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View the original post at: https://blog.steveendow.com/2018/10/im-kid-in-microsoft-candy-store.html
By Steve Endow
It’s a great time to be working with Microsoft products.
Microsoft Azure, for example, has a vast and impressive array of services. Take a look at this extensive list:
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/
It’s a tech enthusiast’s dream, offering a wealth of exciting services to explore, master, and provide to clients.
Then there’s the Microsoft Power Platform.
https://dynamics.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-power-platform/
The Power Platform includes:
- PowerApps: A platform empowering citizen developers to build applications that function seamlessly in web browsers and on mobile devices.
- Power BI: A powerful tool for reporting, analysis, and data visualization.
- Microsoft Flow: A no-code solution for automating tasks and workflows, connecting to numerous systems and data sources.
For those in the ERP domain, the relatively new Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365 BC) offers a wealth of features and learning resources. This SaaS ERP solution inherits most of Dynamics NAV’s functionality but is designed to work with the AL programming language, fully supported by the VS Code IDE.
Beyond learning a new, feature-rich ERP system, those with technical skills can readily learn the AL programming language and develop basic extensions for Business Central. At the recent Directions NA conference, sessions demonstrated how to create custom pages in Business Central in just an hour. The ease of customization was remarkable.
And then there are APIs! Business Central APIs currently adhere to the Microsoft REST API guidelines, providing a robust combination of REST and OData query syntax. Microsoft is also integrating support for the Open API Specification 3.0, which includes Swagger. Swagger enables direct viewing and testing of APIs within a web browser, making them accessible to developers and non-technical users.
(The blurry photo was taken quickly during a presentation.)
As if excellent APIs weren’t enough, Microsoft is also adding Webhooks to Business Central. Webhooks are HTTP “callbacks” that allow applications to make outbound calls when events happen. For instance, if your e-commerce system needs to know when a customer address changes in Business Central, you can register a webhook. Business Central will then notify your e-commerce system automatically.
This feature addresses a challenge often encountered in the ERP landscape, particularly with systems like Dynamics GP.
And if that’s not enough, Microsoft Dynamics GP 2018 R2, released this week, introduces several new features and support for the “Intelligent Edge.” This new service enables GP users to upload ERP data to Business Central, leveraging its dashboards and analytical capabilities.
There are numerous learning opportunities associated with these Microsoft products and services. Online documentation, tutorials, YouTube videos, the Dynamics Learning Portal, and conferences like Directions NA, Directions EMEA, Dynamics Communities Summit, Microsoft Business Applications Summit, and Microsoft Ignite all offer valuable resources.
With so many new tools and technologies emerging, there’s a wealth of opportunities to learn and grow. I’m excited to be a part of this new generation of Microsoft technologies.
Steve Endow is a Microsoft MVP in Los Angeles. He owns Precipio Services, which provides Dynamics GP integrations, customizations, and automation solutions.
You can find him on Twitter, YouTube, and Google+
http://www.precipioservices.com
