D365 F&O 8.1 Release Notes
Upgraded Product Configurator for Business Central
We here at Insight Works recently changed the name of our NAV Sales Configurator to Product Configurator, but the most important part of this change isn’t how we refer to the lightweight add-on for Microsoft Dynamics Business Central (formerly known as NAV) – it’s that we have expanded its capabilities to make life much easier for manufacturers.
Before we dive into the specifics of Product Configurator’s capabilities expansion, let’s cover some basics about the add-on itself. With Insight Works’ Product Configurator, endlessly searching for part numbers is a thing of the past, as this highly intuitive tool significantly simplifies Bill of Materials (BOMs) and Routings production (or assembly BOMs) to make quote and order generation more efficient.
Here’s what Product Configurator brings to the manufacturing table:
- Ideal solution for Make-to-Order or Assemble-to-Order organizations
- Support for thousands of options
- Non-invasive install means you won’t compromise your Business Central infrastructure
- Automatic generation of assembly and production BOMs from sales orders and quotes
- An affordable solution for businesses of all sizes
- Significant time-savings using pre-configured items
- Reduced manual input and improved efficiency and accuracy with regard to sales quotes and orders
- Simplification of the ordering and quote processes for staff
Create Rules Based on Product Choices and Options via Product Configurator’s New Feature
Here’s where things get interesting for Product Configurator users: The expansion of the add-on’s capabilities, which is the primary focus of this Insight Works article.
Three capabilities define the Product Configurator extension, encompassing:
- Easy Configuration of Rules – Now, Product Configurator lets users set “combination rules” for specific products; for example: If a specific style of handlebars is selected when building a bicycle, then a specific lamp will be included while, say, the upgraded pedals will be excluded.
- Application of Multipliers – In the area of bulk material usage, “multipliers” can now be used to ensure automatically-generated BOMs include waste and trim material; for example: A window frame may require an additional 10-percent of frame material for production purposes, which will be cut and trimmed for the final product.
- Sophisticated Rules Building – Require additional sophisticated rules not supported by the user interface? Product Configurator now includes an API that is configured with the C/AL Editor, and these rules can be executed without a developer license, allowing end users to create “scripts” for rules.
Product Configurator is available for Business Central On-Prem and will be available soon on Microsoft AppSource for Dynamics 365 Business Central.
By turning to Insight Works in order to help you implement Product Configurator for your needs, you’ll be seamlessly integrated with Business Central while experiencing simple installation and an affordable solution. Contact your Microsoft Partner of reach out to Insight Works to learn more.
Generate Azure Business Central containers using deployment template and parameter files
Setting Up A Portal – Dynamics 365
MB6-898 Maintain the status of the offer
MB2-719 Certification: Dynamics 365 for Marketing – Lead Scoring
Hands On With Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018 R2 New Features: Ship To Address Retained by Customer Combiner
This post is part of the Hands On With Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018 R2 New Features series in which I am going hands on with the new features introduced in Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018 R2 (which was released on the 2nd October). I reblogged the new features as Microsoft announced them along with some commentary of how I thought they would be received by both my clients and I. In this series, I will be hands on with them giving feedback of how well they work in reality.
The twenty-first new feature is Ship To Address Retained by Customer Combiner. This feature will retain the ship to address when customers are merged using the Customer Combiner tool:
I’ve tested this feature and compared it to the functionality in 2018 RTM, and I can’t tell the difference. The Ship To address of the destination customer, does not change in either version and the ship to address from both the source and destination customers are both available after the combine.
Click to show/hide the Hands On With Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018 R2 New Features Series Index
Read original post Hands On With Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018 R2 New Features: Ship To Address Retained by Customer Combiner at azurecurve|Ramblings of a Dynamics GP Consultant
Dynamics 365 Project Service Automation: Setting Actuals to “Ready to Invoice”
Dynamics 365 Business Central - Key Board Shortcuts for Quick actions
Set the Number of Records Displayed Per Page in Dynamics 365 App for Mobile & Tablet
Use Learning Path for your D365 v9.x Organization – Part 3 | Guided Tasks
How to Replace Your Legacy ERP
When you are ready to replace your legacy ERP system, you will soon find there are essentially two kinds of ERP – the kind that was built specifically to serve your vertical market or the kind that was built to serve every market no matter the industry vertical.
Your legacy ERP system is probably a vertical market solution. It was likely heavily customized to meet your specific needs. You may have a staff that has been using it for decades and they may be resistant to change.
For many companies, it is critical to regularly update their internal processes in response to the changes in the market. The most efficient way to do this, is to stay up-to-date with their technology stack. But too many companies still hold on to legacy solutions.
Your current software solution may have served you excellently, when it was first installed. By now, it's probably become critical to your day-to-day operations; and with your processes developed around it, it now appears indispensable.
