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Dynamics 365 App implementations: In-house, outsourced, or in partnership?
The ultimate guide to choosing the right approach for your business transformation
If your business is thirsty for breakthrough expansion but you are hitting a wall, you might be in the market for digital solutions that can fast-tack your growth and give you the competitive edge. From the myriad of options out there, Microsoft Business Applications is the golden standard to help you scale your business, reach more customers, and make the most of your investment.
By leveraging the power of Microsoft’s market-leading cloud platform, Dynamics 365 BusApps can transform any aspect of your business, whether that’s Finance and Operations, Sales, or Customer Service, leveraging features that streamline workflows and provide game-changing insights. It really is the ultimate capabilities multiplier.
At HSO International, we’ve been in the business of digital transformation for over 30 years, and along the way we’ve learned a thing or two. In this guide, we discuss the pros and cons of each implementation approach, drawing from our experience to help you choose a path that is the best fit for your company.
What is your perfect fit?
With so many options on the market, you may be wondering whether Dynamics 365 BusApps is for you, and what the best way is for you to implement it. While it certainly is an advantage if you are already operating in the Microsoft ecosystem, anyone can jump straight in and start generating value with Dynamics 365. It is the ideal digital solution for any company with a well-established IT team and the ambition to expand their global footprint.
Because of its modular nature, Dynamics 365 allows you to implement applications that give you an immediate return on investment. With a proper roadmap in place, you build on the newly established framework to continue scaling your business. Furthermore, you can choose a degree of involvement that suits your needs, offering you the ability to allocate resources as you see fit.
However, it’s important to emphasize that this kind of implementation is not an IT project, but rather a business transformation project. The goal is not just to streamline your processes and increase the efficiency of your organization, but to fundamentally enhance your productivity and capacity for innovation to realize your company’s long-term goals. With this perspective, you can properly quantify the long-term benefits and hidden costs of each approach.
Sound like a lot? That’s why we recommend the partnership option and advise you to carefully choose the right implementation advisor. Ideally, that’s a partner with enough industry knowledge to quickly gain a solid understanding of your business challenges. They must put your vision first and not only strive to help you craft a roadmap, but to go the distance and navigate challenges throughout your transformation journey.
In broad terms, you can choose to implement your project anywhere along a spectrum of native involvement, from taking the project on your own shoulders, to fully outsourcing it to an independent company. Below are the main characteristics of different options across that spectrum.
The in-house option
Implementing Microsoft BusApps entirely in-house means your organization takes complete ownership of the process. This approach requires you to exercise maximum control over the project and tailor every detail to your specific needs and objectives. However, it's important to note that it demands significant internal resources, expertise, and a considerable time commitment.
This approach puts all the responsibility on your shoulders, using targeted expertise of outside resources, such as freelancers, to train your development team or help implement your solutions. While this is a very flexible option, it is not business focused, so it lacks attention for organizational change management and accountability for the effectiveness of your solution. Additionally, you may find yourself too deep in the weeds to maintain the big picture perspective that allows you to adapt as you refine business needs.
Considerations:
- Maximum customization and control
- Possible lower initial project costs
- High demand on internal resources
- Slower time to return investment
- Lack of insight into future costs
- Requires detail orientation, obscuring the big picture view
Balancing your needs for a successful implementation
Selecting the best approach for your business transformation depends on your organization's unique needs, resources, and vision. Whatever method you choose for your organization, ensure you have the internal and external support structure you need to secure the success of your investment.
If you want to accelerate your transformation by entering a partnership with a trusted advisor on your side, a partner like HSO International can offer a balanced blend of control, immediate impact, and long-term success. Our global practice capability means that we are in tune with the needs of international companies who operate and do business across complex regulatory and cultural borders. This allows you to adapt to changing circumstances in the global market and ensures that your digital transformation efforts align with your vision.
We are proud to offer world-class service and be recognized as one of the best Microsoft partners globally. If you are still feeling unsure of which approach is ideal for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are happy to point you in the right direction.
Ready to take your business to a new level? We invite you to explore our offerings and discover how we can support your company's journey.
Looking to discuss option?
Complete the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible, to discuss the best approach for your organisation.