Dynamics 365 - Online vs on-premises features FAQ
Applies To: Dynamics 365 (online), Dynamics 365 (on-premises), Dynamics CRM Online, Dynamics CRM 2016
Note
To see a cumulative list of online-only features, including features introduced in Dynamics 365 (online), version 9.0, see online-only features in Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement.
This document lists features introduced in the following Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Dynamics CRM releases:
December 2016 update for Dynamics 365 (online and on-premises)
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online 2016 Update 1
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 Service Pack 1
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online 2016 Update
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 on-premises
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online 2015 Update 1
The first three tables in this document show when each feature was introduced and whether the feature is available for:
Dynamics 365 (online), Dynamics 365 on-premises, or both
Dynamics CRM Online, Dynamics CRM on-premises, or both
The third table in this document focuses on Microsoft Office integration features and shows which Office integration features are available for particular scenarios.
Tip
To see the versions that apply to the releases below, see Support: Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) releases
On this page
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Features introduced in the December 2016 update to Dynamics 365 (online and on-premises)
Features introduced in CRM Online 2016 Update 1 or CRM 2016 Service Pack 1
Features introduced in CRM Online 2016 Update, CRM 2016 (on-premises), or CRM Online 2015 Update 1
Office integration
Features introduced in the December 2016 update to Dynamics 365 (online and on-premises)
Feature |
Dynamics 365 (online)/Dynamics 365 (on-premises) |
3rd party S2S Inbound Authentication |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Advanced Service Analytics |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Analyze with Power BI (requires Power BI) |
Both |
App Source |
Both |
App designer and sitemap designers |
Both |
Business processes unified designer (business process flows, business rules, and mobile task flows) |
Both |
Business process analytics (requires Power BI) |
Both |
Connected Field Service |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Customer backup and restore |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Customer Insights service |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Data Export service |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Document suggestions |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Dynamics 365 administration |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Dynamics 365 Admin Role in Office 365 |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Dynamics 365 App for Outlook enhancements |
Both |
Dynamics 365 Connector Updates for Power App and Flow |
Both |
Editable grids |
Both |
Exchange booking integration |
Both |
Field Service enhancements |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Gamification |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Learning Path (guided help) customization |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Mobile homepage with Relationship Insights |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Mobile management enhancements |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Mobile Offline Data API |
Both |
Mobile UI productivity |
Both |
Modular business apps |
Both |
Office 365 Groups enhancements |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Online customer backup and restore |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Partner Portal enhancements |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Portal service enhancements |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Project Service Automation enhancements |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Relationship Insights (Features include Email Engagement, Auto Capture, and Relationship Assistant) |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Relevance Search |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Resource scheduling optimization |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Scheduling unification |
Both |
Sovereign cloud Germany |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Task-based experiences |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Threat management with SIEM |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Visual process designer |
Both |
Features introduced in CRM Online 2016 Update 1 or CRM 2016 Service Pack 1
|
Feature |
CRM Online/CRM on-premises |
|
Productivity |
|
|
Learning Path guided help (runtime experience only) |
CRM Online only |
|
Dynamics CRM App for Outlook supported for CRM on-premises |
CRM on-premises only |
|
Office 365 Groups enhancements |
CRM Online only |
|
Email signatures for CRM users and teams |
Both |
|
Email integration |
|
|
