User Review
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Dynamics 365 Team Member license enforcement is being rolled out, are you ready?
The Team Member license for Dynamics 365 is a low-cost, light user license that has always carried restrictions in the features/functions (use rights) that a user with this license is entitled to. The problem is that there was no technical enforcement by Microsoft, in other words, users with a Team Member license were able to access and use many features in Dynamics 365 that they shouldn’t be able to. Think about it as an honor system. The problem with any honor system is taking (or in this case using) more than one should.
There is certainly some intentional exploitation of the Team Member licensing, they couldn’t pass up an opportunity to spend $8 per license vs $65 (Pro license) or $95 (Enterprise license). There are many others who have been using areas of Dynamics 365 with a Team Member license that they shouldn’t and do not even know they are doing so because of the lack of technical enforcement in the product.
Whichever camp you fall into Microsoft took notice of the over-use of Team Member licensing and is now rolling out technical enforcement.
How will this impact users with a Team Member license?
When the enforcement is rolled out to your Dynamics 365 tenant, your Team Member users will lose the functionality that a Team Member license is not entitled to. The way this technical enforcement is being implemented is that new “apps” were developed specifically for Team Member licensed users. These apps only provide users access to the features & functionality included in Team Member licenses (again think light user). On the day this is rolled out to your Dynamics 365 tenant, your Team Member licensed users will only have access to these new Team Member apps.
Team Member Use Rights
Team Member licenses are intended for light users of Dynamics 365. There are two different Team Member licenses for Dynamics 365, one specific to Business Central (accounting & ERP module) and the other that covers Sales, Customer Service, Project Service, and Field Service (a user with this Team Member license can access the Team Member features/functions of any of these modules).
The use rights for Team Members are different for each module (Sales, Customer Service, Project Service, and Field Service) and is documented in the Dynamics 365 License Guide. Generally speaking, Team Member licenses users are entitled to:
- Sales/Customer Service Mobile App
- Outlook App
- Activity Management (full use)
- Contacts (full use)
- Accounts (full use)
- Excel Integration
- Word Templates
- Dashboards (view only)
Sales Functionality Not Included in Team Member License
- Leads (view only)
- Opportunities (view only)
Customer Service Functionality Not Included in Team Member License
- Accounts (view only)
- Knowledgebase (view only)
For full use rights information including use rights in the Project Service and Field Service modules, see the Dynamics 365 Licensing Guide.
Recommended Next Steps
Determine if you have Team Member Licensing in use
Perform an audit of the features and functionality your Team Member users are using today
Purchase the proper licensing based on the audit
Need Help?
We know that Dynamics 365 licensing is complex and can be overwhelming for many. Our team has over 17 years of experience with Dynamics 365 and can help you through this important process. We offer a Dynamics 365 License Audit Service. One of our licensing experts will perform the audit for you, advise you on any areas of over-use with Team Member licensing, recommend the proper license for each user and address any questions/concerns you may have. Contact Us with any questions or to discuss our License Audit Service.
About the Author: David Buggy is a veteran of the CRM industry with 18 years of experience helping businesses transform by leveraging Customer Relationship Management technology. He has over 16 years of experience with Microsoft Dynamics CRM/365 and has helped hundreds of businesses plan, implement and support CRM initiatives. To reach David or call 844.8.STRAVA (844.878.7282) To learn more about Strava Technology Group visit www.stravatechgroup.com
