Replay

Introduction to AppSysCyborg and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Overview of the Webinar

• The webinar introduces new features in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, focusing on business and AI innovations.

• Presenters include Grégory Duboz (Sales Director at Anamix 365), Catherine Lange (Project Manager), and David Pexoto (Market and Innovation Lead at AbsysCyber).

• Attendees are encouraged to ask questions via the chat feature, which will be addressed at the end of the session.

Company Background

• Absiscyborg has over 35 years of experience in service provision and management solution integration.

• In 2025, the company reported a revenue of €104 million with a workforce of 600 employees across France and two international offices.

• Their primary goal is to deliver high-quality service and comprehensive support throughout project phases, offering consulting, integration, cloud hosting, and custom development services.

Business Central V28 Features Presentation

Introduction by Presenters

• Grégory welcomes participants, noting strong attendance despite recent events where they engaged with over 800 individuals.

• The focus will be on presenting all new features in Business Central V28 for those who missed previous live presentations.

Key Topics Covered

• Discussion will cover ergonomics, finance, supply chains, Power BI integration, AI developments including Copilot features, and upcoming regulatory deadlines related to ARFE starting September 2026.

Business Central's Strategic Positioning

Growth Metrics

• Business Central is positioned as a strategic offering for Microsoft with significant growth rates exceeding 25%.

• As of last year’s metrics for 2026 projections: there are approximately 55,000 SaaS clients; older versions are not included in this count.

Recognition

• Forbes recognized Business Central as the number one ERP globally for SMEs in their rankings for both 2024 and 2025.

Dynamics Activity within AbsysCyborg

Financial Impact

• Dynamics activity accounts for a quarter of AbsysCyborg's total revenue.

• There are currently about 90 employees dedicated exclusively to this offering.

Client Base Insights

• Out of their client base of around 220 companies, half operate under SaaS models; nearly all new clients choose this hosting option.

International Operations & Support Structure

Global Reach

• AbsysCyborg has an international team focused on deploying solutions tailored to various global contexts.

Support Services Offered

• They provide centralized support through a web desk staffed by seven specialized consultants available daily for client assistance.

Data Expertise & Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem

Data Center of Expertise

• A dedicated data expertise center supports clients with Power BI reports; it consists of twelve members including five certified professionals on Power BI and Fabric.

Integration Capabilities

• Emphasizes that Business Central integrates seamlessly with Microsoft's entire ecosystem including M365 collaboration suites like SharePoint.

App Development Strategy

Development Approach

• All developments must now occur through apps rather than directly within the ERP system. This allows flexibility in ownership—clients can have exclusive apps or share them within Microsoft's ecosystem.

Custom Apps Developed

• AbsysCyborg has created several proprietary applications such as:

• A project management app called "Dynamics qui suit."

• "Global Finance Fondamentale" enhancing accounting functionalities offered by Microsoft.

• "Tedescare," addressing invoice dematerialization needs compliant with RFE regulations.

Partnership Highlights

Historical Partnerships

• Discusses ongoing collaborations with partners like Yavion that offer industry-specific apps focusing on quality management and traceability solutions integrated into Business Central.

Introduction to AI Integration in Business Central

Overview of AI Agents

• The session begins with a discussion on the integration of AI within Business Central, highlighting the visibility and management of AI agents displayed on the screen.

• Even when minimized, notifications from these AI agents can still alert users across various work screens when human intervention is required for ongoing processes.

Enhancements in Accounting Features

• A new feature introduced is the use of date formulas to determine validation periods for accounting entries, enhancing flexibility in financial operations.

• Users can now set validation periods using date formulas instead of fixed start and end dates, allowing for dynamic adjustments based on specific criteria.

Error Handling and Period Management

Improved Error Messaging

• If an attempt is made to post entries outside the defined validation period (e.g., in July), an error message will be generated to prevent unauthorized actions.

• This feature reduces manual adjustments needed each month, particularly beneficial for organizations that do not perform monthly closures.

International Compliance Features

Autofacturation Implementation

• Microsoft continues to enhance international versions by integrating legal obligations such as autofacturation for suppliers under specific contractual agreements.

