The popularity of Microsoft’s on-premises Dynamics ERP and CRM applications is a testament to their quality and resiliency. However, that has led to hesitation among some organizations regarding embracing Microsoft’s newer technological advances, like Dynamics 365.
For that reason, Microsoft has created an incentive program to entice companies to make the move, especially those interested in exploring the benefits of generative AI. The Accelerate, Innovate, and Move (AIM) program covers legacy applications like Dynamics GP, Dynamics CRM, and Dynamics 365 Business.
Why Should Customers Embrace Microsoft AIM?
There are many Microsoft customers still using older Microsoft Dynamics products. While that speaks to the quality of what the company has put out in the past, those users are missing out on new cloud features like Dynamics 365 Copilot. It leverages generative AI to assist business users with tasks like:
- Creating meeting summaries
- Drafting marketing pitch outlines
- Responding to customer service requests
- Auto-generating emails
Microsoft hopes that adding generative AI capabilities will incentivize customers to move to the cloud. Organizations that take advantage of AIM receive access to a dedicated team of migration advisors. They’ll also receive benefits like migration support and expert assessments.
How Does Microsoft AIM Help Businesses?
Earlier this year, Microsoft introduced Copilot, an AI assistant integrated into Dynamics 365 and Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It helps users automate workflows, discover new data insights, and reduce time spent on manual tasks.
Businesses still using on-premises instances of Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 platforms will likely need help ensuring they don’t fall behind other industry competitors already moving forward with AI-powered technologies. AIM provides companies with a path forward to migrate critical processes to a cloud platform.
Customers who qualify for AIM receive coverage for a wide array of on-premises Microsoft business applications, including:
- Dynamics AX
- Dynamics CRM
- Dynamics GP
- Dynamics SL
- Dynamics NAV
- Dynamics 365 Business Central (on-premises)
Microsoft hopes to see AIM have a significant role in shaping the future of the cloud and AI technology. It’s an excellent opportunity for on-premises customers to move their operations to a cloud platform.
The capabilities offered by Copilot give companies additional value-added services. They also remove the burden of manually updating Microsoft Dynamics on-premises applications. Those updates occur automatically, meaning there’s no need for IT administration.
Microsoft AIM Benefits
Below is an overview of what companies gain from participating in the AIM program.
Environmental Assessments by Microsoft Partner
Many organizations hesitate to start a cloud migration because they need more understanding of the value of such a move. Businesses also want clarity around the expected business outcomes, all critical steps involved, and dependencies around shifting on-premises business applications to a cloud platform.
That’s where the AIM partnership comes into play. Microsoft partners stand ready to help companies answer critical questions about shifting to cloud versions of their on-premises Dynamics 365 and Microsoft 365 applications.
Expert Implementation Guidance
Any project success from a cloud migration depends on lowering risks while getting applications to a place where they help companies start realizing value. Microsoft partners within the AIM program provide implementation guidance and services. Businesses have access to technical experts with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the cloud migration process.
Certified Microsoft partners commit to the Success by Design approach regarding cloud deployments. It outlines a pathway to designing, building, and deploying Dynamics 365 cloud solutions and transitioning away from on-premises legacy platforms.
All AIM partners receive access to Success by Design tools like the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Implementation portal. It offers implementation guidance to help businesses ensure a successful cloud deployment. There are also the FastTrack solution architects Microsoft makes available for collaborations with eligible customers. They provide services like:
- Validating solution architectures
- Mitigating risks
- Getting past deployment roadblocks
Having Microsoft architects working with Microsoft partners helps ensure seamless transitions from on-premises applications to the cloud. Partners also have the option to work with AIM Modernization Centers to speed up a customer’s cloud move.
Lower Costs and Greater Agility
Cloud migrations from Dynamics 365 on-premises to the cloud is an incremental process. AIM helps customers optimize investments through efforts like Bridge to the Cloud 2 (BTTC2). Companies who participate receive subscription discounts as part of their cloud migration efforts.
Organizations can benefit in many ways, including:
- Eliminating the IT costs associated with maintaining and updating on-premises legacy Dynamics 365 platforms
- Less need to add customizations to accommodate business processes
- Increased visibility into operations
- Optimization of processes like sales, procurement, pricing, and stock monitoring
- Increased productivity
- Lower carbon footprint
Transform Your Organization With AIM
AIM represents Microsoft’s goal to help businesses understand what’s happening in their organization. It connects information from ERP and CRM systems. The addition of Copilot allows companies to use actionable insights from unified access to Power BI and Microsoft 365.
Thanks to over 5,000 developer extensibility points, Dynamics 365 offers flexibility, allowing it to adapt to various industry-specific needs. It also comes with the backing of Microsoft Security, ensuring reliability and stability for Dynamics 365 cloud operations.
Take AIM at a Better Future With IES
Internet eBusiness Solutions (IES) has experience working with every iteration of Dynamics. We’ve been there to help customers adapt their on-premises applications. Our team is proud to partner with Microsoft to help those companies transition to Dynamics 365.
IES helps organizations realize the value of moving over to the cloud. They can start taking advantage of the capabilities provided by generative AI by seamlessly automating critical workflows and removing the tediousness of the work required to support essential business operations.
If you have questions or are ready to move, feel free to contact one of our Microsoft solution experts. Our team can provide your organization with everything necessary to stay ahead of the competition.
