Choosing the Right Dynamics 365 Partner

What to look for, what to ask, and why it matters

Once you’ve made the decision to use Dynamics 365 and you’ve written up your project plan, you’re now ready to look for a supplier.

This guide shows you what to ask, what to avoid, and how to spot a supplier who’ll help your project succeed.

When you start looking at CRM options, it’s easy to get distracted by shiny demos and price tags.

But before you press go, there are bigger question to ask:

• Who’s helping you implement it?
• And do they actually understand your business?

Because, the wrong supplier can slow everything down. The right one, however will feel like part of your team.

What to look for in a CRM Partner

Here are some practical tips on what we’ve learned from years of working on projects:

1. Start with clarity

Before you speak to anyone, get a clear idea of what your business actually needs.

Sit down with your team and ask:

• What has to happen?
• What would be nice to have?
• What’s holding us back today?

You don’t need a 40-page spec, just enough to tell the difference between “nice software” and a setup that will really help your business move forward. Check out our article on creating a brief to get inspiration.

2. Find some potential Dynamics partners

Once you’ve worked out what you need, it’s time to find someone who can deliver it. Here are a few good places to start your search:

• Microsoft Partner Directory (filter by region and speciality)
• Recommendations from your IT partner
• Web search
• LinkedIn or similar networks
• Ask people in your industry for recommendations

But don’t stop at just making a list. The way you approach partners and how you judge them matters just as much.

How to approach a partner

• Be clear about your needs up front. Share your priorities (must-haves, nice-to-haves, current pain points) so they can tailor the conversation.
• Treat the first call like an interview, not a sales pitch. Notice how much they ask about your business, rather than just talking about themselves.
• Ask for a discovery session or workshop, even if it’s short. This helps you see how they think and how they’ll work with your team.

How to judge a partner

• Look for relevance: Have they worked with businesses like yours before? Can they show you case studies or references?
• Assess communication style: Do they explain things clearly without jargon? Do they listen well? Do they follow up when they say they will?
• Test flexibility: Ask how they handle scope changes, unexpected issues, or unique requirements. Their response will tell you how adaptable they really are.
• Check credibility: Verify Microsoft certifications, partner status (Gold, Silver, Solutions Partner), and review independent feedback on LinkedIn or forums.
• Pay attention to chemistry: Do they feel like someone you’d want in the room when the project gets tough?

A partner worth working with will want to understand how your business works, where the bottlenecks are, and what success looks like for you.

3. Don’t fall for the pitch

A good partner should be easy to talk to and able to back it up.

Ask them:

• Have you worked with businesses like ours?
• Can you show us a similar project?
• What happens if we need to change scope?

And don’t just rely on their website, check LinkedIn, forums and reviews. The comments often tell you more than the case studies.

4. Demos should feel relevant

If they’re showing you features you’ll never use or skipping the stuff that matters, that’s a red flag.

Ask for a demo built around your workflows and get your team involved early: sales, operations, service. They’ll spot things you might miss.

A good demo should feel familiar, like they’ve done their homework.

You’ll want to see:

• How your sales team would log a lead
• How your service team tracks issues
• How your data flows between departments
• How reporting works in real life
• How it handles the messy stuff: duplicates, delays, last-minute changes

And if something doesn’t make sense, say so. A decent partner will pause, explain, and tweak things on the fly.

Also, get your team involved. The ones who’ll actually use the system. They’ll spot gaps, ask better questions, and help you avoid surprises later.

Ask if you can record the session. That way, you can replay it with others and spot things you missed.

And don’t forget to ask:

• Is this a live system or a sandbox?
• How much of this is out-of-the-box vs custom?
• What’s the setup time for what we’re seeing?

If the demo feels like a box-ticking exercise, walk away. If it feels like they’re trying to understand your business, you’re probably onto something.

5. Look for signs of real partnership

This bit’s harder to measure, it’s more of a feeling.

• Do they ask good questions about your business?
• Are they honest about limitations?
• When something’s unclear, do they slow down or move on?

Also ask how they handle change. Every project hits bumps. What matters is how they respond.

6. Support matters

Once your system’s live, that’s when the real work begins and you’ll be working closely with your partner.

Find out:

• How quickly do they respond when something breaks?
• What kind of training do they offer?
• Will the same team still be around in six months?

And check what’s included in their support package. Some offer proactive health checks whilst others charge for every call.

7. Think beyond day one

Once you have Dynamics installed, you’ll need to think about how it fits with everything else.

