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Introduction to the administer to operate process for managing and optimizing Dynamics 365 solutions

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Applies to: Dynamics 365

This article explains the administer to operate end-to-end business process. You'll learn how Dynamics 365 products can help you manage and optimize your Dynamics 365 solutions.

Administer to operate overview

Administer to operate serves as the linchpin for the sustained success of Dynamics 365 within organizational landscapes. Focused on the ongoing administration and optimization of existing solutions, this end-to-end business process entails a comprehensive approach to ensure the seamless operation of Dynamics 365. It's important to note that administer to operate primarily concentrates on post-implementation processes, with the Dynamics 365 Implementation Guide serving as a dedicated resource for initial deployment and installation guidance.

Within the administer to operate framework, various critical processes are orchestrated to maintain the health and efficiency of Dynamics 365 solutions. Encompassing a range of critical processes, this end-to-end business process involves defining business continuity plans, managing licensing and entitlements, administering system features, ensuring system access and security, training users for increased adoption, monitoring systems and capacity, managing background jobs and notifications, adopting software releases, overseeing data synchronization, ensuring system compliance, and providing responsive support.

While primarily addressing post-implementation needs, administer to operate plays a pivotal role in maintaining the efficiency, compliance, and adaptability of Dynamics 365 solutions, ensuring they continually align with evolving business processes and user requirements. For initial deployment and installation guidance, organizations can refer to the Dynamics 365 Implementation Guide, recognizing administer to operate as the cornerstone for ongoing optimization and resilience.

In summary, administer to operate encompasses a multifaceted approach to sustainably manage, optimize, and support Dynamics 365 solutions throughout their lifecycle, ensuring they remain aligned with organizational goals and responsive to evolving business dynamics.

Every organization has variations to the administer to operate processes. Here, we define the basic outline for any organization looking to implement a technology solution to support the administer to operate process with Dynamics 365.

Impact

The impact of implementing the administer to operate end-to-end business processes within an organization using Dynamics 365 products is profound and far-reaching. Firstly, the meticulous definition of business continuity plans ensures that the organization is equipped to navigate unforeseen disruptions seamlessly, minimizing downtime, and safeguarding critical operations. Although Dynamics 365 is a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, the system typically integrates with other systems and solutions in an organization, and understanding what Microsoft covers and protects and what organizations need to manage on their own is critical to an overall solution.

Effective management of licensing and entitlements optimizes resource allocation, maximizing the return on investment while aligning Dynamics 365 usage with evolving business needs. The administration of system features contributes to an agile and responsive technology infrastructure, adapting swiftly to changing organizational requirements. Rigorous control over system access and security enhances data integrity and protects sensitive information, instilling confidence in stakeholders.

User training initiatives foster increased adoption, empowering the workforce to use the full potential of Dynamics 365, ultimately driving operational efficiency. Ongoing monitoring of systems, environments, and capacity enables proactive identification and resolution of potential issues, ensuring optimal performance and user experience. The management of background jobs and notifications, coupled with the uptake of software releases, reflects a commitment to staying current with technological advancements, enhancing system capabilities over time.

Effective data synchronization and system compliance measures underscore the organization's commitment to data integrity and regulatory standards. Lastly, responsive support systems provide a safety net, addressing user queries promptly and troubleshooting issues, contributing to a resilient and smoothly functioning Dynamics 365 environment. In essence, the impact of administer to operate end-to-end business processes is transformative. These processes position organizations to not only adapt to change but to thrive in a dynamic business landscape through the continuous optimization of their Dynamics 365 solutions.

Note

The administer to operate process doesn't cover initial deployment and installation guidance. For that, use the Dynamics 365 implementation guide.

Stakeholders

  • Administrators and system configuration stakeholders define and refine system configurations. They oversee the day-to-day functioning of Dynamics 365 and fine-tune system features to align with evolving business processes.

  • Security and compliance stakeholders manage system access and ensure adherence to regulatory standards. They oversee user roles, permissions, and security protocols to protect sensitive data and maintain compliance.

  • Training and adoption facilitators drive user proficiency and widespread adoption of Dynamics 365. They develop and implement training programs and ensure users embrace and effectively use the system.

  • IT support stakeholders ensure the continuous health and performance of Dynamics 365. They address user queries and troubleshoot issues. They also monitor systems, environments, and capacity to identify and resolve potential bottlenecks.

  • Data management and governance stakeholders maintain data integrity and synchronize information across the Dynamics 365 ecosystem. They establish and enforce data governance policies, ensuring consistency and reliability in your data.

  • Change management stakeholders facilitate smooth transitions during system updates and enhancements. They strategize and oversee change initiatives and ensure effective communication with stakeholders throughout the process.

  • Software release stakeholders orchestrate the uptake of new software releases. They collaborate with software deployment specialists to ensure seamless integration, enabling you to use the latest features and improvements in Dynamics 365.

  • Business continuity planning team prepare for and respond to disruptions. They lead the development of plans, assess potential risks, and propose mitigation strategies, ensuring your resilience in the face of unforeseen events.

Engaging these stakeholders ensures a holistic approach to administer to operate, fostering collaboration and expertise from various domains.

Benefits

Administer to operate has a profound and far-reaching impact on your organization's success with Dynamics 365. Here are some of the benefits:

  • Streamlined operations and enhanced efficiency: Dynamics 365 provides tools to automate workflows, unify data management, and integrate business intelligence. You can reduce process cycle times, improve resource utilization, and increase productivity.
  • Data-driven decision-making: Dynamics 365 empowers you to make informed decisions based on real-time data analysis and visualization. You can track key performance indicators (KPIs), such as revenue growth, profitability, and market share. You can also optimize your strategies, identify growth opportunities, and proactively address challenges.
  • Scalability and flexibility for business growth: Dynamics 365 scales seamlessly with your business needs. You can accommodate increased data volumes and user demands without disruption. You can also adapt easily to changing business requirements, reduce time-to-market for new products or services, and increase agility in responding to market dynamics.
  • Integrated platform for unified business processes: Dynamics 365 unifies customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) functionalities on a single platform built on Dataverse and Power Platform. This integration eliminates silos and enables seamless collaboration between sales, marketing, finance, and operations.

Next steps

Contributors

This article is maintained by Microsoft. It was originally written by the following contributors.

Principal author:

  • Rachel Profitt | Principal Program Manager, FastTrack for Dynamics 365

Other contributors:

  • Haytham Said | Senior Program Manager, FastTrack for Dynamics 365