How do I get there from here? Real questions about Microsoft Dynamics 365 answered

For cloud, the "train has left the station" and in the Microsoft ERP & CRM world, that means the next generation of enterprise software from Microsoft is here: Dynamics 365. "D365," as it's increasingly abbreviated, is Microsoft's new integrated business solution that unifies CRM and ERP functionality into a common data platform. Dynamics 365 also offers extended functionality by integrating with Office 365, existing versions of Dynamics AX/NAV & CRM and the new Microsoft AppSource, an application marketplace and management platform.

Dynamics 365 is a game changer and the culmination of years of strategy for one of the largest software companies in the world as it moves towards cloud.  All of the benefits of Microsoft + Microsoft integration (think Outlook + CRM connector or Excel + Outlook), as well as the web-enablement that many users have come to expect, are rolled in to one.

So what does it look like?

Dynamics 365 Business Edition (formerly "Project Madeira") is primarily aimed at businesses in the SMB space that have outgrown QuickBooks or Peachtree.  The financials component of this edition finds heritage in Microsoft Dynamics NAV code. 

Dynamics 365 for Enterprise consolidates the new Dynamics AX (aka AX7) and CRM Online. It is a robust offering that includes components like Operations, Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Field Service and Project Service Automation.

• Microsoft Dynamics AX 7 becomes Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition for Operations
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online becomes Microsoft Dynamics 365 Enterprise Edition for Sales
• Office 365, PowerBI and SharePoint Online are natively embedded in the product

Following in the footsteps of app stores that we've become accustomed to on our phones, Dynamics 365 now integrates with Microsoft Appsource - a single destination for business users ...