Used by more than four million small to medium-sized business, Microsoft Dynamics 365 connects data, people and processes. d365Now is Azzure IT’s concept for selling and supporting Dynamics 365.
Dynamics 365 is a subscription-based system which also allows customers to add extra modules as their business grows. This is traditionally done via a Microsoft partner but Azzure IT were eager to allow customers to administer their own packages and payments, but to also be able to use the system internally to help customers who still need Azzure’s help.
A second strand to the project was that the whole system could be duplicated, rebranded and used by chosen partners of Azzure IT to enable partners to sell the same products and services as agents.
The Brief
- Simplify the concept of Dynamics 365
- Allow customer to subscribe to Dynamics 365
- Allow customers to add new products
- Set up recurring payment plans
- Show customers all payment records
- Send messages to customers
- Communicate directly with a Microsoft account
- Allow Azzure to administer customer accounts for them
- Allow new Dynamics 365 products and services to be added when available
- Provide training and support resources via the customer’s account
- Allow the d365 concept to be rebranded for resellers to offer the same services
The Solution
Brand
D365Now is new venture but one which depends heavily on a partnership between Azzure IT and Microsoft. We needed to create something which could take advantage of the familiarity of both companies’ brands but also had its own character. We chose a colour palette of blues and light greys across the site and the symbols and imagery are designed as an extension to Microsoft’s own.
Based on research of the sector D365Now is aimed at, we opted for a simple wordmark rather than any kind of symbol.
We used the old Microsoft favourite Segoe UI Light for the logotype with a few of our own tweaks.
Website
The system uses a customer’s existing Microsoft account to allow fast signups and purchases. If a customer doesn’t have an account the system takes them through the process to set one up. Using a Microsoft account minimises time filling in forms as d365Now can interrogate the account for the details it needs. It also makes it easy to assign licences and official support packages.
Once signed up, customers can easily pick what products they need and subscribe using a credit card. The system automatically gives a free trial and then charges the customer on a recurring basis after one month. Customers can add new products whenever they need or add more licences to products they already subscribe to – payments are automatically calculated and adjusted.
Customers can also choose their own level of support, with different packages available designed for users of different experience of the products.
Each user’s account area also has downloadable help resources and a video library as well as a messaging system to allow Azzure IT to broadcast information to all users.
An automated system ensures customers are notified by email on purchase, updates and any other important issues about their account.
Partners
Azzure IT can create a branded clone of the system to enable any of their partners or agents to run themselves. The partner’s website looks the same at the base site but is branded with their own logo. Sales go through the site to Azzure, who also provide all of the support. The partner site runs itself and receives all messages and product updates direct from Azzure. This means the partner has minimal work to do to maintain the site and can concentrate on marketing it.
