Consider Microsoft AppSource to be the ultimate app shop for Microsoft products. AppSource, according to Microsoft's concept, is the central hub for purchasing any business app. It's easy to use, and you can look for products by industry, functionality, or application.

Microsoft AppSource is an online store with thousands of business applications and services developed by industry leaders. It allows you to find, sample, buy, and deploy business software and services to help you operate your business.

And you can make all your purchases from the comfort of your office without needing to venture out to find your ideal solution. Imagine the time savings.

The Buying Status Quo is Changing

If you purchased a Microsoft business solution in the past, such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, it was most likely through one of their salespeople or a partner. Business users are changing how they buy apps due to the market's reaction to significant changes in how consumers purchase apps online through Google Play or Apple's App Store.

According to a Forrester Consulting survey, 73% of company customers perceive the web as more convenient for shopping. According to the same study, in 2023, e-commerce was predicted to account for 17% of all business-to-business transactions.

Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, solutions created for Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, Power BI, Power Apps, and consulting services from Microsoft partners are all available to users through Microsoft AppSource.

Microsoft AppSource solutions are accessible through Microsoft resellers participating in the Cloud Solution Provider program.

What's Available on Microsoft AppSource?

Microsoft AppSource is a service that allows business users to discover and test software-as-a-service (SaaS) programs from Microsoft and its partners. Web Apps and apps built on top of Microsoft Dynamics, Office 365, and PowerApps such as Power BI are examples of Microsoft AppSource apps.

Microsoft AppSource, which debuted with the release of Microsoft Dynamics 365, now features over 7,000 apps from Microsoft and partners and is rapidly expanding.

With Microsoft AppSource, you can access the following:

Apps: solutions catered to various industries, categories, and company requirements.

Consulting Services: including prepackaged services for your Microsoft solutions, assessments, briefings, implementations, proofs of concept, and workshops.

Profiles of Microsoft partners: profiles of trusted Microsoft partners who can use Microsoft-based services to help your organization digitally change and achieve business goals faster.

How Does AppSource Work?

AppSource offers many apps to organizations as a free trial or test drive, allowing you to assess if the app adds new features to your existing business apps before purchasing. You can find solutions that complement your needs, from Dynamics to Power BI.

Other apps, such as a PayPal for Outlook add-in, are free. Some of the more industry-specific apps created on Dynamics 365 may require the assistance of a Microsoft partner to execute.

AppSource Consulting Services

In addition to apps, Microsoft AppSource features partner offerings for Dynamics 365, PowerApps, and Power BI consulting services.

For example, in the case of a one-day evaluation for firms considering upgrading to Dynamics 365 or a more in-depth one-week examination for other Microsoft ISV partners looking to connect their solution with Dynamics 365, the result would be the development of an app published on AppSource.

What's in the Future for Microsoft AppSource?

Few apps are accessible today as transactional apps, such as those found in Google Play and Apple's App Store, where you enter your payment information (credit card or otherwise) and "play as you go." The traditional model, however, is likely to alter drastically soon.

Microsoft recently announced that AppSource will be part of a larger single Microsoft online marketplace that will simplify the process of customers and partners trying and procuring solutions through eCommerce, including the option to buy thousands of Microsoft partner apps from a Microsoft pricelist with a simplified single purchasing and billing process.

Meanwhile, have a look at what's currently available on Microsoft AppSource.

Since the first launch of Microsoft AppSource, much has changed regarding what it implies for current Dynamics clients and those considering Dynamics 365 for the first time. So, what exactly is it, and how do you utilize it?

What distinguishes Microsoft AppSource from existing ISV, Third Party, and Add-on Solutions?

Microsoft AppSource is unique because you can instantly search for and load an app. It's much like using an app store on a smartphone or tablet. You search for something you want to try, press a button, and it deploys to your application.

The old procedure of contacting an ISV, having your Partner merge the code, and managing deployments across numerous environments is becoming obsolete. AppSource app developers employ an extension approach that complies with standards that allow you to install or uninstall those apps at your leisure.

Because of the new deployment approach, AppSource is not backward compatible with previous Dynamics AX, NAV, and CRM versions.

Even if you use an older version of those programs, you may still benefit from AppSource today using Office, Power BI, or another application. Additionally, you can still browse AppSource for apps that may be useful as part of your upgrading plans.

Some Solution Apps use "Partner-led Trials," in which you receive a cloud environment to test the product and are placed in touch with the Partner to demonstrate various functionalities. Supporting trial deployments on Azure is one of the Partner's listing requirements.

What Has Changed?

At the initial introduction of AppSource, the discourse was on the Dynamics family of products (Dynamics 365, AX, CRM, NAV, etc.).

Since then, AppSource has taken on a considerably more significant role. Apps, Extensions, and Solution Apps for Office 365, Power BI, Dynamics 365, and Azure "Cloud Solutions" are now available.

Previously, Microsoft distributed these across marketplaces (Azure Marketplace, Pinpoint, etc.).

Based on the crystal ball, we anticipate more consolidation of diverse AppSource providers and additional built-in "get apps" choices within existing Microsoft programs.

Interested in Learning More About Microsoft AppSource?

Liberty Grove can help you use many tools and services to help you optimize productivity, efficiency, and profitability throughout your organization.

Contact Liberty Grove for a complimentary consultation on how Microsoft AppSource can provide you with additional tools to drive your company's success.

About the author

Liberty Grove Software is an established Microsoft Partner that focuses on providing customers with sales, service, and support for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics NAV solutions and training and upgrades.

Over more than 25 years, Liberty Grove has assisted hundreds of customers with businesses ranging from small to mid-sized to Microsoft Partners in implementing, training, customization, and upgrading Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions.