"Should we migrate to a cloud platform?" – This is a question which every IT manager asks. Cloud technologies have been firmly established in the modern digital age, simplifying IT landscape management. Moving services to the cloud enables more flexibility in configuration, optimizes costs, improves security, and transfers the risks of IT infrastructure management to the cloud provider.

Microsoft actively promotes its cloud solution ecosystem based on Azure worldwide, setting standards in this field. Migrating ERP systems to the cloud involves certain risks associated with data access, but offers numerous benefits that have lured thousands of companies all over the world to transition away from on-premises hosting. Working in the cloud provides access to services such as Azure Data Lake, Microsoft Copilot, Power Platform, as well as ready-made solutions for DevOps and DevSecOps, thereby enhancing application reliability and scalability.

We prefer Azure and have already migrated many clients from older versions of Axapta and other local systems to Microsoft's cloud ERP system. Such projects require not only technical expertise, but also knowledge of changes in development processes, understanding deployment constraints, proper data migration execution, restructuring of integration processes, and technologies used.

Contact us – we will share our experience and set you on the optimal path for your migration. 

When it comes to cloud deployments, one of the key advantages of migrating to the cloud version of Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365FO) is the ability to utilize modern DevOps practices for automating application build, deployment, and update processes. Automating routine operations and proactive monitoring significantly enhance development quality.

Recently, we also implemented nightly updates for D365FO across all the development and testing environments of our clients. Updates are initiated in the evening, and by morning, everyone resumes work with the new version of the system. Downtime during regular updates is minimal and mainly involves resolving local issues. The update process itself follows a scheduled and predictable routine. Our developers and analysts no longer lose time waiting for updates to be completed and can plan their tasks without interruptions. 

One of the advantages of using Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365FO) in the cloud is the ability to integrate with Power Platform services for low-code development. This new technology allows many business tasks to be solved outside of D365FO, which simplifies system support and maintenance.

For one of our clients, we developed a Power Platform application that flexibly configures approval of shipping documents based on order amount, customer priority, and production dates. For another client, we created a Power Platform application to view warehouse stocks with ease and to be able to reserve goods directly from the warehouse. In yet an additional example, we used Power Platform for additional data validations in orders and for sending email alerts. All these solutions were implemented without writing code in D365FO and took only a few days.

However, Power Platform technology has certain limitations to consider. These include underwhelming performance, additional costs for connectors to various applications, and restrictions on data extraction and uploading into D365FO. Our experience with Power Platform has shown that while it is beneficial for some business scenarios, there are cases where its optimal features cannot be fully realized and the use of alternative technologies is required.

The Electronic Reporting (ER) functionality has become the new standard for reporting in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365FO), replacing the SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) technology. ER allows reports to be flexibly created and for data to be exported in almost any format without requiring development. Initially designed for bank payment uploads, ER's capabilities extend to uploading nearly any type of information into D365FO without custom coding.

For one of our clients, we utilized ER functionality to optimize logistics processes by automating the upload of weigh-in information for cargo trucks at the warehouse. Periodically, the D365FO operation retrieves a document from the portal containing cargo truck details and weight characteristics, validates the data, and uploads it into D365FO. Unlike developing a new data upload feature using X++ code, using ER does not require changes to the code, only configuration. We can release new functionality versions to the live application at any time without halting D365FO services for hours, enabling warehouse operations without interruption.

Our experience with ER functionality in projects has shown significant cost savings for data provision and integration tasks in various business scenarios. We regularly conduct training sessions for our clients to empower them to independently manage ER capabilities.

Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform used for both online stores and point-of-sale (POS) locations. For one of our clients, we successfully implemented a two-way integration project between Shopify and Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365FO). As part of the project, we utilized standard integration mechanisms and the retail functionality of D365FO on the one hand, and Shopify Graph API on the other, to exchange data on inventory levels, price lists, customers, orders, returns, and their statuses.

Now, the client can not only plan purchases, production, and logistics based on orders from Shopify in D365FO, but it can also analyze the financial results of their operations. One of the most challenging tasks was implementing an order adjustment mechanism that requires the synchronization of changes in both systems. The company operates in the U.S. market where taxation depends on a particular state, and this led to needed tax adjustments for orders that had already been partially shipped.

