Licensing for Dynamics 365 Marketing

Licensing for Dynamics 365 Marketing

• Types of licenses available for Dynamics 365 Marketing
• Key features covered under different license tiers
• How to choose the right licensing plan for your organization
• Costs involved and potential cost-saving options
• Add-ons and capacity options for enhanced features
• Licensing tips to ensure compliance and maximize value

What is Key Licensing for Dynamics 365 Marketing?

Licensing for Dynamics 365 Marketing can be challenging if you are new to Microsoft’s product offerings.

However, understanding the licensing models and selecting the best option for your organization is critical for ensuring you leverage Dynamics 365 Marketing’s full capabilities without overspending. 

This guide will cover everything you need about Dynamics 365 Marketing licensing, helping you make informed decisions that suit your organization’s needs and growth plans.

Types of Licenses for Dynamics 365 Marketing

Dynamics 365 Marketing has a flexible licensing model to fit the unique needs of different organizations.

There are mainly two licensing options for Dynamics 365 Marketing:

1. Standalone License
2. Attach License

Let’s break down these options:

• Standalone License: This license type is ideal for organizations that do not use any other Dynamics 365 applications. It allows you to use Dynamics 365 Marketing as a fully functioning marketing automation tool without needing other Dynamics products.
  • Example: If you run a small marketing agency that wants to use Dynamics 365 Marketing’s marketing tools solely without utilizing sales or customer service applications, a standalone license would be the best choice.
• Attach License: The attach license is cheaper for organizations with other Dynamics 365 applications, such as Dynamics 365 Sales or Customer Service. This option is an add-on that allows users to integrate 365 Marketing features seamlessly with other solutions.
  • Example: If your company already uses Dynamics 365 Sales to manage customer relationships and wants to add marketing capabilities, you can use an attached license at a reduced cost.

Key Features Included in the Licenses

Depending on your Dynamics 365 Marketing license, you gain access to a suite of marketing automation features, including:

• Customer Journeys: Build multi-channel campaigns to engage customers through emails, events, or landing pages.
• Event Management: Plan and execute webinars, conferences, and other events using event management capabilities.
• Lead Scoring: Use lead scoring models to prioritize high-value leads based on their actions and engagements.
• Email Marketing: Create and send branded marketing emails using pre-built templates or customized designs.
• Customer Segmentation: Segment your customers for targeted and personalized campaigns.

An example of Customer Journeys would be creating a customer workflow that sends automated welcome emails to new subscribers and follows up with customized offers after a set period. These features help streamline customer engagement and foster improved marketing campaign performance.

Choosing the Right License for Your Organization

To determine the most appropriate license for your organization, consider these key factors:

1. Current Software Usage: If you’re already using other Dynamics 365 applications, such as Dynamics 365 Sales or Customer Service, you may save on costs by choosing an attached license instead of a standalone license.
2. Team Size and Marketing Needs: Evaluate the number of marketing users who require access to Dynamics 365 Marketing and whether they need access to email marketing, social media, or lead management features.
3. Scalability: Consider how your business might grow over time. Do you need a scalable licensing model that allows for easy addition of users or capacity?
4. Budget: Assess your budgetary requirements. Depending on your existing subscriptions, an attached license may help lower the costs compared to a standalone version.

For example, a company with an existing Dynamics 365 Sales license may consider purchasing an attached license if the marketing functionality is meant for a small marketing team. This approach can save money while ensuring full integration between sales and marketing departments.

Costs and Potential Cost-Saving Options

Licensing costs for Dynamics 365 Marketing can vary based on:

• Number of users: The licensing model is usually priced per user per month.
• Contact Capacity: Costs may also depend on how many marketing contacts your campaigns will engage.
• Additional Features: The cost may increase depending on the add-ons you choose.

Pricing Overview:

• Standalone License: Typically starts around $1,500 per tenant per month. This pricing is ideal for businesses that need a complete marketing solution.
• Attach License: The attached version is significantly reduced, typically around $750 per tenant per month, and is available only if you already own other qualifying Dynamics 365 licenses.

Cost-Saving Tip: If you expect a large volume of marketing contacts, estimating your contact usage ahead of time is beneficial. Microsoft offers tiered pricing based on the number of contacts, so careful planning can help minimize costs.

Add-ons and Capacity Options

Dynamics 365 Marketing allows you to purchase additional add-ons to enhance functionality.

Here are some of the most popular add-ons:

• Additional Contacts: You can add capacity for additional marketing contacts beyond your initial allowance.
  • Example: If your original license includes 10,000 contacts and you need to expand to 50,000, you can purchase additional contact packs to accommodate your growing audience.
• Event Management Add-ons: If your organization hosts multiple large-scale events, you may want to purchase an add-on to expand your event management capacity.

