Microsoft Dynamics 365 Project Operations is one of Microsoft’s array of cloud business applications. It has been designed to replace Microsoft’s previous project management app, Dynamics 365 Project Service Automation (PSA).
Dynamics 365 Project Operations went live in October 2020. Microsoft sells it as an end-to-end project management app that enables businesses to get more deals, increase project delivery speed, and improve profitability.
Is Dynamics 365 Project Service Automation still available?
As of 1st October 2020, Microsoft has removed the ability to purchase Project Service Automation licenses. Microsoft has promised to support existing PSA users until October 2024, but will not be introducing new capabilities to PSA. They have tried to make the switch easy by providing data migration tooling within PSA to help customers seamlessly make the switch. This will include update scripts and data migration tooling so businesses can update/migrate at their own pace.
Can I still use Project Service Automation?
Customers who have purchased or recently renewed Dynamics 365 Project Service Automation, Dynamics 365 Unified Operations plan, or Dynamics 365 Plan 2 prior to October 1, 2020 will be eligible for grandfathering.
What is Grandfathering?
Grandfathering is a policy in which old rules continue to apply in some situations, whilst a new rule will apply to all future cases. The policy is often time-limited or based on certain criteria. It’s believed that the origin of the term is found in US law-making in the late 19th century. Laws restricting voter registration contained exemptions for citizens whose ancestors were eligible voters before the American Civil War (e.g., their Grandfathers’ generation).
Within a software context, grandfathering is a way of ensuring existing customers are not immediately disadvantaged by software releases or products that supersede existing ones.
How can I upgrade from Dynamics 365 Project Service Automation to Dynamics 365 Project Operations?
Microsoft had previously stated that they would release a “frictionless upgrade” of data from Project Service Automation to Project Operations towards the end of 2020. According to the latest Microsoft documentation, this is now thought to be available from September 2021. As a specialist Dynamics 365 Partner, Infinity Group are ready to assist businesses in making a seamless migration from Project Service Automation to Project Operations.
How can Infinity Group help?
Infinity Group has helped several customers successfully implement Project Service Automation into their businesses. As a Microsoft Gold Partner, we will be working closely with Microsoft to ensure these customers are migrated to Project Operations when the time is right. This prior experience also means we are ideally placed to implement Project Operations solutions to any businesses keen to take advantage of this new all-encompassing solution.
