This month’s topic is a broad question: Is AI for you? Having recently attended the Microsoft Power Platform Conference (MPPC24), the relevance of this question has struck me even more. The event, held just over three weeks ago, highlighted a multitude of sessions where AI was a central component of many of the technologies and platforms discussed. The takeaway? The answer to the question is a resounding yes. But the real question we should be asking is: What’s the best way to embrace AI? AI is everywhere, and most businesses are already utilizing it in one way or another. It’s becoming so pervasive that I half-jokingly wonder if the new toothbrush I just bought might have AI built into it!
At MPPC24, one statement stood out to me, though I can’t recall who said it. The core idea, however, has stuck with me: Early iterations of Microsoft’s Copilot, were built around a question-and-answer model. Users often approached it with the mindset of “How do I get Copilot to do exactly what I want it to do? How can I ask it a question and receive the answer I’m expecting?”
However, the next phase of AI development is taking a different approach. It’s no longer about AI simply being a passive tool that responds to requests. Instead, AI — particularly in platforms like Copilot — is evolving into more of a co-worker. It’s designed to challenge us, assist us, and bring out the best in us. It’s moving beyond answering simple questions to become a partner that enhances decision-making and productivity. One example from MPPC24 was a demo of being able to describe what you need help with, record a demo of the process, and upload files involved and have a solution designed based on all the information.
Highlights from MPCC24
Some key takeaways from MPCC24, in my opinion, include:
- Better Natural Language Processing (NLP): Copilot now has improved NLP, making it easier for you to talk to the system naturally. You can ask more complex questions and get detailed, accurate answers quickly.
- Improved Predictive Analytics: Copilot’s predictive analytics have been fine-tuned to offer more accurate forecasts. By looking at past data and spotting trends, Copilot helps businesses plan.
- Automated Workflows: AI integration means that routine tasks can now be automated with minimal human help. This not only lightens the load for your staff but also ensures tasks are done consistently and accurately.
- AI-Driven Insights: Copilot now provides deeper insights by analyzing data across different modules within Business Central. This holistic view helps users spot correlations and make well-informed decisions.
How AI is Embedded into Business Central
As Business Central users, we’ve had access to Copilot for a while now, and with each new release, its capabilities improve. The potential AI offers for Business Central will continue to grow, helping us automate tasks, enhance decision-making, and optimize operations. That said, I often remind myself of Microsoft’s commitment to an agile development model, which means not every feature is fully polished right away. Copilot is no exception to this.
While the early iterations may not have included every feature or level of sophistication, the continuous improvements and updates bring the promise of more robust and powerful tools. One example of this would be the Bank Account reconciliation, with the right conditions this is a helpful tool. If you have a complex bank setup with multiple banks it may not work as well as one would hope. I’ve heard mixed reviews from users on it.
If you search for Copilot in Business Central and select “Copilot & AI Capabilities,” you will be brought to a page that will list the generally available and production-ready previews available. For each of these you can select “Learn More” to read more about each function.
Final Thoughts
I envision a day when, through the chat, we are able to have Copilot create a sales report with a few prompts rather than provide directions on how to do it, or Copilot will suggest when I should consider changing a lead time for an item based on data related to receive dates and order dates in the system.
Another great use would be if Copilot would be able to assist with my warehouse and recommend when I need to change the size of a bin or the number of dedicated bins for an item passed on the history and future demand.
So, is AI for you? If you’re using Business Central, the answer is yes. But the real opportunity lies in discovering how to best harness AI’s potential to elevate your work, processes, and outcomes. AI is not just a tool—it’s a teammate. Are you ready to embrace it?
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