There may even be the fear that any disruption will result in lost business and potential regulatory problems.
However, at some point, you need to face the fact that the technology is beginning to show its age.
Legacy software solutions rarely integrate well with newer hardware and software systems. Gartner describes the difficulty in making outdated technology work with new solutions as “one of the IT world’s most significant challenges.
But what is a legacy solution?
The term is often used to describe technology which is getting old, possibly no longer in production or has any support available.
Managing your business with a technology stack that is no longer current or supported, is a risky move that can will come at a high cost to your business, affecting continuity, security, and reliability.
Here are some ways that using legacy software solutions can hinder business growth:
- Outdated software does not receive updates or patches and thus is no longer protected against known exploits. They are susceptible to security vulnerabilities and are much more likely to be infected with malware.
- If an end user is not aware that their legacy application is no longer officially supported, vital data can be lost, as users tend to be relaxed about security.
- Ensuring outdated technology can produce data in a format that's compatible with modern systems requires additional expense in money and time. It's estimated that up to 80% of federal IT funds go to supporting legacy systems today. Even the Pentagon uses 1970s-era computing systems that requires the U.S. government to spend around $60 billion a year on operating and maintaining these out-of-date technologies.
The continued use of legacy IT solutions affects the ability of such systems to adapt to modern productivity, security, and privacy requirements.
When you do decide that it's time to replace your legacy solution and implement new software, it's just as important to upgrade with the right tools.
One report by Vanson Bourne found that organizations that modernized their legacy IT solutions reduced their business operational costs by 13%. However, finding a capable, flexible all-in-one system isn't a walk in the park. This is what leads to development of an internal homegrown system, hand-coded over time.
But in many organizations, many of these systems do not “talk” to each other very well. Poor communication between vital systems and departments leaves businesses with silos of data and no clear picture of the whole organization.
Another option to consider is to deploy an all-in-one, horizontal market solution that can be adapted to meet the specific needs of your business, like Microsoft Dynamics 365. More a platform than a software, Dynamics 365 integrates all your systems from email and customer relations management to accounting and operations, providing visibility into the data needed to optimize and automate your business.
Why Microsoft Dynamics 365?
Here are 4 challenges that an ERP like Dynamics 365 solves:
- Automate Processes with Microsoft Flow: Fed up with doing repetitive tasks? Businesses across industry segment can benefit from streamlining and automating business processes. Microsoft Flow allows you to design automated workflows and save time by linking apps and services like Dynamics 365, Dropbox, OneDrive etc.
- Solve Unique Challenges with custom Apps: With Microsoft’s PowerApp platform, non-coders can construct apps, completely from scratch, that are capable of solving challenges unique to your business. For those apps that almost get the job done, PowerApps can help extend app capabilities to boost app capability and improve business processes.
- Extending to Meet Industry Needs with AppSource: It’s frustrating not being able to find the right app to help drive growth and profit. But Microsoft AppSource can help users find SaaS apps, add-ins, and content packs from Microsoft and its partners. AppSource allows users to filter and find apps by category, industry, or by Microsoft product. This feature ensures that users can access industry-specific business apps, that which are compatible with the software they already use.
- Improve Productivity by Integrating with Office 365 & Outlook: In the quest to empower teams and boost productivity, businesses choose to use software that integrates seamlessly with others – such as ERP and email. Dynamics 365 can be integrated with Outlook allowing users track emails, create tasks and even edit quotes directly from the Outlook app. Users can amend key data offline and have it automatically synchronized when reconnected.
Upgrading to Microsoft Dynamics 365 can help users manage their businesses with a single, comprehensive solution; one that can manage finances, operations, sales and customer service.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one business management solution that helps organizations streamline business processes, improve customer interactions and enable growth.
Are you ready to transform your business and not hamper it's growth by relying legacy solutions? Platforms like Microsoft Dynamics ERP are designed to get you up and running quickly.
Finding the right implementation partner can be another major hurdle for businesses. Aim to find one that:
- has done implementations for a company like yours before.
- will be available before, during, and after implementation.
- have the right combination of technical expertise and product knowledge to help your business.
At Admiral Consulting Group, we have successfully implemented modern ERP systems for many clients, whether they're new to using an ERP or upgrading from a legacy solution.
If you want to discover how Microsoft Dynamics 365 can help you streamline your daily operations, and help surmount challenges, click here to chat with an Admiral representative now.
We’d love to hear about your business and how we can help you to be more productive.
