As the pressure for manufacturers to be more competitive increases steadily, so does the need for more tools to drive efficiency. The race is on – and Microsoft is cheering you to the finish line with its “power pair,” Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform.

The dynamic duo is making waves with its integration capabilities, fueling efficiencies, customer satisfaction, and profitability in organizations of all sizes.

What is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central?

In short, it's a cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution that simplifies the management of finances, operations, sales, and customer service. It works effortlessly with other Microsoft products like Office 365, Dynamics 365, Azure, and third-party applications to expand functionality, streamline efficiency, and manage numerous business operations.

What is the Microsoft Power Platform, and how do its essential components function together?

Microsoft's Power Platform is intuitive and collaborative. It provides several low-code tools for swiftly automating processes, building apps, and developing valuable solutions for various uses. By merging inclusive and easily accessible technology for everyday business use, it enables its users to create new end-to-end business solutions that add value to stakeholders and accelerate business success.

Microsoft Power Platform: Streamlining Operations

So, how do you connect Microsoft Power Platform with Business Central?

Power Platform consists of four components that can be used separately or combined to create applications, workflows, dashboards, and chatbots:

1. Power Apps

2. Power Automate

3. Power BI

4. Power Virtual Agents

The combination of Microsoft Power Platform with Business Central, whether in a Software as a Service (SaaS) or on-premises environment, provides many options for optimizing business operations and gaining significant data insights. Integrating Power Platform and Business Central can transform your business operations. The possibilities are endless, and you can personalize the integration according to your requirements and goals.

Connecting the Dots: A Step-by-Step Guide for Integrating Power Platform with Business Central

Step 1: Enable the integration in Business Central (via Dataverse)

Before connecting to Business Central using the Power Platform, you must allow integration in Business Central. To accomplish this, take these steps:

• Log into your Business Central account as an administrator.
• Navigate to the Setup & Extensions page and select Assisted Setup.
• In the list of aided setup guidelines, locate and pick Set up a connection to Dataverse.

To enable integration, enter your Power Platform environment information and pick the entities you want to sync between Business Central and Dataverse.

After you allow the integration, a confirmation message will appear with a link to the Data Integration page, where you can check the synchronization status.

Step 2: Connect to Business Central using the Power Platform

After you've enabled the integration in Business Central, use the Dynamics 365 Business Central connector to connect to it from the Power Platform. This connector gives you access to your Business Central data and activities using Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents. To utilize this connector, take the following steps:

• Log in to your Power Platform account and choose which component to utilize (Power Apps, Power Automate, or Power Virtual Agents).
• In the component's interface, check for the option to add a new connection or data source.
• Select Dynamics 365 Business Central from the list of available connectors.

In the connection settings, enter your Business Central account information and credentials. After connecting, you will see your Business Central data and activities in the component's UI.

Step 3: Create and consume solutions on the Power Platform

You’re all set!

Now that you've linked to Business Central via Power Platform, you may utilize Power Platform to design and deploy solutions based on your Business Central data and activities.

So, What Can You Achieve After Integration?

Power Apps allows you to create custom apps that connect to your Business Central data and perform actions like tracking locations, sending 'Work from Home' notifications, placing warehouse items, capturing proof of delivery, creating sales orders, updating inventory, sending invoices, and more.

You can utilize the Dynamics 365 Business Central connector as a data source in your app, and its actions will allow you to interact with your Business Central data.

You can also utilize connectors like Office 365, Outlook, or SharePoint to link your app to other systems or services. Here are some examples of how you can increase your organizational efficiency:

• Power Apps, placed on a delivery driver's portable device, are used to obtain the receiver's signature or a photo at the delivery location using Microsoft Power Dashboard.
• Use Power Automate to create automated tasks and processes between Business Central and other systems or services. You can utilize the Dynamics 365 Business Central connector as a trigger or action in your flow; its actions will interact with your Business Central data. You can also use connectors like AI Builder, Adaptive Cards, Office 365, Outlook, or SharePoint to connect your flow to other systems or services.
• Use Power BI to visualize and analyze your Business Central data and share reports with stakeholders. You can include the Dynamics 365 Business Central connector as a data source in your report and use its queries to retrieve Business Central data.
• Create chatbots with Power Virtual Agents to connect with consumers and workers while providing information or assistance from Business Central, such as inventory inquiries, making contacts, and generating service or sales orders.

From improved efficiency to increased productivity: Real-World Applications of Power Platform with Business Central Integration

Integrating Microsoft Power Platform and Business Central has proven to be a game changer for businesses across multiple industries. By incorporating the characteristics of these two formidable platforms, companies of all sizes and types have seen significant gains in their operations, decision-making, and overall efficiency. Let's look at how this integration can benefit businesses across the board.

Digitize and automate critical activities, such as:

• Inventory Management
• Order Tracking
• Improved client communication and collaboration through production planning

Power Automate, when linked with Business Central, makes it easier to request permissions for new documents or requests and automate communications and repetitive chores, including:

• Lead Nurturing
• Campaign Management
• Freeing up time for sales and marketing specialists

Automate service delivery methods, ensuring:

• Effective resource allocation
• Prompt project completion

Improve sales performance by:

• Analyzing the sales cycle duration
• Evaluating and identifying employee performance and opportunities to improve conversion rates

Improve customer service by examining the following:

• Customer satisfaction levels
• Case resolution times
• Service activities performed over a measurable length of time

The benefits of the combined platforms are realized across sectors and organizational levels, resulting in insights into customer behavior, sales performance, and campaign efficacy, which leads to focused tactics and more significant revenue.

Conclusion

Integrating Microsoft Power Platform with Business Central provides an excellent opportunity to maximize the value of your business operations and data insights.

You can smoothly link the “power pair” and use their combined capabilities. The opportunities for automating procedures, generating new applications, and gaining essential insights through analytics are unlimited. Embrace the power of integration to help your company survive and thrive in today's digital landscape.

Microsoft Power Platform and Business Central integration has resulted in transformations in all types of enterprises. Companies in various industries, from small and medium-sized organizations to giant corporations, can use this connection to streamline operations, make data-driven choices, and provide excellent customer experiences, driving business success.

Deploying and optimizing these applications to their maximum potential may necessitate the assistance of professionals. Contact Liberty Grove for a complimentary consultation on how our experienced consultants can assist and provide the support you require to achieve a smooth integration and maximize the benefits for your company.

Related reading:

Leveraging AI in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

What is Microsoft AppSource, and Why Does It Matter?

About the author

Liberty Grove Software is an established Microsoft Partner that focuses on providing customers with sales, service, and support for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central/NAV solutions and training and upgrades.

Liberty Grove Software helps manufacturing firms compete by automating tedious operations with Microsoft technologies. Our extensive manufacturing knowledge has established us as the preferred Microsoft partner for assisting mid-sized manufacturers in increasing production.

Over more than 25 years, Liberty Grove has assisted hundreds of customers with businesses ranging from small to mid-sized to Microsoft Partners in implementing, training, customization, and upgrading Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions.

The organization is one of only a few companies worldwide that Microsoft recognizes as qualified to provide Business Central/NAV Upgrade Service Centers.