The release of new features and feature improvements continues to speed up, and yet we still have a major bundle of updates for the Power Platform and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement apps each Spring and Fall. 

In North America, this means that July is a giant month. July is about that the time that many North American businesses can catch their breath and consider all that is new. The release update train starts in the spring and works its way around the world with the ending station in North America. The train station dates can be found here. 

Big shifts include Power BI and Data leaning heavily into their marriage with the incredible Microsoft Fabric landscape. Microsoft Fabric is a short name that encompasses a HUGE amount of technology options. Similarly to the Power Platform it is hard to contain all of what it can do in six letters (Fabric), but the name also is appropriate given that stitching together all of the different data needs is the accomplishment. This includes transformation, integration, analysis, access, and so much more. 

We also can't talk about this release without mentioning Copilot and Agents and not only Agents that you can use and that you can build, but also agents for the Power App makers. The plan designer supports the maker in creating and building using business language. Diving into this so expect to see more posts on this topic. Most of the Microsoft MVPs for Business Applications are deep in the weeds with Agents right now so if you follow any of their blogs or posts on LinkedIn, I am sure you are overwhelmed with the art of the possible. (or just overwhelmed) The space is moving quickly with weekly changes and awesome releases.

Power Pages has also had Agent injection "Recent updates include AI-powered features like Web Agents for multi-platform engagement (email, Teams, WhatsApp), AI-assisted form filling for improved productivity, dynamic list visualizations for better insights" _{retrieved from Microsoft Power Platform 2025 release wave 1 plan overview | Microsoft Learn}   They said it so well. Power Pages puts the sexy in Microsoft Dynamics 365 CE apps while also providing external authenticated access. They are also data driven which is an interesting twist and has always been a variable for deployments. Microsoft has also added additional deployment support for Power Pages.

Power Automate has taken business process automation to the next level in this release. Transforming the more complex business processes through new human "in loop experiences" and more management through the new automation center.  You would think that AI would "replace" Power Automate, but instead Copilot and Agents become a marriage with Power Automate. 

Not much needs to be said about Copilot Studio it has its own messaging and everyone is talking about it - Copilot Studio is flying faster than a multi-million-dollar military jet. Chatbots, Agents, autonomous agents.

The Microsoft built, Model Driven Power Apps, falling under the Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement umbrella have also all been updated. Check out the details on the release pages here 

Microsoft DynamicsCon 2025 is in Chicago this week and the buzz is exciting. 

The power of knowledge shared is so incredible. In this world of faster and faster change and more and more to learn, sharing knowledge allows you to learn organically while also doing formal learning through various channels. It also helps to reinforce what you learn through peer conversations. 

If you are unable to attend this year, I am very much hoping that some of the speakers will repost their sessions on YouTube or through other channels of learning.

In today's world of fast paced change and increasing reliance on data it is important to focus on the other side of complexity. Make sure your data is aligned and accessible using the least complex and yet highest quality solution.

Seamless integrations that are technically put into place with considerations such as. 

1) Is the data secure?

2) Is there quality and data review processes in place so that the data is clean and accurate?

3) Can you access the data at the desired speeds?

The Microsoft Stack of technologies continues to deepen and is sometimes hard to explain. Take for instance the "Common Data Universe", Dataverse. More than a Microsoft SQL Server database with layers and layers of role-based entitlement, external security tying deeply into the entire infrastructure using Entra (formerly Active Directory) and so many choices. Choices such as being able to split the database using Business Units which can significantly increase performance. 

If you take Dataverse and then consider that Azure extends the options, you end up with so many technically beautiful possibilities 

• Azure Data Factory: Ingest and transform data from Microsoft and non-Microsoft sources. Azure Data Factory is a managed cloud service that's built for complex hybrid and non-hybrid extract-transform-load (ETL), and data integration projects. Introduction to Azure Data Factory - Azure Data Factory | Microsoft Learn to read more.

• Azure Synapse Analytics: A bit of a learning curve for the technical folks (seen that first hand more than once), but Azure Synapse can be used to create a customer data lake and analyze large datasets.  "Azure Synapse brings together the best of SQL technologies used in enterprise data warehousing, Spark technologies used for big data, Data Explorer for log and time series analytics, Pipelines for data integration and ETL/ELT, and deep integration." retrieved from What is Azure Synapse Analytics? - Azure Synapse Analytics | Microsoft Learn What more do you need? 

ACCESS TO APIs, Of course! 

• Azure API Management: Securely expose data services. Azure API Management. "Azure API Management is made up of an API gateway, a management plane, and a developer portal, with features designed for different audiences in the API ecosystem. These components are Azure-hosted and fully managed by default." Azure API Management - Overview and key concepts | Microsoft Learn Not always required, but really good to know about as the technology options either are layered or are in parallel.

Microsoft has recently introduced a new Power Platform Architecture Center  

Not only does it cover numerous areas of the Microsoft Stack of Technologies and the technologies that overlap and interact with the Power Platform, but it also shares other common integration architectures such as automation integration with SAP.