Difference between Moving Average & Weighted Average
One Provider, One Crowe for Integrated ERP and CRM
Barcodes & QRCodes in Dynamics 365 Business Central SaaS
Testing Barcodes & QR Codes in Dynamics 365 Business Central SaaS
MY QUESTION TO MICROSOFT
“I would need to understand (and to have some examples if possible) what is the best solution to use Barcode in MSDYN365 SaaS since it is not possible to install fonts on MSDYN365 SaaS to date by, In this case I would need the GS1-128 barcode font”
Example with barcode font GS1-128 (ex EAN-18)
Barcode in RDLC and Word Layout Reports
We would need to use both RDLC and Word Layout reports if possible (for WL I tried to use fonts embedded in DOCX but I did not print them, system in SaaS replace the embedded fonts barcode during printing)
I have seen these solutions \ workarounds in the forums\internet
- Barcode Font in Business Central
- Barcode implemented through API and without .Net Variables.
https://community.dynamics.com/business/f/758/t/299392
OFFICIAL ANSWER FROM MICROSOFT
.NET Azure Function or wait for Spring 2019
“Standard barcode font are not available in Dynamics 365 Business Central SaaS, the solution proposed in the blogs looks quite possible.”
Basically these could be:
- Find out in the market a service – if exists – where you send a string and it returns the barcode image (encapsulated in a JSON array, or in another flavor)
- Create a .NET Azure Function that takes a string and return the barcode image
#1 – BARCODE WITH “JSONMethods” and “RESTWebService”
From GITHUB Microsoft AL Question: “What is the Best Practice for creating 2D/3D Barcodes in Extensions without .NET? Currently we create an Image which will be Stream as Blob to RDLC Report Layout.”
https://github.com/Microsoft/AL/issues/744
“JSONMethods” and “RESTWebService”
- Original AL Code taken from Kaufmann (GitHub), few modified for compatibly to Business Central C SaaS October’s release (area, captions, permissions etc.)
https://github.com/ajkauffmann/ALWebServiceExamples
Free Barcode generator http://www.barcodes4.me/
- I Added a RDLC report to test barcode reading
Elements
- Barcode Tables
- Barcode Pages
- Barcode RDLC Report
- Codeunits for JSONMethods and RESTWebService
- Permissions Sets
On “Barcode” Page
- Click on “Generate Barcode” button
- Barcode picture will be generated
RDLC Report
- Report “Barcode List” print Barcode Pictures for reading testing
TEC-IT.COM
With “Long Barcodes”, you can have some reading error; in this case, you can use this other Free Barcode generator by “Tec-it.com”.
https://www.tec-it.com/en/software/Default.aspx
Example creation of GS1-12 font On-Demand
https://barcode.tec-it.com/en/EANUCC128?data=122RS_BarGS1128
Example of Direct Download from generated link
TEST WITH Tec-it.com AND WORD LAYOUT REPORT
- Change “Arguments.URL” in “InitArgument” Local Procedure in this way:
local procedure InitArguments(var Arguments: Record RESTWebServiceArguments temporary; Barcode: Record Barcode)
var
BaseURL: Text;
TypeHelper: Codeunit “Type Helper”;
begin
BaseURL := ‘https://barcode.tec-it.com/barcode’;
Arguments.URL := ‘https://barcode.tec-it.com/barcode.ashx?data=’ + TypeHelper.UrlEncode(Barcode.Value) +
‘&code=Code128&multiplebarcodes=false&translate-esc=false&unit=Fit&dpi=96&imagetype=Png’;
Arguments.RestMethod := Arguments.RestMethod::get;
end;
Font dimensions: you can define dimensions (DPI, WIDTH, HEIGHT) in this way:
<img src=’https://barcode.tec-it.com/barcode.ashx?data=ABC-abc-1234&code=Code128&multiplebarcodes=false&translate-esc=false&unit=Px&dpi=96&imagetype=Gif&rotation=0&color=%23000000&bgcolor=%23ffffff&modulewidth=2&height=200‘ alt=’Barcode Generator TEC-IT’/>
- Create a new Word Layout for report
BARCODE – WORD LAYOUT REPORT – DESIGN MODE
Launch the Word Layout Report
RESULTS
- Printed from Dynamics 365 Business Central SaaS
Source Code link https://github.com/rstefanetti/AL-Samples/tree/Barcode_AL
Example of “Production Order Report” in Word Layout with Barcode
ASPOSE.BarCode
Another great resource is ASPOSE.COM
https://www.nuget.org/packages/Aspose.BarCode/
This Technology Based on Entity Framework
“Entity Framework is Microsoft’s recommended data access technology for new applications.”
https://www.nuget.org/packages/EntityFramework/
https://github.com/Microsoft/AL/issues/2104
#2 – BARCODE AND QRCODE WITH AZURE FUNCTIONS (FUNCTIONS APPS)
2A – TESTING “AZURE FUNCTIONS”
What are Azure Functions?
