Knowing how to create a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Trial environment is imperative for evaluating Dynamics 365 offerings (Sales / Service / Marketing / etc.). Given the numerous new major features released biannually (Release Waves) – last thing we want to do is “dirty” our Dynamics 365 production environments by enabling new features or previews for our evaluation or planning purpose. Dynamics Sandbox environment is another good option for trying out new features – however it may not be as “detached” and “clean” as a fully separated trial environment.
I usually start with a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Online Free Trial environment for trying out new features to minimize any impact to my current production/sandbox environments. It is free for 30 days without needing any credit card info. It also offer the option to extend the trial end date for another 30 days free (extension however does requires a credit card for validation purpose).
Another good idea to create a free Dynamics 365 Trial environment is for trouble-shooting / comparing and contrasting an existing production feature behavior – the Trial environment with the latest default out of the box vanilla setting could help isolate possible behavior differences due to settings or other environment variables.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Online Trial creation and setup steps change often. The latest approach that I prefer is to first setup a free online Microsoft Office 365 E3 Trial and then setup the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales Premium Trial.
Here is a good write up from Reina Lee on how to do this.
Contact me if you need some Microsoft Dynamics 365 / Power Apps / CRM Sales Customer Engagement assistance.
Frank Lee
12 times awarded Microsoft MVP – Dynamics 365 / CRM
San Francisco Bay Area | Silicon Valley
Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM Blog 