As Microsoft continues to organize and share more and more great information, centers such as the Power Platform Architecture Center help to align critical resources so that customers, partners and independent software vendors can get detailed documentation quickly and more importantly we can all stop reinventing the wheel whenever we need a great diagram to show and explain how everything fits together.

It is so easy to take for granted that I get to work with the latest technology every day. 

It also doesn't stop, each week there is something new to grow with. Yes, I have to give feedback at times, and I don't always love what is new, but 97% of the time I am so happy with the updates.

2025 is the time for you to request a technology platform that grows with you, that is built to work together and that is consistently embracing the rapid changes. 

Consider the Microsoft 365 Power "Platform" for its depth of offerings, the quality of technology foundations and for the width of solutions. 

Have you had enough Y conversations this week? 

whY

If you are a senior sales executive, you know how to sell.

• You can close,
• you are organized,
• you have a full sales pipeline and sales funnel,
• e-mail is prioritized and
• you are rocking your world. 

Where would AI tools such as Copilot make a difference? 

We have access to the Sales 101 use cases for AI.

• Summarize my activities for or with a prospect
• extract data from the last 3 months from all channels of communication with the key prospect contacts (e-mail, teams, chat, channels, groups, etc.)
• Let me know if I have not followed up in the last 6 months on a subset of prospects
• and so many more.

    BUT what about the more sophisticated needs for that senior experienced sales expert? 

• What strategies do you use to identify the best fit prospects and most profitable opportunities for your industry niche?  

Do your sales executives spend trolling time? Rather than closing time? 

The sales executive ->  I use a combination of research and data analytics. First, I create a customer profile based on the demographic information I have access to. Then, I use data analysis tools to identify buying patterns and trends in order to better target my outreach efforts. Finally, I leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to get more real-time sentiment and understanding. I also really appreciate having recent articles where my prospect and/or their parent account has been represented, presented or perhaps was a contributor.

• How do you communicate accurate and predictive forecasting information on your prospects to sales management and to the executive management team? 

Do your senior sales executive have to take valuable selling time to have management meetings or worse, repetitive management meetings? or can management easily understand the predictive analytics, the forecasts and the detailed information from data that sales team members capture? 

"In my current role as a senior sales executive, I ensure effective communication between the sales team and management by setting up regular meetings between the two groups to discuss progress and any issues that have arisen. I also make sure that our daily check-ins are productive by having the sales team provide detailed updates and discussing any potential roadblocks. Additionally, I compile weekly reports to provide management with an overview of the team’s performance. This system has been effective in helping the team stay on track and identifying areas of improvement.”

When you really want to know how to make a difference using "AI" in the world of a "Role" consider looking at the top 20 Interview questions that senior and experienced resources answer. 

20 Interview Questions Every Senior Sales Executive Must Be Able To Answer - InterviewPrep

Did you know -

In the new Microsoft Outlook, you can ask Copilots to define a new custom theme based on where you live or other variables. 

Select Settings

Select General

Select Appearance

Select Copilot Themes

Are you struggling to get your head around the various branding of AI? Consider that functionality can be built using the power of "AI" and that each functionality bundle can have a very different usage. The way it works, the way it is designed, the data that it uses, the reach and security that it leverages. Companies are working on communicating this, because for some audiences it matters.

In the world of "Business Think" the technology doesn't matter as much as what is being provided and how. If I have a specific need and that need is the same as another company, then perhaps, I just want to purchase something that meets that need. I don't necessarily need the technical details of how it is built, I just want the telephone system that allows all my employees to make calls, BUT just like buying a car, there are all the "you could also have" and "you might also need" or preferences such as color or in the case of a phone system, transcription, video, integrations, empowerment, security and the list goes on.

 Microsoft has an interesting dilemma as the world gets nosier. They empower teams, business people, technical people, partners, independent software companies and others with the power to configure their offerings and not only configure, but choice of configurations depending on need and if there many choices are not enough, they also support, deeply support extensions to their code bases. Just like walking down the cereal aisle at the grocery story. 25 choices that are slightly different and you can pick your own ingredients and make your own granola (oats, raisins, brown sugar, nuts, bake). 

Do we want choice?

Most of the time we do want choice. Try to be patient when considering that at times choices can be a bit overwhelming. Find your trusted souls, build your trusted network of gurus and most importantly have multi-person conversations on options. 

The human knowledge wells are deep, if you can tap into these without egos, fears, games, societies current anxieties, you will have more power and more information than needed to make the right long-term choices.  

I have seen a few community posts leaning into Ageism. The small seed of passive aggressive doubt. The one that implies that perhaps your more experienced resources are not bringing the best and the most bleeding and current edge offerings to the table. 

In the world of Technology and Technology + Business Consulting, we (people who lean into this area, consult on this area, solve business problems with technical solutions)  have never had the opportunity to rest on our laurels. We know that on a daily basis we must have habits and techniques to keep current, change is constant and has only moved faster and faster in our spaces.