Key Add-On Examples:

• 10,000 Additional Contacts Pack: Available for purchase to expand your capacity for engaging more customers.
• Event Management Add-on: Allows increased attendees and advanced features like custom event registration forms.

Licensing Tips for Compliance and Maximizing Value

1. Know Your Contact Limits: Each Dynamics 365 Marketing license has a specific number of contacts you can market to without incurring additional charges. Regularly monitor your contact count to avoid unexpected fees.
   • Example: If your marketing campaigns typically reach 9,000 contacts and your license has a 10,000-contact limit, track growth to avoid surpassing this threshold.
2. Avoid Over-licensing: Only purchase what you need to meet your requirements. Analyze your current and future needs to avoid paying for unnecessary capacity.
   • Example: If your company expects only moderate customer growth, you might not need to purchase extra contact capacity upfront. Instead, monitor growth trends and add contacts as necessary.
3. Use Attach Licenses Wisely: If your organization already uses other Dynamics 365 applications, consider attaching licenses to get the most value from Dynamics 365. This option provides seamless integration at a lower price.

Comparing Dynamics 365 Marketing with Other Dynamics Applications

If your organization already uses other Dynamics 365 products, understanding how Dynamics 365 Marketing fits in is crucial.

• Dynamics 365 Sales and Marketing: These two products work together. Dynamics 365 Marketing provides the tools necessary to generate and nurture leads, while Dynamics 365 Sales focuses on converting those leads into customers.
  • Example: A typical customer journey may start with Dynamics 365 Marketing, where you send promotional emails and webinars to nurture prospects. Once a potential customer shows significant interest, the lead is handed off to the Dynamics 365 Sales team to continue the conversation and finalize the sale.
• Dynamics 365 Customer Insights: When paired with 365 Marketing, Customer Insights can help enhance campaign targeting and personalization by collecting valuable customer data across all platforms.
  • Example: A retail company could use Customer Insights to understand customer behavior and utilize 365 Marketing to launch targeted campaigns, resulting in more personalized marketing and improved campaign performance.

Read about Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Licensing.

How to Get Started with Dynamics 365 Marketing Licensing

To get started with Dynamics 365 Marketing licensing:

1. Identify Your Requirements: Understand what features you need. Do you need email marketing, lead nurturing, or advanced event management?
2. Talk to a Microsoft Partner: Microsoft partners can help guide you through the complexities of licensing and assist in finding the best pricing and license type to suit your needs.
3. Consider Trials: Microsoft offers free trials for Dynamics 365 Marketing, allowing you to explore the features before making a purchase decision.

Licensing for Dynamics 365 Marketing FAQ

What is Dynamics 365 Marketing licensing?
Licensing for Dynamics 365 Marketing depends on user roles and subscription plans.

• User-based licensing
• App-based licensing
• Contact-based add-ons

Can I use Dynamics 365 Marketing without Dynamics 365 Sales?
Yes, Dynamics 365 Marketing can function independently, though it integrates seamlessly with Dynamics 365 Sales.

What are the key features of 365 Marketing?
Key features include customer journeys, segmentation, email marketing, and lead nurturing.

Is Dynamics 365 Marketing available on all devices?
Yes, 365 Marketing is accessible on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

How many emails can I send with Dynamics 365 Marketing?
The email capacity depends on the chosen license tier, with additional capacity available through add-ons.

What integrations are supported by Dynamics 365 Marketing?
Dynamics 365 Marketing integrates with Microsoft apps, LinkedIn, and third-party platforms like Eventbrite.

Can I manage multiple marketing campaigns at once?
Yes, 365 Marketing allows users to manage multiple campaigns simultaneously.

How does Dynamics 365 Marketing handle customer data?
Dynamics 365 Marketing ensures data security through compliance with GDPR and other regulatory standards.

Can I track campaign performance in Dynamics 365 Marketing?
Yes, the platform provides real-time analytics and reporting tools to track campaign results.

Is there a trial version of Dynamics 365 Marketing?
Yes, Microsoft offers a free trial for Dynamics 365 Marketing with limited features and contacts.

Can I customize email templates in Dynamics 365 Marketing?
Users can create custom email templates or choose from pre-built options within the platform.

What are the pricing options for Dynamics 365 Marketing?
Pricing varies based on contact volume, user licenses, and additional add-ons required for specific functions.

Does Dynamics 365 Marketing support event management?
Yes, 365 Marketing includes tools for event management, from registration to follow-up.

Can Dynamics 365 Marketing be used for customer segmentation?
Yes, the platform provides robust segmentation features based on behavior and demographics.

What type of customer journeys can be created in Dynamics 365 Marketing?
365 Marketing enables personalized customer journeys based on triggers, interactions, and engagement patterns.