What is a business solution? How do I create one with Dynamics 365?

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What is a business solution?

Solution, business solutions. These are terms we often see in ads or on social media. But what's a business solution in the ERP/CRM ecosystem?

The official definition goes like this: a business solution is a group of software units that create a cross-functional system for your company. It's used as a structure for the integration and automation of numerous business processes that a company or a small business has to accomplish, like bookkeeping, logistics, shipping, operations, supply chain, customers management, etc.

When you get a CRM or an ERP, the application is at a stage that we call ''out of the box'' or "vanilla." An out-of-the-box solution is the basic version of your software or app.

A vanilla solution can meet most business needs, but some customization can improve your performance and productivity. Specific challenge may require custom solutions, but it's not always necessary.

Business solutions for CRM and ERP apps.

For example, ‌a solution provider can build a business solution from any apps like Microsoft Dynamics 365 , Salesforce , HubSpot, and many other systems.

So, a solution is a group of customizations made by yourself or in collaboration with a solution provider like Gestisoft.

Are solutions useful in Microsoft Dynamics 365?

The great flexibility of apps like Dynamics 365 allows you to go as far as your imagination. An implementation advisor is there to execute your plans with the software in place. They will advise you, while helping you determine the true needs of your enterprise and optimizing your sales processes. After meeting with them and analyzing your business, the solution will take form.

To get an idea of the role of a solution in your app, you can compare it to a container like a bucket. The customizations that you will choose with your advisor represent the content of the bucket: whether it’s a field, automation, or a business process, you will find a solution that is extended, versatile, and unique to your needs.

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Finally, a business solution allows you to evolve your CRM or ERP at the same pace as your company. A business partner like Gestisoft can work with you in this evolution while advising you and teaching you the best practices.

How to create a solution for Dynamics 365?

Speaking of best practices, here is a small guide explaining in detail the steps to creating a solution in your Dynamics 365.

What is a solution by default in Dynamics 365?

As I mentioned earlier, your Dynamics 365 includes a solution that we call ‘’out of the box’’ or “vanilla” in French. This is a solution that hasn’t been subject to any customizations, like an object that we have just taken out of its packaging. If you wish to improve your out-of-the-box solution and create your own solution, follow these steps:

The 2 steps to create a solution in Dynamics 365

Step #1: Go to the creation menu

Select Settings and click on the Solution button

This is a view of all the system solutions (out of the box) created by Microsoft. We’re going to create our own solution now that will customize the basic version offered.

Step #2: Create a new solution

Click on New button and a solution creation interface will appear

On this interface, you will have to fill the required fields indicated by a red star. Those that don’t show a red star are optional.

1. Display name: Identify your solution so it's easy to recognize.
2. Name: Dynamics 365 will automatically identify the unique name of your solution. You can modify it before saving, but once the solution is saved, it won't be possible to change its name.
3. Publisher: It's very important to name the editor, because it allows your organization to trace back to who created the solution.
4. Configuration Page: the link to an optional status page for the solution.
5. Version: By default, the basic solution is identified as ‌1.0.0.0. If you modify the solution, it's recommended to modify the number of your solution version. Each company can establish their own standards. There's no official method of numbering your versions. The important thing is that each new version number follows an ascending order.
6. Description: In this field, you can describe the role of the solution, and at each version of your solution you can identify what's been customized. By having the information written into your solution, you can provide an efficient transfer of information.

When all the fields are filled, you just have to click on the Save button and Close. After, the solution will appear in your solution list.

The role of solution Publisher in Microsoft Dynamics 365

As you have seen in Step 2, you'll have to identify a solution publisher. A solution publisher allows you to identify its creator and differentiate the customizations from the out-of-the-box features. That way, you can choose a publisher by default, or create a new one.

To do so, you'll need to click on the lens.

Then click on Look up more records.

Click on the New button.

The publisher creation interface will appear.

Enter the name of the publisher and the solution’s unique name. Remember that the name of the editor and its unique name can only be modified before saving.

1. Display name of the publisher
2. The description of who the publisher is.
3. The prefix used to identify the publisher. All customizations that you've created will have the prefix you determine. In the case of Gestisoft, the prefix employed is GS, like you see in the Name Preview.
4. Enter the publisher's contact info.

You can create these customizations yourself or you can ask for help from a specialist in CRM or ERP implementation like Gestisoft.