How Dynamics 365 Attach Licenses Cut Costs by 50-60% and Drive Growth

Dynamics 365 Attach Licenses: What They Are and How They Benefit Your Business

If you're working with Microsoft Dynamics 365, you're probably familiar with the rich set of applications it offers. As your business grows, the need for users to access multiple applications like Sales, Finance, Customer Service, or Supply Chain Management often increases.

To make this more cost-effective, Microsoft provides a licensing option called Attach Licenses, which can significantly reduce costs while maintaining full functionality.

Let's break down what attach licenses are, their benefits, and how to best use them in your organization.

What Are Dynamics 365 Attach Licenses?

Simply put, an Attach License allows users who already have a Base License for a specific Dynamics 365 application to access other applications at a discounted rate. It provides the same level of access and functionality as a full license but costs significantly less.

How It Works:

• Base License: The primary Dynamics 365 application that a user needs. This must be purchased at full price, and it becomes the "anchor" for other licenses.
• Attach License: Secondary licenses that can be added for the same user at a reduced price. They offer the same functionality as the base license but are more affordable when stacked on an existing base license.

For example, if your sales team uses Sales Enterprise and you want them to also access Customer Service, you can buy Customer Service as an attach license. Instead of paying full price for both, the attach license significantly reduces the cost of that second application.

With Dynamics 365 Attach Licenses, you’re not just adding apps—you’re unlocking potential while saving up to 60%. More power, less cost; how? Email - [email protected]

Benefits of Dynamics 365 Attach Licenses

1. Significant Cost Savings
2. Access to Full Functionality
3. Simplified License Management
4. Scalability and Flexibility
5. Tailored for Specific User Needs

Let's deep dive into the benefits in detail:

• Significant Cost Savings

One of the standout benefits of attach licenses is the reduction in overall licensing costs. In larger organizations where multiple users need access to multiple applications, this can lead to massive savings.

Consider a user who needs access to Dynamics 365 Sales, Customer Service, and Field Service. Without attach licensing, you'd be paying full price for each application. However, with attach licenses, you only pay full price for the first (base) license, and the others are at a lower price.

• Access to Full Functionality

Unlike some limited-use or read-only licenses, attach licenses provide full access to the entire suite of features that the application offers. There is no loss of capability when using an attach license. The only difference between a base and attach license is the price.

For example, if you buy Finance as an attach license after purchasing Supply Chain Management, you still get the full financial capabilities like budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, just at a lower cost.

• Simplified License Management

When managing licenses for multiple departments or teams that need access to different Dynamics 365 apps, using attach licenses can simplify things. You only need to manage one base license per user, and the rest can be attached as needed.

This structure is especially useful when you have cross-functional roles. For instance, a production manager might need access to both Supply Chain Management and Finance. Instead of managing two full licenses, attach licensing reduces the complexity while saving costs.

• Scalability and Flexibility

The modular approach of attach licensing lets businesses scale up easily. As your needs evolve, you can add attach licenses when required. For example, if your company starts with Sales and later expands into customer service, adding Customer Service as an attach license is both seamless and cost-effective.

Attach licenses allow you to grow without a major upfront investment. This flexibility is key for companies looking to scale but with budget constraints.

• Tailored for Specific User Needs

Attach licenses make sense for users who need full functionality in multiple areas. For example, your finance team may start with Finance as a base license but also need access to Project Operations to track project expenses. By adding Project Operations as an attach license, you equip them with everything they need without purchasing multiple full-price licenses.

Scale your business without scaling your budget—to know more, book a free consultation today, email: [email protected]

When to Use Dynamics 365 Attach Licenses

D365 Attach licenses are ideal when:

1. A single user needs access to multiple Dynamics 365 apps: For example, a customer service rep who also manages field service requests can have Customer Service as a base license and Field Service as an attach license.
2. You’re scaling business operations: If your sales team starts using Sales Enterprise and you later expand into managing customer orders, you can easily attach the Commerce module to your sales reps' licenses.
3. Cross-department collaboration is essential: In scenarios where multiple teams work together—like marketing and sales—you can assign Marketing as the base license and attach Sales or Customer Insights depending on the user’s role.

Key Considerations and Best Practices

• Choosing the Right Base License

When purchasing multiple licenses for a single user, the first license you buy must be the most expensive one. This will be the base license, and additional licenses can be added as attach licenses.

For example, if a user needs access to both Finance and Sales Enterprise, and Finance is priced higher, it should be the base license, with Sales added as an attach license.

• Platform Entitlements

Attach licenses do not include additional platform entitlements like storage or API calls. These resources are tied to the base license. If your usage exceeds the base license entitlements, you may need to purchase additional capacity, even if you're using attach licenses.

It's important to monitor usage and ensure that the base license has adequate resources for your business needs.

• Eligibility

Not all applications are eligible for attach licensing. You need to verify that the combination of base and attach licenses you want is supported by Microsoft’s licensing terms. For example, Business Central may not be eligible to attach other modules directly. Always review the product terms and confirm with your Microsoft partner.

• Mixed Licensing

If you’re using Enterprise and Professional licenses within the same environment, remember that mixing licenses is not allowed. You’ll need to choose one licensing type across the organization to maintain compliance.

Popular Base and Attach License Combinations

Here are some common base and attach license combinations that organizations use to balance costs and functionality:

• Sales Enterprise (Base) + Customer Service (Attach): Ideal for sales reps who also handle post-sales support.
• Finance (Base) + Supply Chain Management (Attach): Perfect for finance teams that need oversight of inventory and production in addition to financial reporting.
• Project Operations (Base) + Field Service (Attach): Great for project managers who also manage on-site service operations.

How to Purchase and Manage Attach Licenses

You can purchase Dynamics 365 attach licenses through:

• Microsoft Volume Licensing: This is the preferred option for larger organizations as it offers flexibility and discounts.
• Microsoft Direct: Smaller businesses can buy attach licenses directly through Microsoft or a certified Microsoft partner like Dynamics Square.

To manage licenses effectively, use tools like the Microsoft 365 Admin Center or work with a certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner who can ensure you’re maximizing your license efficiency.

Summing Up:

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Attach Licenses offer businesses a cost-effective way to expand their use of the Dynamics 365 ecosystem without sacrificing functionality. By strategically using attach licenses, you can optimize your operations, reduce licensing costs, and enable seamless collaboration across departments.

Whether you’re running a small business or a large enterprise, understanding and leveraging attach licenses is key to getting the most value from your Dynamics 365 investment. Make sure to review your licensing needs carefully and consult with your Microsoft Partner to ensure you’re using the right license structure for your organization.

If you’re ready to explore attach licensing or want to optimize your current setup, reach out to your Microsoft Dynamics Partner or contact Microsoft for guidance.