Here are the key dates for the upcoming release wave:
January 27th
- Release plans will be available on this date. You can learn about the new upcoming capabilities for Dynamics 365 and Power Platform.
February 3rd
- Early access is available. You will be able to try the new features and capabilities that will be part of the April update of the 2020 release wave 1 before they’re enabled automatically.
April 1st
- General availability to the public. This is when the production deployment for the 2020 release wave 1 begins. Regional deployments will commence on April 3rd.
When will the list of features be announced?
The list of features for the 2020 Dynamics 365 and Power Platform release wave 1 can be expected on January 27th. This specific plan will provide you with visibility to prepare for the upcoming changes. These changes will take place between April and September.
All about early access:
When will early access for the 2020 release wave 1 begin?
- It will start on February 3rd.
Why should I opt-in and test the features ahead of time?
- Early access will provide you with an opportunity to validate the update in your environment before it’s applied to your production environment. You can experience the new features firsthand so you are prepared when it’s time to roll them out to all users.
How do I enable the early access features in an environment?
- For model-driven apps in Dynamics 365, you can enable the preview features from the Power Platform Admin center. If you are using Dynamics 365 for Finance, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, or Dynamics 365 Commerce, you can apply the preview package to your environment via the Shared Asset Library in Lifecycle Services. You can view the Service Update Availability on how to enable previews.
Which features and experiences are available for early access?
- All of the early access features will be listed in the Dynamics 365 2020 release wave 1 plan. You will be able to try out the new features in model-driven apps in Dynamics 365, as well as Dynamics 365 for Finance, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, or Dynamics 365 Commerce.
How will the features in early access be deployed in production?
- Model-driven apps in Dynamics 365
- In April 2020, all environments will be turned “om” to receive the 2020 release wave 1 features. Following Microsoft’s Safe Deployment Process, SDP, the updates will be deployed automatically. You can enable the updates yourself by opting into the preview starting February 3rd.
- Dynamics 365 Finance, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, or Dynamics 365 Commerce
- You can configure the maintenance day and time windows in Lifecycle Services. You will have a total of five business days for testing and validation. View the One Version service updates FAQ for more details.
Seamless deployment for 2019 release wave 2 updates:
To recap, Microsoft allowed customers to try over 70 new capabilities within Dynamics 365 and Power Platform this past August and September. These new features started in October 2019 and will continue through March of this year. You can review the feedback and discussions in the Release Readiness forum in the Dynamics community.
We predict that there will be some exciting changes this year for both Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform! Stay tuned for another blog post that will go into detail on the features that are headed your way. As always, we have a team of Solution Architects, Developers, and Consultants that can assist your team with your next project! Feel free to send us a message if you have any questions
