Migrating from Dynamics GP to Business Central: A Leap Towards the Future
For years, Microsoft Dynamics GP has been a reliable ERP system, helping businesses streamline financial operations. But the world has changed. Markets move faster, customer expectations are higher, and technology is no longer just a support function – it’s the backbone of growth. This is why the transition from Dynamics GP to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central isn’t just another upgrade. It’s a strategic leap forward. The Real Question: Maintain or Evolve? In today’s world, standing still is the same as moving backward. The choice is simple: maintain what works or evolve to what’s next. What Businesses Gain with Business Central A Transformation Story We’re currently working with a mid-sized client who has been running Dynamics GP for nearly 3 decades. While GP had served them well, the leadership team realized that GP will be obsolete in just a few years. Continuing with GP would only add more risk and cost. That’s why they made a strategic decision: migrate to Business Central, ensuring they move to a platform built for the future. Their goals for the migration are clear: This migration is underway, and the client sees it as the foundation for their next decade of growth. Why Now Is the Right Time Postponing migration might feel safe, but it carries hidden risks: increasing IT costs, reliance on outdated processes, and missing out on innovations competitors are already leveraging. Business Central is more than an ERP—it’s a platform for growth, intelligence, and resilience. The Takeaway Migrating from GP to Business Central is not a technical move – it’s a business transformation. It means: With GP reaching its end of life in the coming years, now is the time to make the transition confidently and strategically. Feel free to reach out. You can contact us at transform@cloudfronts.com. Let’s work together to find the right step for your success.
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Why Project-Based Firms Should Embrace AI Now (Not Later)
In project-based businesses, reporting is the final word. It tells you what was planned, what happened, where you made money, and where you lost it. But ask any project manager or CEO what they really think about project reporting today, and you’ll hear this: “It’s late. It’s manual. It’s siloed. And by the time I see it, it’s too late to act.” This is exactly why AI is no longer optional; it’s essential. Whether you’re in construction, consulting, IT services, or professional engineering, AI can elevate your project reporting from a reactive chore to a strategic asset. Here’s how. The Problem with Traditional Reporting. Most reporting today involves: Enter AI: The Game-Changer for Project Reporting AI isn’t about replacing humans; it’s about augmenting your decision-making. When embedded in platforms like Dynamics 365 Project Operations and Power BI, AI becomes the project manager’s smartest analyst and the CEO’s most trusted advisor. Here’s what that looks like: Imagine your system telling you: “Project Alpha is likely to overrun budget by 12% based on current burn rate and resource allocation trends.” AI models analyse historical patterns, resource velocity, and task progress to predict issues weeks in advance. That’s no longer science fiction—it’s happening today with AI-enhanced Power BI and Copilot in Dynamics 365. Instead of navigating dashboards, just ask: “Show me projects likely to miss deadlines this month.” With Copilot in Dynamics 365, you get answers in seconds with charts and supporting data. No need to wait for your analyst or export 10 spreadsheets. AI can clean, match, and validate data coming from: No more mismatched formats or chasing someone to update a spreadsheet. AI ensures your reports are built on clean, real-time data, not assumptions. You don’t need to check 12 dashboards daily. With AI, set intelligent alerts: These alerts are not static rules but learned over time based on project patterns and exceptions. To conclude, for CEOs and PMs alike: We can show you how AI and Copilot in Dynamics 365 can simplify reporting, uncover risks, and help your team act with confidence. Start small, maybe with reporting or forecasting, but start now. I hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfronts.com.
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Understanding Legal Entities, Companies, and Organizational Hierarchies in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations
If you’re just starting with Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations) and confused about what Legal Entities, Companies, and Organizational Hierarchies mean, you’re not alone! Let’s break it down in simple terms. What is a Legal Entity? In Dynamics 365, a Legal Entity is an organization that can: Think of a Legal Entity as a registered company or business under the law. Microsoft Docs Reference: Legal entities overview What is a Company in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations? Each Legal Entity is also referred to as a Company in the system. In the interface, you switch between Companies (Legal Entities) using a 4-character company ID (like USMF or INMF). Tip: Even if you manage multiple companies (e.g., one in India, one in the US), D365 can consolidate and report across them — provided they are set up as separate legal entities. What are Organizational Hierarchies? This is where the real power lies! Organizational Hierarchies define how different parts of your business interact and report to one another. You can set up hierarchies for: Example: A retail chain may have a parent legal entity, and underneath, different divisions like wholesale, online store, and physical stores — all structured in a hierarchy. Microsoft Docs Reference: Organizational hierarchies Real-World Example Let’s say you’re working for a construction company that operates in three countries: You’d set up each country as a Legal Entity (Company). Now, you want: Organizational Hierarchies let you define that. What Can Be Shared Across Legal Entities? Microsoft allows some data to be shared across companies: Data sharing and integration To conclude, if you’re evaluating Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations and wondering how to structure your organization within the system, we’d love to help you design it the right way. Whether you’re a startup expanding internationally or an enterprise optimizing operations, your legal entity and organizational structure are the foundation of your Dynamics365 system. Let’s build that foundation together. You can reach out to us at transform@cloudfonts.com.