Hybrid server-side synchronization (connect CRM on-premises to Exchange Online) |
CRM on-premises only |
|
Mobile |
|
|
Rich mobile offline experience |
CRM Online only |
|
Mobile devices conditional access |
CRM Online only |
|
Preview feature: Company news timeline solution |
CRM Online only |
|
Service reps can search for, view, create, and edit knowledge articles |
Both |
|
Sales professionals can manage quotes, orders, and invoices |
Both |
|
Manage mobile devices with Intune without enrolling the device |
Both |
|
Faster mobile app preparation after customization |
Both |
|
Service |
|
|
Self-service portals for non-CRM audience |
CRM Online only |
|
Project-based sales with project service capabilities |
CRM Online only |
|
Remote service with field service capabilities |
CRM Online only |
|
SLAs for custom entities and other system entities |
Both |
|
Interactive service hub enhancements:
|
Both |
|
Unified Service Desk enhancements:
|
Both |
|
Intelligence |
|
|
Preview feature: Azure Machine Learning product recommendations |
CRM Online only |
|
Preview feature: Azure Machine Learning knowledge base suggestions |
CRM Online only |
|
Analytics |
|
|
Organization Insights Dashboard shows system usage stats |
CRM Online only |
|
Customization |
|
|
Feedback and ratings on entities |
Both |
|
Customer field for any entity |
Both |
|
Package Deployer tool runs from command prompt |
Both |
|
Performance |
|
|
Query load time optimization |
Both |
|
SDK |
|
|
Create customer attributes for any entity |
Both |
|
CRM Web API enhancements:
|
Both |
|
Enhanced client API support in interactive service hub |
Both |
|
Support for knowledge base search control client APIs on CRM mobile clients and the interactive service hub |
Both |
|
Easily launch the interactive service hub using the CRM SiteMap |
Both |
|
Apply SLAs to custom entities and specific system entities in CRM |
Both |
|
Categorize entity records in CRM |
Both |
|
Provide feedback and rating for entity records in CRM |
Both |
|
Control how packages are deployed with the enhanced Package Deployer |
Both |
|
XRM tools enhancements for connections to CRM |
Both |
|
Simplified FormXML for Stream items in the interactive dashboards |
Both |
|
Entities updated for improved form rendering experience and new client APIs support |
Both |
|
Add SAS authorization support to CRM-Azure applications |
Both |
|
Send CRM data in multiple formats to a Microsoft Azure hosted listener application |
Both |
|
Integrate CRM with external event hub publishers |
Both |
Features introduced in CRM Online 2016 Update, CRM 2016 (on-premises), or CRM Online 2015 Update 1
Note
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online 2015 Update 1 was an online-only release. Most of the features introduced in that release are now available for on-premises customers in CRM 2016.
|
Feature |
CRM Online/CRM on-premises |
|
Navigation |
|
|
Move around CRM using the new navigation bar and menu system |
Both |
|
Productivity |
|
|
Dynamics CRM App for Outlook lightweight tracking app |
CRM Online only |
|
Track Exchange email activities automatically with Microsoft Outlook folder tracking |
Both |
|
Word templates |
Both |
|
Excel templates |
Both |
|
Export to Excel completely redesigned |
Both |
|
Store private documents in OneDrive for Business |
CRM Online only |
|
Trending documents with Office Delve |
CRM Online only |
|
Email integration |
|
|
Hybrid server-side synchronization (connect CRM Online to Exchange on-premises) |
CRM Online only |
|
Monitor mailbox health using the improved server-side synchronization Performance dashboard |
Both |
|
Mobile |
|
|
Email a link to a page from CRM for phones and tablets |
Both |
|
Enjoy the same mobile experience whether you’re using a phone or tablet |
Both |
|
Provide modern user interface with the new visual controls in CRM for phones and tablets |
Both |
|
Export data to Excel from CRM for phones and tablets |
Both |
|
Use iFrames and web resources in CRM for tablets |
Both |
|
Manage devices with Intune device management |
Both |
|
Preview mobile forms and dashboards before deploying to CRM for phones and tablets |
Both |
|
Secure your mobile data with Dynamics CRM for Good |
Both |
|
View SharePoint documents in CRM for phones and tablets |
Both |
|
Preview feature: Create a task flow in CRM for phones and tablets |
CRM Online only |
|
Use mobile apps with Windows 10 and iOS 9 |
Both |
|
Service |
|
|
Use surveys to collect feedback from customers |
CRM Online only |
|
Prioritize workloads with new interactive service hub dashboards and forms |
Both |
|
Reduce case call-handling time with rich knowledge management articles |
Both |
|
Enable service level agreements (SLAs) on demand |
Both |
|
Share the knowledge base with Parature |
CRM Online only |
|
Speed up customer service with default entitlements |
Both |
|
New, improved Unified Service Desk |
Both |
|
Analytics |
|
|
Power Query connector streamlines connections to CRM Online |
CRM Online only |
|
Administration |
|
|
Switch or delete an instance of CRM Online |
CRM Online only |
|
Manage CRM Online updates (customer-driven updates) |
CRM Online only |
|
Customization |
