Using a generic ERP/CRM solution as the basis for your business information system, completed with specific functionality for your industry and organisation, has proven itself to be a true success formula. In today’s world, however, these customisations are increasingly being replaced by add-on’s or Apps. In order to support this switch, Microsoft created AppSource – a portal where Dynamics 365 partners can showcase their add-on’s. AppSource gives both customers and the partner community a great insight into the availability of relevant standard solutions. And to benefit from ‘IKEA-like’ implementations.
When implementing a traditional business software solution, the favourite choice for long years was customisations. For customers, it felt great to have functionality developed that supports their own unique way of working. But over time, they also experienced downsides. It takes a long time to develop. There is a high cost and risk. The helpdesk support can be defined as inferior, and the solutions are often inadequately tested and documented. Real problems show up when the customer wants to upgrade to newer versions: that is often only possible with a costly re-implementation. Customisations are one of the main reasons why so many organisations still use old(er) versions.
The concept of customised software seems to have lost momentum. In today’s fast-changing world with very demanding customers, organisations simply cannot afford to take years to implement a new solution. It’s all about time-to-value. Besides, it doesn’t make sense to re-automate outdated business processes.
That’s why, a few years ago, Microsoft created AppSource (Business Apps – Microsoft AppSource) – a store for add-ons or apps for Dynamics 365. Independent Software Vendors (ISV’s) from all over the world use AppSource to showcase their solutions. And the Microsoft resellers (VAR’s) and their customers use the insights into the global add-on offering to create successful projects.
Today, AppSource offers more than 10.000 solutions for the various Microsoft offerings. Microsoft sets high standards for both quality and availability. Since after all, they are used as part of her cloud offerings. So that’s a guarantee for you! AppSource is also good news for the thousands of Dynamics 365 partners as they don’t have to develop all solutions themselves!
Using these standard solutions requires, of course, the acceptance and ability of your organisation to change your business processes towards the standard solution. And it will impact the partner’s business as well. They will have to switch from developing all solutions themselves to becoming a kind of broker that brings supply and demand together and glues the different solutions towards a winning system.
Your yield is vast! AppSource supports you to move towards ‘IKEA-like’ implementations: fast, good and cheap. So your implementations will be faster. The quality of your solutions and the support will be better. And all this at a more affordable price level.
When will you start using AppSource?
If you want to know more about how Appsource can benefit your business drop us an email on hello@sci-net.co.uk or call us on 01869 349949
