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AccSoft
18
Aug
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Implementing Microsoft Shopify Connector: A Step-by-Step Guide for Retailers 

With eCommerce growth on a continuous basis, disruption-free on-line front-end shop and back-office business integration for retailers is required. Customers of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central have out-of-the-box synchronisation of data between Shopify and Business Central with increased functionality through the Microsoft Shopify Connector. It eradicates man-Labor drudgery, errors, and single version of truth in customers, sales, and products.  In this blog, we’ll walk through the key steps, benefits, and considerations when implementing the Microsoft Shopify Connector.  Why Use the Microsoft Shopify Connector?  Before diving into the setup, it’s important to understand why businesses choose this connector:  Native Integration: Built by Microsoft, it connects Shopify directly to Business Central without requiring third-party middleware.  Centralized Management: Sync products, prices, customers, and orders from one system.  Scalability: Handle numerous Shopify stores from one Business Central tenant.  Automation: Auto-enter data by synchronizing orders, stock, and returns.  Key Connector Features  Product Synchronization:  Synchronize products in Business Central as Shopify products.  Inventory Updates: Update warehouse-to-store inventories synchronously.  Price & Discount Management: Sync centrally in Business Central for price and discounts.  Customer Records: Automate to create or update customer records in Business Central.  Order Processing: Sync Shopify orders to Business Central for shipping and invoicing.  Multi-Store Support: Sync multiple Shopify stores to one Business Central environment.  Install the Microsoft Shopify Connector  1. Set Up Your Shopify and Business Central Accounts  Make sure Dynamics 365 Business Central is online (the connector will not work with on-premises).  Make sure your Shopify store is live and admin credentials are available.   2. Install Shopify Connector Extension in Business Central  Go to Business Central AppSource.  Search for Shopify Connector and install.  Shopify Shop Card pages will be available in Business Central when installed.   3. Setup Shopify Shop Settings  Create a new Shopify Shop Card in Business Central.  Provide your Shopify store URL and API access token.  Set up synchronization settings: products, orders, customers, and inventory refresh.  4. Map Products and Customers  Map Business Central item numbers with Shopify product SKUs.  Set up how the new Shopify customers must be handled (e.g., send to default customer or as separate customers).   5. Set up Synchronization Rules  Set up sync time (manual, schedule, or automatic).  Set up price, tax, and discount sync between systems.  Set up returns/refund handling in Business Central.  6. Test the Integration  Test sync on a few products and orders.  Make sure that the inventory sync is updating correctly between Shopify and Business Central.  Ensure customer and order history are being properly created.  7. Go Live and Monitor  Activate full sync for products and orders.  Train employees to process order, product update, and refund.  Utilize dashboards in Business Central to track performance.  Best Practices for a Successful Implementation  Start with a Pilot Store: Sync one Shopify store to pilot before scaling to lots.  Purify Your Data First: Sync SKUs, prices, and inventory in that order before syncing.  Keep an Eye Out Periodically: Use the job queue logs in Business Central to check periodically for sync failure.  Use Extensions: If your Shopify deployment is complex (e.g., custom applications, intricate discounts), then consider extending the connector through custom development.  Microsoft Shopify Connector is a merchant business facilitator that offers easy, native web-based shop and ERP integration for merchants who require it. Utilizing the connector in the right way allows businesses to:  Avoid repeated data entry  Gain real-time visibility into sales and stock  Improve customer satisfaction via seamless order fulfillment  Whether you have one Shopify store or a multitude of online stores, this connector will help you synchronize activity and grow successfully. 
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15
Aug
By No Comments

