When the average leader walked into Microsoft Dynamics licensing years ago, it felt like deciphering a puzzle that changed shapes every quarter. Now, with Microsoft’s upcoming Dynamics 365 licensing changes, many firms see only one thing: rising costs.
But what if we’re looking at it backwards?
Recently, I read a story about a multinational firm that ran an internal audit and discovered they were paying over $1.2 million annually for software features and subscriptions their teams didn’t even know existed. It wasn’t that the tools were bad. In fact, some were category-leading. The problem was simple: no one owned the strategy to deploy them.
That’s exactly where many companies are with Dynamics AI right now.
AI Entitlements Aren’t Free Anymore
Microsoft is making Copilot a premium layer. That means your Dynamics Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain licenses won’t automatically come with advanced AI features unless you pay extra. And most companies will pay because no one wants to be left behind.
But here’s the challenge: Make sure you’re using what you’re paying for.
Making AI Worth It
If you’re going to invest in Copilot features, how will you make sure they actually save your teams time, reduce vendor spend, or unlock new revenue streams?
Are you ready to:
- Integrate Copilot to automate forecasting, proposals, and order processing?
- Use Dynamics Finance AI features to accelerate reconciliation and reduce close times?
- Deploy Supply Chain Copilots to optimize stock levels and catch exceptions before they cost you?
Shelfware or Strategic Asset?
We’ve all seen it. A company buys licenses with AI entitlements, but without a real enablement plan, it becomes shelfware, just like the multinational paying $1.2 million for tools no one used.
Here’s what works: align your licensing strategy with an AI utilization roadmap.
- Inventory what Copilot features come with your current or upcoming licenses.
- Identify processes that are slow, repetitive, and ready for automation.
- Deploy with change management, so your people actually use them.
- Measure impact to prove out ROI and keep your AI investments focused.
- Get Help from a seasoned resource.
Final Thought
These new licensing changes aren’t just about cost. They’re about capability. The smart move isn’t to avoid them. It’s to make sure every dollar spent actually improves how your business runs. If you want to learn more about how to accomplish this, reach out to a proven leader in Mazik for a free consultation or lunch and learn for you and those around you.
