Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a powerful tool that brings all your stakeholders into one scalable platform. As a significant investment, it turns your organization into a data and customer-centric business. Choosing the right D365 implementation partner is the most effective way to increase your ROI and keep everyday operations sailing smoothly. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the key considerations and steps you should take to select the best Dynamics 365 partner for your organization.
1. The Basics
The first step to choosing a Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner is to understand the needs and goals of your organization. Some of the questions that will help you get the necessary input are:
● What are the specific goals you plan to achieve with Dynamics 365?
● What are the functionalities you need out of Dynamic 365?
● Does your existing IT infrastructure support easy integration with Dynamics 365 solutions?
● What are the scalability and data security measures?
● What are your budget limitations?
Having a well-defined set of requirements sets a solid foundation for evaluating potential Microsoft Dynamics 365 partners. Before you even interact directly with the partner, there are some basics that one can check from their website. Consider this a first-level check that enables you to put together a list of potential Microsoft Dynamics partners to meet with.
Microsoft Accreditation:
All authorized Microsoft Dynamics partners are certified directly by Microsoft to implement and support their D365 products. Check whether the company is a certified Microsoft 365 Solutions Partner. Get a clear idea of the type of solutions they are offering using Dynamics 365. Validate the reliability and relevance of the solutions they are offering.
Industry Experience:
Check if the partner has relevant experience in your industry and a client portfolio to support it. Their understanding of industry-specific challenges and solutions streamlines and speeds up the implementation process. Read the case studies to check the depth of their product knowledge and its applications in the specific industry.
Peer References:
Contact their existing clients and evaluate their experience in the end-to-end process. You can get a fair idea of how well-staffed their organization is. Providers with ample in-house resources will offer higher consistency in service. Be sure to check on post-implementation support as this impacts your relationship with the partner in the long run.
Financial Stability and Reputation:
The financial stability of the partner is a great way to measure their market position and longevity. They will be able to provide reliable support and services in the long term. They are also liable to go above and beyond to maintain their reputation, thus committing to the best in quality services. The online reviews, testimonials, and case studies provide valuable insights into their track record and customer satisfaction.
2. The Implementation Methodology
A strategic and structured approach to implementation allows you to use Microsoft Dynamics 365 to its maximum potential. Enquire if the partner has an implementation methodology such as Scrum or Kanban. The iterative and flexible nature of these methodologies makes the deployment process efficient.
Engage in a transparent discussion with the ERP implementation partner on their project management ideologies, resource allocation, communication practices, and project milestones. Another crucial aspect of deployment is the change management strategy for managing organizational change and user adoption of Dynamics 365. There must be a tested and proven plan for training, workshops, and ongoing support.
3. Support and Maintenance
Once the ERP is deployed, you will need ongoing support as the teams acclimate to the new software environment.
Support Offerings: Enquire about the partner’s support services, including helpdesk support, troubleshooting, system updates, and ongoing maintenance. The extent of in-person support they offer will impact your technology adoption timelines. Understand their response times and escalation procedures for resolving issues.
Training Programs: Evaluate the partner’s training programs and resources to ensure they provide comprehensive training for your team. Training should cover both technical aspects of using Dynamics 365 and best practices for maximizing its capabilities.
4. Customization and Development Capabilities
The best Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation partners will offer customization to fit your business’s unique processes and requirements. The two major factors here that will help you assess them are:
Customization experience: Determine the partner’s expertise in customizing Dynamics 365 to fit unique business processes and requirements. They should have expertise in configuring workflows, creating custom entities, and implementing bespoke solutions.
Integration Expertise: If you require integration with other systems or third-party applications, verify the partner’s experience and capabilities in integrating Dynamics 365 seamlessly with your existing IT ecosystem.
5. Proposals and Cost Considerations
When evaluating proposals from different potential partners, prioritize the ROI i.e. the value over the lowest quote. One has to understand that the implementation cost is proportionate to the quality and experience of the provider and the resources they deploy for the implementation.
It goes beyond the upfront cost, taking into consideration the overall value proposition offered by each partner. Consider the long-term benefits of partnering with a Microsoft Dynamics 365 provider that offers comprehensive services and support.
A detailed proposal will have
● Clearly outlined scope
● Deliverables including specific modules and functionalities of Dynamics 365 that will be implemented
● Migration plans and integration strategies
● Customisations, if any
● The timeline of implementation and support along with key milestone delivery dates
● Pricing with a detailed break-up of the cost, including licensing, implementation, customization, and support fees.
6. Data Security and Compliance
Data security and compliance are critical factors in selecting the best Dynamics 365 implementation partners. Inquire about their strategies and protocols for data protection within the D365 ecosystem. Make sure they adhere to all relevant regulatory requirements in your country, especially if they are a global service provider. They should have access control mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to your data. Data-driven providers will have policies for regular audits, vulnerability assessments, and incident response protocols to secure the data in the event of a breach.
7. Contractual Considerations
Once the Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner is finalized and the contract is drafted, check the Service Level Agreements and the Terms and Conditions. The SLA is directed toward the partner’s commitment to service quality. It outlines their support features and response time.
To protect the best interests of your organization, review the terms and conditions for the payment schedules, warranties, property rights, and termination clauses. Ensure they are in favor of both parties and justifiable from a legal standpoint.
Although there is no set methodology for choosing the right software service provider, the above points will come in very handy as you engage in the process of finding one. Dynamic NetSoft Technologies is a leading Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner and ERP Consulting firm in the Real Estate and Construction industry. With 10+ years of experience and 100+ satisfied customers, we offer comprehensive implementation and support in ERP deployment. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, we build feature-rich custom capabilities that speed up the progress toward your business goals. And, we also tick all the checkboxes in the above guide on choosing the best Dynamics 365 partner for your organization! For more details, schedule a call with our experts today.