In the vast expanse of internet, countless e-commerce businesses are available around, all striving to shine brighter than the rest. Nevertheless only a select few succeed in thriving, while others grapple with the challenge of sustaining in a competitive world. E-commerce businesses are in a need of robust platform to prosper. Among several platforms for e-commerce, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce is one of the top-tier platforms that can be tailored according to the business needs.
The Basics of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce
People often wonder ‘What is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce?’ Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce is quite famous application consisting of fundamental components of the Retail app. It is an all-inclusive platform that brings eCommerce, brick-and-mortar business, and back-office activities together. With the deployment of Microsoft Dynamics 365 ecommerce, companies can build a loyal customer base, achieve enhanced staff productivity, revolutionize supply chain, and improve efficiency of the business procedures. Additionally, optimization of the sales channels can be accomplished which generates higher ROI.
Microsoft has meticulously designed and developed tools, aiming to boost business productivity. To offer precise business functions to certain industries, customization can be undertaken ecommerce implementation.
Why Should Businesses Deploy Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce?
Easy Data Access
It is a known fact that Commerce is a cloud-native application, therefore it is a centralized platform by default. Data is centralized on Dataverse which can be accessed by business owners to gain insights in just few clicks.
Enhanced Sales and Insights
Businesses can tap into the extensive range of apps and AI features of the Microsoft universe when Commerce is applied. Customer insights, store assets, inventory management, pricing optimization, marketing analysis, sales analysis, and fraud protection are some of the functionalities that are available with this integration. These insights can help up both online stores as well as brick-and-mortar stores.
Configuration of Omnichannel
With an omnichannel approach of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce, businesses are able to deliver consistent and satisfying customer interactions across the existing and emerging channels. Regardless of the channel that customer engages with (online, mobile, social media, or in-person), the experience will remain cohesive and seamless.
Customization and Easy Installations
eCommerce store owners get the convenience of easy installation, using the development tools and built-in web authorization features of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce. Businesses can scale up with an ease to meet the evolving requirements. This flexibility turns out to be an added advantage. The process of setting up and running the Commerce is a cakewalk.
Enhanced Customer Experience
To gain insights on customer behaviour, attract new customers, handle business associations, and retain current customers, effective Microsoft Dynamics 365 sales integration is helpful. With this integration, companies can tale smart decisions regarding boosting customer engagement, marketing strategies, sales, and lead generation. Implement the loyalty programs to appeal mass audience and reward the prevailing clients. Worth mentioning is that the platform assists in resolving issues of cart abandonment and one-time purchase with ease.
Scalability and Cloud Configuration
Without worrying about the additional hardware requirements and physical storage, businesses can scale up hassle-free with cloud configuration. As a result, businesses can expand their operations smoothly and adapt to the fluctuating demands.
The cloud configuration handles upgrades and data security to ensure that the companies have access to the latest software version which offers robust protection for their valuable data.
Value-Driven Cloud Design
The cloud design of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce enables businesses to experience faster implementation and diminishes the investment concerns. The regular updates from Microsoft are delivered swiftly to ensure that businesses have access to the latest features and functionalities. As the deployment process is streamlined, businesses can start functioning at pace that minimizes downtime and maximizes productivity.
Trustworthiness
The commercial setups more often prefer to choose the brand that is reputable and trusted in the industry, rather than relying on any unfamiliar brand. In this context, Dynamics 365 Commerce holds a significant weight on its shoulder as it is developed by Microsoft – a brand with the decades of expertise. Partnering with Microsoft assures businesses of the higher level of quality, trust, and reliability. Though Commerce might be new in the sector, its association with Microsoft instils confidence in the product.
Amplified Security
The automatic update system of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce prioritizes security that guarantees that any vulnerabilities and bugs are addressed promptly. The resolution of issues maintains the highest encryption and security standards. The sensitive data of the company is protected, ensuring its integrity and confidentiality.
To prevent unauthorized access, access is permitted to only authorized devices. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce has a fraud protection feature to monitor online transactions, take necessary actions to mitigate risks, and classify potentially fraudulent activities. The robust fraud protection safeguards customers as well as businesses from any financial losses and reputational damage.
Advantages that can be attained with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce
With the cross-channel customer engagement, customers feel sense of ownership over their purchased products and services which makes them merry. The freedom to decide when, where, and how they receive their products or services. Customers feel in control and adaptable in their experience.
Dynamics 365 Commerce has a collection of apps that are comprehensive and built to offer end-to-end features. It could be inventory management, customer engagement, order processing, or analytics, the wide range of apps cover all essential aspects for ecommerce, ensuring a holistic and scalable solution for eCommerce operations.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce is flexible to accommodate diverse operational requirements so that businesses can integrate and customize a scalable online store. Compliance with security standards and regulatory requirements ensures a secure and trustworthy environment for conducting online transactions.
Fully optimized back-office functionalities equipped with machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities of Microsoft ecommerce platform offers friction-free and reliable interactions to customers. Streamlined business experience ingrains trust and satisfaction in customers.
By centralizing customer-related information, Microsoft Dynamics ecommerce platform fosters customer loyalty. The integrated AI features of the platform further enhance the brand by providing intelligent insights and personalized experiences that can strengthen the brand affinity and customer engagement.
Important Considerations Before Investing in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce
Though purchasing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce may initially seem a very straightforward process, there are some crucial considerations and understanding of the functionalities to count before you jump in. Learn about the key points prior to making an investment.
Gaining Access to Microsoft Azure and LCS
For the unversed, Lifecycle Services portal is known as LCS, that is developed by Microsoft. LCS along with Microsoft Azure guarantees smooth and efficient operations. Make sure that business has gained access to the following:
eCommerce system
Azure subscription
AAD tenant ID
Group ID
Moderator group ID
Rating group ID
Compatibility with Third-party Apps
While Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce is concerned, it integrates well with WooCommerce, Shopify, and Magento. However, the same is not true for other platforms. Microsoft Dynamics app suite offers wide range of compatible add-ons and plug-ins for Commerce, in addition to other Microsoft apps. Collaboration of such add-ons, plug-ins, and apps with Commerce builds a promising platform.
Pricing
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce pricing is on a bit higher side, which might not be feasible for SMEs. The reason would be migration of infrastructure to MS Azure, as the migrations cost are quite pricey. Large enterprises can rely on the Commerce set up.
Inaccessibility to Some Functionalities
If the on-premises implementation is preferred instead of cloud, there might be the case that some of the functionalities will not be available to your business. The reason being limited features offering in on-site implementation. One of the inaccessible features is that businesses will not be able to upload data to the cloud.
General Issues
There are some general issues that are still not addressed by Microsoft Dynamics 365. Some of the issues are necessity of technical knowledge, managing huge amount of data, and incapability to regulate server codes. The resolution of these concerns will aid in streamlining business operations and attain proficiency. However, Commerce may require a substantial investment in learning and training your personnel.
End Note
The myriad of functionalities of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce has made it an all-inclusive platform for businesses. Be it finance, commerce, or sales tasks, Dynamics 365 Commerce has answer to everything. Convenient setup, high-end security, and Cost-effectiveness are its core perks which businesses can enjoy. Dynamics 365 Commerce can bring value-edition to existing computing platforms. So, what are you waiting for? Connect with Microsoft Gold-certified partner like DynaTech and embark on the journey of transformation to prosper.
