Why are ERP systems Complicated?
By definition, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software is complicated. It can be viewed as having many components that work together intricately and seamlessly. This is a necessity since a business requires tracking activity in many diverse areas such as accounting, sales, customer relationship management, inventory, warehouse management, manufacturing, and yet these areas must somehow come together for concise financial reporting and planning.
Add to this the fact that companies often require functionality that is not included in the ERP, but has been provided by the community through third party apps. These apps can be installed in the ERP software (Microsoft Business Central for our purposes here) and become part of the solution as a seamless integrated whole.
Selecting the appropriate app, configuring it and providing training is a key task. Having a competent and experienced partner is key as they will be able to recommend apps they have used in the past that are tried and true. Importantly, but sometimes overlooked is the publisher of the app. Do they provide good support? Do they continually improve their app?
By selecting appropriate apps, we simplify the user experience, thus reducing complexity. There is the complexity of the software itself, but as far as user experience goes, the complexity is beyond the visibility or awareness of the user. One doesn’t need to know the inner workings of a mechanical watch to wear the watch and tell the time.
Having an ERP system available in the cloud simplifies not only the user experience, but reduces cost for your company. No longer are complex physical servers required, nor the whole host of required accompanying software. While the technology to run ERP in the cloud is complicated, it is not something you need to concern with anymore. That tedious and costly endeavor is now handled by the publisher of the ERP software. All you need is a web browser or a tablet or phone.
Reducing complexity for the user is key to a successful implementation. This is accomplished by implementing the system appropriately for the company involved taking into consideration its staff, its capabilities, its resources and so on. The implementation to be successful must be managed well and in an extremely organized fashion. Done right, ERP implementations can be smooth and with relatively few bumps in the road. Complexity can be taken down to simplicity for the user and the company.
Shopify and Business Central
When Microsoft announced they have been working with Shopify to create a quality API between Business Central and Shopify, I was excited.
The prospects were good. The API was built-into Business Central and there was no additional fee for clients to use it. It was a collaborative effort between both software publishers. Check.
The initial release proved to be slightly disappointing as we could not extend (modify) the API and the API did not handle returns.
However, Microsoft being Microsoft, improved the API over time and currently, we can extend (modify) the API. Microsoft also added the ability to handle returns.
Being able to extend the API comes in handy. For example, we have had clients wanting to send a different calculation for quantity available.
We have made further improvements by converting Shopify transactions and payouts into Cash Receipts and auto-applying the cash receipt to the invoice. These are areas perhaps Microsoft will address in the future to round out the API.
The Shopify connector is open to contribution from the community and one can also suggest product suggestions. The link for this is here.
Artificial Intelligence and Business Central
Copilot AI is now available within Business Central 24! This version of Copilot is specifically designed for Business Central. You will see a new Copilot icon in the top right portion of your screen directly to the left of the search (magnifying glass) icon.
What can you do with co-pilot now?
You can chat with Copilot. There are currently three main categories:
a. Find - use verbs such as “Look up”, “Show”, “Go to”, etc.
Examples:
Look up posted sales invoice 55666.
Show invoices over 30 days past due.
Go to Cash Receipts Journal.
b. Explain
Examples:
Explain field “Due Date” on Sales Order
Help me understand posting.
c. How do I?
Examples:
How do I enter cash receipts?
How do I print financial reports?
Create marketing text
Map e-documents to purchase orders
Reconcile bank accounts
Suggest Lines on sales orders
Analyze data in lists
While Copilot is in its infancy with respect to Business Central and the outputs are not yet ideal, this is a great start and it will only get better as it improves.
You can find more details on the above here.