Where does Microsoft Dynamics 365/CRM go in FY18? Channel experts favor control over speed.

Microsoft Dynamics 365/CRM apps will soon gain a new leader in James Phillips, the Cloud and Enterprise corporate vice president and general manager who already oversees Microsoft's business applications, platform and intelligence (BAPI) offerings. This management transition comes at a critical moment in CRM's evolution at Microsoft. What was once a single product is now sold as a suite of apps, each now evolving with features, analytics-driven "insights" tools, and strategic development alliances with other vendors.

The fantastically high rate at which Microsoft has pushed its CRM roadmap forward has impressed the industry and raised the company's standing in the marketplace. But it has also created some concern. As Microsoft MVP and blogger Steve Mordue wrote last week, risks related to the speed of innovation are not lost on those closest to the product.

Mordue offered a few metaphors for the Dynamics 365 approach to product development, but let's add one more here: auto racing. As with race cars, speed without control can be a risky proposition. Keeping, say, a Renault RS17 (the Formula 1 car that sports a Dynamics 365 logo - look for it tucked behind a rear wheel) from spinning off track while taking a turn flat out requires strong grip on the track to fight against the physical forces that want to keep the car moving in a straight line. Lose a wing or wear through the tires and the car is off the track, sooner or later.

Recent conversations with Dynamics 365/CRM experts reveal that Mordue is indeed not alone in his concerns. Partners fear ...