How Generative AI Reshapes Dynamics 365 Business Central?

From revolutionizing mundane tasks to propelling decision-making into new realms, the transformative influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace is undeniable. Daily, we witness the emergence of advanced machine learning models and groundbreaking natural language technologies, heralding a new era where AI not only automates repetitive tasks but elevates job satisfaction and productivity. According to our recent survey on business trends, a staggering 89 percent of individuals equipped with automation and AI-powered tools feel a newfound fulfillment, redirecting their focus to tasks of genuine significance.

In this rapidly evolving landscape, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central stands at the forefront, bringing the might of AI to small and medium-sized enterprises. This blog delves into the ways AI is reshaping the way work is done, specifically within Business Central.

Beyond the standard benefits of automating tasks and enhancing decision-making, we explore the profound impact of Generative AI integration—propelled by innovative collaborations between Microsoft and OpenAI—on Dynamics 365 Business Central. Join us on this journey as we unravel the tectonic shift brought forth by the integration of cutting-edge AI models like GPT-4, GPT-3, Codex, and DALL-E into the fabric of Dynamics 365 Business Central through the Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service.

The Unique Partnership:

Microsoft’s strategic partnership with OpenAI marks a turning point in the realm of artificial intelligence. This collaboration enables the infusion of the unparalleled capabilities of large-scale language models into the very core of Dynamics 365 Business Central. The Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service not only provides access to cutting-edge models but also ensures the security and enterprise features synonymous with the Azure platform. The result? A powerful blend of innovation and responsibility that opens new doors for businesses seeking to stay ahead of the curve.

The Effect of Generative AI Integration on Dynamics 365 Business Central

• Helps Retailers with Personalized Customer Engagement

The challenges faced by retailers in expediting marketing projects resonate not only with our customers but reverberate across the entire market. A recent survey underscores this sentiment, with 63% of retailers expressing a hopeful anticipation of leveraging AI to enhance their marketing efforts in the next 18 to 24 months. In an era dominated by AI, the question looms: Shouldn’t it be inherently easier to bring campaigns to market swiftly and efficiently? Addressing this need, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Insights introduces Copilot features, an innovative suite designed to alleviate the burden on marketers. By seamlessly integrating natural language input, data querying, and AI-driven workflows, these features aim to redefine the landscape of retail marketing, providing a solution to the pressing demands of the industry.

• Creating a Responsive Retail Supply Chain

In the dynamic landscape of 2024, retail supply chains grapple with challenges like labor shortages and rising costs. Microsoft’s Enterprise AI solutions, featuring the innovative Copilot, offer a transformative approach. Microsoft is committed to delivering supply chain innovations through its open and collaborative platform. By leveraging Copilot, Microsoft aims to help organizations reduce risk, optimize inventory, and make agile decisions across the entire supply chain, ensuring resilience and efficiency in today’s complex retail environment.

• Improved Demand Planning

Ensuring a retailer’s success revolves around precise inventory management, especially with regard to demand planning. Microsoft’s latest enhancement to Dynamics 365, announced in November 2023, introduces advanced demand planning capabilities powered by AI and machine learning. Now, with the integration of Copilot, this functionality is further elevated. Copilot assists planners in comprehending forecast generation, identifying patterns, and spotting anomalies. The latest demand planning features enhance user experience by providing increased flexibility, simplicity, and intuitiveness. Through natural language interactions, Copilot simplifies the interpretation of complex dataset relationships, streamlining the creation of demand review reports. This not only saves time for planners but allows them to concentrate on high-priority tasks, enhancing overall efficiency.

• Elevating Efficiency and Mitigating Disruptions

In November 2023, Microsoft introduced preview Copilot capabilities for Dynamics 365 Business Central, enabling supply chain teams to enhance productivity and collaboration. This also fosters enhanced collaboration among supply chain and cross-functional teams, enabling proactive disruption mitigation and streamlined workflow automation. Microsoft has further enriched Copilot with capabilities that improve inventory visibility, ensuring more accurate order promises. This enhancement is a significant stride toward elevating the overall buying experience for consumers and helping brands meet their commitments with greater precision.

• AI-powered Product Enrichment Content

Captivating and information-packed product content is the key to boosting customer engagement and driving sales on e-commerce platforms. However, crafting such content often proves to be a time-consuming and intricate task. In October 2023, Microsoft introduced a groundbreaking feature in preview—empowering both business-to-business and business-to-consumer online retailers to leverage Copilot within Dynamics 365 Business Central Commerce. This innovative tool enables the seamless generation of enriched product marketing content for websites. By significantly reducing the time required for content creation, Copilot not only enhances productivity but also contributes to a surge in online orders, transforming the e-commerce landscape for retailers.

How to Begin?

Generative AI integration can enrich existing features and create entirely novel customer value within Dynamics 365 Business Central. The resounding question echoes: “How do I embark on this AI journey with Business Central?” Worry not, as we’ve assembled a collection of valuable tips and sample code to ensure your entry into the realm of Azure OpenAI is smooth and gratifying.

Getting Started

Setting the Foundation:

Begin by understanding the foundational concepts of Generative AI and its potential within Dynamics 365 Business Central. Explore the diverse possibilities and envision the transformative impact on your business processes.

Tips and Sample Code to get started with your AL code

We’ve provided a snippet of code in the form of an extension, offering you a gateway to delve into the potential of Large Language Models (LLM). This code streamlines the complexities associated with initiating and executing LLM experiments. It begins by simplifying the configuration and testing of your connection to the Azure OpenAI service. Once you’ve established this connection, the code opens up opportunities for extending your AL logic to embark on more thrilling and innovative endeavors.

Sample Code for Azure OpenAI in Business Central:

Explore the item categorization feature using Azure OpenAI in Business Central’s BCTech repository on GitHub. Download or install the extension directly from https://aka.ms/BCStartCodingWithAI or clone the source code for your projects.

Getting Azure OpenAI Key:

To use Azure OpenAI, apply for access through your Azure subscription. Once approved, follow the email instructions to create a resource and obtain your API key.

Azure OpenAI Playground:

Visit Azure OpenAI Studio for a web-based interface to experiment with generative AI models. It’s perfect for non-developers and offers options to control randomness and diversity in outputs.

Starting with Prompt Engineering:

Learn the art of prompt engineering for effective use of Azure OpenAI. Access guides, examples, and resources to understand model capabilities, choose the right format, and ensure responsible AI usage.

Join the Conversation

Engage in the Discussion! As Microsoft enhances generative AI in Business Central, these handy tips can kickstart your AI journey with Azure OpenAI. Reach out to R Systems for D365 tailored solutions!