Author: Ian Grieve

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1.

The 7th of the new functionality in the Development section is use the OData V4 IN operator in web service queries.

Integrators can now use OData IN operator when querying Business Central web services. This can simplify OData queries and therefore make integrations easier to develop.

Enabled for: Users by admins, makers, or analysts
Public Preview: Apr 2024
General Availability: Apr 2024

Feature Details

Prior to this release, a developer who wanted to query an OData endpoint—for example, to query an API for a (short) list of Customer numbers—would have to write a filter expression such as $filter=CustomerNo eq '10000' or CustomerNo eq '20000' or CustomerNo eq '30000'.

With this release, they can just write $filter=CustomerNo IN ('10000','20000','30000') by using the OData IN operator.

My Opinion

I’m not a developer anymore, but I approve of this type of change which allows for simplified syntax.

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1.

The 6th of the new functionality in the Development section is write flexible and performant code with NumberSequences.

Improvements to NumberSequences date type streamline the development and execution of code that creates and manages number sequences in the database, resulting in increased efficiency and speed.

Enabled for: Users by admins, makers, or analysts
Public Preview: Apr 2024
General Availability: Apr 2024

Feature Details

This release offers the following improvements to the NumberSequences data type:

• New Restart operation
  Prior to this release, a number sequence had to be deleted and recreated to restart it. Now, a new Restart operation simplifies and speeds up this process. The operation has the following syntax:

  Restart(name: text; seed: BigInteger; CompanySpecific: bool)

• New RangeStart operation
  A new RangeStart operation allows developers to request multiple values from the number sequence at once, meaning no gaps, and fewer SQL round-trips. The operation has the following syntax:

  RangeStart : = Range(name: text; count: integer; CompanySpecific: bool);

• Improved Next, Current, and Exists operations
  These operations are now 8 to 32 percent faster.

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1.

The 5th of the new functionality in the Development section is use AL-controlled barcode scanning for all scenarios.

The barcode scanner in the mobile app increases productivity for warehouse users because they can scan barcodes using the dedicated barcode scanner. This enables new warehouse scenarios in Business Central, and opens new opportunities for partners to create advanced experiences with barcode scanners.

Enabled for: Admins, makers, marketers, or analysts, automatically
Public Preview: Apr 2024
General Availability: Apr 2024

Feature Details

The capabilities included in the new Business Central mobile app introduced in the last release weren’t fully available for all scenarios in Business Central online.

Now, all scenarios are fully ready and enabled for both Business Central online and on-premises. These scenarios include event-driven barcode scanning using compatible high-end laser scanners on devices running Android OS. To learn more about the scenarios, go to Adding barcode scanning to the mobile app.

The following are additional details about the new capabilities:

• There’s a new way to use client extensibilities via control add-ins. Developers must declare AL usercontrol on their pages using the APIs provided for the control add-ins (see the GitHub link below).
• It’s important to note that compared to the existing control add-ins, the new ones don’t have a UI, which means that there isn’t an iFrame embedded on the page or any visual indicator. Additionally, no scripting or styling functionality can be provided either.
• Update your code to uptake this functionality and use the control add-ins.
• Mobile device is using Business Central mobile app version 4.0 or later. To download the latest version, go to https://aka.ms/bcmobileapp.
• Dedicated barcode scanners must be running Android 11 or later.

For more guidance, go to GitHub repository with the Camera Barcode Scanner Provider.

My Opinion

I have an upcoming project which requires barcode scanning so it will be interesting to see if we can use the standard functionality (with a little developer-added enhancements) instead of buying a third-party warehousing system (the client doesn’t actually require anything too complex.

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1.

The 4th of the new functionality in the Development section is use in-client page scripting tool for acceptance testing.

With the page scripting tool, customers and consultants can easily record and replay user acceptance tests directly in the Business Central web client.

Enabled for: Users, automatically
Public Preview: Apr 2024
General Availability: Apr 2024

Feature Details

The page scripting tool in the Business Central web client allows you to record your actions, such as opening pages or entering data, and replay them. You can save the recording and share it with others for future playback. An important use case for the tool is capturing and executing user acceptance tests, which is also the initial focus for this release wave.

Open the tool

In the web client, the page scripting tool is accessed from the Settings menu (cog wheel icon). The Page Scripting action, however, only appears if you have record or playback permission to use the tool.

Continue reading “New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1: Use In-client Page Scripting Tool for Acceptance Testing”

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1.

The 9th of the new functionality in the Copilot and AI innovation section is chat with Copilot.

For Microsoft’s customers, much of their workday revolves around chatting with coworkers, customers, and vendors to get insights and solve problems. Now, Dynamics 365 Copilot helps them continue the conversation in Business Central with AI-powered chat alongside their data. Copilot in Business Central transforms how people approach business applications by empowering workers to express themselves using their own language.

Enabled for: Users, automatically
Public Preview: Apr 2024
General Availability: –

Feature Details

While in preview, Copilot will be able to assist with the following:

• Quickly find and go to your data by expressing what you’re looking for in natural language. Locate pages by name or one or more records based on their fields and constraints. For example, tell Copilot: "Show me the latest sales order for Adatum."
• Explain and guide to learn about Business Central concepts or how to accomplish tasks, based on Business Central’s extensive online documentation. For example, ask Copilot: "How do I save my list filters so that I can use them again later?"

Watch the video

Continue reading “New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1: Chat with Copilot”

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1.

The 26th of the new functionality in the Application section is view incoming documents in archived quotes and orders.

The ability to view incoming documents added to sales and purchase quotes and orders, even after they are archived, enhances your document management efficiency, ensures seamless access to critical information, supports informed decisions, and reduces administrative overhead.

Enabled for: Users, automatically
Public Preview: Mar 2024
General Availability: Apr 2024

Feature Details

After you archive purchase and sales quotes and orders, either manually or automatically, the archived version of those documents contains the incoming document you attached before you archived them.

For example, let’s say you attached an incoming document to a purchase order, and then fully received and invoiced the order.

Continue reading “New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1: View Incoming Documents in Archived Quotes and Orders”

This post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1.

The 25th of the new functionality in the Application section is assign salesperson to customer ship-to addresses.

Assign salespeople to the shipping location rather than the billing address to ensure accurate sales reports by reflecting the true geographical distribution of your sales. Assigning a salesperson to a customer’s ship-to address gives you more precise insights, optimizes resource allocation, and drives strategic growth in your business.

Enabled for: Users, automatically
Public Preview: Mar 2024
General Availability: Apr 2024

Feature Details

You can assign a salesperson on the Customer card page by choosing Customer, and then Ship-To Addresses to open the Ship-to Addresses List page. Choose Manage, and then Edit to open the Ship-to Address card page. Enter or choose a Salesperson Code to select the salesperson who is responsible for the customer’s ship-to address.

Continue reading “New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1: Assign Salesperson to Customer Ship-to Addresses”