Directions EMEA 2024

Directions EMEA 2024 serves as a premier gathering for Microsoft partners, focusing on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Power Platform, and Customer Engagement.

We are excited to share groundbreaking updates and insights from the largest Dynamics event on the planet.

Keynote day 1:  Mike Morton – Vice President Dynamics 365 Business Central

Mike introduced us to pivotal AI concepts that will shape the future of human + AI collaboration in the future and highlighted the difference between CoPilots and Agents:

• CoPilot: A human-specific assistant designed to enhance productivity.
• Agents: These entities (perhaps better referred to as “automated assistants”) work within our frameworks to efficiently manage company tasks, leveraging data to facilitate informed decision-making.

Sales Order Agent:

One of the first Agents released by Microsoft in the Dynamics 365 Business Central environment is the new Sales Order Agent. For a glimpse into its capabilities, check out this YouTube video. Stay tuned for details regarding its availability.

2024 Release wave 2 Investment areas:

Microsoft highlighted some of the announced investment areas for 2024 Wave 2. Partners can reference this link for more information: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/release-plan/2024wave2/smb/dynamics365-business-central/

Copilot in Business Central: Enhancing Productivity and Efficiency

During the keynote, Mike Borg Cardona, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft, showcased the advancements of Copilot within Business Central, highlighting its current capabilities and future potential. The features of Copilot aim to streamline operations and support users in their daily tasks.

Key Features of Copilot:

• Marketing Text Suggestions: Automatically generate compelling marketing text to enhance communication efforts.
• Bank Account Reconciliation: Simplify the reconciliation process, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in financial management.
• Analysis Assist: Provide analytical insights to help users make informed decisions based on data.
• Sales Lines Suggestions: Optimize order entry with intelligent suggestions for sales lines, improving efficiency in the sales process.
• E-document Matching: Facilitate quick matching of e-documents, ensuring seamless document management.
• Number Series Suggestions: Offer suggestions for number series, making data entry more straightforward.
• Item Substitution: Suggest alternatives for items, enhancing inventory management and customer satisfaction.
• Chat Feature: A forthcoming feature that will allow users to interact with Copilot through conversational queries (currently in US-only preview).

Worldwide Availability These functionalities are designed for worldwide availability, ensuring that businesses around the globe can leverage Copilot’s capabilities to enhance their operational efficiency. This innovative tool not only aids in task management but also fosters a more collaborative and productive work environment.

As Copilot continues to evolve, it promises to transform how users engage with Business Central, driving greater efficiency and improving overall business performance.

Business Central Sustainability Manager

Microsoft has made significant strides in sustainability, introducing the Sustainability Manager role center within Business Central. 

This new feature empowers customers to effectively manage their sustainability initiatives by providing tools to track and report on their environmental impact. With the Sustainability Manager, users can access key functionalities such as:

• Sustainability Scorecards: Visualize and monitor progress towards sustainability goals, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
• Carbon Emission Tracking: Record and analyse greenhouse gas emissions, enabling companies to make informed decisions about reducing their carbon footprint.
• Goal Setting and Reporting: Set sustainability targets and generate reports that demonstrate commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
• Customers will have seamless access to the new Sustainability Manager role center, designed to enhance their understanding of sustainability metrics and facilitate better decision-making. For more in-depth information, visit this link.

Partners interested in promoting the Sustainability Manager can reach out to us for access to our comprehensive pitch decks, which provide valuable resources to help illustrate the benefits and features of this essential tool.

Additionally, Microsoft also highlighted the following investment areas:

E-Documents (E-Invoicing): Microsoft’s E-Documents feature enhances invoicing processes by simplifying electronic invoicing and compliance. Learn more about this valuable tool here.

Shopify Integration: Discover how to effortlessly integrate Shopify with Business Central, allowing businesses to manage their e-commerce operations efficiently. For a step-by-step guide, visit this link.

Subscription Billing: The Subscription Billing feature offers businesses a streamlined approach to managing recurring billing processes. Explore the details on how to utilize this feature here.

World-Class Reporting: Experience the new generation of financial analytics and reporting in Business Central, designed to provide actionable insights and enhance decision-making. Read more about these advancements here.

Day 2 at Directions brought another wave of exciting developments and insights specifically designed to empower Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central partners in their journey with AI, security, and scalability.

Keynote Day 2: Sela Gu – Senior Director, CSP Growth Marketing, Modern Work and Business Applications

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sela Gu highlighted the tremendous market potential for Dynamics 365 partners, particularly in the ERP sector, which IDC estimates to be a $10 billion opportunity. 

She encouraged partners to create specialized practices within their Business Central teams, focusing on CoPilot for M365 and the newly launched CoPilot Studio. This convergence presents a unique opportunity to drive substantial business value.

Opportunities for Partners with CoPilot and AI
⁠Microsoft shared actionable steps for partners to leverage AI in their practices:

• Develop Expertise in CoPilot and Agents: Partners should become proficient with CoPilot and agent functionalities to help customers reimagine Business Central with AI.
• Showcase Hero Examples: Partners are encouraged to share real-life success stories where AI-driven automation has made a difference, positioning themselves as leaders in the AI space.

Skilling and Enablement Resources: Microsoft introduced new skilling sessions, CSP bootcamps, and packaged solutions for high-volume engagements. These resources are accessible at aka.ms/bcpartnerhub, and partners can explore funded GTM engagements at aka.ms/bizappsfundedengagements.

Sales Incentives for Business Central and Microsoft 365 Solutions
To enhance Business Central’s value for existing Microsoft 365 customers, Microsoft announced a 10% discount for customers using Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Business Premium. This incentive provides a strong cross-sell opportunity for partners. For details, visit aka.ms/BCM365Promo.

Key Updates on Security and Scalability – Dmitry Chadayev, Group Product Manager
Dmitry Chadayev presented significant data on Business Central’s expanding usage: API calls increased by 54%, job queues by 78%, and browser interactions by 83% year-over-year. Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative (SFI) aims to strengthen Business Central’s security framework, providing partners with a robust platform to support clients securely. For more, visit aka.ms/BCSecurity.

Business Central Audit Logs in Microsoft 365 Purview
Now available in Microsoft 365 Purview, Business Central Audit Logs enable real-time monitoring of security events, ensuring greater control over sensitive information. For details, read about Business Central Audit Events in Purview here.

Developer Tools for AI Customization – Peter Borring, Principal Product Manager
Microsoft introduced new developer tools to help partners integrate CoPilot and AI capabilities into custom solutions. Partners can now embed CoPilot into both vertical and horizontal IP solutions, addressing specific customer needs and creating unique AI-powered experiences. Additionally, CoPilot’s natural language capabilities can bring conversational AI to Business Central, making workflows more intuitive for end users.

Looking Ahead: AI, Security, and Custom IP Solutions
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The takeaway from Day 2 is clear: partners who focus on AI integration, prioritize security, and develop tailored solutions will be best positioned for success. Partners are encouraged to consider how AI and automation can enhance their customers’ processes and transform Business Central into a truly innovative platform.

A big thank you to all the Partners that attended this annual event. Directions 2025 will take place in the beautiful city of Poznan in Poland. We hope to see all our Business Central Partners there!