In November we traveled to Vienna, where Microsoft Directions 2024 took place. This annual event is the meeting place for Microsoft partners worldwide and offers an exclusive insight into the latest innovations within Business Central and the Power Platform. Business Central has experienced significant growth since 2018. There are now around 40,000 Business Central customers worldwide. Below are news and insights that we took away from the event for you.

New dynamics

For years, Microsoft has seen its business partners as the first point of contact for customers. It was impressive to see that there were 3,000 visitors. More and more women and young professionals are taking their place, which provides a breath of fresh air and a new dynamic. These new community members offer opportunities for more diversity and innovation within our industry.

AI as a driving force

AI was the main topic of conversation during the event. One of the most impressive developments is the introduction of the Copilot Sales Agent, which can independently process orders in Business Central. This smart technology can interpret incoming orders, enter them and answer customer questions. The role of the user changes from executor of tasks to controller of the AI bot. This new development not only means a huge time saving for our customers, but also a new challenge for us as a partner. How can we optimally apply the technology in your business processes? We immediately started making plans to use the innovation in our own solutions, so that you, as a customer, can benefit from a more efficient workflow.

Just the beginning

Microsoft has indicated that this is just the beginning. Future AI agents, such as the Copilot Purchase Agent, promise even more efficiency by, for example, automatically processing purchase invoices. Although these functionalities are not yet available in the Netherlands, we are closely monitoring developments in order to support our customers immediately as soon as these tools are rolled out.

Data and sustainability

Another important theme was sustainability. Microsoft introduced new tools within Business Central that make it easier for companies to create ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) reports. This is not only useful for complying with regulations, but also helps to strategically integrate sustainability into your business operations. In addition, Microsoft makes data analysis more accessible than ever. With ready-made Power BI reports in Business Central, you can immediately extract value from your data, without long start-up times or complex configurations.

Security and collaboration

Finally, Microsoft once again underlined the importance of security. With principles such as 'secure by design' and 'secure by default', you are assured of a robust security system, whether it concerns internal processes or customer-facing applications. The sessions in Vienna also once again emphasised the power of the partner network. Through intensive collaboration with other Microsoft partners, we can always deliver innovative solutions that meet your needs.

What does this mean for you?

Our visit to Directions 2024 has once again inspired us and strengthened our mission to help organisations optimise their processes. Whether it concerns AI, sustainability, data analysis or security, the future offers opportunities to work more efficiently and innovatively. Do you want to know more about how these insights can strengthen your company? Please contact us to discuss how we can apply these developments to further prepare your organization for the future.