Organizations today are facing relentless pressure to innovate, expand, and outpace competitors. According to recent research by Gartner, businesses prioritizing digital transformation are expected to outperform competitors by 25% in profitability by 2024. To thrive in this dynamic environment, businesses are constantly exploring new avenues to drive growth, boost efficiency, and maintain a competitive edge.
Amidst this pursuit, Microsoft Business Applications, including Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft Power Platform, and Azure, have emerged as powerful tools for transforming operations, enhancing customer experiences, and unlocking new opportunities for business success. Research conducted by Forrester indicates that companies leveraging Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP and CRM experience a 60% and 173% ROI, respectively, in terms of process efficiency, productivity, and growth.
Yet, driving maximum benefit from these platforms goes beyond mere implementation. It requires ongoing management, optimization, and support to ensure they continue to deliver value and drive growth for your organization over the long term. This is where Microsoft Business Application managed services step in. According to a study by IDC, organizations that utilize managed services for their business applications experience a 50% decrease in downtime and a 30% boost in IT staff productivity. These services offer organizations a comprehensive solution to navigate the complexities of these platforms, maximize return on investment, and fuel sustainable growth.
In this blog, we will delve into the concept of managed services for Microsoft Business Applications and discover how businesses can benefit from a managed service provider to maximize their technological investments and scale.
What are Managed Services for Microsoft Business Applications?
Managed services refer to the practice of outsourcing certain business processes and functions to a third-party provider, often known as a Managed Services Provider (MSP). These services can cover a wide range of activities, including IT infrastructure management, network monitoring and security, data backup and recovery, cloud computing, helpdesk support, and more. Managed services aim to provide proactive, ongoing support to ensure the smooth operation of critical business functions, optimize performance, enhance security, and minimize downtime.
Managed Services for Microsoft Business Applications include a range of tailored offerings to optimize and maintain the efficiency, security, and performance of Microsoft’s suite of business applications, including Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Azure. These services typically include platform administration, user support and training, application development and customization, integration services, data management, and governance, security and compliance management, performance optimization, upgrade, and migration services, managed cloud services, and consulting and strategic planning.
Let’s discuss each of these sub-services in detail and explore how you can maximize the benefits of your Microsoft suite and technology investment.
Platform administration and monitoring
This involves overseeing the health and performance of the Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement, Power Platform, and Azure environment, including managing user accounts, configuring system settings, monitoring performance metrics, ensuring security measures, and implementing backup procedures to ensure smooth operation.
User support and training
Managed service providers offer user support services to assist with troubleshooting, answering questions, and resolving issues related to your Microsoft Business Applications. Additionally, conducting training sessions or workshops educates users on effectively utilizing the platform’s features and functionalities. Creating user-friendly documentation such as manuals or FAQs further aids users in navigating the platform independently.
Moreover, gathering user feedback helps identify areas for improvement and elevating the overall user experience. Users receive continuous support as they encounter new challenges or require further guidance, ensuring their proficiency with the platform and fostering a positive user experience.
Application development and customization
Providers of Business Applications Managed Services offer application and tailored solution development services that perfectly align with client objectives and workflows to ensure optimal functionality and performance. Additionally, Managed Service providers customize and adapt off-the-shelf software or platforms to match client preferences, industry standards, and operational requirements, enhancing usability and efficiency.
Managed Service providers empower clients through these services with flexible, customized solutions that foster innovation, streamline processes, and facilitate business growth.
Integration services
Integration services for Microsoft Business Applications ensure seamless connectivity between Microsoft applications like Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement, Power Platform, and other systems or third-party applications. Managed service providers handle system integration, connecting Microsoft apps with internal systems for data flow and automation.
They also manage third-party integration linking Microsoft applications with external software such as accounting tools, marketing platforms, or e-commerce systems, for streamlined operations and enhanced functionality. Additionally, they synchronize data across platforms, develop custom integration solutions, and oversee API management for efficient communication. These services empower organizations to maximize the benefits of their Microsoft applications, optimize processes, and boost productivity.
Data management and governance
Data management and governance involve tasks like data cleansing, transformation, and defining data models to ensure data quality, integrity, and compliance within Microsoft Business Applications. Providers assist in maintaining accurate and reliable data by identifying and rectifying errors and duplicates. They also establish governance policies to adhere to regulations and industry standards, facilitating efficient data handling and informed decision-making.
Security and compliance management
Managed service providers assist businesses in deploying robust security measures and enabling compliance with regulatory requirements, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2, within Dynamics 365 and Power Platform applications. This includes configuring security settings, data encryption, and access controls to protect confidential information and prevent unauthorized access.
Providers also conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities and address risks proactively. Additionally, they offer guidance on security best practices and help organizations stay abreast of evolving compliance standards to maintain a secure and compliant environment for their business operations.
Performance optimization
Providers optimize the performance of Microsoft Business Applications by fine-tuning configurations, eliminating redundancies, automating tasks, optimizing workflows, and addressing bottlenecks. This holistic approach to performance optimization ensures that Microsoft Business Applications deliver optimal results, enabling organizations to operate smoothly and scale seamlessly.
Upgrade and migration services
Managed service providers assist businesses in upgrading to the latest versions of Dynamics 365 and Power Platform applications and migrating from legacy systems or older versions. This includes planning, testing, and executing the migration process with minimal disruption to operations.
Providers assess current infrastructure and systems for compatibility issues and dependencies. They then develop a tailored migration strategy, considering factors like data integrity, user training, and downtime mitigation for a smooth transition. They proactively monitor and troubleshoot issues throughout the migration to ensure efficiency and business continuity.
Managed cloud services
Providers offer managed services for cloud-based deployments of Dynamics 365 and Power Platform applications, including infrastructure management, backup and disaster recovery, and cost optimization. Providers handle tasks such as provisioning and configuring cloud resources, monitoring system health and performance, and taking security measures to safeguard data and applications.
Consulting and strategic planning
Managed service providers offer consulting services to help businesses align their Microsoft suite with their overall business objectives, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop a roadmap for future growth and innovation. This may include assessing business requirements, conducting workshops, and providing recommendations for implementation and adoption.
