Agentic AI Reshapes Dynamics 365 Partner Selection

Microsoft's 2026 Release Wave 1 introduces autonomous AI agents, forcing businesses to rethink partner evaluation criteria.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:20pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a complex circuit board with pulsing neon cyan and magenta lights, conceptually representing the autonomous AI agents being integrated into the Dynamics 365 platform.As Microsoft embeds agentic AI across Dynamics 365, businesses must evaluate implementation partners based on their ability to design, deploy, and govern autonomous software agents.Fargo Today

Microsoft's Dynamics 365 2026 Release Wave 1 introduces agentic AI capabilities across every module, fundamentally changing the criteria for businesses evaluating Dynamics 365 implementation partners. Top Dynamics Partners has updated its partner evaluation framework to include new AI-readiness criteria, as partners now need skills in areas like AI agent design, Copilot enablement, Work IQ integration, and AI governance.

Why it matters

The shift to agentic AI in Dynamics 365 means traditional partner selection criteria like certifications, project count, and industry references are no longer sufficient. Businesses must now evaluate partners on their ability to design, deploy, and govern autonomous AI agents, as well as their expertise in integrating Copilot and Work IQ. Partners without these capabilities pose a risk to successful Dynamics 365 implementations.

The details

Microsoft's Dynamics 365 2026 Release Wave 1 introduces autonomous AI agents across every module, including Sales, Customer Service, Finance, Supply Chain, HR, and Commerce. This represents a significant shift in the platform's capabilities, as partners must now demonstrate skills in areas like AI agent design and orchestration, Copilot enablement, Work IQ integration, and AI governance and compliance. Top Dynamics Partners has updated its partner evaluation framework to assess these new criteria, as businesses can no longer rely solely on traditional factors like certifications and industry references.

  • Microsoft's M365 pricing increases of 5–33% take effect on July 1, 2026, affecting the total cost of the Microsoft stack for every Dynamics 365 customer.
  • The window between now and July 2026 is when businesses should be locking in their partner and implementation strategy to take advantage of partners who have already invested in AI readiness.

The players

George Brown

Co-Founder & CEO of Top Dynamics Partners, a 40-year veteran of the Dynamics ecosystem and former Chief Revenue Officer at Jet Global.

Top Dynamics Partners

The leading independent platform for evaluating and comparing Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation partners.

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What they’re saying

“The window between now and July is when businesses should be locking in their partner and implementation strategy. The partners who have already invested in AI readiness will be in high demand. Waiting means fewer choices and higher costs.”

— George Brown, Co-Founder & CEO, Top Dynamics Partners

“For the past 25 years, choosing a Dynamics partner came down to certifications, project count, and industry references. That playbook is now incomplete. Wave 1 introduces autonomous agents that execute multi-step business processes independently. Partners who can't design, deploy, and govern AI agents aren't just behind — they're a risk to your implementation.”

— George Brown, Co-Founder & CEO, Top Dynamics Partners

What’s next

Businesses should evaluate Dynamics 365 implementation partners using Top Dynamics Partners' updated framework, which includes new AI-readiness criteria, to ensure they select a partner capable of capitalizing on the agentic AI capabilities introduced in Release Wave 1.

The takeaway

The shift to agentic AI in Dynamics 365 fundamentally changes the criteria for selecting implementation partners. Businesses must now prioritize partners with proven expertise in AI agent design, Copilot enablement, Work IQ integration, and AI governance to ensure a successful and future-proof Dynamics 365 implementation.