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June 19, 2019 • Smart Resources

Spotlight On: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations with John Jezek


 

At Smart Resources, we’re extremely proud of the innovative advancements in technology that our consultants work towards each and every day. Our skilled IT professionals work in a variety of sectors with a wide range of technologies. Each month, we sit down with a consultant to have an in-depth conversation about their current project to gain insight on the technology and its capabilities. This month, we’ll be discussing Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations with John Jezek!

Name: John Jezek          

Position:  Sr. Consultant

Years with Smart Resources: 7

Professional background (specifically regarding Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations):

I have been working with Dynamics for 4 years and have gone through multiple implementations and version upgrades.

Please tell us about Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations and how it’s commonly used:

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, commonly referred to as D365, is a fully functional ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system with a focus on the manufacturing lifecycle process. It has the capability to support both the public and private sectors. D365’s Sales, Service, Marketing, Retail, Finance, and Talent are all interwoven and work well together. Businesses will typically use most of the modules to support their business and business processes. There are different versions to support various sized companies. D365 also has the capability to support multiple companies within one application which allows for more reporting and BI down the road.

What originally drew you to working with Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations?

The ease of use for one of our public-sector clients. Most functionality was right out of the box and the focus was more on configuration and security versus custom development. One of the draws to D365 is that the business takes ownership right away. Working directly with the business inside the application from discovery through implementation is a huge win. The simplified interface really breaks down each of the modules. Setting and customizing security with little to no development effort is another draw.

What do you enjoy about working with Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations?

Although custom development almost always occurs with every implementation, the technology supporting D365 resides on a common platform that is widely supported. Building the right team quickly is not a difficult or time-consuming effort. With my focus being on security and configuration, I enjoy working the different sets of users and getting them what they need to do their job. I also enjoy customizing the security with zero coding. That allows for me to provide the support the business needs in real time.

What challenges have you faced while working with Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations?

I believe the two biggest challenges are dedication and current business processes. Also, choosing the right vendor/partner for implementation makes a lot of difference. I have seen instances where the vendor partner has done most of the work for setup because the business units could not afford to take the time to learn and become experts at the new system. That typically causes a lot of struggle during and post go live. The cases where current business process and systems are not known makes it a challenge to determine the appropriate configuration for the business areas.

What do you see in the future for Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations?

I see this ERP software growing exponentially. It is cloud based and you subscribe based on license type. So, depending on what job functions are being performed, that is how the subscription is priced. Dynamics 365 is built to support medium-sized business and above right out of the box. Also, with the monthly updates/upgrades, companies will receive the most up-to-date software with the latest features. The software is widely supported and the skills to support this complex ERP are constantly growing. More companies are trusting the security in the cloud along with the ease and low cost of maintenance. The user interface keeps getting easier to learn and master.

What is the best piece of advice you have for someone learning about or working with Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations?

Dive right in. ERP systems are complicated to begin with. Start with your area of interest or expertise and grow from there. Learn how the modules are interconnected and the security and configurations drive the workflows.

Do you have any additional advice, anecdotes, or information about this tech that you’d like to share?

Understand how the business functions and what the drivers are first and foremost. Understand the data and how it will fit into D365. Understand the level of commitment from your implementation team. It’s not always 100%.

At Smart Resource, we connect talented IT consultants with innovative Richmond organizations. Learn more about what we can do for your business.

 

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