| Posted by George Delp Microsoft publishes roadmaps for all the Dynamics 365 solutions here. For purposes of this article we are going to focus on the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Roadmap. Before continuing with this article, click the link and take a look at the road map. Here is the list of items on the roadmap: |  |
- Delivering Most Requested Application Features
- Modern Client Improvements
- iOS and Android Device Support
- Integration to Dynamics 365 Apps
- SmartList Designer
- Lifecycle Services for ISVs
- Lifecycle Services for System Integrators/Implementors
- Continued Investment in Our Integration to Visual Studio Code
Confused? Or do you want more details? You are not alone. Let’s break these roadmap items down and explain what they mean. I will also provide you with links and that provide further details and show you how you can help shape the future direction of the product.
Delivering Most Requested Application Features
This is not the list of specific features but rather a statement that features and functionality that people are asking for are being worked on. If you want to see the actual features being considered you need to visit the Dynamics 365 Ideas site. On this site you can make suggestions and see the status of other suggestions. You can also sort suggestions by the most popular, hot and new and vote for your favorites.
I dare say that the Ideas site is more informative than the Roadmap site when it comes to knowing what specific functionality is coming. The interactive nature of the site is a fantastic tool for connecting the user community directly with Microsoft’s development team.
I dare say that the Ideas site is more informative than the Roadmap site when it comes to knowing what specific functionality is coming. The interactive nature of the site is a fantastic tool for connecting the user community directly with Microsoft’s development team.
Modern Client Improvements
The Client is how you interact with Business Central, which makes it important. Business Central has shifted to a web only interface, which is what most modern applications use. A web interface makes system maintenance and upkeep a lot easier, as you don’t have to constantly upgrade workstations or make users suffer through the joys of using Remote Desktop to access the ERP system.
Thick, or traditional desktop clients, did offer hands down keyboard users the ability to work fast if they knew their keyboard shortcuts. Business Central was lacking in this department in its earlier releases, but Microsoft listened and has been adding a wide range of keyboard shortcuts to help make common data entry tasks quick and easy. Click here for a full list of Business Central keyboard shortcuts.
I look forward to continued improvements in the Business Central web interface.
Thick, or traditional desktop clients, did offer hands down keyboard users the ability to work fast if they knew their keyboard shortcuts. Business Central was lacking in this department in its earlier releases, but Microsoft listened and has been adding a wide range of keyboard shortcuts to help make common data entry tasks quick and easy. Click here for a full list of Business Central keyboard shortcuts.
I look forward to continued improvements in the Business Central web interface.
iOS and Android Device Support
Not that long ago, Microsoft solutions did not play nice with competing platforms, especially on mobile. I blame Balmer for that. That said, I also blame Balmer for the data center investments Microsoft made years ago that are fueling Microsoft’s cloud growth today.
Anyways, mobile device support has never been better, and it is great to see this listed as a priority. Apps are available now and improvements to what are already great apps are most welcome. Go to the iOS App Store or Google Play to see what is available.
Anyways, mobile device support has never been better, and it is great to see this listed as a priority. Apps are available now and improvements to what are already great apps are most welcome. Go to the iOS App Store or Google Play to see what is available.
Integration to Dynamics 365 Apps
Microsoft Dynamics offers many additional applications in addition to Business Central, including things like CRM, PowerBI and much more. You can see a breakdown of the Dynamics 365 apps in The Wide World of Dynamics 365.
There is already integration between Business Central and the CRM Sales app and PowerBI has a very capable Business Central content pack. Look for additional integrations with the other CRM apps and more content for things like Flow and PowerApps as the year progresses.
There is already integration between Business Central and the CRM Sales app and PowerBI has a very capable Business Central content pack. Look for additional integrations with the other CRM apps and more content for things like Flow and PowerApps as the year progresses.
SmartList Designer
This is the item that I am most excited about. And the one item I know the least about as it relates to Dynamics 365.
What I can tell you is that SmartList has its roots in Dynamics GP going all the way back to the Great Plains days. It is an easy to use query and filtering tool that takes about five minutes to learn how to use. You can use it to find specific transactions, to pull data sets for auditors, to export data to Excel for further analysis, things like that. They key concept here is that it is EASY. SmartList Designer allows you to create additional SmartLists for your users to use.
What I can tell you is that SmartList has its roots in Dynamics GP going all the way back to the Great Plains days. It is an easy to use query and filtering tool that takes about five minutes to learn how to use. You can use it to find specific transactions, to pull data sets for auditors, to export data to Excel for further analysis, things like that. They key concept here is that it is EASY. SmartList Designer allows you to create additional SmartLists for your users to use.
Lifecycle Services for ISVs
Lifecycle Services is Microsoft’s methodologies and tools to help ensure predictable, repeatable and high-quality implementations. ISVs are independent software vendors that makes addons for Microsoft Dynamics solutions. In this case the focus is on ensuring that ISVs have a clear plan for product development and deployment that works effectively with Microsoft’s product update and release plans.
It is good to see Microsoft place importance on implementation methodologies as they help make implementations come in on time, on budget and meet expectations.
To learn more about how to find apps from ISVs available for Business Central read What is AppSource and Why Is It Important?
It is good to see Microsoft place importance on implementation methodologies as they help make implementations come in on time, on budget and meet expectations.
To learn more about how to find apps from ISVs available for Business Central read What is AppSource and Why Is It Important?
Lifecycle Services for System Integrators/Implementors
Systems integrators and implementors are the ones who help companies select and implement Dynamics 365 solutions. Implementation tasks often include things like provisioning, configuration, data conversion, report customizations, integrations, training and ongoing support.
As with the ISV item, it is nice to see Microsoft place a great deal of importance on having a consistent, structured approach for the implementation of Dynamics 365.
As with the ISV item, it is nice to see Microsoft place a great deal of importance on having a consistent, structured approach for the implementation of Dynamics 365.
Continued Investment in Our Integration to Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is what my developer friends call “modern development tools.” Continued investment in this area means enhanced capabilities to create extensions that are compatible with the cloud-only environment and should help with the upgradeability of customizations.
This is good to see. One of the major benefits of cloud-based ERP is not having to upgrade, ever again, since the system is automatically and continuously updated. But with this came restrictions and limitations on customization capabilities. Investment in this area will help to make sure that we have the best of both worlds, the ability to customize to meet unique requirements in a fashion that allows for the continuous upgrade process inherent in cloud solutions to work without issue.
This is good to see. One of the major benefits of cloud-based ERP is not having to upgrade, ever again, since the system is automatically and continuously updated. But with this came restrictions and limitations on customization capabilities. Investment in this area will help to make sure that we have the best of both worlds, the ability to customize to meet unique requirements in a fashion that allows for the continuous upgrade process inherent in cloud solutions to work without issue.
Conclusion
The breadth of the roadmap makes it clear that Microsoft is investing heavily in Business Central. Microsoft releases major updates to Dynamics 365 Business Central two times per year, in the spring and in the fall. You can see the details of the releases here. To see the specifics for the Spring and Fall 2018 Business Central releases here are the direct links: As a reminder, make sure to review the Dynamics 365 Ideas page and vote for what you want to see, or make your own contribution if what you need is not listed!
Questions? Feel free to contact us!