Integrating Business Central into the Microsoft ecosystem: automation, BI, and collaboration

Here are the top 10 ways to integrate Dynamics 365 Business Central with Microsoft applications:

 

1. Integration with Power BI

• Advanced Reporting: Users can create visual and interactive dashboards that combine data from multiple sources, not just Business Central. This enables a deep understanding of business performance.
• Real-time data: With direct connectivity, reports can be automatically updated as changes occur in Business Central data, ensuring decisions are based on the latest information.
• Personalized views: Managers can see exactly the key indicators they need, and operational teams can have dashboards dedicated to their roles, improving analysis and reaction to data.

 

2. Integration with Microsoft Teams

• Access data directly in Teams: Business Central provides extensions that allow you to quickly view customer, product, order, and invoice information in conversations without leaving the Teams interface.
• Contextual Collaboration: Team members can discuss a document or order directly, with simultaneous access to up-to-date data, reducing errors and speeding decisions.
• Automatic notifications: Streams can be configured to send notifications to Teams when a relevant action occurs in Business Central (e.g., new orders, need for approvals or late deliveries).

 

3. Excel Integration

• Simple data import/export: Users can quickly process financial or inventory data in Excel and then import it into Business Central without complex conversions.
• Work Familiar: The Excel interface allows non-technical users to work efficiently with ERP data without having to learn a new platform.

 

4. Integration with Power Automate

• Automate processes: You can set up workflows for repetitive tasks, such as sending emails when generating an invoice or automatically approving a purchase requisition.
• Ties with other apps: Power Automate enables integration with hundreds of external apps (e.g. Dropbox, Trello, Salesforce), connecting Business Central into a broad and flexible ecosystem.

 

5. Integration with Outlook (Microsoft 365)

• Orders and invoices directly from email: Salespeople can create sales documents or invoices directly from an email received from the customer, without accessing the Business Central interface.
• View customers and their history in Outlook: During correspondence, users can view customer data (recent orders, balance, open documents) directly in Outlook, facilitating informed and quick responses.

 

6. Integration with OneDrive and SharePoint

• Document storage: Documents generated in Business Central (invoices, orders, contracts) can be automatically stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, ensuring backup and quick access.
• Shared Access: Teams can collaborate on the same documents, comment, edit and review in real-time without unnecessary duplication.

 

7. Integration with Word

• Custom Templates: Documents generated in Business Central (e.g. offers, commercial letters, invoices) can be styled according to your company branding through Word templates.
• Quick editing: Users can adjust documents before sending without having to return to Business Central, increasing flexibility in dealing with customers.

 

8. Integration with Dynamics 365 Sales (CRM)

• Complete lead-to-cash cycle: Sales and back-office teams work in tandem, with a connected flow from prospecting, quoting to delivery and invoicing.
• Data Synchronization: Customers, products and orders are synchronized between the two systems, avoiding duplicate data entry and ensuring a unified view of the customer relationship.

 

9. Integration with Microsoft Planner / To Do

• Task Management: Tasks derived from ERP processes (e.g. product delivery, tracking a receivable) can be distributed in Planner or To Do, providing visibility and accountability.
• Clear workflows: Managers can track the progress of activities, delegate tasks and maintain control over the implementation of operational processes.

 

10. Integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot

• Artificial intelligence applied to ERP: Copilot can suggest product descriptions, summarize financial reports, or draft response emails based on context in Dynamics 365 Business Central.
• Increased productivity: Users save time by automating repetitive tasks and benefit from automatically generated analytics that support rapid decision-making.