Dynamics 365 Business Central’s New Release 2024 

September 4, 2024

September 5, 2024

Abhishek Singh

Dynamics 365 Business Central’s New Release 2024 

Microsoft uses release waves to update Dynamics 365 environments automatically to the latest version, but these release waves have evolved into a more common practice in the recent years. A ton of planned improvements are available for both production and preview features in every app and service with every release wave. These include performance improvements, new features, and other major upgrades. However, in addition to newly released "generally available" features, many other features typically remain under development for sandbox testing. 

What is Business Central? 

D365 Business Central is a feature-rich business administration application for small and mid-sized organizations. It is an extremely flexible and feature-rich platform that helps automate and streamline a variety of business operations. Businesses can effectively manage their finances, manufacturing, shipping, project management, services, supply chain, and more with Business Central. It is a flexible solution for a wide range of businesses and is easy to set up and quick to deploy. The reason behind this is that you can add region-specific features and customize them to support specialized industries.

Also Read: How can you Increase Sales with Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Key Highlights of Dynamics 365 Business Central New Release 

Updates for Dynamics 365 applications all include additional improvements with features centered around Copilot. The next wave primarily focuses on improving user productivity and streamlining processes across various corporate apps. It leverages Microsoft Copilot and advanced AI technology. 

Microsoft's Business Central improves user efficiency by enhancing multiple essential procedures in the AI-powered Copilot. With the addition of more than 70 Power BI reports, this upgraded version of Business Central enhances reporting capabilities. It also includes additional features for finance management and tool improvements for developers. Self-service features are improved, and better data protection and compliance management are also part of this update.

Also Read: Top Benefits of Using Dynamics 365 Business Central for the Healthcare Industry

What Features to Expect in Business Central 2024 Release Wave 2?   

Let's look at some of the significant improvements that wave 2 release of the Business Central 2024 will bring: 

1) Copilot: Improving Efficiency with AI-Powered Solutions 

Microsoft Copilot in Dynamics 365 Business Central offers completely new features that let business users improve productivity, optimize workflows, and free up resources for strategic and creative work. It is powered by next-generation AI technology. With this version of Copilot, you will get assistance in streamlining multiple business processes. This enables you to complete your tasks more quickly and effectively. This allows users to: 

i) Create Sales Orders Instantly from Chat 

Business Central 2024 release wave 2 now provides the ability to create sales orders directly from Chat. This in turn improves efficiency and reduces errors associated with manual entry. 

ii) Streamline Product Information Creation 

The new release of Business Central streamlines and speeds up creating product information. Now, you can use Copilot to create information like variants, unit measurements (such as weight and dimensions), and other relevant information. 

iii) GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code - Optimized Coding  

With the latest release wave of Business Central, developers can improve the Copilot experience by adding additional insight to application metadata. 

iv) Boosting Developer Productivity 

• Improved Code Refactoring Features: Make code maintenance easier and better with new refactoring tools. 
• Optimized Testing: Having easier access to functional and performance testing ensures effective application development.

Listed below are more features in details along with their availability: 

Feature	Enabled For	Public Preview	General Availability
Creating Power Automate flows with Copilot	Users, automatically	Oct 2024	-
Suggest number series with Copilot	Users, automatically	Dec 2024	-
Generate Sales Lines Quickly with Copilot	Users, automatically	Oct 2024	-
Learn to use installed add-on apps with Copilot Chat	Users, automatically	Jan 2025	-
Achieve Faster Bank Reconciliation Through Copilot	Users, automatically	Nov 9, 2023	Oct 2024
Speed up product information creation with Copilot	Users, automatically	Oct 2024	-
Easily summarize any record with Copilot	Users by admins, makers, or analysts	Jan 2025
Start using Copilot without having to set things up	Users, automatically	-	Oct 2024
Experience enhancements to analysis assist with Copilot	Users, automatically	Oct 2024	-
Automate Copilot extension tests with the Business Central Test Toolkit	Users by admins, makers, or analysts	Dec 2024	Dec 2024

2) Global Business Support and Regulatory Compliance 

To help organizations adhere to rules and facilitate global operations, the latest release includes: 

• Automated Regulatory Tasks: While Business Central takes care of the compliance part, you can focus on your core business operations. 
• Installment Options on Sales Documents: Additional features for managing installment payments. 
• Multiple VAT Numbers: Improved support and assistance for companies that operate across multiple regions. 

