Less than a year ago, Microsoft made the Intelligent Order Management (IOM) workload of Dynamics 365 widely available. IOM is a cloud-based solution that enables an omnichannel approach throughout the order processing lifecycle. From intake to fulfillment, IOM empowers organizations to adapt quickly to emerging complexities while also supporting the more common buying channels (online, instore, etc.)
Moreover, Dynamics 365 IOM provides real-time visibility into cross-channel inventory, as well as advanced analytical capabilities for better decision making. AI-powered order insights give users the ability to proactively identify and overcome bottlenecks— all while driving efficiencies across the supply chain to ensure customer needs are met on time and in a cost-effective manner.
In today’s blogpost, we are excited to share the story of the first Dynamics 365 IOM project from HCL’s Microsoft Business Applications Practice (MBAP). In fact, it is the first IOM project sold in the SMB space by any Microsoft Partner, and globally it is one of the first IOM implementations of any kind!
The company that selected Dynamics 365 IOM – as well as MBAP as its implementation partner – is a US-based product development, marketing, and sales organization with a global reach. They served up several key pain points that had to be solved through digital transformation. They included:
- No visibility into data
- Backward-flowing data – from third-party logistics providers to ERP but not the other way around
- No visibility into ‘landed costs’
- No ability to add to or swap out ordering channels or third-party logistics providers
- No intelligent fulfilment based on internal processing rules
Selecting Microsoft technology was a straightforward decision: the combination of Dynamics 365 IOM with Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management (SCM) will deliver a true end-to-end system for the company. Its product will be tracked across the globe to a network of third-party warehouses. Microsoft’s IOM solution has the capability to determine the optimal order fulfillment strategy using intelligent rules that minimize the ordinary time and costs associated with any fulfillment process. Competitors had pieces of a solution, but only Microsoft brought the end-to-end solution that alleviated all key pain points, including the powerful and intuitive ‘landed cost’ tracking solution, as well as IOM’s automated processes for order handling – a process that was formerly handled by customer service staff.
Similarly, selecting HCL as its partner was a logical choice once they understood MBAP’s rich and extensive experience in Dynamics 365, ecommerce, and supply chain strategies. For example, our team was able to identify a better way of tracking and investigating retailer deductions on accounts receivable invoices: the Deduction Workbench in Dynamics 365 Finance brings all deduction activity into a central place, simplifying investigations and resolutions of deduction disputes. Plus, IOM gives them the ability to service unlimited selling channels and connects the orders with the best fulfillment channel from a network of third-party warehouses.
The Solution
In addition to Dynamics 365 Intelligent Order Management, we will be implementing the following for this customer:
- Dynamics 365 Finance
- Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management
- Power Apps
- Power Automate
- Power BI
- Dynamics 365 Commerce
A significant component of the project is the data migration from legacy systems to Dynamics 365 F&SCM, as well as the activation and configuration of standard workflows, including:
- General Journal Entry approval
- Purchase Requisition approval
- Purchase Order approval
- Vendor Invoice approval
From an Intelligent order Management standpoint, a key aspect of the initiative will be configuring Dynamics 365 IOM with Dynamics 365 F&SCM for order orchestration, which will be a two-pronged effort – one for all B2B scenarios (of which there are many) and one for B2C. MBAP will also be partnering with our Microsoft colleagues to create several IOM connectors to the various third-parties.
Naturally, our Microsoft Business Applications Practice will adhere to our Proven Process to ensure successful delivery of this innovative solution built on the Microsoft BizApps stack. All work is expected to be completed within one year.
In partnership with Microsoft and this customer, HCL and MBAP are breaking new ground with this project, so we expect it to make for a compelling story. Stay tuned for updates along the way!
