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Retail update for Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations (AX7) introduces both cloud and on-prem capabilities

by Wendy Scheuring
Contributing Writer, MSDW

On November 1, Microsoft will transition Dynamics AX, including its retail components, to Dynamics 365 for Operations branding. 365 Operations will begin releasing new industry specific capabilities in waves, beginning with retail store in November, and shop floor and warehouse in Spring 2017, according to Pepijn Richter, Director of Product Marketing at Microsoft.

This new release can be run completely on the cloud or as a hybrid solution in certain industry-specific scenarios. Retailers want flexibility when it comes to deployment options, including picking and choosing to run on Azure or through their in-store system. POS can be deployed in one or two pilot stores and then later integrated to all stores within a period of time.

For in-store employees, user experience will be the same for both cloud and on-premise versions, but the solution will always be connected to the cloud. However, retailers have a choice about what they want to run on the cloud and what they want to run on-premise. The goal is to retain continuity, especially in retail.

According to Richter, there are two priorities for Retail: 

  1. Breaking down the barriers and engaging formats and channels in the store and at home; and
  2. Fulfilling customer expectations anywhere, and delivering on the promise to provide flexible delivery methods.

The goal of 365 Operations is to support an end-to-end process, providing support to headquarters, the supply chain, and mobile worker capabilities.

The new customer shopping journey involves awareness consideration, evaluation, buying, post-purchase, and relationship management. The goal is to integrate with web content management systems to create an omni-channel ecommerce shopping experience for consumers, and to generate interaction between store associates and customers via mobile devices in the store and at home.

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About Wendy Scheuring

Wendy Scheuring has published hundreds of feature articles and business profiles in local and national publications and on the web. She’s taught the art of writing for nearly 20 years, and is a published co-author, a ghostwriter, and an editor of a variety of books. Her focus is on writing strong, solid, appealing content that will engage your readers. Learn more at: http://authorswriter.com.

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