• Will it integrate with your finance or marketing tools?
• Can they migrate your data without losing history?
• What happens when you grow?

A good partner helps you plan for next year…and the year after that.

8. Trust your gut

Sometimes it’s not about the proposal or the pricing but how you feel after a few conversations.

• Do they listen?
• Do they speak your language?
• Do they feel like someone you’d want on your side when things get messy?

That instinct matters more than most people realise.

10 Questions to Ask a Potential Dynamics Partner

• Can you share examples of Dynamics 365 Sales implementations for businesses like ours?
• Are your team members certified in Dynamics 365 and other relevant Microsoft technologies?
• Do you have experience in our industry? Any relevant case studies?
• How do you approach customisation and integration with existing systems?
• What project management methodologies do you use to ensure timely delivery?
• What support and maintenance services do you offer?
• How do you ensure good training and user adoption?
• How do you ensure the solution scales with our growth?
• How do you maintain clear communication during implementation?
• Can you provide a detailed cost breakdown, including potential extras?

Ultimately, there’s no perfect checklist for choosing a supplier. But there are signs; the ones who listen properly, ask the right questions and stick around when things get messy.

If you’ve got a good feeling after a few chats, don’t ignore it. That instinct usually knows what it’s doing.

FAQs About Choosing a Dynamics 365 Partner

1. What’s the difference between a Dynamics partner and a regular CRM vendor?
A Dynamics partner is Microsoft-certified to deliver and support Dynamics 365 solutions. They act as strategic partners, offering expertise in customisation, integration, training, and long-term system optimisation.

2. How do I verify that a Dynamics partner is certified by Microsoft?

Ask the partner directly: they should be able to share their Microsoft Partner ID or listing.

Use the Microsoft Partner Directory: search by name or location.

Look on Microsoft AppSource: certified partners are listed there.

Check for official badges: like “Solutions Partner for Business Applications”.

3. How long does it take to implement Dynamics 365?
Timelines vary. Smaller projects can take 8-12 weeks, while larger, highly customised implementations might take 6-12 months. Always ask for examples of similar projects and their delivery times.

4. What’s the typical cost of working with a Dynamics 365 partner?
Costs include licences, configuration, data migration, integrations, and support. A reliable partner will give you a clear cost breakdown including potential extras like custom development.

5. How important is post-implementation support?
Essential. Success with Dynamics 365 depends on ongoing updates, user training, and troubleshooting. Always review the partner’s Service Level Agreement (SLA) and ask about training resources.

6. Should I choose a local Dynamics partner or is remote support fine?
Both work well. Local partners can provide on-site visits, while remote partners often offer 24/7 support. The key is a strong, clear communication process.

7. What questions should I ask during my first call with a potential partner?
Ask about their experience in your industry, project management approach, success stories, and how they handle customisation, integrations, and long-term support.

8. Can a Dynamics 365 partner help with data migration?
Yes. A good partner will manage data mapping, cleaning, and validation to ensure you start with accurate, reliable data in your new system.

9. How do I ensure good user adoption?
Choose a partner that offers structured onboarding, interactive training sessions, and user-friendly resources like webinars and knowledge bases.

10. How do Dynamics 365 partners handle complex integrations?
Experienced partners will connect Dynamics with your existing tech stack using APIs, middleware, or Power Platform tools. Ask for examples of past integrations with ERP, eCommerce, or marketing platforms.

11. Can a partner help us use AI features in Dynamics 365?
Yes. Many partners configure AI tools and Power BI dashboards to enable predictive insights, sales forecasting, and customer sentiment analysis.

12. How can I ensure my CRM setup will scale as we grow?
A good partner designs with growth in mind, covering multi-region setups, additional users, advanced modules, and data storage. Ask about scalability during demos.

13. Do Dynamics partners build custom apps?
Yes. Many offer custom development or create PowerApps to extend functionality and tailor Dynamics 365 to your specific business processes.

14. How do partners ensure security and compliance?
Reputable partners align your implementation with GDPR, ISO, or industry-specific regulations. Ask how they approach data protection and compliance testing.

15. What if I outgrow my Dynamics partner?
You can switch partners, but it’s best to choose one with a long-term vision. Look for a supplier offering regular reviews, roadmap planning, and evolving support services.

Further reading

The post Choosing the Right Dynamics 365 Partner appeared first on All My Systems.

Check Verity Payne’s original post https://www.allmysystems.co.uk/choosing-the-right-dynamics-365-partner/ on www.allmysystems.co.uk which was published 2025-09-17 15:14:00