One of my favorite learning techniques is to adjust my personal work habits and processes with each new release from Microsoft. I re-evaluate the way I work with technologies to get my work done when given the chance. Technologies such as Microsoft Outlook, OneNote, Teams, Task management, Notes management, collaboration with team members and so many other tools and business habits.

I also love, love, love that Microsoft has enhanced and accelerated their efforts to keep Microsoft Learn current and updated and free. (Microsoft Learn: Build skills that open doors in your career) There are a lot more badges to be tackled and trophies to be won, but this is only one avenue of learning. 

In the world of Avanade, we also have Avanade University and Accenture University and partnerships with other training programs that we can align and join. We all regularly take classes and are encouraged to learn. These partnerships are not only technical training, but also master classes in so many subjects from Advanced Consulting techniques to emotional intelligence to Story Telling and more.

I also sprinkle all of the above with my long-term habit of knowledge shared, knowledge gained. Community. I had the HUGE opportunity to network this week with an industry expert in Life Sciences. What a treat to not only learn about technology in the world of Life Science, but also industry variables and cool stuff happening. It is hard to explain how valuable that one call was to me. A soul with a long-term secret passion and family history with all things "scientific" and "medical". 

There are other ways that I learn, following LinkedIn posts, Sharing internally on Viva Engage and Microsoft Teams, watching videos, ...

What are your favorite ways to learn?

Just a few fun terms to get you thinking about all you can build (Note: I did use Copilot (Microsoft Teams Copilot) to extract the definition for each of the below terms)

• Trigger Phrases: These are specific phrases or keywords that, when detected in a user's input, activate a particular topic or response in Copilot. They help in identifying the user's intent and directing the conversation accordingly.
• Nodes: These are the building blocks of a conversation in Copilot studio. Each node represents a specific part of the conversation flow, such as a question, a response, or an action. Nodes are connected to create a structured dialogue.
• Response Variation: This refers to the different ways Copilot can respond to the same user input. By having multiple variations of a response, Copilot can provide a more natural and engaging conversation experience.
• Quick Replies: These are predefined responses that users can select to quickly reply to a message. They help streamline the conversation and guide users through the interaction.
• Entities: These are specific pieces of information that Copilot can recognize and extract from the user's input. Examples include dates, names, locations, and other relevant data points.
• Variables: These are placeholders used to store and manage information within a conversation. Variables can be used to personalize responses and keep track of the conversation context.
• Power FX: This is a formula language used in Copilot studio to create complex expressions and logic. It allows for advanced customization and control over the conversation flow.

AGENDA

• OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Copilot(s)
• The Power Platform
• Microsoft Power Platform Model Driven Apps built by Microsoft
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Service
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Insights
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Journeys/Marketing
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Contact Center
• Microsoft Copilot Studio
• An Agent versus A Copilot

As a first thought keep in mind that OpenAI and Azure OpenAI are slightly different. Azure OpenAI brings and wraps role-based entitlement, more controls and more options (such as private cloud) to the table.

The 100s of Copilots use Azure OpenAI to enrich and empower applications within the Microsoft Stack of offerings. This includes everything from Azure DevOps and developer tools to the Microsoft Business Applications. 

In the Microsoft Business Applications Copilot add an entirely new layer of awesome. It cuts through the noise, adds executive summaries, can be configured to find the right knowledge article from YOUR sources of knowledge and can bring filtered and controlled automation into areas that make sense to automate.

New Options for Automated testing for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, Supply chain and the Customer Engagement model-driven apps. 

At the last user group meeting I saw Leapworks and today we have x+ xplus presenting their options. 

And the NA Summit kicks off with Copilot Studio. Good thing I was working on Adaptive Cards this morning and now in the presence of all the people who can answer my questions :) 

Yes, I am not afraid to ask question. (although not always in my best interest) 

For those who have access to Microsoft BUILD 2024 (or who sign up for access): Go watch BRK148: Extend Microsoft Copilot using Copilot Studio. This was the #1 watched session from the Business Applications group at Microsoft Build 2024. It is packed with great information.

Key Kickoff Tip: Cut through the noise - people want specific information, not a wave of information when they need an answer, and they don't want to do work redundantly. (<- my interruption)   

Copilot Studio: A Hydration of Bot Framework/SDK, Bot Service Channels, Azure AI Studio, Azure Cognitive Services, Power Platform Connectors and AI Builder

and then the ability to build and extend across the Microsoft ecosystem

The lines are getting very blurry and exciting. Enabling new actions and customized knowledge and published throughout the organization. 

Greatest question from the audience: What is "HYDRATE" and the answer "it is like watering a plant to allow it to grow and grow and grow"

And when it really gets fun, 

• Connectors (pulling data from different sources and business knowledge)
• Plugins (Extending what is offered from Microsoft)
• and Copilots that Copilot can use as extensions (the library of building blocks ;)