28 Oct Innovations and the future of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a global, comprehensive ERP system, evolving to meet changing business needs, leverage new technological advancements, and maximize process automation. Twice a year, Microsoft releases a new version of Business Central. Discover the most impactful innovations from the past two releases!
Artificial Intelligence in ERP: Microsoft Copilot in Dynamics 365 Business Central
Microsoft places a strong emphasis on advancing AI across its business solutions ecosystem. Microsoft Copilot is now available not only in office tools like Teams, Excel, and Outlook but also in the ERP system. All online users of Dynamics 365 Business Central can access Copilot as part of their license.
Initially, Copilot was available only in English for functions like chat, marketing text suggestions, and data analysis. Now, many of these features are also available in Polish, with even more capabilities being added.
Product information suggestions for new items
Copilot can help generate data for new products, such as variants, units of measure, substitutes, and dimensions. By utilizing data from similar products, the product setup process becomes faster and more efficient.
Document number series suggestions
With Copilot, Dynamics 365 Business Central users can create and adjust document numbering series for invoices, orders, and warehouse documents.
Expanded chat features with Copilot beyond Business Central
Currently, Copilot’s chat functionality works exclusively within Business Central. Beginning in January 2025, ERP system users will be able to ask questions related to content available within installed add-ons, including new pages, fields, and business processes. Initially, this feature will be available in English only.
New features in Dynamics 365 Business Central
Subscription management and recurring invoicing
Responding to the growing popularity of subscription models, Microsoft has introduced recurring invoicing for services like equipment maintenance, IT support, and cleaning services within Business Central. Built-in templates simplify the creation of subscription agreements by standardizing parameters and settlement schedules.
Enhanced integration of Business Central with Shopify
Shopify is one of the world’s leading e-commerce platforms, enabling users to create and manage their online stores. The integration between Business Central and Shopify has been available since April 2022, and recent updates have added enhanced functionality, including:
- Synchronizing product, inventory, and customer data
- Importing orders from Shopify and sending fulfillment information back to Shopify
- Supporting multiple Shopify stores linked to the same Business Central instance
- Exporting posted sales invoices to Shopify
- Connecting with Shopify B2B
- Efficiently managing returns, refunds, and product exchanges
Integration with Field Service
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service is designed to help businesses deliver on-site service to customers, streamlining the management of field teams who perform repairs, installations, or other service works.
Field Service offers the ability to:
- Reduce travel time, shorten routes, and decrease vehicle wear
- Manage and monitor customer requests
- Access comprehensive account and service history for customers
- Minimize downtime with preventive maintenance on equipment
Integration with Business Central brings further benefits, such as:
- Recording resources used during service tasks
- Automatic invoicing for used parts and completed services
Enhanced control for administrators with new features in the Admin Center
The Admin Center provides Business Central online administrators with a portal to:
- View and manage production and sandbox environments within their tenant
- Configure notification recipients
- Manage environment access
- Set up Application Insights telemetry
In the latest system release, Microsoft introduces:
- Direct management of Per-Tenant Extensions (PTE) from the Admin Center
- Application compatibility visibility for future system versions in the Admin Center
- Greater flexibility in update management, giving users more time for testing and preparation before deployment
Multi-VAT numbers for a single customer
Business Central now supports companies with warehouses across multiple EU countries by handling different VAT numbers. This new feature allows users to set up alternative shipping addresses and specify VAT numbers for each address on sales documents.
Sustainability reporting
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requires companies to report on their environmental and social impact. In response, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers new features that enable users to:
- Record greenhouse gas emissions through purchase invoices
- Report sustainability entries alongside financial statements
Global availability of Dynamics 365 Business Central
With its availability in new countries and regions, Dynamics 365 Business Central is becoming increasingly accessible for businesses. Microsoft offers localized versions in many regions, however this expansion relies heavily on localization by Microsoft partners. Business Central is now available in over 170 countries and regions worldwide, supporting customers on a global scale.
Enhanced user experience features
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central stands out in the ERP market for its user-friendly interfaces that are highly customizable and adaptable to employee roles. The latest release has introduced several user experience improvements, including:
- Keyboard shortcuts with tips (tooltips) now available in more languages, including Polish
- Drag & drop functionality for attaching multiple files simultaneously within the dialog box
- The ability to resize columns without needing to customize the interface
- A feature for sharing error details to seek assistance from other specialists
New development features
In recent updates, Microsoft has enhanced the Profiler tool in Dynamics 365 Business Central. This tool facilitates process analysis and identifies system components involved in specific operations. Previously, Profiler had to be manually activated, which could be time-consuming. Now, automation via rules enables background profiling. Administrators and developers can set rules that automatically activate Profiler under certain conditions, significantly simplifying system monitoring and analysis.
Additionally, Business Central users can use new report layouts in Word and Excel. Previously, creating reports required a separate tool, but this update streamlines reporting within familiar programs.
Stay updated with Dynamics 365 Business Central’s functionality
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is continually evolving, bringing users new features and improvements. This evolution helps companies optimize processes, better manage resources, streamline subscription sales, and integrate with popular platforms such as Shopify and Field Service. We encourage users to follow the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central documentation and take full advantage of the latest functionality.