FastTrack Recognized Solution Architects—Dynamics 365

Adam Piercy, a senior solutions architect at Hitachi Solutions, stands out as a three-time FastTrack Recognized Solution Architect and the capability lead in Hitachi’s customer engagement (CE) practice. With over 12 years of Dynamics 365 experience, Adam thrives in the realms of strategic innovation, thought leadership, and fostering Microsoft partnerships. His visionary approach to business transformation is encapsulated in his “Invisible CRM” strategy, which places user adoption at its core. Adam’s UX expertise empowers him to tackle intricate challenges with simple, elegant solutions. As a champion of change, he not only drives transformation, but also empowers teams to achieve amazing outcomes for clients.

Alex Ries is a Dynamics 365 customer engagement solution architect with a demonstrated history of integrating advanced technologies like AI and gamification into business solutions. Over his 17-year tenure, he has ascended from manager to director at Avanade, showcasing his skills in cross-functional team leadership and AI. Alex’s commitment to simplifying complex problems and creating high-performing teams has led to the successful completion of numerous projects, significantly enhancing business-customer interactions. His approach always prioritizes straightforward, sensible solutions that improve overall operations. A proponent of continuous learning, Alex has also earned certifications such as Microsoft Specialist: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Application. He is open to mentoring and believes in empowering others through knowledge sharing and coaching.

With a solid blend of functional and technical expertise on Dynamics 365 CE and Power Platform, Alex has a proven track record of successfully implementing this technology within intricate and demanding landscapes. His approach is anchored in a detailed understanding of every requirement, seeking to satisfy the true underlying needs. He advocates for pragmatic solutions, tailored to simplicity while aligning closely with the standard platform and steadfastly adhering to Microsoft best practices. Guided by a commitment to excellence, Alex empowers his delivery teams towards results that exceed expectations, driven by a shared passion for customer satisfaction and technological advancement.

Armin Fischer brings over 18 years of experience to the table. His functional and technical expertise spans Dynamics 365 Sales, Customer Service, and Field Service solutions, as well as Azure services. He specializes in line-of-business system integration for on-premises environments. As a hands-on architect, Armin takes ownership of the end-to-end design, build, delivery, and operations of multiple enterprise applications. His commitment to excellence drives him to embrace the power of automation, avoiding redundancy, reducing latency, and enhancing quality. Armin also contributes to Avanade by building accelerators and assets, ensuring maximum ROI for customers

Bharath Devulapalli, brings over 17 years of experience with expertise deeply rooted in information technology, consulting, and services. Bharath’s specialization in requirements analysis, data modeling, data integrations, and project delivery combined with his proficiency in Dynamics, Power Platform, and Azure allows him to leverage cutting-edge technology for superior client outcomes. Beyond project execution, Bharath actively contributes to presales, accelerators, and education programs, further honing his skills. Driven by a mission to innovate and deliver top-notch solutions, Bharath consistently delivers success, with an unwavering focus on exceptional customer experience.

Björn Laroy brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Beyond architecting and leading multiple CRM implementations, Björn has successfully spearheaded six full-cycle cloud transformation journeys for enterprise clients. His deep expertise spans Dynamics 365 customer engagement applications, where he meticulously crafts solutions that prioritize customer satisfaction through best practices and an unwavering commitment to quality. Björn thrives on challenging projects, consistently striving to exceed client expectations by delivering optimal solutions within stipulated timelines. His belief in continuous learning drives him to actively collaborate with peers, fostering a spirit of innovation and collaboration.

Christian Brandhofer, a seasoned professional with over 17 years of experience in the Central European market, has navigated the intricate landscape of CRM applications. His journey took a pivotal turn in 2015, when he shifted his focus to Dynamics 365. Christian’s standout qualities include technical acumen, analytical prowess, and a wealth of experience in process design and optimization. His industry insights are invaluable, particularly in the realms of construction supply, manufacturing, and energy suppliers. Christian excels in diverse domains, including sales, customer service, marketing, program management, and complex integration scenarios.

Christopher Strauß, with over 16 years of experience, has been deeply entrenched in the world of Dynamics 365 customer engagement applications. His track record boasts numerous successful CRM implementations, where he excels as a proficient lead architect. As the product development lead at ORBIS, Christopher has been instrumental in defining and developing innovative solutions seamlessly integrated with Dynamics 365. These solutions enhance sales and service processes, covering areas such as data quality, visit planning and execution, and multidimensional customer scoring. What sets Christopher apart is his ability to translate intricate client requirements into solutions that are both user-friendly and easy to maintain. His holistic problem-solving approach extends to reimagining customer experiences, ensuring exceptional outcomes for clients.

