Published: August 29, 2025
Author: Singleclic
Category: Microsoft Dynamics 365, ERP, CRM
TL;DR — Use this checklist to prepare Finance & Operations and Customer Engagement apps for Microsoft’s 2025 Release Wave 2. Focus on data hygiene, role-based access, Workspaces, Business Events, and ERP↔CRM synchronization so AI-assisted features add value on day one of GA.
Why this primer (and why now)
Microsoft’s 2025 Release Wave 2 enters early access on August 4, 2025 and reaches general availability on October 1, 2025. That window is perfect for validating security, compliance, data mappings, and human‑in‑the‑loop controls—so your teams can switch on new capabilities with confidence rather than scramble after GA.
Singleclic created this readiness primer to help leaders activate powerful built‑in features—often already included in your licensing—so you don’t need custom code to realize quick wins. For a deeper overview of our approach to Microsoft’s business apps, visit our hub for Microsoft Dynamics 365 resources.
What’s inside this guide
- A checklist for Finance & Operations (F&O) and Customer Engagement (CRM)
- A pre‑GA validation plan mapped to the early access → GA window
- Governance & security considerations to protect data and enable responsible AI
- Adoption metrics & training ideas to lock in value beyond go‑live
- Links to Singleclic’s ERP services and CRM services if you need hands‑on support
Quick readiness checklist
Finance & Operations (F&O)
- Task Recorder → process documentation & training
Establish an approved “single way to work” by capturing task steps and generating reusable guides for onboarding and audits. - Excel Add‑in → governed bulk edits
Fix master data at scale (customers, vendors, products) and improve data quality for analytics and AI. - Business Events → low‑code triggers
Emit signals (e.g., invoice posted) for near‑real‑time orchestration with Power Automate or external services. - Workspaces → role‑based command centers
Reduce context‑switching with lists, actions, and KPIs tailored to each role; standardize what “good” looks like. - Dual‑write → ERP↔CRM synchronization
Keep customer, product, and transactional data consistent across Finance, Sales, and Service.
Customer Engagement (CRM)
- Relationship Insights & AI Assistant
Surface at‑risk deals and next‑best actions within the flow of work. - Editable Grids
Clean pipelines and lists faster by updating records inline from views and sub‑grids. - Relevance Search with AI‑powered suggestions
Find related contacts, activities, or knowledge articles across entities. - Power Automate integration
Standardize escalations, updates, and notifications with auditability. - Embedded Power BI dashboards
Put trend analysis and drill‑through directly where decisions are made.
Tip: Treat Dual‑write and Workspaces as foundations for telemetry and adoption. Cleaner signals → better AI outcomes.
Pre‑GA validation plan (September → October 2025)
Phase 1 — Baseline & data hygiene (Week 1)
- Identify high‑volume entities (customers, items, orders) and cleanse with the Excel Add‑in and Editable Grids.
- Audit security roles and field‑level visibility; confirm least‑privilege access.
- Capture golden‑path processes with Task Recorder; publish as guides.
Phase 2 — Event instrumentation & orchestration (Week 2)
- Switch on relevant Business Events (e.g., invoice posted, PO confirmed) and wire to Power Automate for approvals/alerts.
- Define success metrics per event (latency, SLA, success rate).
Phase 3 — Workspace & analytics tuning (Week 3)
- Consolidate KPIs and actions in Workspaces by role; eliminate duplicate views.
- Embed Power BI where decisions are taken; validate filters and row‑level security.
Phase 4 — ERP↔CRM consistency & AI readiness (Week 4)
- Validate Dual‑write mappings; confirm bidirectional updates and conflict handling.
- Dry‑run AI‑assisted features in a safe environment with real‑world scenarios and human‑in‑the‑loop review.
Go/No‑Go checks (the week before GA)
- ✅ Security & compliance sign‑off
- ✅ Data quality thresholds met (completeness, duplicates, freshness)
- ✅ Critical Business Events and flows green
- ✅ Workspaces and dashboards approved by business owners
- ✅ Training artifacts published (Task Recorder guides, short videos)
Governance & responsible enablement
- Role mapping first: Align permissions with duty segregation before enabling summarization/suggestion features across entities.
- Audit & retention: Confirm audit is active for sensitive tables and that retention meets policy.
- Power Platform DLP: Ensure connectors used by flows respect data‑loss prevention policies.
- Environment strategy: Keep early access features in a sandbox with representative data; use deployment pipelines for promotion.
Adoption & value tracking
- Usage analytics: Monitor sign‑ins, entity edits, and Workspace hits by role.
- Cycle‑time metrics: Measure lead‑to‑cash and procure‑to‑pay steps pre‑/post‑GA.
- Quality metrics: Track duplicate rate, required‑field completeness, and error codes from integrations.
- Training loops: Convert Task Recorder guides into micro‑lessons; refresh quarterly.
How Singleclic can help
Singleclic implements pragmatic improvements across Microsoft business apps with measurable outcomes in governance, automation, and adoption. Explore our ERP services and CRM services, or start at our Microsoft Dynamics 365 resources hub. To talk with a consultant, reach out via Singleclic.
Related reading
- Top strategies for successful digital transformation in media
- Gemini vs Copilot: Which AI Assistant wins in 2025?
FAQ
What is Release Wave 2?
It’s Microsoft’s second‑half product update wave for Dynamics 365 and Power Platform, delivered in stages from early access through GA.
Do I need extra licenses to use these features?
Many capabilities listed here are included with standard licensing. Confirm specifics with your Microsoft partner.
Can I pilot AI features without risking production data?
Yes—use a sandbox with masked but realistic data, establish human‑in‑the‑loop review, and gate promotion with clear metrics.
What’s the fastest win if time is tight?
Start with data hygiene (Excel Add‑in, Editable Grids) and Workspaces for the top two roles; then light up Business Events for your most time‑sensitive approvals.
How long does a typical readiness sprint take?
Most teams complete the steps in 3–4 weeks if ownership and environments are clear.
Call to action
Ready to accelerate your 2025 rollout? Engage Singleclic for a focused readiness sprint that turns early access into an advantage.
→ Explore ERP services and CRM services.
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