Other Significant Updates in the 2024 Release Wave 2

Microsoft has introduced several other updates to D365 Business Central in addition to the 365 Copilot upgrade, which are:  

1) Application Enhancements 

The following updates were made to this: 

• E-Document Capabilities: Microsoft introduced improved features for sending documents electronically with the e-document feature in the release wave 2. 
• Extended Integration with Dynamics 365 Field Service: Integration between projects in Field Service and D365 Business Central was added in the previous wave. This Wave 2 will carry on that trend by adding integrations for service orders in Business Central. 
• Sustainability Reporting: Microsoft provided 25 additional sustainability reporting options with Business Central to help companies track their greenhouse gas emissions.

Listed below are more features in details along with their availability:

Feature	Enabled For	Public Preview	General Availability
Using new reports and demo data to improve financial reporting.	Users, automatically	-	Oct 2024
Manage subscription billing, revenue, and expense recognition.	Users, automatically	Sep 2024	Oct 2024
Field Service and Service management integration	Users, automatically	-	Oct 2024
Archive service management documents.	Users by admins, makers, or analysts	-	Oct 2024
Specify shipping details for Shopify fees.	Users by admins, makers, or analysts	-	Oct 2024
Check item availability within Field Service work orders.	Users by admins, makers, or analysts	-	Oct 2024
Export posted sales invoices to Shopify	Users, automatically	-	Oct 2024
Restock items for project needs	Users, automatically	-	Oct 2024
Reconcile Shopify payment records with invoices	Users, automatically	-	Oct 2024
Utilize directed put-away and pick warehouses with projects	Users, automatically	-	Oct 2024
Capture invoice and receipt data using Azure AI Document Intelligence	Users, automatically	Jan 2025	Oct 2024
Enable location option for Shopify refunds	Users by admins, makers, or analysts	-	Oct 2024
Experience improved usability for service and projects	Users, automatically		Oct 2024
Add invoices and receipts to incoming documents in bulk	Users, automatically		Jan 2025
Import and export product information using Shopify Metafields	Users by admins, makers, or analysts		Oct 2024

2) Extended Global Availability 

Business Central now also expands its global availability. This means that more businesses globally will have access to Business Central with the next upgrade. It will be available to enterprises and business users in over 170 countries and regions. 

Detailed information about the following features is provided below, along with their availability: 
 

Feature	Enabled For	Public Preview	General Availability
Start using IRS integration for 1099 submissions	Users, automatically	Oct 2024	Nov 2024
Start utilizing E-Documents framework localized for Germany	Users, automatically	Oct 2024	Nov 2024
Display features with demo dataset for Czechia	Users, automatically	-	Oct 2024
Enable additional countries and regions	Users, automatically	-	Feb 2025

3) Governance and Administration 

Multiple self-service features will be available in this wave to help administrators in controlling environment access. Additionally, users will be able to apply Power Platform environment settings to their Business Central. They will be able to link Business Central and Power Platform environments to create consistent integrations. 

• Granular Access Management: With the help of new self-service tools, environments can be fully controlled in terms of access. 
• Microsoft 365 Audit Log: Monitor crucial administrative tasks and strengthen data security with Azure Lockbox and customer-managed encryption keys. 

Detailed information about the following features is provided below, along with their availability:

Feature	Enabled For	Public Preview	General Availability
Manage environment updates with greater flexibility	Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically	Oct 2024	Mar 2025
Manage per-tenant extensions in admin center	Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically	-	Dec 2024
Migrate record links and notes using cloud migration tools	Users, automatically	Sep 2024	Oct 2024
Check app compatibility with future versions in admin center	Users, automatically		Oct 2024
Encrypt data at-rest using customer-managed encryption key	Users by admins, makers, or analysts		Oct 2024
Receive notifications for issues with job queue background processing	Users by admins, makers, or analysts	-	Oct 2024
Obtain list of environments manageable for Microsoft Entra apps	Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically		Dec 2024
Enhanced security and scalability with IPv6 support	Users, automatically		Feb 2025

4) Development

Microsoft is investing more in business domains that boost developer productivity and efficiency starting with Business Central 2024 release 2. With this version, GitHub now offers customized code with AL GO, ISV (independent software vendors). This helps users with quick and simple ways to test functionality and performance. 

