Microsoft Inspire 2023, the highly anticipated partner conference hosted by tech giant Microsoft, revealed a series of groundbreaking announcements that will shape the future of technology.
The conference showcased Microsoft’s commitment to empowering customers and partners worldwide in their digital transformation journey. Here’s a rundown of the four major announcements that captured the spotlight:
Announcement 1: Microsoft Dynamics 365 & Power Platform Release Wave 2 Plans
Maureen Osborne, Microsoft’s Corporate VP & COO of Business Applications & Platform, unveiled the much-awaited Release Wave 2 plans for Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform.
Spanning from October 2023 to March 2024, these plans introduce a multitude of features, including AI enhancements, automation capabilities, and low-code solutions.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 & Power Platform Release Wave 2 Plans
| Date Range | October 2023 – March 2024 |
|---|---|
| Features | AI enhancements, automation capabilities, low-code solutions |
| Benefits | Enhance productivity, AI-guided insights, streamline processes |
| Early Access | July 31, 2023 (non-production environment) |
The primary objective is to strengthen digital transformation by eliminating data silos, enabling users to make informed decisions, and fostering seamless collaboration.
Highlights of this announcement
Hundreds of new capabilities: The Release Wave 2 includes hundreds of new capabilities that leverage AI and automation to enhance productivity and efficiency across Dynamics 365 and Power Platform applications.
AI-Guided insights: Users can expect AI-powered insights and suggested actions, providing them with valuable guidance to make informed decisions and take necessary actions.
Low-Code Solutions: With the introduction of low-code capabilities, anyone can build customized solutions, enabling organizations to streamline processes and increase agility.
Reviewing release plans: To facilitate ease of access and understanding, the release planner allows users to review the plans, personalize, filter, sort, and share them according to their preferences.
Early access period: Starting July 31, 2023, customers and partners can validate the latest features in a non-production environment, ensuring seamless integration into their systems by October 2023.
Impact and Benefits of Release Wave 2
Release Wave 2 will revolutionize workflows, enhancing productivity with AI-guided insights and low-code solutions. Users will make informed decisions, automate tasks effortlessly, and collaborate seamlessly, driving digital transformation.
Announcement 2: Power Automate Process Mining and Power Platform Licensing Updates
Another headline-grabbing announcement at Microsoft Inspire 2023 was the official launch of Power Automate Process Mining, set to become generally available on August 1, 2023.
Power Automate Process Mining and Power Platform Licensing Updates
| Launch Date | Power Automate Process Mining: August 1, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Features | AI-infused process intelligence, cost savings, licensing updates |
| Availability | Purchase: August 1, 2023 (regions with Microsoft Power Platform) |
| Trial Access | Power Automate trial for non-licensed customers |
Process intelligence takes center stage with this revolutionary solution, providing organizations with powerful insights to optimize processes, save costs, and identify opportunities for efficiency.
Highlights of this announcement:
Power Automate process mining: Power Automate Process Mining is set to become generally available on August 1, 2023. This next-gen AI-infused process intelligence tool empowers organizations to gain a deep understanding of their processes, reduce complexity, and drive automation, leading to continuous process improvement and cost savings.
Licensing updates: Microsoft introduced updates to Power Platform Licensing, making it more accessible for customers to leverage low-code solutions and innovate their businesses efficiently.
Availability: Power Automate Process Mining will be available for purchase on August 1, 2023, in regions where Microsoft Power Platform is currently sold.
Power Automate trial: Customers without a license can start a Power Automate trial to explore the capabilities of Process Mining and experience its benefits firsthand.
Microsoft Power Platform Conference: For further updates and insights on Power Automate Process Mining and other Power Platform news, you can register for the second annual Microsoft Power Platform Conference scheduled for October 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Impact and Benefits of Power Automate Process Mining
Power Automate Process Mining will optimize processes, save costs, and boost efficiency with powerful insights. Customers will embrace low-code solutions, innovating their businesses to stay competitive in the market.