“Azure Function (Function App) is one elegant way of replacing your .NET interoperability code with something else is by using Azure Functions”, as defined by Microsoft (updated definition): Azure Functions is a serverless event driven experience that extends the existing Azure App Service platform. These nano-services can scale based on demand and you pay only for the resources you consume.”
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-functions/functions-overview
Azure Functions in Dynamics NAV and Dynamics 365 Business Central
Great Demo “How-to” Call Azure Functions on Dynamics NAV\Business Central on Vjeko Post http://vjeko.com/invoking-azure-functions-al/
- Example: Create a New Functions Apps
- Create a new HTTPTrigger Function
Calling Azure Function in AL
- Example in Microsoft AL
Define Variabiles To call the Defined Azure Functions
- Client
- Content
- Response
Demo objects uploaded on GITHUB
Link https://github.com/rstefanetti/AL-Samples/blob/Barcode_AL/Barcode.zip
2B – TESTING “BARCODES AND QRCODES” WITH AZURE FUNCTION
Azure Functions is a serverless event driven experience that extends the existing Azure App Service platform. These nano-services can scale based on demand and you pay only for the resources you consume.”
SCENARIO: “Create a .NET Azure Function (Azure App) that takes a string and return the Barcode or QR Code images”
Generate Dynamic Barcode Image in Azure Function using Visual Studio, Entity Framework and “Aspose.Barcode”
nice link about Barcode with Entity Framework and Azure Function http://foyzul.com/generate-barcode-image-in-azure-function-using-visual-studio-entity-framework-and-aspose-barcode/
Entity Framework
https://www.nuget.org/packages/EntityFramework/
Create vCard QR Codes using Azure Functions
nice link about direct QR Code Generation https://carlos.mendible.com/2016/08/28/create-vcard-qr-codes-using-azure-functions/
#3 – BARCODE SCANNING WITH POWERAPPS
VERY INTERESTING ARTICLE:
- Create a Barcode scanning app in few minutes
https://powerapps.microsoft.com/it-it/blog/make-barcode-scanning-apps-in-minutes/
How do you get all your separate systems to work together?
XMLPorts Runner for Business Central SaaS
XMLPorts Runner for Business Central SaaS
It’s possible to recall XMLPorts (Xmlport.Import and Xmlport.Export properties) using the STREAM objects (InStream and OutStream), in this way it is possible to pass the source files (input \ output) in the STREAMS and to pass it in execution to the XMLPort in order to be processed; very useful function for Dynamics 365 Business Central SaaS.
UPLOADINTOSTREAM and DOWNLOADFROMSTREAM
[Ok :=] UPLOADINTOSTREAM(DialogTitle, FromFolder, FromFilter, FromFile, NVInStream)
“Sends a file from Microsoft Dynamics NAV Server computer to the client computer.”
[Ok :=] DOWNLOADFROMSTREAM(VarInstream, DialogTitle, ToFolder, ToFilter, ToFile)
“Sends a file from the client computer to the corresponding Microsoft Dynamics NAV Server”
Procedures for STREAMS (for XMLPorts and Reports)
procedure RunXMLPortImport()
var
FileInstream: InStream;
FileName: Text;
begin
UploadIntoStream(”,”,”,FileName,FileInstream);
Xmlport.Import(Xmlport::MyXmlportImportCustomer,FileInStream);
Message(‘Import Done successfully.’);
end;
XMLPortExport
procedure RunXMLPortExport()
var
TempBlob: Record TempBlob;
FileName: Text;
MyOutStream: OutStream;
MyInStream: InStream;
outputFileName: Text;
begin
TempBlob.Blob.CREATEOUTSTREAM(MyOutStream);
Xmlport.Export(Xmlport::MyXmlportImportCustomer,MyOutStream);
TempBlob.Blob.CREATEINSTREAM(MyInStream);
outputFileName := ‘MyOutput.xml’;
DownloadFromStream(MyInStream,”,”,”,outputFileName); //Save in Download folder
Message(‘Export Done successfully.’);
end;
XMLPorts RUNNER – DEMO
I attached a code example (and an Ready-to-use APP) to launch XMLPorts from a page in a dynamic way, useful for Dynamics 365 Business Central SaaS.
Objects in APP:
- Page Pag50142.XMLPortsRunner (Page to launch XMLPorts with STREAMS)
- XMLPort Xml50140.InventoryItems (XMLPort to import Inventory Adjustements)
RUN
- Page XMLPorts – RUNNER
Source and APP in MyGitHUb page
https://github.com/rstefanetti/AL-Samples/tree/XMLPorts-Runner/XMLPorts%20Runner
Source https://robertostefanettinavblog.com/2019/01/03/xmlports-runner-for-business-central-saas/