• When creating invoices for suppliers under autofacturation contracts, invoice numbers are automatically generated by the system rather than manually inputted by suppliers.

Sustainability Initiatives

Carbon Adjustment Mechanisms

• Recent updates include mechanisms for calculating carbon adjustment taxes at borders and expanded producer responsibility initiatives.

• The module now allows retrospective calculations related to product attributes like quantity or sugar content, which are essential for compliance with sustainability regulations.

Tax Calculation Framework

Defining Tax Bases

• Users must define tax bases based on various product attributes (e.g., thickness, volume), enabling accurate tax calculations during transactions.

• Once recorded purchases are processed through this framework, corresponding entries can be generated and managed effectively within the system.

Future Integrations and Current Limitations

Pending Document Integration

• Currently, there is no integration of these tax frameworks into sales or purchase documents; future updates may address this gap.

Partner Solutions for Tax Management

Third-party Applications

• A Belgian partner offers an app called Excise Duties that facilitates inclusion of relevant taxes directly into sales and purchase order lines.

Withholding Tax Functionality

New Withholding Tax Feature

• A new withholding tax feature allows users to manage supplier invoices where a percentage (e.g., 20%) is withheld from payments due.

• For example, if a supplier's invoice totals €1,500 with a 20% withholding rate applied, only €1,200 would be paid while €300 goes to state authorities.

Configuration Options

Setting Up Withholding Parameters

• Users can activate this functionality even though it currently lacks French translation support; setup involves defining thresholds and percentages applicable per invoice amount.

Example Setup Screen

• The configuration screen allows users to specify conditions under which withholding taxes apply based on invoice amounts exceeding predefined limits.

Asset Management Updates

Depreciation Adjustments

• New features allow proportional deductions from acquisition costs when calculating depreciation over time. This includes setting parameters like deduction percentages and effective dates.

Amortization Law Application

Integrating Amortization Calculations

• Users can choose whether amortization amounts should be included in accounting entries alongside acquisition costs or standard depreciation methods.

Conclusion on Financial Updates

Summary of Financial Enhancements

• Various enhancements discussed may not be universally applicable but provide significant benefits depending on regional requirements or business practices.

New Features in Invoice Processing

Introduction to New Functions

• A new function called "obtain order lines" has been introduced, allowing users to access both received and unreceived order lines directly from the invoice menu.

• This feature enables the accumulation of order lines on an invoice, enhancing flexibility in managing invoices.

Invoice Creation Process

• Users can indicate receipt on the invoice for orders that have not yet been received, provided this option is activated in the purchase order settings.

• Demonstration shows a supplier with two orders: one fully received and another not yet received. The user prepares an invoice incorporating both lines.

• It is emphasized that invoicing can only occur for items that have already been received, ensuring compliance with inventory management practices.

Changes in Direct Delivery Processes

Overview of Direct Delivery Workflow

• The direct delivery process has evolved; previously, a sales order was created followed by a purchase order. Now, these steps are streamlined.

• Users can now invoice suppliers before invoicing customers, simplifying financial transactions related to direct deliveries.

Simplified Operations

• The updated workflow allows for cancellation of shipments or receipts within direct deliveries without prior complications.

• A visual representation of the new process illustrates how sales orders lead into purchase orders seamlessly.

Enhancements in Order Management

Extracting Sales Order Lines

• From the planning sheet, users can extract sales order lines designated for direct delivery efficiently.

• Orders that are neither received nor invoiced can be validated directly to create receipts and invoices without needing prior sales invoicing.

Utilizing Existing Features

• Reusing previous functionalities like "receipt on invoice" helps streamline creating purchase invoices based on existing sales data.

Managing Quality Control

Introduction to Quality Management Module

• A new quality management module integrates with reception processes and production workflows, enabling better oversight of product quality during inspections.

Inspection Processes Explained

• Users will set up inspection parameters for various items and define rules for generating inspection orders based on specific criteria.

Practical Application of Quality Inspections

Real-world Example: Coffee Inspection

• An example involving coffee reception demonstrates how inspection orders are generated automatically upon receiving goods.

