The 2020 Release Wave 1 Update for Dynamics 365 is now available in early access preview.
Here are 10 of the latest capabilities and updates we recommend testing and validating in a non-production environment using the Unified Interface prior to these changes being enabled for end-users.
Quick Find Search
By default, this will now search within an active view across fields defined in the quick find view. For example, using the Quick Find Search from a list of 'My Active Contacts' will only return matching contacts within this defined view.
As an alternative, administrators can switch back to the earlier search experience that will enable Quick Find Search to run across all records for the entity, regardless of the current view conditions
Improved Filtering
Within grid columns, users will gain access to new filtering capabilities to manipulate views which may reduce the need to perform advanced find searches.
This includes new date filters with column filters which can be used on activities and opportunities. On other entity views, filter rules include 'does not contain', 'starts with', and specific record names. For option set columns, users will be able to check the appropriate items from a list
Team Member Apps
New Unified Interface apps are being introduced for users who are equipped with a Team Member license. These include Sales Team Member and Customer Service Team Member app modules that will support Team usage rights.
Crucially, Microsoft will be activating license enforcement whereby the Customer Service Hub, Sales Hub, and custom apps will not be accessible to Team Member licenses. On 1 April, Microsoft extended this timeline for existing Team Member customers to 31st December 2020. From 1st January 2021, all renewing customers will need to transition to the new Team Members license.
The early access preview will enable the administrator to test Team Member usage with the new app's modules and migrate customizations as needed.
Case Resolution Dialog
The case resolution entity will be customizable enabling additional details to be captured when cases are closed. This will enable admins to add fields into a custom form experience that introduces client-side validations.
Dynamics 365 Forecasting
A new set of capabilities for D365 Sales Enterprise is being introduced to improve forecasting accuracy. These include flexible configurations, quota management, multiple types of forecasting, roll-up categories, and measurements.
Kanban Boards
A series of visual Kanban boards are available during early access preview. These include:
- Opportunity Kanban board enabling an opportunity to be moved to a different stage by dragging this into a new column. Sales users will be able to switch between the current pipeline grid and the new experience..
- Activity board enabling the same drag and drop capability and similar visualizations to change activity statuses.
- Forecasts to move opportunities across stages that will update forecast data in real-time.
Knowledge Results
Featuring an updated layout of knowledge search results, the new capability is being added to pop out knowledge articles in a separate window, and search the knowledge base in the Customer Service Hub app navigation.
Case Routing, SLAs & Queues
A new experience for case routing is introduced for the Unified Interface which Microsoft says will bring feature parity with the deprecated web client.
Updated Service Level Agreement administration has been enabled on the Unified Interface that will also bring feature parity with the legacy UI to support actions through Microsoft Power Automate (previously Microsoft Flow). Further improvements are designed to make queues easier to navigate and save time with fewer clicks.
Modern Email Experience
Sales and service teams who use email templates will be able to better navigate these through a simplified look-up and a new 'preview template' option before selection.
The early access preview also includes a new rich text email editor and a modern toolbar. This also enables emails to be composed in a non-blocking, pop-up window that enables navigation between windows and have multiple draft emails open.
Timeline Improvements
The new release features a series of improvements to the Timeline panel. During the early access preview, administrators can test:
- Rich text formatting for notes.
- Keyword search filter
- The visual indicator of open/closed activities
References:
https://www.preact.co.uk/blog/10-important-dynamics-365-updates-now-available-to-test
