Release Wave 1 – The new release from Microsoft Dynamics is here!

As spring approaches, jackets are swapped for coats and lighter clothing is brought out. Similarly, Microsoft Dynamics is updating its lineup with new enhancements and changes. The first sign of spring is here, and Microsoft is releasing its annual spring Release Wave 1.  

In April 2022, Microsoft Dynamics will release Release Wave 1 of Dynamics 365. RW1 includes a wide range of improvements, and we’ve summarized our favorites in the Customer Service and Sales apps. In upcoming articles, we’ll also cover Marketing and Insights.  

What's New in Dynamics 365 Customer Service

1. Inbox View
The new release includes improvements to the inbox view that make it easier for customer service representatives to handle cases across multiple channels simultaneously. The new update also enhances collaboration with Microsoft Teams.  

2. Email Templates
A new advanced template designer has been added, making it easy to create responsive email templates for a better user experience. This means that it will be easier for users going forward, along with an improved experience and a wider selection of email templates.  

3. Relevance Search is being added to Portals
The existing search function in Portals will be replaced by a much more powerful and flexible relevance search, making it much easier for portal users to search for articles and other content. 

4. Improved integration with Microsoft Teams
New features allow users to chat with contacts in Dynamics and access recent chats. It will also be possible to link chat conversations to case and conversation activities via Microsoft Teams.  

5. Improving default queues
Administrators can specify a default queue for each workflow to ensure more consistent routing of cases. Items that do not match any defined routing rules, or that encounter an error, are routed to the default queue.  

What's New in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales

Dynamics 365 Sales focuses on helping salespeople build closer relationships with their customers through easier meeting coordination with Teams, simplified data filtering, and a modernized interface for advanced searches. Below, we’ve listed some of our highlights:

1. Easier meeting coordination in Teams
The new feature for scheduling meetings in Dynamics 365 simplifies the workflow for sales reps, as meeting scheduling in Dynamics 365 sends out an e-emailmessage with a Teams link directly to the associated contact in the meeting. 

2. Jump Bar Makes a Comeback
The feature that was removed during last year’s Release Wave 1 is back! Jump Bar is a feature that makes it easier to quickly filter records by letter, helping salespeople get a broader overview of accounts.

3. Modernized interface for advanced search

It has been many years since “Advanced Search” received a major update. But in April, “Modern Advanced Search” will be introduced, replacing the familiar Advanced Search and the icon in the navigation bar. Here’s a breakdown of the update:

• You can access the "Advanced Search" by clicking on the search box (without entering any search terms). This provides options for searching for rows in a table using advanced filters, making it easier for the user to start from the appropriate table. “Advanced filters” are then used to define query terms across rows in the selected table and/or related tables.
• It is common for many users to start with an existing view when creating a new one, as this saves time because dependent tables are already preselected. With the modern advanced filter panel, users can modify one or more rows and add multiple rules to the existing view. Changes can then be saved directly in the view selector.
• In the view selector, you can also manage your views. For example, you can hide views you don’t use; share views; assign views; or delete or disable views. To easily distinguish between system views and personal views, personal views are marked with a new icon.

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