I am about to embark on my revision for the MB2-715 exam. This exam is for Dynamics 365 and covers online deployment. Its catchy official name is “MB2-715 – Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Online Deployment”.

As I revise I plan to publish blog posts that collectively will become a revision guide for anyone interested in this exam. But why this exam?

I have just passed my MB2-716 exam (Dynamics 365 Customization and Configuration). This is significant as that means I’m one step away from a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate certification. As you become an MCSA if you pass MB2-716 and MB2-715.

Who should study for MB2-715? I would suggest anyone closely involved with Dynamics 365 should aspire to pass this exam. In my case, I’m a Dynamics 365 consultant. This means I need a rounded knowledge of the product in terms of usage, customization capabilities and deployment options. Implying I would benefit from passing all of the exams!

But what if your job is more focused than my generalist role. Obviously anyone directly involved with the deployment of Dynamics 365 would be interested but Business Analysts and Developers would also benefit from this exam! I say this because understanding the options available for deployment may influence some of their decisions.

A business analyst, for example, might benefit from knowing the options available for exchange / outlook. As then they can better advise organisations on how to make the most out of email integration with Dynamics 365.

A developer might benefit from understanding how to deploy and manage instances. Maybe they’d like to know how to create a sandbox for development / test purposes.

First Steps

These Microsoft exams aren’t easy!! Because of this I always approach my study in a structured way. I advise you to do the same.

Each exam is big and covers quite a lot of ground. But each exam is really small compared to the total functionality we have available in Dynamics 365. I don’t know about you but my mind wanders. (Massively!) I often find I’ll start to look at a particular topic only to realize that I’ve gone off at a tangent and started to read about something completely unrelated.

Say you are trying to revise email integration. You work out how to link up Dynamics 365 and Exchange. Then you start to consider what will happen when someone emails in a support query. You might want to explore how to automatically create a case from that email and then maybe how to queue that case. Or possibly how to trigger an SLA based on the case creation date. Or how to customize that the case form to include some additional information. All fascinating subjects. But if you let your mind wander you’ll have “wasted” your revision time learning some great “stuff” that won’t help you pass this exam.

Stay focused and keep on track. This will help you pass the exam in the shortest time possible. And get onto the next exam, when maybe you can learn some other cool stuff about case management …..

A first step I always take is to print off the skills measured information. I then relax with a coffee in my favorite mug! I read and re-read the skills measured. This helps me be confident I know what are the “right” things to study. At this point I also like to take a highlighter pen and mark all of the areas that I know little or nothing about. Again this helps focus my mind and possibly flag some subject areas I should make a priority.

Honestly I find the deployment exams harder than some of the other Dynamics 365 exams! I know for example that I don’t (yet) know enough about Delve, Groups or SSO. You may feel similar. Don’t let that put you off. You are simply listing some cool things to learn about. Embrace this and you’ll enjoy the learning process.

Let’s looks at the total skills measured, highlighters at the ready ……

Create a Customer Organizational Structure

Support the Microsoft Dynamics 365 client environment

• Validate minimum browser requirements for devices utilizing the web interface to access Microsoft Dynamics 365, ensure client devices meet the minimum hardware specifications, support outlook integration by using Outlook or Outlook with Dynamics 365 App for Outlook installed, manage phone and tablet client environments
  

Deploy Microsoft Dynamics

• Determine the proper edition of Microsoft Dynamics 365 suited for the client; determine the proper pricing, packaging, and subscription model based on the needs of the organizational environment; create a deployment plan to meet organizational considerations
  

Import data into the Microsoft Dynamics 365 environment

• Design a data import plan, import data through supported methodologies, upload data from on-premises to Azure, manage large volume migrations with the Data Loader service
  

Manage the Microsoft Dynamics 365 environment

• Sign-up and cancel subscriptions, manage users, configure SSO and AD synchronization within hybrid environments with Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS), configure administrative access, assign roles
  

Administer the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Environment

Deploy instances

• Deploy appropriate number and types of instances for designated environments, deploy sandbox and production instances, configure and edit instance properties
  

Manage instances

• Switch an instance, reset an instance, delete an instance, copy an instance, manage regions and multiple tenant environments, manage storage and resources, manage administrative email notifications
  

Manage updates

• Design a Microsoft Dynamics 365 update policy; review, approve, and skip updates; schedule updates
  

Integrate Microsoft Dynamics with Other Applications

Integrate Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint, and OneDrive with Microsoft Dynamics

• Configure Exchange server synchronization for incoming and outgoing traffic, manage folder based tracking flows, manage SharePoint integration, enable OneDrive for Business, configure control access and folder structure for SharePoint
  

Integrate other Microsoft Online Business Solutions with Microsoft Dynamics

• Manage OneNote integration, manage Microsoft Social Engagement integration, manage Yammer integration, manage workspace collaboration with Office 365 Groups, manage and configure Delve integration
  

Integrate customized and third party applications with Microsoft Dynamics

• Configure and manage app modules, create customized function apps with App Designer, create site maps by using Design App Mapper, obtain access to additional apps through App Source and Power Apps
  

Manage Microsoft Outlook and Mobile Environments

Integrate Microsoft Dynamics 365 with Outlook

• Manage supported environments for Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Outlook, deploy Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Outlook through multiple methods, configure Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Outlook to connect to multiple instances, configure synchronized fields, perform basic functions using the Microsoft Dynamics 365 App for Outlook interface
  

Manage and configure mobile apps for Microsoft Dynamics 365

• Configure Microsoft Dynamics 365 for phones express and newer Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Phones and Tablets, configure entities and security privileges, manage CRM forms and dashboards