Advantages and functions of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Project Operations:
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As part of the Dynamics 365 product suite, Microsoft Project Operations connects all teams involved in projects in a single application. The aim is to accelerate project execution and maximize profitability. Project Operations combines all project-related functions from different areas of the company and thus offers the opportunity to centrally control, monitor and optimize the entire project life cycle.
Functions, advantages and limitations of the individual deployment options of Project Operations in comparison
The three deployment variants of Project Operations
Microsoft offers three different deployment variants within the βProject Operationsβ license, which are selected according to requirements. These variants differ both in their functionality and in the requirements for their technical environment.
- Lite deployment: project operations in the area of customer engagement apps
- Integrated deployment: Project Operations for resource/non-stocked based scenarios deployment
- Fully integrated ERP modulel: Project Operations for stocked/production-based scenarios deployment
In this blog post, we will introduce you to the three different deployment options and show you the most important functions and benefits. In this comparison, we will also inform you about the respective limitations of the different variants of Project Operations.
1. Project Operations as lite deployment
The Lite deployment of Project Operations runs exclusively in the Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (CE) environment. It is aimed at companies that mainly require project-related sales and human resource management functions and no direct financial accounting integration for their project business.
Features & benefits: Why the Lite deployment of Project Operations is worthwhile
- Extensive customization options, as the CE app is based on the low-code application of a Power App
- Easy to get started with little implementation effort
- Ideal for companies that do not require financial accounting functions
2. Project Operations as integrated deployment
Microsoft refers to the integrated deployment variant as βProject Operations for resource/non-stocked based scenarios deploymentβ.
This variant uses both the CE environment and the Finance and Operations (F&O) environment. The dual-write technology guarantees real-time synchronization between the two platforms. The connection to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance enables full financial accounting integration so that projects can be booked right through to the final invoice.
Features & benefits: Why the integrated provision of Project Operations is worthwhile
- More comprehensive functions through the combination of CE and F&O
- Companies can access both sales and finance functions from Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance
- Flexible customization of the CE interface possible
- Project processing up to the customer invoice possible
Restrictions of the integrated deployment:
- More complex implementation and higher maintenance due to included dual-write technology
- Requires specific user knowledge of both environments
- Not all benefits of the fully integrated ERP module can be utilized
- No integration of manufacturing processes
- No integration of asset accounting
3. Project Operations as a fully integrated ERP module
Microsoft refers to this deployment variant as "Project Operations for stocked/production-based scenarios deployment"
This is Project Operations as a fully integrated ERP module. This variant offers the maximum range of functions and is based entirely on the technology of the Finance and Operations platform. This deployment model is particularly suitable for all companies that require a comprehensive end-to-end solution with in-depth finance and project functions.
Functions & advantages: Why the fully integrated ERP module from Project Operations is worthwhile
- Complete range of functions for complex project requirements
- Seamless integration with the modules from Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance
- Seamless integration with the modules from Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management
- Maximum scalability for growing and international companies
- Enables the mapping of complex and automated procurement scenarios
- Enables the mapping of project-organized production processes
- Enables the mapping of project-related maintenance contracts
- Enables the construction of new plants via a project organization as well as the automatic accounting entry of the expenses incurred for this
Which Project Operations variant is right for your company?
Lite, integrated or as a fully integrated ERP module: The choice of the appropriate installation variant depends on the individual requirements and resources of your company:
- For small to medium-sized companies with simple project requirements, without the need for direct financial accounting integration or advanced procurement, warehouse and production processes, the Lite variant is ideal.
- Companies that require both project and financial functions, but no further procurement, warehouse or production processes, can use the integrated variant.
- For organizations with more complex project processes, stock-managed items, automated procurement processes or production, on the other hand, the fully integrated ERP module is the best choice.
Conclusion
Dynamics 365 Project Operations is a powerful Microsoft solution that offers project-oriented companies numerous options. Different deployment models are available depending on a company's requirements.
Which variant is the right one depends on the individual business processes and growth plans. While the Lite version is ideal for a quick start, larger organizations with extensive projects benefit from Project Operations as a fully integrated ERP module.
If you would like to find out more about how Microsoft Project Operations can support your company, please contact us. We can help you find the right installation variant for your specific requirements and configure it to suit your company's needs.
