Time flies when you are having fun. Imagine this, it has been 8 years since my first version of Manufacturing with Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and according to the sales numbers, the book is still needed.
In my last book, the Role Tailored client was brand new and the three-tier architecture still being developed to reach its full potential.
Since then, we have seen numerous versions and technology changes:
- Business Central now comes as both an on-premise and a cloud version
- The cloud version provides automatic updates
- The web-client has been upgraded to the Modern Client
- Phone and tablet clients are available for both Android and IOS
- The Windows client has been deprecated
- C/Side has been replaced by Visual Studio code
- Changes to the base application is no longer possible
- Apps can be developed, bought or downloaded from AppSource
- The Power platform can be integrated directly to Business Central through out-of-the box connectors, enabling creation of Power Apps, Power Automate and Power BI applications.
- The possibilities for seamless integrations to external systems are now endless
Manufacturing companies have generally been reluctant to move their IT-solutions to the cloud. The reason for that, is mainly the fear of the Internet connection failing during work-hours and thereby bring the whole plant to a halt.
This is the reason why I have added a chapter describing which options there are for going to the cloud, because it might not be necessary to go all-in on the cloud.
The future for Business Central is bright. Every day, it becomes easier to extend the application using Azure, Office 365, Power BI, Power Apps or Power Automate. The accessibility of Business Central makes it super easy access business critical information on a variety of platforms.
More and more, we see that applications that were once isolated from each other are now communicating directly. I mean, I communicate with my car via my smartphone already today, so I’m excited to see what the future will bring.
Find it here:
