Microsoft has announced the content of its 2021 release wave 2 for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management
Microsoft recently announced the new features to Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management that will begin to come into effect from 1st October 2021 through to March 2022. This announcement forms part of Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 and industry clouds: 2021 release wave 2 plan reinforcing its commitment to continual enhancements across the full range of Dynamics 365 products. As there are many noteworthy updates across Finance and Operations this article forms the second of a series of three. (Access part 1 here)
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management
Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management (SCM) is Microsoft’s enterprise-scale supply chain solution for operations leaders, enabling them to transform their manufacturing and supply chain processes.
It provides a single source of business intelligence and uses predictive insights and intelligence from AI and Internet of Things (IoT) across planning, production, stock, warehouse and transportation management to maximise operational efficiency, product quality and profitability.
Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management 2021 release notes
Within this release, new manufacturing execution scenarios are included to allow integration between Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, common manufacturing execution systems (MES) and shop floor automation systems for users to be able to easily adopt and integrate new business models.
One of the biggest impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the disruption in supply chains driven by a historical emphasis on efficiency versus resiliency. Enhanced supply chain visibility, multiple business platform support, optimised workforce, agile planning and distribution processes, combined with maximised asset uptime to ensure safe and cost-efficient business continuity, will be key components of Microsoft’s investments as follows:
Comprehensive core capabilities
Microsoft will provide enhanced capabilities across product information management, planning, inventory and logistics, manufacturing and asset management. It will enable businesses to scale mission-critical operations in the factory and warehouses using cloud and edge scale units. Microsoft has also announced that it will continue to invest to expand core supply chain capabilities.
Resilient supply chain and visibility
Microsoft recognises that increasing resiliency continues to be a priority for many organisations as they emerge from the pandemic and reset strategies to anticipate and minimise future disruptions. Organisations will strive toward balancing cost and investments in creating a resilient supply chain and visibility. With investments in key areas such as resource planning, Microsoft will enable businesses to optimise their usage of available material and capacity to avoid stockout situations and keep the business flow.
Improved productivity with barcode scanning
Scanning barcodes in the warehouse using GS1 format standards will be introduced within this wave, a feature that will simplify the scanning process in warehouses where pallets and containers are labelled with GS1 barcodes. Warehouse workers can simply scan the GS1 barcode to extract all the needed information in a single scan. This reduces the time associated with the task by eliminating the need to do multiple scans or input information manually, while ensuring accuracy of information logged at the point of scanning.
Microsoft’s exciting new capabilities for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management will be released between October 2021 and March 2022.
If you would like to learn more about Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management please download our comprehensive guide. Alternatively, get in touch and we will be glad to help your organisation transition through and harness the power of these planned changes.