Recording Inspection Results

• As results are recorded during inspections (e.g., irregular grain size), immediate feedback is provided regarding pass/fail status based on predefined criteria.

Overview of Lot Management and Power BI Enhancements

Transitioning Between Stores

• The speaker transitions from the main store to the Rebus store, showcasing possibilities in inventory management.

Handling Failed Lots

• A lot is marked as failed; when attempting to sell it, an error message appears due to inspection order blocking its use. This highlights the importance of quality control in inventory processes.

Re-inspection Process

• The speaker mentions that another inspection can be conducted on remaining items in a failed lot to make them usable again, emphasizing flexibility in inventory management.

Introduction to Power BI Analysis States

• Discussion shifts towards Power BI enhancements, including updates for contracts and subscriptions with improved visuals and consistency across applications. New Excel views for sales orders are also introduced.

Changes in Reporting Formats

• Microsoft is phasing out RDLC reports in favor of Word and Excel layouts, which will include new subtotal features and enhanced stock analysis capabilities. This reflects a shift towards more user-friendly reporting tools.

Document Language Settings and User Preferences

Language Configuration for Documents

• Companies can set a default language code for documents based on client preferences, allowing document generation in the client's language if translations exist. This enhances customer experience through localization efforts.

User Language vs Client Language

• If a user operates in a different language than the client’s preference, documents will still be generated according to the user's settings unless specified otherwise by default language settings. This ensures consistency across document outputs regardless of user settings.

Introduction of AI Features with Copilot

Overview of AI Integration

• David takes over to discuss AI levels present within Business Central, highlighting native functionalities powered by Copilot that do not incur additional costs versus those that do require credits for usage.

Copilot Functionalities

• Various features such as analytical assistance, chat capabilities with Copilot, and summary requests are available; users can query client records directly through this interface for quick insights into key statistics related to clients or suppliers.

Enhanced Analytical Tools

Simplifying Data Analysis

• Users can prompt Copilot instead of manually creating pivot tables or analyses; they can request specific data groupings (e.g., by customer family or article type), streamlining data processing tasks significantly through automation.

Marketing Text Suggestions

• Features now include automated suggestions for marketing text and sales reconciliation processes that have been available for over a year but continue evolving with new functionalities being added regularly.

New Assistants Powered by AI

Sales Order Assistant

• A newly available sales order assistant automates customer order creation from emails while interpreting invoice content using Copilot technology—this feature aims at reducing manual entry errors significantly during invoice processing tasks.

Expense Note Management

• An expense note assistant allows users to manage their organization’s expense policies effectively; it includes scanning receipts via email submission where Copilot categorizes expenses automatically before seeking user approval.

Customizable AI Agents

Personalized Agent Creation

• Users have the option to create custom agents tailored specifically to their needs within Business Central while ensuring security protocols are maintained throughout interactions involving sensitive information.

Human Oversight Requirement

• All assistants require human intervention at critical stages; notifications alert users when action is needed, reinforcing the importance of human oversight even amidst advanced automation technologies.

Overview of Expense Management Agent

Introduction to the Expense Management Agent

• The expense management agent is introduced as a feature within Business Central, designed to facilitate expense reporting outside the traditional Business Central context.

Demonstration of the Agent

• The agent was showcased during five sessions across various cities including Lille, Toulouse, Marseille, Paris, and Nantes.

• A screenshot demonstrates that this application is available on AppSource and can be accessed via a web interface.

Functionality of the Expense Management Agent

• Users can create and submit multiple expense reports for approval through this platform.

• The interface categorizes expenses into drafts, submitted for approval, or approved statuses.

Features of the Expense Reporting Process

Submission and Compliance Checks

• Expenses can be photographed and sent via email for analysis by Copilot; compliance with company policy triggers a confirmation indicator.

• If an expense does not meet compliance standards (e.g., Air France receipt), users are prompted to provide additional information.

User Capabilities

• Employees can categorize expenses, generate reports, allocate costs, calculate daily allowances, and log mileage if necessary.

