Microsoft Dynamics 365: Understand the Transition to the Cloud | Info-Tech Research Group

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Your on-premises Dynamics CRM or AX needs updating or replacing, and you’re not sure whether to upgrade or transition to the cloud with the new Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform. You’re also uncertain about what the cost might be or if there are savings to be had with a transition to the cloud for your enterprise resource planning system.
The new license model, Apps vs. Plans and Dual Use Rights in the cloud, includes confusing terminology and licensing rules that don’t seem to make sense. This makes it difficult to purchase proper licensing that aligns with your current on-premises setup and to maximize your choices in transition licenses.
There are different licensing programs for Dynamics 365 in the cloud. You need to decide on the most cost effective program for your company, for now and for the future.
Microsoft is constantly pressuring you to move to the cloud, but you don’t understand the why. You're uncertain if there's real value in such a strategic move right now, or if should you wait awhile.

Our Advice

Critical Insight

Focus on what’s best for you. Do a thorough current state assessment of your hardware and software needs and consider what will be required in the near future (one to four years).
Educate yourself. You should have a good understanding of your options from staying on-premises vs. an interim hybrid model vs. a lift and shift to the cloud.
Consider the overall picture. There might not be hard cost savings to be realized in the near term, given the potential increase in licensing costs over a CapEx to OpEx savings.

Impact and Result

Understanding the best time to transition, from a licensing perspective, could save you significant dollars over the next one to four years.
Planning and effectively mapping your current licenses to the new cloud user model will maximize your current investment into the cloud and fully leverage all available Microsoft incentives in the process.
Gaining the knowledge required to make the most informed transition decision, based on best timing, most appropriate licensing program, and maximized cost savings in the near term.
Engaging effectively with Microsoft and a competent Dynamics partner for deployment or licensing needs.

Microsoft Dynamics 365: Understand the Transition to the Cloud Research & Tools

Start here – read the Executive Brief

Read our concise Executive Brief to find out why you should learn about Microsoft Dynamics 365 user-based cloud licensing, review Info-Tech’s methodology, and understand the four ways we can support you in completing this project.

Microsoft Dynamics 365: Understand the Transition to the Cloud – Executive Brief

1. Timing

Review to confirm if you are eligible for Microsoft cloud transition discounts and what is your best time to move to the cloud.

2. Licensing

Begin with a review to understand user-based cloud licensing, then move to mapping your existing licenses to the cloud users and plans.

3. Cost review

Use your cloud mapping activity as well your eligible discounts to estimate your cloud transition licensing costs.

4. Analyze and decide

Start by summarizing your choice license program, decide on the ideal time, then move on to total cost review.

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Workshop: Microsoft Dynamics 365: Understand the Transition to the Cloud

Workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.

Module 1: Understand What You Own and What You Can Transition to the Cloud

The Purpose

Understand what you own and what you can transition to the cloud.
Learn which new cloud user licenses to transition.

Key Benefits Achieved

All your licenses in one summary.
Eligible transition discounts.
Mapping of on-premises to cloud users.

Activities

Outputs

1.1

Validate your discount availability.

1.2

Summarize agreements.

Current agreement summary

1.3

Itemize your current license ownership.

On-premises to cloud user mapping summary

1.4

Review your timing options.

1.5

Map your on-premises licenses to the cloud-based, user-based model.

Understanding of cloud app and plan features

Module 2: Transition License Cost Estimate and Additional Costs

The Purpose

Estimate cloud license costs and other associated expenses.
Summarize and decide on the best timing, users, and program.

Key Benefits Achieved

Good cost estimate of equivalent cloud user-based licenses.
Understanding of when and how to move your on-premises licensing to the new Dynamics 365 cloud model.

Activities

Outputs

2.1

Estimate cloud user license costs.

Cloud user licensing cost modeling

2.2

Calculate additional costs related to license transitions.

2.3

Review all activities.

Summary of total costs
Validation of costs and transition choices

2.4

Summarize and analyze your decision.

An informed decision on your Dyn365 timing, licensing, and costs

About Info-Tech

Info-Tech Research Group is the world’s fastest-growing information technology research and advisory company, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals.

We produce unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. We partner closely with IT teams to provide everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

What Is a Blueprint?

A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your IT problems.

Each blueprint can be accompanied by a Guided Implementation that provides you access to our world-class analysts to help you get through the project.

Table of Contents

Need Extra Help?
Speak With An Analyst

Get the help you need in this 4-phase advisory process. You'll receive 6 touchpoints with our researchers, all included in your membership.

Guided Implementation 1: Timing

Call 1: Scope requirements, objectives, and your specific challenges.

Guided Implementation 2: Licensing

Call 1: Identify and review your current agreements and licenses. Review transition timing options.
Call 2: Review and discuss an on-prem to cloud mapping position. Review the cloud’s user- and role- based licensing model.

Guided Implementation 3: Cost review

Call 1: Discuss additional transition costs and support. Validate product transition mapping.
Call 2: Discuss and review activity results. Validate cost modeler.

Guided Implementation 4: Analyze and decide

Call 1: Summarize your decision and discuss partner options. Review your executive summary deck (if applicable).

Author

Ted Walker

Contributors

Dave Cooper, Business Process Specialist, CRM Dynamics
Tom Amerongen, National Practice Lead, MS Dynamics, Sierra Systems
Mazin Abou-Seido, Certified Dynamics 365 consultant, IBS Inc.
Five anonymous contributors

Search Code: 89855
Last Revised: July 9, 2021

TAGS:

Microsoft Dynamics, Dynamics 365, CRM, Dynamics AX, Dynamics CRM online, CRM online, Microsoft ERP, Dynamics, cloud transition, On premise vs cloud, Video, Whiteboard, Whiteboard Series

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