Announcing the deprecation of the Dynamics 365 for Outlook COM add-in

Today, Microsoft released an announcement regarding the Future of Outlook integration for Dynamics 365 and Power Apps customers. See the original blog post HERE

The key takeaway:

Deprecation of the Dynamics 365 for Outlook COM add-in for Dynamics 365 Online organizations

Note: We recommend our on-premise customers also take advantage of the benefits of Dynamics 365 App for Outlook and upgrade from the Outlook COM Add-in at the earliest.

When?

The recommendation is to start the migration as soon as possible to the App for Outlook and complete the migration by October 1st, 2020. 

Why?

With the many feature additions and enhancements within the Dynamics 365 App for Outlook, it has reached a level of maturity and parity that allows for the deprecation of the legacy client, which also aligns to the deprecation of the legacy web client and transition to Unified Interface. Below are some of the benefits of moving to the Dynamics 365 App for Outlook:

• Unified Interface. Dynamics 365 App for Outlook is built on the Unified Interface framework, which uses responsive web design principles to provide an optimal viewing and interaction experience for any screen size, device, or orientation. Much of Dynamics 365 functionality is now included.

• Global search or multi-entity search. Use global search to search for a keyword in multiple entities at the same time. Global search uses the quick find view for the various entities to search for records.

• Forms. View and edit forms the same as what you see in the mobile experience.

• Dashboards. View and edit dashboards the same as what you see in the mobile experience.

• Cross platform. Dynamics 365 App for Outlook is built using the modern Office add-ins, and supports Windows, Mac desktop clients, iOS and Android phones, and Outlook web access.

• Deployment. Centralized deployment and distribution by configuring users to the app, makes it easy to onboard users to App for Outlook.

What next?

To begin planning your transition, please take a look at the Dynamics 365 for Outlook playbook HERE.

For additional technical information on the Dynamics 365 App for Outlook, take a look at this 10-part blog series HERE.

Thanks for reading!

Aaron Richards