This post is about changes to Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 project management software. Microsoft’s current product is Dynamics 365 Project Operations
Microsoft are replacing Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation with Dynamics 365 Project Operations
Microsoft’s Project Management Systems
Microsoft offer Microsoft Project as a standalone solution and Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation as part of the Dynamics 365 suite.
Microsoft Project is a mature and well-used application for planning and managing projects. Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation took some of the features of Project and integrated them into the Dynamics ecosystem. Gantt charts, resource scheduling and reporting are all part of Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation’s features
Dynamics 365 Project Operations
Rather than continuing to improve Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation, Microsoft have opted to engineer a brand-new solution, Dynamics 365 Project Operations
The solution combines the best parts of three existing applications
- Microsoft Project
- Dynamics 365 Project Service Automation
- Dynamics 365 Finance
The new application is advertised as being an end-to-end solution for service businesses. You can use the application as a standalone system covering all business processes from prospecting, through to project accounting. The app can also be integrated with Dynamics for Finance or Dynamics for Sales for even greater functionality.
- There’s greater use of AI to provide overarching business insights
- The new finance features includes
- Time tracking
- Expense tracking
- Budgeting
- Invoicing
- Revenue recognition
- Gross margin and project profitability reporting
- Greater integration with Microsoft Teams
- Integrated sales pipeline features to speed the sales process
- A familiar feel for Microsoft Project users
As it is fully integrated with the Dynamics 365 family, it can work seamlessly with Dynamics 365 for Sales, Customer Service or Field Service. Also, like the rest of the Dynamics 365 family, it shares a common data platform, so the app can be customised and extended easily.
When can I use Dynamics 365 Project Operations?
Microsoft announced that there will be a preview available in June 2020 and full roll out in October 2020.
We use Project Services Automation, what do I need to do?
Microsoft will support Dynamics 365 Project Services Automation until October 2024, but no new features will be developed. You should plan to move to Dynamics 365 Project Operations well before this cut off date.
Dynamics 365 Project Services Automation customers will be able to upgrade to Dynamics 365 Project Operations soon after it goes live. For customers who wish to migrate data, a migration tool will be available. It will also be possible to migrate licences.