Microsoft aiming for Dynamics 365 Financials western Europe launch, but timing unclear

Microsoft's introduction of the Dynamics 365 brand signaled an effort to realign its business solutions strategy with the company's overall direction on cloud and mobile technology. The change has already helped, in a sense, by capturing the attention of the industry in a way that the legacy products never could. But Dynamics 365, in particular the Business Edition, is a work in progress right now. And the tension between that brand awareness and Microsoft's efforts to deliver the Business Edition apps is becoming palpable.

At Summit EMEA 2017 last week, Microsoft offered only a non-specific update on Dynamics 365 Business Edition, the SMB line that will initially be comprised of Financials, Sales, and Marketing apps. Financials is available in North America but has had minimal impact so far and is expected to get enhancements before reaching other markets. A UK preview has reportedly been shown to some Microsoft partners. And while there are reports of the existence of screenshots of the sales and marketing apps, there is no record of them having been shared officially yet.

What to expect next from D365 Financials

Gordan Macdonald, director of product marketing for Dynamics, said in a new interview with MSDynamicsWorld.com that the next goal for D365 Financials is expansion in western Europe.

"We are looking to make investments in localizations of Financials and make sure we have a cloud service that is a great finished product in market," he said. Microsoft has a UK localization in preview now with a small group, and several other countries including Denmark, France, and the Netherlands appear to be next in line. The locale-specific releases will provide tax ...