Microsoft has announced the 2024 Release Wave 2 plans for Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform, featuring new capabilities from October 2024 to March 2025.
In this article:
- Overview of 2024 Wave 2 Update
- Key benefits for Nonprofits
- Update preparation tips and expert support
- Technical changes
Why the Dynamics 365 Wave 2 update is important
By 30th September (Canada) and 7th of October (NZ and Australia), your system will automatically upgrade. There is no way to postpone it, so it’s best to get in front of it, and not get hit by the wave.
From another country? Check out the release dates here
How Wave 2 helps nonprofits manage donors, volunteers, and finances
These new updates can make a big difference for your nonprofit! They’ll help you:
- Manage donations.
- Keep track of volunteers.
- Handle finances more smoothly.
With AI-driven insights, you can better understand your donors and automate tasks like scheduling. You can also create custom apps to track your projects and measure how well your programmes are doing. This means less time on admin tasks and more time focusing on your mission!
However, Wave 2 isn’t like a regular Windows update. You can't just click a button and be done with it. You need to prepare in advance to ensure a smooth, disruption-free update, so your work stays uninterrupted.
Preparing your nonprofit for the Wave 2 rollout
- Update Proactively: Wave 2 releases start October 2024. Update your systems early and check for bugs to avoid interruptions. Consider expert help to prevent issues.
- Expert Support: If your CRM is crucial for daily tasks, get an expert to ensure your update runs smoothly.
- Access and Licensing: Changes apply only to current units. For new features, we can help adjust your licensing.
Step-by-step expert support for a smooth update
We will help you prepare for the Wave 2 update in four simple steps:
Step 1: We’ll back up your data
Step 2: We’ll update your systems to the Wave 2 update
Step 3: We’ll test the updates to make sure nothing is broken
Step 4: We’ll make the changes live on your system
Key technical updates in Dynamics 365 and Power Platform
Microsoft's latest Wave update integrates AI across its platforms to boost productivity and efficiency. We've summed up the main updates:
- AI & Microsoft Copilot: Automate tasks and get smart insights with AI-powered tools.
- Dynamics 365: AI enhances sales, customer service, finance, supply chain, and project management.
- Power Platform: AI improves app creation, workflow automation, and data processing.
In short, AI is now embedded in Microsoft's tools to make your work faster and smarter.
For more details, check out this Microsoft Blog.