Becoming a Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Solution Architect: Implement industry-grade finance and supply chain solutions for successful enterprise resource planning (ERP)

✍ Scribed by Brent Dawson

• Publisher: Packt Publishing
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 270
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Reap the full potential of D365 Finance and Supply Chain Management with tips, best practices, proven architectural design concepts, and solutions to common challenges

Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Key Features

• Learn to use Microsoft Fasttrack to successfully implement and deploy D365 F&SCM solutions
• Understand architectural considerations and best practices for D365 Finance and SCM applications
• Gain expert guidance on data migration, complex integration, security, and licensing

Book Description

Implementing an ERP project is a daunting task, and it can often get derailed due to several reasons, including but not limited to inefficient planning, inadequate resource scoping, insufficient working knowledge of ERP systems, and more. Becoming a Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Solution Architect helps you understand the intricacies of ERP project implementation for seamless deployment.

This comprehensive guide helps you gain a deep understanding of how to implement and optimize robust business applications that meet the evolving needs of organizations. You'll discover various integration methodologies to integrate different software applications and plan successful data migration seamlessly. By leveraging the author's expertise, you'll explore different challenges that can lead to project failure or cost/time overruns, along with customized solutions to maneuver past those issues for a successful outcome.

By the end of the book, you'll be able to identify potential issues that can negatively impact the delivery of the project and make design decisions that will prevent any potential negative impact on the design and functionality of the system at go-live stage.

What you will learn

• Design an architectural solution for Dynamics 365 with the Fasttrack method
• Discover potential issues that occur while integrating D365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
• Set up industry-standard yet customized security configurations
• Scope license requirements and apply license rules during deployment
• Plan and test for successful data migration and system integration
• Identify required tools, applications, and methods for ALM
• Explore different aspects of human change management in D365 F&SCM projects

Who this book is for

This book is for aspiring Microsoft D365 finance and supply chain solutions architects looking to take up the challenges of integrating different systems, configuring security models, complex data migrations, licensing, and overall system design based on client requirements.

Furthermore, this book serves as a valuable guide for experienced solution architects seeking to expand their skill set and enhance their expertise in tackling complex challenges within the field.

Table of Contents

1. Overcoming Challenges in D365 Finance and SCM Projects
2. Understanding the Microsoft Fasttrack© Process
3. Dealing with Integrations
4. Efficient Security Design
5. Planning for Successful Data Migration
6. Licensing Challenges
7. How to Plan a D365 F&SCM Project
8. Learning the Client's Business
9. Collecting Project Requirements
10. ALM Tools and Applications
11. Human Change Management
12. Building a Blueprint Solution
13. Deploying the Project Solution

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Title page
Copyright & Credits
Foreword
Contributors
Table of Contents
Preface
Part 1: Architectural Considerations and Best Practices for D365 Finance and SCM
Chapter 1: Overcoming Challenges in D365 Finance and SCM Projects
How do we get started?
Who wants this software?
How to get started?
What can we do to fix it?
How to be an SA
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Understanding the Microsoft FastTrack© Process
The Success by Design methodology
Cloud-first
Data-first
Phased approach
What is Microsoft FastTrack for Dynamics 365?
Customer requirements
Partner requirements
Engagement
Implementation guides
Who does what in the project?
FastTrack engagement
The role of the SA
A FastTrack engagement case study
The initiate phase
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Dealing with Integrations
What are integrations?
What components make up an integration?
Data integration patterns
Custom services
Batch APIs
OData
Dataverse
Virtual entities
Why do integrations fail?
Working in silos
Data dependency
Not understanding interface complexity
Understanding integrations
Resistance to change
We always blame the software
Case study
Integrating two ERP systems
DW for a racing team
Solidworks to D365
Power Automate
Ways to fix integration issues
Change-tracking
Budget properly
Tool selection
Planning your strategy
Creating the team
Standardization
Testing, testing, and testing
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Efficient Security Design
Why is the cloud different?
What does security look like in D365 F&SCM?
D365 security architecture
Extended data security
Security reports
Segregation of duties
External reports
How to best set up security
Architecture
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Planning for Successful Data Migration
What is data migration?
Types of data
Data locations
Data migration methodologies
Data management
Data management framework
Data entities
Data mapping
Data tools
Creating a migration strategy
Prepare for data migration
Data import and export strategy
Validating data output
Cutover plans
Data migration best practices
Case studies
So, what are the reports?
Conclusion
Chapter 6: Licensing Challenges
Understanding the Microsoft licensing model
Where can I get the licenses from?
Dynamics license types
Base versus attached licenses
Other licenses
But I’m an administrator?
How do we know what license to get?
Plan out subscription requirements
Dynamics 365 Licensing Guide
The Users page in System Administration
Custom security
Subscription estimator
ISV, External, and other license types
Multiplexing
Assigning licenses
License reporting
Security configuration diagnostics
Real-world example
Conclusion
Part 2: From Solution Design to Deployment – Practical Advice
Chapter 7: How to Plan a D365 F&SCM Project
Project management
The project layout
Project management tools
Prepare to start
Project team
Governance
Framework
Risks
Project structure
Steering the project
Project reports
Risks
Stage gates
Change boards
Responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed
Business processes
Project checklists
Conclusion
Chapter 8: Learning the Client’s Business
Success by Design
Where to start?
Let’s speak the same language
LCS BOM
Identifying the business processes
Dynamics 365 F&SCM TOM
Why understand the TOM?
Business process optimization
Solution modeling
Fit-gap analysis
LCS tools
Business process modeler (BPM)
Implementation of requirements
Case study
Conclusion
Chapter 9: Collecting Project Requirements
Where do we start?
Why out of the box?
Let’s talk a bit about development
Understanding the differences
What tools are available?
Okay, so what’s next?
Let’s listen to the client
Active listening
Using diagrams
Where are we?
Create the solution blueprint
Conclusion
Chapter 10: ALM Tools and Applications
Azure DevOps
Version control
Release pipelines
Project management
Testing
Dynamics LCS
Environments
Task Recorder
Task Recorder for security configuration
RSAT
Visual Studio
DevOps examples
Creating a project
Best practices
Conclusion
Chapter 11: Human Change Management
What is human change management?
Identifying stakeholders and their needs
Developing a change management strategy
Communicating the change
Training and development
Reinforcement and sustainability
Why do employees need to know what’s coming?
The Change Curve
Human change methodologies
Prosci ADKAR Model
Who is best to lead change?
Change tools
Case studies
Case study 1 – the bad project
Case study 2 – the good project
Conclusion
Chapter 12: Building a Blueprint Solution
Knowing what goes into a solution blueprint
Understanding the blueprint
Assess the suitability of the blueprint
Customize the blueprint
Establish a strong governance structure
Develop a detailed implementation plan
Ensure adequate training and skill development
Implement monitoring and evaluation mechanisms
Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing
Plan for long-term support and maintenance
Review and iterate
Project roles
Expressing user requirements
What to include in the blueprint
Responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed
Project budget document
Living documents
Best practices
Conclusion
Chapter 13: Deploying the Project Solution
Building the blueprint solution
Design pillars of solution architecture
Strategies
Go-live preparation
Case study
How should it look?
Conclusion
Index
Other Books You May Enjoy