The daily responsibilities of Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Consultants are diverse and multifaceted, and their tasks will largely depend on a project stage or if they are working with multiple clients at once. Let us take a glimpse into what their daily work is like
When the Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Consultant is working on a new project, one of their most important responsibilities is to fully assess and understand the customer’s supply chain processes. This can include inventory, procurement, warehouse, distribution, logistics, and transportation operations.
To do this, their day may be filled with online or in-person client meetings where they meet with the customer and ask questions about their current processes and pain points. Since different clients have different challenges and needs, these client meetings are crucial to identify which needs they want to be addressed. Some of the common pain points for clients can include the need to streamline their warehouse and distribution operations, monitoring logistics and transportation to efficiently transport their goods or services, tracking shipments correctly, and minimizing costs. The information that consultants get from these meetings will be used to help them design and develop functional and technical specifications that are tailored to the client’s business needs.
Once the scope of the project has been identified, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Consultants attend internal team meetings or check-ins during their day with their fellow project team members on the project timeline and the resources they need to ensure that their solutions are viable from planning to execution. These tasks, which compose most of the pre-implementation phase, are important as they set the foundation for the successful implementation of Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management solutions.
Once the pre-implementation tasks have been completed, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Consultants will move on to the implementation phase. They lead the implementation of the Dynamics 365 Supply Chain solution by scheduling and attending regular internal meetings with their project team members to ensure the solution is delivered on time and within budget.
One of their major tasks during this phase is to work with developers, project managers, and functional and technical consultants to configure the Dynamics 365 Supply Chain modules to meet the client’s requirements. This involves setting up the system and defining the business processes and workflows that will be used to manage the client’s supply chain operations. If there are custom codes and integrations needed, they collaborate with their own development team to create these customizations and integrations. Essentially, this is the part where they design, configure, and test the specific Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management modules to be implemented.
Throughout the implementation phase, the Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Architect will conduct testing and validation to ensure that the solution meets the client’s requirements. This includes performing functional and performance testing and validating that the system is working as intended.
Data migration can also be an essential part of the implementation phase. As a trusted advisor, the Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Architect works with the client to define the data that needs to be migrated from their existing systems into Dynamics 365 Supply Chain. This involves developing a data migration plan, cleansing and validating the data, and ensuring that it is migrated accurately and efficiently. They also schedule regular touchpoints with the client to provide updates.
The Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Architect also continues to attend any team meetings or check-ins scheduled for the day. This is important for staying up-to-date on the progress of the project and any issues or concerns that may arise. That said, they must be an effective communicator and collaborator, working closely with the development team, the client, and other stakeholders to ensure that the project stays on track and meets the client’s needs.
After their implementation tasks, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Architects provide technical support and maintenance to the client by addressing any questions or resolving issues or bugs that may arise. They work closely with the client’s team to troubleshoot and provide solutions for problems and guide them on how to use the system effectively
They also work proactively by monitoring the system’s performance and identifying areas for improvement. Throughout their work week, they may conduct regular system audits, analyze logs, and find areas where their processes can be optimized.
By providing ongoing support, identifying areas for improvement, and staying up to date on the latest updates and features, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Architects can help clients achieve their business goals by ensuring the ongoing success of the system.
They may also provide training to the client’s team on how to use the new solution effectively. This involves developing training materials and delivering training sessions to ensure that the client’s team is comfortable with the new system and can use it to its full potential.
Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Consultants play a significant role in maintaining positive client relationships throughout the project lifecycle. Their tasks include meeting with the clients regularly to answer any questions the client may have and keep them informed of any important developments or changes to the project timeline. By communicating clearly and regularly with the client, they are able to build client trust.
Another important aspect of client relationships is managing the client’s expectations. This involves setting realistic expectations for the project and ensuring that the client understands what can and cannot be achieved within the given timeline and budget. By managing expectations effectively, they help to become transparent, avoid misunderstandings, and ensure that the client is satisfied with the overall project outcome.
Each client is different. And so, it is a daily task for Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Consultants to build a strong rapport by using their excellent communication skills as they understand each client’s preferences and working style and adapt to these as needed. They take the time to build a relationship of trust and respect with the client so that both feel comfortable sharing feedback and ideas throughout the project lifecycle.
It is no question that Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Architects play a big part in increasing the efficiency and productivity of businesses, which leads to cost savings and improved customer satisfaction. While these are all positive outcomes, Supply Chain Consultants face several challenges that can make their jobs complicated. Some of the challenges they face can include implementation challenges and adapting to changes in the market and industry.
Implementing novel solutions can be complex and time-consuming, and it can be challenging to ensure that all stakeholders are on board and aligned with the proposed changes.
Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Architects work closely with their clients to identify potential roadblocks and develop a comprehensive plan to overcome them. However, sometimes clients may not always have a clear understanding of their own needs, and so Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Consultants must use a combination of their hard skills and soft skills to understand and articulate these needs for them to develop accurate and effective solutions. Thus, they must face the challenge of striking a balance between their technical expertise and business acumen.
Supply Chain Solution Consultants also spend hours conducting customized training programs for their end-users or working with the client’s IT teams to ensure that the new solution is properly adapted and integrated into the client’s existing systems.
In addition, they may also face technical challenges, such as system compatibility issues with integrating with legacy systems that may result in delays, as well as balancing the need for complex customizations with the out-of-the-box functionality of Dynamics 365. Furthermore, Supply Chain Solution Architects must implement appropriate security measures to ensure the data integrity and consistency of the clients they work with. At the end of the day, it takes a collaborative effort from the implementation team and the client team to achieve these goals.
Supply chain processes are complex, and it is often a challenging task to optimize these processes. Added to that, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Architects must also navigate and adapt to changes in the market and industry. Since the supply chain landscape is always evolving, they must stay informed with the latest trends and technologies to understand how they can be leveraged to optimize the client’s supply chain operations. By staying ahead of the curve and helping their clients adapt to changes in the market, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Consultants can help their clients stay ahead of the competition and drive growth.
Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Consultants take on an immense responsibility in handling complex implementation projects of their clients. This comes with a lot of daily tasks that they must work on to ensure the smooth implementation of the system. They bring a unique set of skills and expertise to the table that they use in collaborating with their team members, stakeholders, and clients. The role of Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Solution Consultants does come with challenges, but it is a career path that offers much fulfillment and growth.