Understanding Dimensions in Business Central: Tips for Better Reporting 

For financial and operational reporting in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, there’s one thing most well-known for its flexibility and power: Dimensions. Regardless of your job title as a finance manager, business analyst, or ERP consultant, knowing about dimensions can make a big difference in how accurate, relevant, and useful your reports become.  In this blog post, we will unscramble what dimensions are, how and why they are useful, and how to use them properly for better reporting.  What Are Dimensions in Business Central?  Dimensions in Business Central are labels or characteristics that you assign to entries like general ledger postings, purchases, sales, or inventory movements. These labels allow you to categorize and report on data in a way that makes sense to your business.  Think of them as fields that you can customize to answer critical questions like:  Which department made this purchase?  Which project does this cost belong to?  To which region or cost center does this revenue belong?  Types of Dimensions  Global Dimensions  These are the two dimensions you will use most frequently in filters, reports, and analysis views.  They’re found right on most transactional pages and reports (e.g., Department and Project).  Shortcut Dimensions  You can define up to 8 shortcut dimensions for convenience on journals and documents.  They also exist for filtering and analysis, but not as widely as the global ones.  Default Dimensions  Defined at master data level (i.e., customers, vendors, items, G/L accounts).  Tag dimensions automatically when entering data.  Why Dimensions Matter for Reporting  Dimensions eliminate the need for a complex and long chart of accounts by enabling you to slice and dice data by any material category. Instead of opening multiple accounts for each department or location, you simply tag entries with dimensions.  Benefits are:  Improved data consistency:  Default dimensions automatically code entries correctly without reliance on memory.  Flexible analysis:  Use combinations of dimensions to build in-depth reports by customer segment, campaign, cost center, etc.  Improved decision-making:  Improved visibility into performance by business unit, product, geographies, or any custom dimension.  Dimensions Effectively: Best Practices  1. Start with an Overt Dimension Plan  Before setting up dimensions, determine what you want to track. Typical examples:  Department  Project  Customer Group  Location  Salesperson  Cost Center  Choose handy names and avoid duplicates or conflicting values.  2. Limit Global Dimensions to High-Usage Tags  Since only two can be global, choose the most used in filters and reports.  3. Define Default Dimensions for Master Records  This reduces time and errors while inputting data. For example:  Make “Marketing” the vendor of the Marketing department.  Make “Project A” a specific job or project.  4. Employ Dimension Combinations to Prevent Invalid Entries  Dimension combinations enable you to define values that are blocked or permitted together. This preserves data.  5. Train Users in Dimension Significance  All data entry users must understand the reason for dimensions in business and how to apply them in a uniform way.  6. Use Analysis Views  Analysis Views allow you to create multidimensional reports based on global and shortcut dimensions. They are especially useful for slicing financial data without resorting to external tools.  Shared Dimension-Driven Reports  Profit & Loss by Department  Sales by Product Line and Region  Expenses by Project  Budget vs. Actuals   These you can see through-out-of-the-box reports or build through custom reports with:  Financial Reporting  Power BI (advanced visualizations)  Final Thoughts  Dimensions in Business Central are more than a tagging system; they are the foundation of productive, flexible, and accurate reporting. By adopting a smart dimension strategy, training your staff, and leveraging built-in capability, you can translate powerful insights into wiser business decisions.  Require help configuring Business Central dimensions?  Reach out to our team for tailored consulting and reporting services suited for your business needs. 
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The Power of the Microsoft Ecosystem: Why Business Central Wins
08
Aug
By No Comments

The Power of the Microsoft Ecosystem: Why Business Central Wins

In today’s fast-paced digital economy, companies are always looking for agility, integration, and scalability. When companies expand, their technology needs expansion as well, and the selection of the proper ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solution lies at the core of ultimate success. And that solution is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, a contemporary ERP solution that not only excels on its own but also shines in the broader Microsoft ecosystem. Why the Ecosystem Matters Not only is Business Central strong in what it can do, but it’s natively part of Microsoft’s business application suite. With a more interconnected world, a stand-alone ERP can sometimes be more of a limitation than a benefit. The Microsoft platform breaks down those silos by linking data, people, and processes across applications to make your business smarter and more productive. This is how Business Central, as a member of the Microsoft family, delivers real value: 1. Seamless Integration with Microsoft 365 Business Central is integrated naturally with well-known applications such as Outlook, Excel, Teams, etc., so users can work where they’re most comfortable. Want to send an invoice from Outlook? No problem. Need to adjust financial information in Excel and feed it back? It’s onboard. This simplicity of use drives faster adaptation, lowers training, and increases productivity, a massive advantage for expanding businesses. 2. Effortless Collaboration with Microsoft Teams Collaboration is more important than ever in a hybrid work environment. With Business Central in Microsoft Teams, staff members can see, work on, and discuss real-time business data without leaving the application. This unites teams, keeps them connected, and makes them responsive. 3. Single View of Truth Across the Platform When Business Central is integrated with Power BI, Power Apps, and Dataverse, companies can reorganize raw data into full-fledged insights. Picture dashboards that refresh automatically, workflows that eliminate mundane workloads, and custom applications designed to fit your very business workflows, all on a secure and scalable foundation. 4. Scalability with Azure Cloud Hosted on Microsoft Azure, Business Central is designed for scale and security. Whether you have a small business or an enterprise with sophisticated operations, you can scale up (or down) without hesitation. With high availability, backup, and compliance built in, your data is safe and available anywhere, everywhere. 5. Enhanced Business Intelligence with Power Platform With the Power Platform, companies can leverage Business Central with no heavy programming. Need to automate approval processes? Develop a Power Automate flow. Want to build a custom application for field workers? Utilize Power Apps. All of them include natural Business Central integration, uniform user experience, and efficient development. 6. Single Vendor. Unified Vision. Complete Alignment. Operating in the Microsoft ecosystem guarantees a one-vendor solution that streamlines support, billing, security, and updates. With Microsoft at the forefront of developing AI (Copilot), cloud computing, and enterprise tech, customers gain access to continuous optimization and future-proof tools without needing to juggle multiple fragmented platforms. Why Business Central Wins Business Central is more than an ERP system. It’s the hub of a robust, integrated ecosystem that extends to productivity, collaboration, intelligence, and cloud infrastructure. No matter what your focus is, finances, operations, sales, or supply chain, Business Central provides an integrated experience that’s difficult to match. In an integrated world that needs data-driven and agile, Business Central stands out not only for what it can do, but where it needs to be.
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Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf ERP: Why Business Central Strikes the Right Balance
31
Jul
By No Comments

Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf ERP: Why Business Central Strikes the Right Balance

Choosing an ERP solution is a fundamental decision for any growing business. Maybe one of the first dilemmas that organizations encounter is whether to go for bespoke ERP software or off-the-shelf. Although both approaches have their advantages, both come with concessions. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is the compromise that gets the best of two worlds effective standardization and adaptable customization. The Custom ERP Dilemma Custom ERP is developed from the ground up to perfectly suit specific business needs. Companies turn to custom ERP when they feel that their procedures are too unique for a box solution. The attraction is obvious: complete control, perfect fit, and no sacrifices. However, custom ERP also comes with severe disadvantages: The Off-the-Shelf ERP Advantage Off-the-shelf ERP software delivers built-in functions with tried performance. Off-the-shelf ERP solutions already consist of pre-defined finance, supply chain, inventory, HR, and other modules. Advantages are: Off-the-shelf ERP is not perfect, though: Why Business Central Gets It Just Right Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central delivers a cloud-based, modular ERP solution that is extensively configurable, offering a great middle ground between off-the-shelf and custom-made ERP. 1. Industry Capabilities in the Box with Flexibility Business Central, straight out of the box, covers central business processes like accounting, inventory, sales, purchasing, and project management. More advanced requirements can be covered with extensions and customizations via AL coding or Power Platform integration, without re-creating the system from scratch. 2. Scalable and Cloud-Ready No matter what your size, from small to mid-sized, Business Central grows with you. It’s based on the Microsoft ecosystem, delivering reliability, security, and scalability, and updates automatically without altering custom configurations. 3. AppSource Ecosystem Business Central is natively supported by Microsoft AppSource, meaning you can tap into an extensive library of industry apps and add-ins. This allows businesses to deploy only what they need when they need it, without over-engineering the ERP. 4. Low-Code Customization Tools Power Apps, Power Automate, and Dataverse allow business organizations to infuse capabilities with speed through low-code/no-code tools, the most suitable for those who want customization without huge development expenses. 5. Seamless Integration with Microsoft 365 Seamless integration of Microsoft Teams, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and Power BI in Business Central allows natively integrated collaboration, data analysis, and workflow automation with familiar quantities. Final Thoughts While custom ERP may seem like the only solution for meeting special needs, and the off-the-shelf alternatives offer true benefits of ease of use, Business Central shows it is a matter of not having to choose between the two. Its blend of out-of-box functionality, scalable design, and deep capabilities for customization offers the flexibility that modern organizations need, without the burden of beginning with a blank slate. Require an ERP that suits your company without having to start from scratch? Business Central could be your perfect fit.
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How Wholesale Distributors Are Leveraging Business Central for Omnichannel Sales
31
Jul
By No Comments

