Microsoft is preparing one of the most significant evolutions of Dynamics 365 with One Dynamics One Platform (ODOP), a unification of Finance & Operations and Customer Engagement on the Power Platform.
For executives, this development is more than a licensing adjustment or technical upgrade. It marks a new way to connect data, extend applications, and manage updates across the enterprise.
ODOP is designed to simplify how businesses run Dynamics. By aligning Finance & Operations and Customer Engagement within a single architecture, Microsoft is removing barriers that have often slowed down transformation. This change will matter most to leaders focused on agility, insight, and resilience in a digital-first economy.
Why ODOP matters for leaders
Traditionally, F&O and CE have operated as distinct systems. Finance teams and supply chain leaders used one set of tools, while sales and service operated in another. The result was duplicated data models, disconnected extensions, and inconsistent deployment pipelines. ODOP addresses these challenges directly.
- Shared data foundation. Dataverse becomes the single record of truth, reducing duplication and errors across finance, supply chain, and customer processes.
- With everything on Power Platform, apps and automations can be built once and applied across business units.
- Application lifecycle management (ALM). Consistent pipelines make it easier to test, update, and govern solutions across the whole estate.
For executives, the impact is strategic: ODOP provides the backbone for end-to-end process alignment, from order to cash to customer service.
Many businesses are already reviewing how ODOP will affect their architectures. Securing experienced Dynamics professionals early can help smooth the transition.
New opportunities unlocked
ODOP makes it possible to connect processes in ways that were previously costly or complex. Leaders could, for example, allow sales orders created in Customer Engagement to flow seamlessly into Finance & Operations, with no need for custom middleware. Finance could use real-time pipeline data to update revenue forecasts, while service teams could check invoice status without leaving their workspace.
These scenarios go beyond efficiency. They create visibility across functions, enabling decisions that are faster and more accurate. For businesses, this means moving from fragmented operations toward a connected model that supports growth and resilience.
As these opportunities expand, demand for cross-domain architects and consultants is increasing. Nigel Frank helps employers find the people who can bridge Finance & Operations with Customer Engagement.
The talent equation
Transitioning to ODOP requires expertise that spans multiple parts of the Dynamics ecosystem. Senior architects and functional consultants will be critical, both to shape roadmaps and to manage delivery.
According to Nigel Frank’s Microsoft Cloud Careers and Hiring Guide, the average time to hire a Microsoft cloud professional is six and a half months. That delay illustrates why businesses need to prepare talent strategies early if they want to stay on track with ODOP adoption.
Risks of delaying adoption
ODOP will not be optional in the long run. Businesses that hold back may find themselves facing:
- Data fragmentation as siloed systems drift further apart
- Rising costs from duplicated integrations and inconsistent extensions
- Competitive disadvantage as faster adopters achieve better visibility and decision-making
By treating ODOP as a strategic program, leaders can avoid these risks. Early action will help organizations clean their data, review existing extensions, and build governance frameworks that support long-term value.
Preparing for the shift
Executives planning for ODOP should consider four key steps:
- Audit extensions and integrations to identify duplication and complexity.
- Review governance so that data stewardship and access controls are clear.
- Map cross-functional processes to show where unification will deliver value.
- Plan recruitment early to secure scarce Dynamics talent before demand peaks.
ODOP is not just another update. It is Microsoft’s attempt to create a single, unified Dynamics platform that can evolve with the needs of modern enterprises. Leaders who act now will be better positioned to simplify operations, enhance resilience, and build a stronger foundation for growth.
