Reimagining Business & Professional Services: How RSM and One Microsoft Are Powering the Next Wave of Industry Transformation

The Business & Professional Services (BPS) industry is at a critical inflection point. The BPS industry encompasses a wide range of service-oriented companies, including consulting, engineering, environmental services, and specialty construction. As digital transformation accelerates across sectors, BPS firms—ranging from architecture and engineering to environmental services and specialty construction—are grappling with outdated systems, fragmented data, and increasing pressure to deliver more value with fewer resources. For middle market organizations, the stakes are even higher: they must modernize to remain competitive but often lack the scale or resources of larger enterprises.

Enter RSM and its One Microsoft strategy—a comprehensive, integrated approach that leverages the full Microsoft technology stack to help BPS firms streamline operations, gain real-time insights, and future-proof their businesses. At the heart of this transformation is a commitment to industry-specific innovation, strategic guidance, and measurable outcomes. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Industry Trends: From Fragmentation to Integration

One of the most pressing challenges facing BPS firms today is the rise of disconnected systems. Many organizations still rely on legacy platforms like Deltek or Timberline, supplemented by a patchwork of point solutions for project management, field service, finance, and analytics. This fragmented approach leads to inefficiencies, data silos, and delayed decision-making.

John Annunziato, Director in RSM’s Dynamics 365 practice and head of the BPS vertical, notes that this is a common theme across the industry. “We often see companies using 10 to 15 different applications to manage their business. They’re exporting data to Excel, building pivot tables, and trying to make sense of it all manually. It’s not only time-consuming—it’s risky.”

The result? Many companies don’t know where their projects stand financially until 30 days after the fact—far too late to take corrective action. This reactive posture hampers growth, erodes margins, and limits the ability to scale.

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The One Microsoft Advantage: Unified, Scalable, Intelligent

RSM’s One Microsoft strategy addresses these challenges head-on. By unifying Dynamics 365, Power Platform, Azure, and Microsoft 365 into a cohesive ecosystem, RSM helps BPS companies eliminate silos, automate workflows, and gain real-time visibility into every aspect of their operations.

A key differentiator is RSM’s industry-specific accelerators specifically one focused on bridging the gap between Project Operations and Field Service—two functions that traditionally don’t integrate out-of-the-box. The accelerator was born from real-world client needs and refined through hands-on implementation.

The accelerator that bridges the gap between Project Operations and Field Service was developed during an implementation with a client in the Engineering industry, because of core critical business needs. John continues by stating, “They were one of our first clients to really push the boundaries of what Dynamics could do in this space. We took what we learned, generalized it, and turned it into a repeatable solution that’s now available on Microsoft AppSource.”

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Success Story

RSM partnered with an organization in the engineering industry, and their journey is a powerful example of how RSM’s One Microsoft strategy can drive transformation. Headquartered in Minnesota, this company is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, environmental assessments. With multiple locations across the United States, the firm needed a modern, scalable platform to support its growth and operational complexity.

Before partnering with RSM, this company relied on a legacy engineering focused ERP and a host of disconnected systems. Technicians used paper timesheets, project data was scattered across departments, and financial visibility was limited. Some payroll responsibilities were taking more than 40 hours a week to consolidate the data into an accounting system.

RSM implemented Dynamics 365 Sales, Project Operations, and Field Service to centralize the company’s operations. The results were transformative:

Unified Platform: the company replaced multiple legacy systems with a single, integrated solution, reducing complexity and improving data accuracy.
Real-Time Insights: Executives gained visibility into project status, resource utilization, and financial performance—enabling proactive decision-making.
Operational Efficiency: Manual processes were automated, freeing up staff time and reducing errors.
Scalability: With a modern foundation in place, the company is now positioned to grow and adapt to future needs.

The project lead, a Chief Operating Officer, expressed how much the modernized approach increased efficiencies across the company.

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Looking Ahead: AI, Analytics, and the Future of BPS

As BPS firms continue to evolve, technologies like artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are becoming essential. RSM is already developing AI-powered copilots for Business Applications. These tools help technicians access documentation, wiring diagrams, and specifications in real time—boosting first-time fix rates and customer satisfaction.

On the analytics front, RSM helps clients meet complex reporting requirements, especially in unionized environments or when working with subcontractors. Certified payroll, job costing, and compliance reporting are just a few areas where tailored analytics deliver critical value.

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A Strategic Partner for the Long Haul

For middle market BPS firms, digital transformation isn’t just about technology—it’s about finding the right partner. RSM’s One Microsoft strategy offers more than just software implementation. It provides strategic guidance, industry expertise, and a roadmap for sustainable growth.

As John puts it, “We’re not just here to build what clients ask for. We’re here to advise, guide, and help them get the most out of their investment. That’s what makes the difference.”

With RSM’s One Microsoft Strategy, BPS organizations can move from fragmented operations to integrated excellence—unlocking new levels of efficiency, insight, and innovation.