Since the operational concepts of D365FO and Shopify differ significantly, a deep understanding of the architecture of both systems was necessary to develop an extensible and maintainable integration. But we enjoy integrations and technically complex tasks. We have developed a solution that allows the client to deliver hundreds of children's bicycles around the world every day.

Another interesting challenge for us was integrating the Warehouse Management System (WMS) on the Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (D365FO) platform with a Pick-by-Voice system. Pick-by-Voice systems, such as Lydia Voice, Vocollect Voice, and Honeywell Voice, are designed to enhance warehouse operation efficiency by allowing employees to manage processes using voice commands.

One of our clients who manages a grocery distribution center with thousands of daily warehouse operations wanted to boost the productivity of their warehouse processes. Lydia Voice was chosen as the voice management system for its highly accurate speech recognition and ability to adapt to various languages and accents.

For integration we utilized an approach with the emulation of the Warehouse Mobile Device Portal (WMDP) through the generation of XML documents and their processing by a standard SOAP service for data collection terminals (DCT). This enabled us to implement the integration without requiring modifications on the D365FO side. One of the key project criteria was a request for high-performance solutions, and the load testing showed more than satisfactory results.

Upon completion of the project, the client reported that the warehouses which transitioned to using voice command operations increased the productivity in warehouse operations by an average of 15%, and in some cases up to 30%. This significantly improved the financial efficiency of the warehouse operations.

One of our key services is conducting audits for the implementation of Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (D365FO). Audits validate the high qualifications of our specialists and help our clients verify the correctness of their chosen solutions and the competence of their internal or external teams. Our projects have successfully passed Microsoft audits multiple times.

Microsoft audits are formal and include the analysis of customizations using the Customization Analysis Report, a static code analysis, an SQL log analysis, and a selective code review based on individual functions. We aim to conduct a deeper and more comprehensive analysis of the application, which includes analyzing the company's business processes and their implementation in the system, code development and delivery processes, integrations, and the infrastructure used.

For the technical aspect of the audit which involves code validation, database queries, and analysis of operational errors, we have developed our own solution called Performance Cockpit. This solution gathers a large volume of data on application performance, server operations, and periodic operations, which is then uploaded to Azure Application Insights for further analysis. We also use this solution for proactive user support as regular data analysis helps identify issues before they begin to negatively impact business processes.

However, not only are issues with performance or numerous incidents in the production application often caused by poorly written code or technical errors, but they are also caused by the incorrect use of standard functionality. Such errors are difficult to detect solely through a technical analysis of the code; deep immersion in the company's business processes and an expert understanding of D365FO's standard functionality are required. By analyzing each client's solution, we accumulate unique experience that we share with our clients.

Commodity trading is a business related to the purchase and sale of commodities on international markets. It is a complex and multifaceted business that requires in-depth knowledge of the markets of different countries, risk management skills and strategic thinking. In this type of business, timely decision-making based on high-quality and reliable information is vital.

Each supply contract has many dimensions, where in addition to the price, different types of costs are taken into account, such as insurance, taxation, interest on loans, logistical costs, legal aspects, etc. All these components are spaced over time, influenced by exchange rates, stock quotes, central bank rates and other external factors. All of this has to be reduced to a single denominator in order to make management decisions promptly.

We work with several companies from the field of commodity trading and together we have developed a separate vertical solution that helps close the gaps in standard functionality and systematize information around supply contracts. Now we can say with confidence that our expertise and our solution are the best on the market for D365FO.

When implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management (D365SCM) in manufacturing enterprises, management faces an important question: which approach should be chosen to integrate production shop processes into an ERP system? The main options include using the standard D365SCM production floor control module or implementing a third-party solution with subsequent integration.

The standard production floor control module in the D365SCM has undergone significant changes compared to earlier versions of the product. It has been made into a separate application, optimized for working with touch-screen devices, and it has expanded the set of automated production operations and added initial hardware integration capabilities. However, if your production processes include industry specificities, integration with sensors and meter equipment for production, special material installation processes and needs for the autonomous operation of the MES system with a temporary loss of communication with ERP, the standard solution is unlikely to be optimal, even with significant investments in its tuning.

In such cases, the best option would be to opt for the implementation of a third-party MES system that meets the needs of your production unit. There are many specialized solutions for various industries on the market. We will help you choose the most suitable solution and ensure seamless integration with the D365SCM.