Timing Microsoft Dynamics 365: CRM partners lament 'fuzzy' pre-launch license planning

UPDATE, Oct 31: Microsoft has advised partners that the auto-renew option for Dynamics CRM Online has been extended until Feb 1, 2017 to ease transitions to Dynamics 365. Thanks to Steve Mordue for the tip. More customer-facing information on transitioning can be found in this TechNet article.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online customers have much to look forward to with Dynamics 365 based on the growing range of capabilities, tools, and integrations that Microsoft plans to introduce in the coming months. But for customers with a license renewal deadline soon after November 1, there are more pressing matters around the new pricing and licensing structure to consider as they prepare to enter the Dynamics 365 era.

New pricing and licensing guidelines for the Dynamics 365 customer experience apps - sales, service, marketing, field service, and project service automation - take effect in November and some CRM partner are expressing concern that they haven't yet had the tools to figure out license decisions with the first wave of customers that will be onboarded to the new model.

The Level of concern varies among CRM partners, with some executives bracing for a rough patch while others are already looking beyond any early problems to the larger trends at Microsoft and across the CRM space. And while partners seem to be broadly optimistic about the Dynamics 365 transition, the more concerned among them worry that short term issues could result in both perception problems, sub-optimal license choices, and even potential legal risks.

Partners with whom we spoke say they believe that Microsoft is working hard ...