Charlies ERP

Business Central is a powerful tool, but unlocking its full potential requires more than just basic usage. Here is a bunch of my practical tips and tricks that I’ve found to enhance your efficiency and make the most of your BC experience. 

Customise Your Workspace 

Customising your Role Centers or ‘Profiles’ as it is now called is your starting point in BC well at least it was for me. So Customise them to display the most relevant information for your role in the business. Some of the more simple bits I would add are: 

• Navigation Links: Users can easily access relevant pages, reports, and code units. 
• Entity Lists: These lists display data pertinent to the user’s role. 
• Customise pages: To only include relevant fields. 

Master the Page Designer 

Customise page layouts using the Page Designer. Rearrange fields, hide unnecessary ones, and create user-friendly interfaces.  

This is an essential part as a consultant to teach to the users, make sure when they use the platform they are also using it in the most efficient manner possible. 

Pinning frequently used pages, reports, and tasks for quick access is another quite obvious but useful tip. This can be done by going on to the page you use often and clicking on the bookmark icon, this will mean when you open business central and are on the home page it will display this page at the top for you ready to access rather than having to search for the page. 

Keyboard Shortcuts 

Wow I cant explain to you how shortcuts are the saviour of my day to day life. Here are a few that I use all the time: 

•      Ctrl + S: Save your work. 
• Ctrl + F: Search for records. 
• Ctrl + G: Go to a specific page. 
• Ctrl + f8 Copy Field Above 
• Shift + Alt + F3: Filters to a specific field. 
• Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F3: Resets all filters. 
• Ctrl + Shift + F12: Toggles focus mode on/off. 
• Alt + F3: Filters to a specific value. 
• Ctrl + F12: Switches between slim/wide page layouts. 
• Ctrl + Shift + F3: Toggles the filter pane (totals). 
• Shift + F12: Opens the Role Explorer. 

How I try and overcome the agony caused by data  

• Quick Entry: Press Alt + N to create new records directly from the list view. 
• Copy-Paste: Copy data from Excel and paste it into Business central. If not by using config packages/templates which I think we all use. 

Navigate with Search Filters 

Use Search Filters to narrow down large lists. For instance, filter by date, status, or specific criteria. 

Saved Views and Filters 

• I always Save frequently used filters and views for quick retrieval. 
• I also think it helps to create custom views to focus on specific data subsets. 

Probably a habit I got from the CE side of the Dynamic’s solution but always turns out to be useful, and client always find it useful when you show them how to do this. 

Automation with Workflows 

Set up Workflows to automate repetitive tasks. For example, automatically send reminders or create follow-up tasks.(I think Power automate makes this simple to do) but BC does use Workflows  

Workflows in BC 

This side of my ability comes from the 5 months I spent learning the CE side of the dynamics products  and has really given me what I would call a unique approach compared to the current team I work with when it comes to using workflows and Power automate 

Streamlining Business Processes with Automation 

Automation and process streamlining are essential for efficiency and accuracy. By integrating workflows that connect various tasks performed by different users, businesses can significantly reduce manual effort, minimize errors, and ensure consistent execution of tasks. 

One of the significant advantages of using Power Automate is that it does not require extensive coding knowledge. This accessibility allows me to connect internal and external data sources without needing to be a coding experts. This makes it easier to automate various processes, improving efficiency and reducing the need for manual intervention. 

Automation and Process Streamlining 

Workflows automate business processes by connecting different tasks performed by various users. This integration is crucial because it reduces the need for manual intervention, which is often prone to errors and inconsistencies, as well all know end users arnt always the most reliable. By automating these processes, businesses can ensure that tasks are executed consistently and accurately every time. For example, the automatic posting of transactions, such as invoices and payments, can be included as steps in workflows. This not only saves time but also reduces the likelihood of human error, leading to more reliable and efficient operations. 

System and User Tasks Integration 

Workflows are designed to combine system tasks, such as automatic postings, with user tasks, like approval requests. This combination is beneficial because it coordinates the automated backend processes with user-driven actions. For instance, when a new sales order or purchase order is created, the workflow can automatically request and grant approval, ensuring that all necessary steps are completed without delay. This integration helps maintain a smooth and efficient process, reducing bottlenecks and improving overall productivity. I do have to admit when first starting out on configuring workflows that testing them is a massive pain due to GDAP permission issues so quite often you have to create multiple solutions and have a mass testing session with clients to run end to end and make sure it works as expected. 

Approval workflows are essential for ensuring controlled processes within an organization. These workflows define specific approval steps with event conditions and response options, maintaining control over critical processes. For example, approval workflows can be used for sales or purchase orders, price changes, and vendor or customer edits. By having a defined approval process, businesses can ensure that all necessary checks and balances are in place, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring that all actions are properly authorized. These are a great example of brilliant but painful as they are a requirement for a lot of businesses but again testing them can be tough with the issues sometimes faced with testing. 

Workflow templates can be customised to meet specific business needs, providing a high level of flexibility and adaptability. This customization allows businesses to create scalable workflows tailored to unique scenarios, ensuring that their processes can grow and evolve with their needs. This scalability ensures that workflows remain effective and efficient, even as the business grows and changes. These Templates I have found I often use to speed up the creation of a workflow rather than starting with nothing, so it also just helps in the build part of the solution and can often save customers time and money which is always what we aim to do at consultants its keep the burn down of the project on the green side. 

By implementing these strategies, you can enhance efficiency, streamline workflows, and elevate your overall business experience. These small changes are what have helped me transition from construction to consultancy. 🏗️👨🏼‍💼