Announcement 3: Introducing Microsoft Sales Copilot
In a bid to empower sellers and enhance customer interactions, Microsoft unveiled Sales Copilot—a role-based assistant accessible within Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and Dynamics 365 Sales.
Microsoft Sales Copilot
| Features | Role-based assistant, CRM task automation, real-time AI-powered insights |
|---|---|
| Integration | Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Dynamics 365 Sales |
| Licensing | Standalone subscription, included in Dynamics 365 Sales licenses |
Highlights of this announcement:
Role-Based seller companion: Sales Copilot is designed to be a seller’s best companion, offering CRM task automation, auto-generated email or meeting summaries, and real-time AI-powered insights to boost productivity.
Personalization and contextual assistance: The tool provides sellers with contextual emails utilizing CRM data, real-time tips, and suggested answers during Teams meetings based on customer mentions, improving customer follow-ups and overall productivity.
Incorporating Microsoft Viva sales: The capabilities of Sales Copilot are an extension of Microsoft Viva Sales, introduced in June 2022, further advancing seller experiences with AI-powered features.
Licensing and availability: Sales Copilot is now generally available as both a standalone subscription and part of customers’ existing Dynamics 365 Sales Enterprise and Premium licenses at no additional cost. The new capabilities will be rolled out this month.
Impact and Benefits of Microsoft Sales Copilot
Sales Copilot will empower sellers, providing real-time insights and automating CRM tasks. Personalized interactions and contextual assistance will lead to increased productivity and improved customer follow-ups.
Announcement 4: AIM – Accelerate, Innovate, Move
In a move to empower organizations of all sizes, Microsoft unveiled AIM (Accelerate, Innovate, Move), a pioneering initiative designed to accelerate cloud adoption with confidence.
AIM – Accelerate, Innovate, Move
| Initiative | AIM (Accelerate, Innovate, Move) |
|---|---|
| Focus | Cloud migration for on-premises business applications |
| Coverage | Dynamics AX, CRM, GP, NAV, SL, 365 Business Central on-premises |
| Benefits | Guided migration, expert support, exclusive offers |
AIM extends its coverage to a wide range of on-premises business applications, reflecting Microsoft’s unwavering commitment to ushering businesses into the era of AI-guided productivity.
Highlights of this announcement:
Guided cloud migration: AIM offers a tailored path to cloud migration with dedicated migration advisors, expert assessments, investment offers, tools, and migration support.
Coverage for On-Premises business applications: AIM extends its support to a broad range of on-premises Microsoft business applications, including Dynamics AX, Dynamics CRM, Dynamics GP, Dynamics NAV, Dynamics SL, and Dynamics 365 Business Central on-premises.
AIM assessments: AIM assessments provide businesses with a clear understanding of the value, outcomes, and key steps for migrating on-premises applications to the cloud– helping them make informed decisions.
Success by design: AIM offers expert implementation guidance, prescriptive design, and deployment methodologies to accelerate time-to-value and minimize risks during cloud migration.
Exclusive offers: AIM provides customers with exclusive offers like Bridge to the Cloud 2 (BTTC2), allowing on-premises customers to leverage discounted subscription pricing as part of their cloud migration journey.
Impact and Benefits of AIM
AIM will guide organizations to the cloud confidently, offering expert migration support and tools. Businesses of all sizes will benefit from increased agility, improved scalability, and cost optimization through exclusive offers.
Final Note
Microsoft Inspire 2023 truly marked a significant milestone in the journey of AI-powered technologies. The four major announcements unveiled during the event showcased Microsoft’s unwavering commitment to driving digital transformation, empowering businesses worldwide to embrace innovation, and commence on a future powered by AI.
Ready to revolutionize your organization’s digital journey with these cutting-edge solutions from Microsoft Inspire 2023? Contact us – DynaTech Systems – and let our experts guide you towards success.