Ciprian Panzaru, with over 12 years of expertise in Dynamics 365, stands out for his strong technical background and expertise that extends to Azure and the implementation of complex integration scenarios. His commitment to sound ALM practices and deep technical expertise, coupled with multiple Microsoft certifications, positions him as an invaluable resource in architecting robust applications. Ciprian’s passion lies in cutting-edge technologies, and he is dedicated to mentoring best practices while fostering a culture of success and quality in implementations.

David Gabathuler has over 28 years of multidisciplinary experience traversing the realms of programming, database design, architecture, consulting, and training. His unwavering loyalty to Microsoft led him to work on Dynamics 365 since 2003, where he has spearheaded over 65 successful implementations. At heart, David is a software developer, deeply attuned to business processes. His forte lies in translating intricate business requirements and processes into user-friendly solutions. Moreover, he excels at articulating technical solutions to business stakeholders, earning their confidence.

Fabrice Kwetchet, a Dynamics 365 consultant with over 18 years of experience in technology and digital transformation, uses his developer background to tackle complex enterprise challenges, creating innovative solutions that leverage the Azure stack, AI, and blockchain. As a natural leader, Fabrice excels in merging functional knowledge with technical expertise to deliver efficient, high-quality solutions that consistently exceed client expectations. His commitment to staying at the forefront of tech advancements ensures that his clients benefit from the most cutting-edge developments in the industry.

Faiz Muhammad has over 15 years of experience in implementing large-scale enterprise solutions across healthcare, financial services, nonprofit, and public sectors. His expertise spans Dynamics 365, Azure, Microsoft Copilot extensibility, Cloud for Healthcare and integration frameworks that enable interoperability and open standards. Faiz leads digital transformation initiatives, transitioning legacy services to modern cloud-based technologies. He builds strong relationships with customer leadership, project teams, and fellow architects, driving the adoption of industry best practices that streamline implementation processes and enhance ROI. His work ensures seamless interoperability and adherence to open standards, positioning organizations for future success.

Gangadhar has more than 14 years of experience leading and architecting end-to-end implementation projects, including pre-sales activities, for Microsoft Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Azure solutions. He plays an instrumental role in creating customer digital transformation journeys that include green field implementations, upgrades, and migrations. Gangadhar has authored several technical white papers on technology evaluations and best practices to implement efficient designs, and he is eager to enhance the overall customer experience with reusable assets. His expertise spans Dynamics 365 Customer Service, Sales, Marketing, Project Operations, Human Resources, and Field Service applications.

As a business applications lead, Grégory oversees Avanade’s Dynamics 365 and Power Platform solutions across European engagements. Starting his CRM career in 2006, Grégory specializes in migrations to Dynamics 365 from on-premises and non-Microsoft systems. He leads the Community of Practice for Dynamics 365 migrations, guiding solution architects in designing robust, cloud-optimized solutions that facilitate top-tier Microsoft Cloud adoption. Additionally, he and his team develop Power Platform accelerators. Grégory also enjoys educating the next generation of professionals, conducting Dynamics 365 bootcamps at Avanade.

Gustavo Guello is an executive partner at Smart Consulting in Brazil, where he is recognized as a business and technical leader with over 18 years of enterprise architecture expertise. Within the professional services sector, he is renowned for his foresight in leveraging the extensive capabilities of Dynamics 365 Project Operations. Notably, Gustavo spearheaded one of the largest Project Operations implementations globally, collaborating closely with the Microsoft development team to refine the solution, enhance project health, and offer insightful feedback. With a steadfast commitment to growth, Gustavo's innovative designs consistently yield tangible improvements in both technical efficiency and business return on investment (ROI).

Hardwari Singh Sarna is the Director of Solution Architecture at Avanade in Canada, where his over 17 years as a technology change agent shine through his expertise in designing and delivering business-centric CRM solutions. His extensive experience spans multiple geographies and industries, where he excels in translating complex technical concepts into easily understandable language for business stakeholders while engaging fluently with architects. Hardwari’s primary focus is on architecting Dynamics 365 solutions, emphasizing system design, integration, and implementation using industry-standard methodologies. His approach ensures high-quality technical solutions that align with strategic business goals.

Ivan Kurtev is the Senior Director at Hitachi Solutions America, where he brings over 20 years of experience as a CRM consultant. His broad expertise spans numerous industries and technologies, with a strong blend of functional and technical skills crucial for defining and delivering successful CRM solutions. Ivan is dedicated to helping enterprise customers maximize their investments in Azure and Dynamics 365 applications. He achieves this through the implementation of industry-leading best practices in design, development, release management, and performance optimization, ensuring robust and effective CRM strategies that drive customer success.

