Highlights of the updates coming to Dynamics 365 with 2021 Release Wave 2
Plans were recently published for the Microsoft Dynamics 365 2021 Release Wave 2, slated for release this fall. This update will feature hundreds of enhancements and improved functionalities, including robust integrations with Microsoft 365 products. These significant new capabilities will strengthen the features made available by Release Wave 1, which was rolled out earlier this year. Check out our blog to learn about the changes Dynamics 365 users saw with the previous release wave.
Features will be made available to users automatically beginning in October 2021 with rollout lasting through March 2022. Here are some highlights users can expect with the coming release.
Business Central
Updates made to Business Central were made based on customer suggestions and requests, so users can expect to see some of the most dynamic improvements yet. Application improvements will expand Teams, Outlook, and Excel integrations, allowing users to quickly share information, configure inboxes, send files, and connect with colleagues and contacts in real time. Enhanced bank and payment reconciliations will be easier to use to make sure cash flow is always tracked and accurate. Bank ledgers will see numerous boosts like cleaner test reports, many-to-one line matching, simpler filter settings for entries, and more.
New personalization options will provide users with tools to tailor additional fields and columns to pages. Updates will also better the navigation experience with submenus, bars, and noneditable cells in lists.
Dynamics 365 Marketing
Dynamics 365 Marketing will see improvements that leverage data through automated hubs driven by intelligence, customer needs, and experience. Transform and expand customer reach with AI-based content generated for emails that suggests relevant and engaging content for unique audiences. Users will be able to better build and refine account-based profile segments to customize customer journey insights down to the very last detail.
Seamless connection to Microsoft Teams will make webinar registration a breeze. Create branded registration pages, manage functionalities, and interact with customer journeys based on user behaviors all through Teams, then finish designing the participants’ experience in Dynamics 365 Marketing in just a few clicks.
Dynamics 365 Sales
Dynamics 365 Sales is the market-lead sales application, and updates were created based on customer feedback to tailor the best experience for users from start to finish. Expect better collaboration and chat experiences with improved Teams functionality—messaging will now be integrated into Dynamics 365 content to save time and make interactions effortless, even while conducting meetings. Chats and channels will be linked directly to sales records, along with streamlined note-taking capabilities and access to always up-to-date sales data for meetings made easy.
A refreshed dashboard will allow managers to view team performance, track leads efficiently, and view real-time updates to key performance indicators for sellers including progress on leads, number of calls and meetings, and estimated values to streamline workflows and boost team productivity.
New forecasting and pipeline analytics can help sales teams prioritize top deals and forecast with confidence, helping them stay ahead of the market and move quickly through the sales pipeline. Easily share forecasts with other shareholders, use intelligent scoring to know where to best invest time and allocate resources, and meet quotas.
Dynamics 365 Customer Service
Advancements with AI knowledge are coming to Dynamics 365 Customer Service, which will allow users to find best-fit keywords and descriptions for service requests from all channels to help maximize time and workflow. These capabilities will transform the customer service agent experience and provide faster turnaround times with access to key customer service contacts and agents who have resolved similar cases.
Agents will have a more comprehensive toolkit that will allow them to multi-task, collaborate, and fulfill customer service cases with ease using new intelligence and automation features that allows for seamless multi-tasking without losing valuable context for each case.
Other updates in Release Wave 2
Release Wave 2 will also include changes to Power Platform apps like Power BI, noting better interactions and oversight for a more intuitive workflow, as well as AI-infused insights to help users find patterns in data and reimagined integration with Office 365. Keep data within reach in Teams channels, chats, and notifications, as well as easy-to-navigate embedding capabilities to insert Power BI content into PowerPoint presentations.
Power Automate, previously known as Microsoft Flow, will also see enriched integrations with Teams to boost real-time collaboration, as well as interactive cloud-based flows that can be easily accessed by users across the organization.
View the full Release Wave 2 plan for all the new Power Platform features.
Upgrades made to Dynamics 365 Field Service will continue to improve service operations to provide customer-centric experiences and connect people, places, and things for results-based outcomes every time. Expect smoother onboarding experiences and easier-to-use interfaces.