Managing Microsoft Quarterly Updates: From Chaos to Clarity

Every quarter, Microsoft releases a flood of updates for Dynamics 365 ERP and CRM systems. These updates promise innovation, security, and compliance—but for many organizations, they also bring confusion, disruption, and stress.

If you’ve ever stared at a release wave document wondering, “Which of these features matter to us? Which ones are mandatory? How do we train our teams before everything changes?”—you’re not alone.

In this post, we’ll break down:

• How Microsoft schedules and releases updates
• Which features are mandatory vs. optional
• Why ignoring updates is risky
• Best practices for managing updates without losing your mind
• How Pelorus Technology’s Strategic Update Alignment Service turns this challenge into a competitive advantage



How Microsoft Quarterly Updates Work

Microsoft follows a predictable cadence for Dynamics 365 ERP and CRM updates:

• Two major release waves per year
• Wave 1: April–September
• Wave 2: October–March
• Early Access: Features are available in preview about 6–8 weeks before general availability. This is your chance to test in a sandbox before production updates hit.
• General Availability: Updates roll out automatically in April and October.

For Finance & Operations apps, Microsoft also provides four service updates annually (February, April, July, October). Customers must take at least two updates per year, and while you can pause one update, you can’t skip them indefinitely.



Mandatory vs. Optional Features

Not all features are created equal:

• Mandatory Features: These are enabled automatically and cannot be turned off. They often include compliance, security, and platform changes.
• Optional Features: Many new features start as optional and can be enabled in the Feature Management workspace. Over time, optional features typically become mandatory—usually within 6–12 months.

Feature Lifecycle:
Preview → Optional → On by Default → Mandatory

This means today’s “nice-to-have” could become tomorrow’s “must-have.”



The Risks of Ignoring Updates

Some companies try to delay updates to avoid disruption. But here’s the reality:

• Compliance Risks: Mandatory features often address regulatory requirements. Skipping them can put you out of compliance.
• Security Gaps: Updates include critical security patches. Delaying them leaves your system vulnerable.
• Operational Disruption: If you don’t plan for changes, users log in one day to a new interface or missing functionality—leading to frustration and lost productivity.



Best Practices for Managing Quarterly Updates

Here’s where most teams struggle: they treat updates as a technical task instead of a strategic process. The result? Fire drills, missed opportunities, and frustrated users.

Here’s how to do it right:

1. Start with Awareness

• Subscribe to Release Notes: Microsoft publishes detailed release plans for each wave. Assign someone to review these early.
• Use Early Access: Test new features in a sandbox environment before they hit production.

2. Prioritize Features by Business Impact

• Not every feature matters to your business. Focus on:
• Compliance-related changes
• Features that affect core workflows
• Opportunities for efficiency gains

3. Build a Rollout Plan

• Phase the Deployment: Don’t flip everything on at once. Start with low-risk features, then move to critical ones.
• Communicate Early: Let users know what’s coming and why it matters.

4. Train for Adoption

• Role-Based Training: Finance teams need different training than sales teams.
• Micro-Learning: Short videos or quick reference guides work better than long manuals.

5. Monitor and Adjust



• After deployment, track adoption and feedback. Adjust your plan for the next wave.

The Reality Check

Even with best practices, managing quarterly updates is a heavy lift. It requires:

• Deep knowledge of Microsoft’s release cycle
• Understanding of your unique processes and system usage
• Time to analyze, plan, and train

Most internal teams are already stretched thin. That’s why many companies either scramble at the last minute—or worse, ignore updates until something breaks.

Introducing Strategic Update Alignment Service

At Pelorus Technology, we created the Strategic Update Alignment Service to take the chaos out of Microsoft updates.

Here’s how it works:

• We analyze your process flows and system usage to understand what really matters to your business.
• We review upcoming Microsoft releases and identify which features are mandatory, which are optional, and which align with your strategic goals.
• We provide clear guidance and recommendations—including a phased rollout plan, training priorities, and risk mitigation strategies.

The result?

• No more guessing which features matter
• No more last-minute fire drills
• A clear, confident path to leveraging Microsoft’s innovation without disrupting your operations

Why This Matters Now

Microsoft isn’t slowing down. With AI-driven features, Copilot integration, and continuous platform enhancements, the pace of change is accelerating. Companies that manage updates strategically will gain a competitive edge. Those that don’t will struggle to keep up.

Ready to Take Control of Quarterly Updates?

Stop reacting. Start planning.



Schedule a call with our strategy team today and see how Strategic Update Alignment can turn Microsoft’s update cycle into a growth opportunity for your business.

About the Author

Erik Cornet is the founder of Pelorus Technology and the creator of TiM (Time is Money), a time tracking solution built for professionals who are done with outdated timesheets. With more than 25 years in ERP consulting, software implementation, and business systems strategy, Erik focuses on delivering structure, predictability, and meaningful results—especially for professional services and manufacturing teams. His approach emphasizes clear scope, disciplined delivery, and tools that make complex work simpler.

You can find Erik on LinkedIn to connect or learn more about his work.