Microsoft D365 Release Planner
If you are an ERP manager or administrator in your organization, then you need to get acquainted with the Microsoft Release Planner! It is likely you have bookmarked the Release Wave notes, which highlight the latest features and changes for Dynamics 365 or downloaded them to a pdf. These are helpful but they are static and not as digestible in smaller increments. Plus, keeping track of these updates can be challenging, as they evolve over time with changes being made to availability dates of some features or possibly some others being added or removed completely. Thankfully, the release planner offers a convenient way to review the latest features in a user-friendly portal experience.
To access the release planner, simply visit Microsoft Release Planner. Immediately you will find a very easy to read interface. On the left side of the screen, there is a collapsible menu bar with two main areas: Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. Clicking on an item in the menu changes the information displayed on the right side of the screen, providing an overview of the different categories and features for the selected app or section. These categories can also be collapsed or expanded for easy navigation.
Dynamics 365 Feature Details
When you expand a category, you’ll see a brief description of the features, along with their release date and availability status. The date represents when the feature will become available, and the availability status indicates if the feature is part of a public preview, an early access feature, or generally available (GA). To view more details about a feature, simply click the down arrow icon on the far-right side of each feature. This will expand the feature details pane, revealing additional information about timelines, targeted users, last update, and the app and release the feature belongs to. Clicking the Learn More button opens a pop-up window with further details.
One standout feature of the release planner is the yellow updated icon that appears next to a feature when it has been modified. This helps users quickly identify which features have been updated since their last visit, making it easier to stay informed about the latest changes.
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The release planner offers filtering and sorting options to streamline feature discovery. On the right side of the categories, you’ll find a filter icon and another icon. The filter icon allows you to sort features based on their status—new in the last 7 or 30 days or changed in the last 7 or 30 days. You can also filter features based on the target audience: admins, makers, or users, as well as their availability status—early access, public preview, or GA. Additionally, you can sort features by availability dates (early access, public preview, or GA) and arrange them from newest to oldest or vice versa.
The release planner also enables you to create a personalized release plan by clicking the “+ To my plan” button in the feature details. You will need to be logged in to your Microsoft account to access this feature. Once logged in, you can access your saved features by clicking on the My release plan button above the Dynamics 365 area on the left side of the screen. From there, you can add or remove features from your release plan as needed.
With the new Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform release planner, staying up to date with the latest features has never been easier. Its intuitive interface, filtering options, and personalized release planning make it a valuable tool for admins and makers. Start exploring the release planner today and experience a more streamlined way to navigate the world of Dynamics 365 and the Microsoft Power Platform.