There’s a quiet transformation happening inside Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and it’s not just about adding AI prompts to workflows. It’s about moving toward business systems that think ahead, take action, and adapt in real time.
Microsoft’s vision for Business Central is evolving from a traditional business management platform into something more autonomous. Copilot is just the beginning. Embedded intelligence is showing up in finance, sales, and inventory tasks, helping SMBs work faster, make smarter decisions, and reduce operational drag.
For managed service providers (MSPs), this is more than a feature update. It’s a strategic moment to help clients move beyond manual workarounds and legacy tools, without the enterprise-grade complexity that comes with traditional ERP. The future of business management is intelligent, and it’s already showing up in the day-to-day.
1. The new era of embedded intelligence
The early days of AI in business apps were about novelty: writing email drafts, summarizing documents, or pulling data with natural language. Now, Microsoft is embedding Copilot deeper into Business Central so that intelligence becomes part of the workflow itself.
We’re not talking about generic prompts. These tools understand the context of what users are doing and help them complete tasks more efficiently—or even automate them entirely.
For example:
- Copilot can prioritize invoice follow-ups based on payment history and transaction behavior.
- It can generate consistent, on-brand product descriptions from item attributes, reducing manual input.
- It surfaces sales line suggestions using real purchasing patterns, helping users move quickly with fewer clicks.
- Forecasting tools dynamically adjust based on live operational data, minimizing the need for spreadsheets.
These are small changes with big results. AI isn’t sitting on the sidelines. It’s built into how Business Central works—right inside the system where teams already operate.
2. From reactive to proactive: What smarter workflows look like
Microsoft’s goal for Copilot is about more than automation. It’s about building autonomy into the daily flow of work. Business Central is being designed to anticipate user needs, offer timely recommendations, and minimize friction across processes.
What does that look like in action?
- Accounts Receivable: Copilot suggests optimal follow-up timing based on historical behavior, reducing guesswork for finance teams.
- Sales and Inventory: As a sales quote is created, Copilot recommends product lines based on past orders and can flag potential stock issues before they become problems.
- Operations: Product details and item descriptions are generated automatically from structured data, improving consistency while freeing up staff for more strategic work.
- Planning: Demand forecasting updates in real time, giving decision-makers more reliable projections without spreadsheet-heavy modeling.
These aren’t sweeping, futuristic overhauls. They’re focused, incremental improvements that help small and mid-sized businesses work smarter—especially when resources are limited.
And because this intelligence is built into Business Central, teams don’t need to learn a new platform or juggle multiple apps. It’s already part of their existing environment.
3. Making AI practical for SMBs
When people think about AI, they often picture massive enterprise systems or futuristic tools. But in Business Central, AI is already helping SMBs reduce complexity and deliver results.
Microsoft designed Copilot to be practical. There’s no separate tool to install. Everything is integrated into the workflows finance and operations teams already use. That means faster time-to-value and fewer barriers to adoption.
For growing businesses, that means:
- Timely payment insights and reminders that support better cash flow
- Smarter sales recommendations based on real client behavior
- Automation that accelerates daily tasks without major process changes
- Forecasting tools that don’t require a data analyst to configure
And with new features like the Sales Order Copilot Agent entering public preview—a task-specific AI assistant that supports more accurate and efficient order creation—Microsoft is making its direction clear. Business Central is becoming more intelligent, more proactive, and more aligned with how modern businesses work.
4. What MSPs can do next
As Copilot capabilities expand across Microsoft Dynamics and Microsoft 365, MSPs have a new opportunity to guide clients through the next phase of digital transformation.
That starts by reframing how Business Central is positioned. It’s not just a way to replace spreadsheets or speed up accounting tasks. It’s a platform that enables intelligent workflows and helps SMBs operate more efficiently.
Sherweb can help MSPs:
- Identify clients ready to move beyond entry-level tools
- Position Business Central as a smart next step for AI adoption
- Deliver a solution that improves everyday efficiency and long-term growth
- Leverage built-in Copilot features without requiring complex development
Ready to help your clients benefit from embedded AI?
Explore Sherweb’s Business Central support and enablement resources to learn how we help MSPs grow.