Availability and Licensing Information

Release Timeline

• Currently in preview since May 2023 in US English; general availability expected in October 2026 with French preview set for July 2024.

Licensing Requirements

• Most employees entering expenses do not have Business Central licenses; however, they are classified as "expense users" without needing a full subscription.

Team Member Licensing Needs

Approval Process Requirements

• Team Member licenses are required for managing expenses and submitting reports within Business Central.

Higher-Level Licenses

• Essential or Premium licenses allow full transaction processing within Business Central related to expense reporting.

Electronic Invoicing Reform Response

Current Situations in Electronic Invoicing

• The presentation outlines three scenarios regarding electronic invoicing compatibility with different versions of Business Central.

Scenario Analysis

1. Business Central SaaS or BC28 On-Premise: Compatible with multiple options like Continia or Tedescare.

2. Business Central On-Premise Versions 22 to 27: Limited choice primarily to TDS Care due to Continia's restrictions on older versions.

3. Versions Prior to BC22: Urgent need for upgrades; alternative solutions available without direct integration with Business Central.

Future Migration Options

Transitioning Strategies

• Users should consider migrating towards Business Central SaaS while maintaining familiarity with existing platforms like Escare until fully transitioned.

Overview of Continia and ESKER Solutions in Business Central

Integration and User Experience

• Continia is deeply integrated into Business Central, offering native coverage for key use cases. They announced enhancements to their offerings three weeks ago.

• In contrast, the TELESKER platform will engage employees handling supplier invoices outside of Business Central, utilizing modern AI-driven features with enriched P2P functionalities and deeper invoice validation orchestration.

Choosing Between Solutions

• Both solutions present unique arguments; the choice depends on the specific situation faced by users.

• If organizations have not yet considered implementing RFE (Récupération de Factures Électroniques), they can consult advisory services to map processes and identify existing use cases.

Q&A Session Insights

Pricing Information

• The pricing for both PA solutions is known and public. It varies based on flow volume and invoice processing needs.

• Generally, ESKER is less expensive as it does not require connectors with Business Central compared to TED-ESKR, which orchestrates interoperations between them.

Functionality Questions

• A question arose regarding whether Tadesqr integrates a feature for matching order lines with invoices. Tadesqr already supports this functionality.

• Continia has released a beta version aimed at collecting feedback on new automation features related to outgoing invoices.

Quality Module Application

Applicability of Quality Control Features

• The quality module can be applied to individual items or lots, including assembly or production activities. However, personal testing with warehouse shipments has not been conducted yet.

Use of AI in Business Central

Copilot and Alternative AI Options

• Copilot incorporates various AI technologies like GPT and OpenAI within a secure environment but may not be strictly classified as an AI itself.

• For direct usage of other AIs without going through Copilot, the MCP Server allows engagement with different resources while connecting them to Business Central's capabilities.

Future Developments in Applications

• There are plans for new applications that enhance CBN functionalities within Business Central expected before Q3 2024. These will focus on consumption forecasting based on historical data from user databases.

Integration of Copilot in Dynamics

Overview of Copilot Integration

• The integration of Copilot is inherently linked to the new version of Business Central SAS, meaning it is not an optional feature but a built-in component.

• Administrators must approve the use of Copilot and can choose between a paid subscription or purchasing credit packages for usage.

Credit Packages and Usage Control

• A credit package consists of 25,000 credits priced at $200. Users can set consumption limits, such as capping expenses to €100 for the month.

• In the configuration page, users can view active agents and features, with options to disable those they do not wish to use.

Customization and Functionality

• Users have flexibility in managing integrated apps; they can uninstall unused apps that come with Business Central and reinstall them later if needed.

• A demonstration was provided during the Stadium Tour showcasing a customizable agent that automates purchase requests by comparing safety stock with inventory status.

Additional Resources and Support

• For those interested in viewing the demo from the Stadium Tour, they are encouraged to contact their sales engineer for access.

Conclusion and Future Engagement

• The session concluded with an acknowledgment of unanswered questions, promising follow-up responses.

• Participants were thanked for their engagement, highlighting future webinars available on their website for ongoing learning opportunities.