|
|
Add a logo or change the color scheme using themes |
Both |
|
Define business rules based on business process flows |
Both |
|
Move back to the previous stage of a business process flow on a different entity |
Both |
|
Call custom actions from workflows or dialogs |
Both |
|
Define rules for creating or updating CRM records from incoming activities |
Both |
|
Calculated field enhancements |
Both |
|
Clear field values with business rules |
Both |
|
Use solution segmentation for tighter control of solutions exports and patches |
Both |
|
Performance |
|
|
Forms load faster with the new form rendering engine |
Both |
|
SDK |
|
|
Change tracking API |
Both |
|
Control.getShowTime method for Date controls |
Both |
|
Create alternate keys for referencing records in CRM |
Both |
|
Custom actions in workflows or dialogs |
Both |
|
Custom claim mapping for SharePoint server-based integration |
Both |
|
Enhanced capabilities for sub-grid controls in forms |
Both |
|
Form script support for the new Knowledge Management (KM) integration with Parature |
CRM Online only |
|
Integrate CRM data with external systems more easily |
Both |
|
Integration with Parature |
CRM Online only |
|
Multiple message execution |
Both |
|
New form script capabilities Multiple message execution |
Both |
|
Optimistic concurrency |
Both |
|
Record creation and update rules |
Both |
|
Rollup field enhancements |
Both |
|
Specify custom price lists for opportunities, quotes, orders, and invoices |
Both |
|
Support for additional “older than” clauses for date and time fields in FetchXML and QueryExpression |
Both |
|
Support for new behavior of date and time values in CRM |
Both |
|
Tracing |
Both |
|
Track emails at the folder level |
Both |
|
Update message for specialized operations |
Both |
|
Upsert for updating CRM with external data |
Both |
Office integration
The following table shows the availability of Microsoft Office and email features, depending on whether Microsoft Office or Exchange is deployed online or on-premises.
Feature |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online)/Dynamics 365 (on-premises) |
Email - Dynamics 365 App for Outlook |
Both For more information, see Deploy Dynamics 365 App for Outlook |
Email - Dynamics 365 for Outlook (aka Outlook client) for Exchange Online* |
Both |
Email - Dynamics 365 for Outlook (aka Outlook client) for Exchange on-premises |
Both |
Email - Monitor mailbox health using the improved server-side synchronization performance dashboard |
Both |
Email - Server-side synchronization Test connection to Exchange Online |
Dynamics 365 (on-premises) only |
Email - Server-side synchronization Test connection to Exchange on-premises |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Email - Server-side synchronization - connect Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) with Exchange on-premises |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Email - Server-side synchronization - connect Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) to Exchange Online* |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Email - Server-side synchronization - connect Dynamics 365 (on-premises) to Exchange on-premises |
Dynamics 365 (on-premises) only |
Email - Server-side synchronization - track emails, appointments, tasks, and contacts immediately when manually tracking from Dynamics 365 for Outlook and Dynamics 365 App for Outlook |
Both |
Email - Track Exchange email activities automatically with folder tracking |
Both |
Delve* (Exchange Online optional for attachments). SharePoint Online license required |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Delve (Exchange on-premises) |
Not applicable |
Export to Excel completely redesigned |
Both |
Immersive experience, Excel Online* |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Office 365 Groups (Exchange Online)* |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
Office 365 Groups (Exchange on-premises) |
Not applicable |
OneDrive for Business (online). OneDrive for Business and SharePoint licenses required for each user* |
Both |
OneDrive for Business (on-premises) |
Not applicable |
OneNote (online)* |
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) only |
OneNote (on-premises) |
Not supported |
SharePoint Online* |
Both |
SharePoint (on-premises) |
Both |
Skype for Business (online)* |
Both |
Skype for Business (on-premises) |
Both |
Excel templates |
Both |
Word templates |
Both |
Yammer (online) |
Both |
Yammer (on-premises) |
Not applicable |
*This feature requires that you have an Office 365 subscription or a subscription to an online service such as SharePoint Online or Exchange Online. For more information, see What is Office 365 and how does it relate to Dynamics 365 (online)?
For full Office 365 feature integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 (online) and Dynamics 365 (on-premises), you'll need Office 365 Enterprise E3 or later. Skype for Business PSTN calling and conferencing requires Office 365 Enterprise E5. Other Office 365 plans are not supported. For more information on licensing and pricing, see: Licensing and Pricing Guide.