Dynamics 365 sets the standard for modern ERP solutions.

With its combination of AI-powered automation, customer-centric innovation, and global scalability, Dynamics 365 delivers intelligent, adaptable solutions for organizations across industries and geographies. Whether optimizing operations, transforming supply chains, or streamlining finance, Dynamics 365 offers a clear path forward—one that blends intelligence, agility, and trust.

As organizations embrace the opportunities of an AI-powered future, Microsoft remains dedicated to empowering enterprises with solutions that are intelligent, seamlessly connected, and built to scale. Discover how we are positioned by Gartner and read the full Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ service-centric, product-centric, and finance reports for deeper insights. 

See how organizations using Dynamics 365 are enhancing operational efficiency, boosting flexibility, and unlocking intelligent insights throughout their business processes.


  1. Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Service-Centric Enterprises, Robert Anderson, Johan Jartelius, Tomas Kienast, Sam Grinter, Denis Torii, Chaithanya Paradarami, 13 October 2025.
  2. Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises, Greg Leiter, Tomas Kienast, Johan Jartelius, Denis Torii, Dennis Gaughan, 13 October 2025.
  3. Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Finance, Mike Helsel, Irmina Melarkode, Nick Duffy, Nisha Bhandare, 27 October 2025.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designations. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s Research & Advisory organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Gartner is a registered trademark and service mark and Magic Quadrant is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

The post Microsoft Dynamics 365 named a Leader in three Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ reports: Cloud ERP for Service-Centric Enterprises, Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises, and Cloud ERP Finance appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.

Fluent v2.0 for Customer Service: A unified, modern experience

Fluent v2.0 for Customer Service: A unified, modern experience

This article is contributed. See the original author and article here.

Fluent v2.0 is Microsoft’s next-generation design language, and it’s now fully implemented across all Dynamics 365 Customer Service components. This milestone marks the completion of a comprehensive modernization effort, bringing a unified, intuitive, and visually engaging experience to every user—representatives, supervisors, admins, and customers alike.

What makes Fluent v2.0 different?

Fluent v2.0 delivers a consistent look and feel across all Microsoft products, with a focus on clarity, accessibility, and brand identity. For Customer Service, this means:

  • Modernized hierarchy: New color and shadow tokens help users navigate screens with confidence.
  • Intuitive iconography: Friendly, modern icons make every interaction inviting and easy to understand.
  • Robust components: Fluent UI React components are customizable, performant, and accessible, ensuring seamless integration and usability.
  • Dynamic design tokens: Flexible themes and tokens keep the experience fresh and aligned with your brand.

Every touchpoint, modernized

With Fluent v2.0, every major workspace and control in Dynamics 365 Customer Service has been thoughtfully refreshed:

Copilot ask-a-question

The Copilot ask-a-question feature now provides a larger message input field and relocated icons, making it easier for customer service representatives to interact and get fast, accurate answers in both the Copilot Service workspace and Dynamics 365 Contact Center apps.

Inbox

The inbox features a new island-style interface with rounded edges, giving it a modern look and making it easier for representatives to scan, organize, and manage conversations at a glance.

Representative scripts and macros

Scripts and macros within the productivity tools now have updated states, icons, and components. These enhancements make workflows more delightful and intuitive, helping representatives follow processes and deliver consistent, high-quality support.

Timeline

The timeline control now offers a faster, cleaner, and more interactive interface. This modernized look improves efficiency, visibility, and user satisfaction when reviewing customer history and tracking interactions.

Voice controls

Both inbound and outbound call controls have a refreshed, modern interface. Navigation is easier and more efficient, allowing representatives to handle calls with greater confidence and speed.

Multisession

Representatives can seamlessly manage multiple conversations at once, thanks to a modernized interface that keeps everything organized and accessible.

Conversation control

Chat and voice conversation controls have been redesigned for clarity and ease of use, supporting more productive and engaging customer interactions.

Active conversation form

The active conversation form now features a cleaner layout and improved navigation, helping representatives focus on the customer and resolve issues faster.

Live chat widget

The live chat widget provides a more inviting and intuitive experience, making real-time support smoother for both representatives and customers.

Case management

Case management screens now feature a modern look, with improved layouts and controls that make tracking and resolving cases easier than ever.

Knowledge articles

Knowledge management tools have better readability and navigation, helping representatives find and share information quickly.

Email

The email editor, templates, and signature controls have all been modernized, making communication clearer and more consistent.

SLA (Service Level Agreements)

SLA controls now offer a streamlined interface, making it easier to monitor and manage service commitments.

Smart Assist

Smart Assist features a refreshed interface, making AI-powered recommendations more visible and actionable for representatives.

Teams swarming

Collaboration tools like swarming in Microsoft Teams enable seamless teamwork, with clearer layouts and easier access to swarming features.

Supervisor dashboard and Power BI reports

Supervisors benefit from updated dashboards and BI reports, with improved data visualization and navigation for better decision-making.

Solving real user pain points

Before Fluent v2.0, users faced outdated interfaces, inconsistent layouts, and navigation challenges. Feedback highlighted the need for a more modern, polished, and intuitive experience—one that matches the rest of the Microsoft ecosystem and meets the standards set by competitors like Salesforce and Zendesk.

With Fluent v2.0, Customer Service now offers:

  • Consistency: Every screen and control feels unmistakably Microsoft, supporting the “One Microsoft” vision.
  • Accessibility: WCAG 2.1 compliance and thoughtful design ensure everyone can use the product effectively.
  • Usability: Larger controls, extra padding, and simplified layouts make navigation easier for all users.

Value for every persona

The completed Fluent v2.0 rollout benefits everyone:

  • Representatives enjoy a workspace that’s easier to use, more productive, and visually appealing.
  • Customers experience intuitive live chat and support, leading to higher satisfaction.
  • Supervisors and Admins see increased adoption, fewer issues, and improved feedback scores.

Early results show increased usage, improved Net Satisfaction (NSAT) scores, and positive feedback in user studies and A/B tests.

Fluent v2.0 ensures Microsoft Customer Service matches—and often exceeds—the design standards of leading platforms. Users can expect the same modern, consistent experience found in Teams, Outlook, and Windows 11.

Experience the difference

With all Fluent v2.0 components now available, Dynamics 365 Customer Service delivers a world-class, unified, and accessible experience. This transformation is complete—no more waiting, no more “what’s next.” Dive in and discover a modern, intuitive, and delightful workspace built for today’s users.

Ready to experience the difference? Fluent v2.0 is live across all major Customer Service components—delivering a workspace that’s modern, efficient, and built for you. If you’d like to see specific before-and-after visuals or learn more about how these improvements impact your team, let us know!

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Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.