Jay Leffue has amassed over 20 years of experience in technology, evolving from web development to solution architecture. He specializes in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform and leads the Power Platform Practice at Argano. Jay combines deep technical expertise with a business value and innovation mindset, focusing on architecting solutions that deliver substantial benefits to clients. He is deeply committed to the Microsoft technology stack and is passionate about helping clients leverage its transformative potential to achieve significant business outcomes

In 2012, Joe began working with Dynamics 365 as a customer in the manufacturing space. After becoming an implementation engineer for a leading configure-price-quote provider, he began overseeing the full Dynamics 365 deployment lifecycle. Joe is passionate about creating unique solutions that increase business efficiency while improving user experience. His continuous drive to learn ensures he stays current on product enhancements that benefit his clients. Joe enjoys sharing his knowledge with people that are new to the platform.

Kiavash Shakibaee is a Principal Consultant at The Factor in Australia, bringing over 20 years of consulting expertise to the public and private sectors, with a deep focus on Dynamics 365 CRM applications. With 16 years in CRM applications, he has a robust background in designing and deploying strategic solutions that evolve with organizational needs. Kiavash has contributed his architectural expertise to four FastTrack projects and specializes in industries such as government, infrastructure, health, and finance. His role encompasses overseeing technical architecture, ensuring quality assurance, and providing governance and best practices across multiple enterprise projects.

Lars Martin is a Principal Solution Architect at ORBIS SE in Germany, leveraging over 12 years of experience in developing customer engagement solutions using Dynamics 365 CRM applications. With nine years as a solution architect, Lars has successfully led six FastTrack projects, focusing on industries such as manufacturing, customer service, and sales. His expertise spans new end-to-end implementations, migrations, and complex integration scenarios, with a particular focus on application lifecycle management (ALM) to reduce the time between the identification of new requirements and their productive use, while guaranteeing quality. Lars excels at aligning products and features to meet business challenges effectively, ensuring the selection of right technology for efficient and scalable solutions.

Lorenc Koka, Director of Solution Architecture at Argano, brings over 10 years of experience in CRM applications using Microsoft Dynamics 365. With seven years as a solution architect, he has managed five FastTrack projects across diverse industries including insurance, financial services, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. Lorenc combines his deep knowledge of Dynamics 365 Business Applications, Power Platform, AI Solutions, and Azure Integration Services to craft tailored solutions that directly address business challenges. His ability to translate business needs into technical solutions ensures that each implementation is both compliant with strict data security and privacy standards and optimized for flexibility and scalability, maximizing customer outcomes and technology ROI.

Lucas Diaz has 15 years of experience in CRM applications using Microsoft Dynamics 365, with a decade spent as a solution architect. He has participated in four FastTrack projects and specializes in the energy, manufacturing, and facilities management sectors. Lucas is acclaimed for his capability in designing and deploying complex global solutions, particularly in physical operations and field service management. His innovative use of Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform includes architecting a national COVID-19 antibody testing solution and designing a system to aid animals left behind in the war in Ukraine through UWARF.org. His commitment to leveraging technology for global challenges underscores his leadership and vision in the Dynamics 365 community.

Mark started his Microsoft journey in 2008, at first as a SharePoint consultant before moving into Dynamics and then the wider Power Platform. He’s worked with clients in many industries including the public and private sectors and he enjoys leading complex digital transformations for enterprise clients with complex system landscapes. Mark is a DevOps advocate and works with both colleagues and client teams to foster innovation with a focus on an automation-first approach. He brings with him a deep technical knowledge from many successfully delivered programs, which he uses to support his clients in achieving their digital-transformation objectives.

Merijn owns the complete design-to-go-live service, including implementation of solutions using Power Platform, Dataverse, Dynamics 365, and Azure, allowing clients to focus on generating more profit. In his former role as a Microsoft Premier Field Engineer, Merijn performed code reviews and guided teams on best practices to help enterprise customers achieve high-performance solutions. Despite his years of experience with the entire Microsoft technology stack, he continues to be fascinated by Dynamics 365 and it's unlimited potential.

Over the last 11 years, Michaël gained experience across a range of industries, then pivoted in the last six years to focus on banking and finance. He excels in delivering high-quality and easy-to-maintain solutions for complex processes, while providing businesses with experiences that help people do more with less. Passionate about customer satisfaction, he also dedicates time to mentor his colleagues, helping them enhance their skills and advance their professional careers. His journey reflects a deep commitment to optimizing business outcomes and fostering team growth.

Michael Richard, a distinguished Solution Architect at HCL Tech in Singapore, has 14 years of experience with Dynamics 365 CRM applications. His strategic vision quickly translates into valuable outcomes for Dynamics 365 initiatives, reflecting his dedication to top-notch results. Michael’s ability to revamp challenging projects into success stories showcases his leadership and he skillfully resolves complex issues, leading to efficient and high-quality project completions. Michael's mentorship enriches his team's skills, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation within Dynamics 365 and Power Platform environments.