How Wholesale Distributors Are Leveraging Business Central for Omnichannel Sales

Today’s era of fast distribution, however, makes competitiveness more than simply about filling orders. Wholesale distributors must provide a unified customer experience across all sales channels online, offline, B2B portals, marketplaces, and even direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels. Enter Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: a powerful ERP solution that is enabling distributors to thrive in the omnichannel era. The Omnichannel Imperative for Distributors It is becoming standard for customers to expect that all touchpoints they have with the company are consistently, as well as personally, tailored experiences. It could be a B2B buyer placing the reorder via a portal or consumer retail buying from an eCommerce store of a distributor, but the expectation remains the same: real-time access to inventory, accurate price, quick filling, and clear communication. To deliver these expectations, distributors must integrate their operations, systems, and data. That’s where Business Central shines. Why Business Central Is a Game-Changer for Omnichannel Sales This is how Business Central is enabling wholesale distributors to enable and expand their omnichannel strategy: 1. Integrated Data for Integrated Operations Distributors achieve a single source of truth for inventory, customers, price, and money with Business Central. Whether they sell EDI, online stores, or sales reps, everyone is working off the same real-time information, shattering silos and providing consistency across channels. Example: A distributor sees real-time inventory levels in one location across Shopify and in-store sales. 2. Integrated eCommerce and POS Systems Business Central natively integrates with regular eCommerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento) and POS applications. These offer smooth order integration into Business Central, reducing manual entry and speeding fulfillment. Bonus: Customers see only available stock with real-time sync, and sales reps see multi-channel orders. 3. Automated Discount and Pricing Rules Price and channel discounting must be done manually and are subject to human error. You can assign price rules by customer group, quantity, or promotion campaign across all your channels in Business Central. Example: Automatic tiered discount to a B2B buyer regardless of whether they buy on the web or from a salesperson. 4. Efficient Order Management and Fulfillment Omnichannel selling will create order management fragmentation. Business Central makes things simpler with order-to-cash processes, smart stock allocation, and warehouse automation features. Outcome: Faster, error-free deliveries with real-time visibility into the status of an order. 5. Actionable Insights Across Channels Power BI and dynamic dashboards combined in Business Central provide visibility into channel sales performance, customer activity, and inventory turn. These insights help distributors to make better decisions and react quickly. Example: Identify a sales drop-off in the marketplace and change prices or offers in real-time. 6. Cloud Flexibility and Scalability Business Central grows with distributors when they scale up and add new sales channels or geographic regions. Cloud-based means your employees can view key data anywhere and support remote business easily. A growing distributor can expand globally without affecting core systems. Conclusion: Future-Proofing Distribution with Business Central Wholesale distribution is no longer just about filling in bulk; it’s now about delivering a single, customer-centric experience across all channels. With Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, distributors are not only streamlining processes but are laying the groundwork for successful omnichannel strategies in the long term. Future-proof your wholesale distribution business? Connect with accsoft..
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28
Jul
By , No Comments

Why Professional Services Firms Are Choosing Business Central for Project Accounting 

In the fast-paced world of professional services, where projects are the lifeblood of the business, effective time recording, resource usage, and cost monitoring are imperative. If you’re an engineering company, legal firm, IT consultancy, or creative shop, optimizing client projects can be the difference between profit and loss on your bottom line. That’s why more companies are turning to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for project accounting.  Let’s examine why Business Central is becoming the go-to ERP for project-based businesses.  1. A Single All-in-One Solution for Project and Financial Management  Professional services firms typically employ a suite of stand-alone systems, one for time, another for billing, and yet another for reporting. Business Central does it all:  Project planning & budgeting  Resource assignment  Time and expense capture  Client invoicing  Revenue recognition  Integrated financials  Having a single system to manage your projects and your finances in unison eliminates data entry, reduces errors, and speeds up decision-making.  2. Error-Free Time and Expense Posting  Time is money for professional services. Business Central allows employees to post timesheets and expenses against a specific job, activity, or client. This leads to:  Better billing accuracy  More stable cash flow  Improved profitability analysis  Time tracking can be linked to mobile apps, so it is handy for consultants on the move.  3. Improved Resource Management  Knowing who’s available, what skills they have, and what they’re engaged in is critical to achieving maximum delivery. Business Central enables:  Resource planning based on availability and skills  Capacity forecasting for future projects  Real-time workload allocation visibility  This means less idle time, happier employees, and faster project delivery.  4. Automated Billing and Revenue Recognition  Project-based billing approaches time & materials, fixed cost, or milestone come out of the box in Business Central. You can:  Set up billing rules by project or task  Automatically invoice  Track Work in Progress (WIP)  Comply with IFRS/GAAP revenue recognition rules  This ensures transparency for your customers and compliance for your auditors.  5. Scalable and Cloud-Based  Professional services businesses are growing faster than ever. You have a 10-employee business or a 500-employee company, Business Central grows with you. As a cloud-born solution, it delivers:  Anywhere, anytime access  Integration with Microsoft 365 and Teams  Lower infrastructure costs  Cyclically updated features  And you enjoy Microsoft’s enterprise-grade security and compliance.  6. Customizable and Extensible  Each firm is different. Business Central offers intrinsic flexibility and a vast marketplace of industry-specific extensions for:  Contract management  Advanced time tracking  Payroll and HR integration  Project forecasting and analytics  That is, you can apply Business Central to align your exact business model, without an overly complex custom build.  Final Thoughts  Project-based companies need more than bookkeeping software; they need a platform that can manage the entire project life cycle from proposal to payment. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is exactly that.  Through the integration of project accounting, operations, and finance in a single location, Business Central allows professional services organizations to serve more efficiently, raise profitability, and develop with confidence. 
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