Following first round of Microsoft Dynamics 365 SMB go-lives, UK NAV partners proceed with care

"First-out-of-the-gate" implementation claims are bold, which practically invites argument.

Two weeks ago, one partner released a statement claiming the first Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Business edition (D365FOB) customer go-live in the UK.  

"One of many," countered James Crowter, managing director of Technology Management Ltd. in Wolverhampton, UK. At least five such customers in the UK have gone live recently, he told MSDynamicsWorld, calling the Dutch partner's first-to-market claim "cheeky." [Editor's note: MSDynamicsWorld reached out to the partner who made the announcement for comment, with no reply as of press time.]

UK-based Microsoft Dynamics NAV partners are moving forward slowly with the newly available UK localization of D365FOB for two key reasons: they expect a major update in late 2017, and they are concerned about disrupting their existing NAV businesses.

"There's a dilemma here," says Crowter. "Do you want to disrupt your NAV business that's paying all the bills right now? And people that you've got in the NAV pipeline just about to sign, do you want them to start asking lots and lots of questions about Dynamics 365, or do you want them to [sign with NAV]? We can't afford business to stop, especially with CRM where it is, and if the market gets confused about what they should be buying, they'll stop."

An early adopter

One of the early UK adopters of D365FOB is business development company White Bruce, which worked with Dynamics partners <... class="become-member ms-auto me-auto">