Detailed information about the following features is provided below, along with their availability:

Feature	Enabled For	Public Preview	General Availability
Simplify in-client performance profiling with rules	Users, automatically	Oct 2024	Oct 2024
Utilize the ternary operator for AL language coding	Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically	Oct 2024	Oct 2024
Pull extension source from GitHub when accessing Visual Studio Code through web client	Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically	Oct 2024	Oct 2024
Utilize the 'this' keyword for code unit self-referencing	Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically	Oct 2024	Oct 2024
Restore extensions when publishing from Visual Studio Code fails	Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically	Oct 2024	Oct 2024
Use improved features for report documents	Users by admins, makers, or analysts	-	Oct 2024
Run code action for 'with' for file, project, or workspace	Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically	Oct 2024	Oct 2024
Package resources in extensions and access from AL	Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically	Dec 2024	Dec 2024
Type testing and casting operators for interfaces	Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically	Oct 2024	Oct 2024
Extend and customize profiles from other extensions	Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically	Oct 2024	Oct 2024
Extend AL interfaces	Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically	Oct 2024	Oct 2024

5) Compliance with Legislation 

Microsoft continues to ensure compliance with local accounting laws with its Dynamics 365 2024 release wave 2 upgrade for Business Central. With enhancements to Microsoft's localized versions, Microsoft continues to ensure compliance with local accounting laws. 
 
Additional features and their availability are listed below: 
 

Feature	Enabled For	Public Preview	General Availability
Utilize e-documents with Power Automate	Users, automatically		Dec 2024
Achieve sustainability scorecards and objectives	Users, automatically		Oct 2024
Using multiple VAT numbers for a customer	Users, automatically		Oct 2024
Easily navigate the sustainability manager role center	Users, automatically		Oct 2024
Add attachments with electronic documents	Users, automatically	Oct 2024	Nov 2024
Record greenhouse gas emissions using purchase invoices	Users, automatically	-	Oct 2024
Report sustainability entries with financial reports	Users, automatically	Oct 2024	Nov 2024
Use new service providers within the e-documents framework	Users, automatically	Nov 2024	Dec 2024
Buy carbon credits	Users, automatically		Oct 2024
Enable internal carbon fee calculation in Sustainability	Users, automatically		Oct 2024
Keep track of sustainability certificates for items and vendors	Users, automatically		Oct 2024

6) Reporting and Data analysis 

Business Central's new release includes more than 70 Power BI reports. Microsoft continues to invest in its basic reporting capability, enhancing overall reporting and data analysis capabilities. 
 

Additional features and their availability are listed below: 
 

Feature	Enabled For	Public Preview	General Availability
Carry out ad hoc analysis on fixed assets, projects, and services	Users, automatically		Oct 2024
Utilize advanced settings in the Power BI connector	Users by admins, makers, or analysts		Oct 2024
Use embedded Power BI reports out of the box	Users by admins, makers, or analysts	-	Oct 2024

7) Platform and Service Enhancements 

In the second wave of Business Central 2024 release, Microsoft continues to invest in the basic service and app platforms. Microsoft has put a great deal of emphasis on improving performance, stability, resource management, security, and compliance as well as increasing availability. 

8) User Experience  
 
Users can enter, update, and fix errors in their data in an intuitive way. 

Additional features and their availability are listed below: 

Feature	Enabled For	Public Preview	General Availability
Access keys with Key Tips in additional languages	Users, automatically		Oct 2024
Attach multiple files using drag-and-drop in the upload dialog	Users, automatically		Oct 2024
Resize columns even when personalization isn't enabled	Users, automatically	-	Oct 2024

Conclusion 

Microsoft Business Central new release incorporates new features and enhancements that result in improved efficiency, compliance, and global reach. Business Central now provides businesses with advanced AI integration, extended developer tools, and a powerful regulatory support. This helps businesses to manage their operations more easily and confidently. Explore all these new capabilities today to find out how you can take advantage of Business Central for your business. 

Also Read: How can Business Central help you build your Business?

Businesses Central 25 along with Dynamics 365 2024 release wave 2 will be released in October 2024. The rollout of the Dynamics 365 2024 release wave 2 upgrade will begin in October 2024 and will continue until April 2025. Plan accordingly, all the best! 

Ref: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/release-plan/2024wave2/smb/dynamics365-business-central/planned-features 

[sc name="Dynamics 365 Business Central"] [add_newsletter] [add_related_page_diff_contents blog_cat = "ms-dynamics-business-central"]