Mike discovered his enthusiasm for CRM applications in Dynamics 365 in 2008 as a development intern at a boutique consulting firm named Sonoma Partners. Since 2012, he has successfully led the architecture and implementation of Dynamics 365 customer engagement and Power Platform solutions for numerous enterprise clients, with a focus on performance, scalability, and flexibility of design. Mike prefers to be hands-on, not only guiding and mentoring his development teams, but also joining in on the configurations and customizations to help bring each solution to life.

Nicolas Prats serves as a group manager at Avanade in France, bringing over 15 years of expertise in Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM applications. He has a reputation for his quality-first attitude and methodical approach to proactive problem prevention. He has participated in increasingly complex projects over the years, implementing solutions with an emphasis on stability, efficiency, and ease of maintenance. Nicolas has a flair for risk mitigation and delivers customer success through innovative, feature-rich cloud solutions.

Ross discovered CRM solutions from Microsoft in 2006 while working with custom application development and SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services. Since then, he has built his career helping clients reimagine their customer experiences using CRM. Ross is passionate about DevOps automation, specifically around deployment and scripting tools and tasks, using his technical agility and troubleshooting skills to deliver robust solutions on schedule. A CRM platform enthusiast, he optimizes his solutions with the newest features—including recently using the latest omnichannel capabilities to meet the case-management needs of an enterprise customer.

Sahana Jain, lead solutions architect at EY in India, has over 13 years of experience with Dynamics 365 CRM applications, specializing in industries like aerospace, service, retail, TMT, and banking. In her four years as a solution architect, she has led two FastTrack projects and played a crucial role in digital transformation projects of various customers. Sahana is dedicated to delivering high-quality, user-friendly solutions that are easily extensible and incorporate new technologies and automations, with a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction. Her strategic approach ensures that the solutions she architects are both innovative and sustainable.

Saphalya Mohanty has more than 13 years of experience in CRM applications, focusing the past six years on Power Platform and Azure solutions and specializing in housing, supply chain, and manufacturing. He is adept at handling complex integrations and application lifecycle management, steering large digital transformations from pre-sales to support. His expertise extends to Dynamics Sales, Marketing, and Service modules, where he simplifies intricate business requirements into maintainable, user-friendly solutions, consistently delivering value to customers.

Sebastian specializes in the delivery of Microsoft enterprise solutions, exhibiting a high level of architectural awareness around strategy and risk assessment. With more than 18 years of consultant experience, his extensive skills in Dynamics 365, Azure, and integration methodologies make him an invaluable resource in architecting complex implementations. Sebastian enjoys mentoring customers and colleagues on best practices and fostering an ethos of success and quality.

Sowmya has grown her Dynamics CE expertise over the past 13 years, currently serving as a strategic leader for the CRM and Power Platform practice of experienced consultants. She strives for scalability and performance in her architecture design and has owned the implementation for several enterprise clients with high security standards, including HIPAA requirements. Sowmya is known for her rigor and attention to detail. Her most recent implementation takes advantage of the latest capabilities of Power Platform, Dynamics 365 applications, Copilot in Dynamics 365 Customer Service, and Azure integration services.

With over 12 years of experience, Ted is an expert in the Power Platform and Finance and Supply Chain crossover. He has an exceptional understanding of customer needs and adapting them to any functionality in Dynamics 365 CRM, ERP, or Power Platform, with most scenarios requiring a mixture of them all. Ted excels in the chief architect role, leading large-scale Dynamics 365 programs, orchestrating the efforts of specialized architects to deliver comprehensive, cohesive solutions across Microsoft business applications.

Tycho Bom, the founder and leading solution architect at Tycho Bom IT in the Netherlands, has 15 years of expertise with the CRM applications of Dynamics 365. Tycho has successfully spearheaded over 50 projects across industries such as consumer goods, finance, education, and membership organizations. His firm, established in 2013, delivers comprehensive Dynamics 365 consulting services, handling everything from standard module implementation to bespoke solutions using Dynamics 365 and Power Apps. Tycho's role spans from crafting and developing entire solutions for smaller firms to serving as a consultant and architect for large multinational corporations.

Zoran has more than 15 years of experience providing simple solutions to complex problems as the lead architect in several full-cycle Dynamics 365 customer engagement app implementations. He has designed and developed several accelerator solutions to facilitate Dynamics 365 implementations, and he enjoys devising solutions for his customers. Zoran has a strong commitment to mentoring less-experienced team members, helping them to expand their skillsets and achieve success within their roles. He has expertise in Dynamics 365 Sales, Customer Service, and Marketing solutions for the retail and travel industries.