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Choosing the Right WIP (Work in Progress) Method for Your Business Central Projects
Managing projects in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central isn’t just about tracking tasks—it’s about timing your revenue and cost recognition. That’s where WIP (Work in Progress) methods come into play. Whether you’re in construction, services, or implementation—your project accounting can get messy fast. WIP helps clean that up. Let’s explore the five WIP methods through simple scenarios to help you choose the right one. 5 WIP Methods in Business Central—With Scenarios! 1. Cost Value “I spend a lot upfront, billing comes later.” This method calculates WIP based on actual project costs. It defers those costs to the balance sheet until you’re ready to recognize them. Scenario: You’re building a factory. You spend ₹25 lakh on materials and labor in the first 3 months but won’t invoice the customer until completion. You don’t want those ₹25 lakh to hit your P&L yet. What happens: Costs get moved to a WIP account, so your P&L stays clean. WIP = Costs Incurred 2. Sales Value “I raise invoices early—before completing work.” This method calculates WIP based on billable sales value, regardless of actual cost incurred. Scenario: You sign a ₹20 lakh IT project. In Month 1, you invoice ₹5 lakh for kickoff and initial planning—even though you’ve barely incurred costs. What happens: That ₹5 lakh revenue sits in the WIP account until you’ve actually done that much work. WIP = Revenue Billed (or Billable) – Work Performed 3. Cost of Sales “I bill monthly and want a straightforward approach.” Here, there is no WIP. Costs and revenues hit your P&L as soon as they’re posted. Scenario: You run a monthly maintenance contract. Every month, you invoice ₹1 lakh and spend ₹70,000 on service staff. What happens: Both ₹1 lakh and ₹70,000 show up in your P&L that month—no balance sheet entries, no deferrals. Simple: Revenue – Cost = Monthly Profit 4. Percentage of Completion (POC) “I want my financials to reflect actual progress.” This method tracks job progress and calculates revenue based on how much of the job is completed. Scenario: You’re doing a ₹60 lakh construction job. You’ve completed 40% of the work and spent ₹20 lakh so far. Your system calculates revenue as 40% of ₹60 lakh = ₹24 lakh. What happens: Business Central adjusts both revenue and cost based on progress—not just what’s billed or spent. % Completion = Actual Cost ÷ Estimated Cost Recognized Revenue = % Completion × Contract Value 5. Completed Contract “I only recognize anything after the job is fully done.” This method holds everything—revenue and cost—until the project is completed. Scenario: You’ve been hired to deliver a complex machine. The contract clearly states: “No billing or revenue recognition until handover.” What happens: You might spend ₹10 lakh and do months of work—but nothing shows up in your P&L until the machine is delivered and accepted. Recognize all revenue and cost only at job completion Quick Table Comparison WIP Method Recognizes Costs Recognizes Revenue Scenario Style Cost Value Deferred Deferred Spend-heavy, bill-later projects Sales Value Deferred Based on billing Invoice-early, delivery-later Cost of Sales Immediate Immediate Simple monthly billing Percentage of Completion Gradual Gradual Long-term projects with clear phases Completed Contract At Completion At Completion Strict final delivery-based billing Over to you! Which WIP method do you think suits your projects? Have you used Percentage of Completion before? Or do you prefer a simpler Cost of Sales approach? I Hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfonts.com.
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Out-of-the-Box or Open-Source? Choosing Between Business Central and Odoo
As businesses grow, the need for a solid, scalable ERP system becomes clear. Two popular names frequently pop up in these exchanges Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Odoo. Both have their strengths, and both pledge to streamline operations but the real question is which one’s the better fit for your business? Let’s break it down — not in tech slang, but in real- world, business- leader language. The Core Philosophy Business Central is a Microsoft product built for businesses that want a solid, all-inclusive ERP solution with advanced financial capabilities and seamless Microsoft 365 integration. Odoo, on the flip side, is modular and open-source. It appeals to businesses that need a flexible system they can customize heavily to match specific processes. What Business Leaders Need to Know Business Central feels familiar to anyone who is worked with Excel, Outlook, or brigades. It’s designed to “just work” within the Microsoft ecosystem, which lowers the learning curve. Odoo’s interface is clean and ultramodern, but it can take a bit further trouble to set up and learn — especially if you’re customizing heavily. Business Central offers rich out- of- the- box functionality, especially when it comes to finance, supply chain, and force. utmost-sized businesses find that they do n’t need important customization to get started. With Odoo, you get the basics and also make from there. It shines when you need commodity veritably specific, but this also means further outspoken work. This is where Odoo really shines. You can tweak nearly every part of it. But with great inflexibility comes great responsibility — meaning further involvement from inventors. Business Central allows customization too, but within rails. It’s more structured, which means smaller surprises latterly on. If your company already relies on Microsoft products, Business Central integrates effortlessly—Teams, Power BI, Excel, and more. Odoo integrates too, but you might need additional connectors or custom development to get everything working smoothly. Business Central is erected for businesses that are spanning presto. It’s used by companies with hundreds of druggies and supports complex financials, global operations, and strict compliance requirements. Odoo is great for startups and small businesses, and it can grow but there’s a point where scaling can come more complex, especially if heavy customization is involved. What About Cost? Odoo has a character for being more affordable outspoken, especially the open- source interpretation. But keep in mind customization, hosting, and ongoing support can add up. Business Central might look more precious on paper, but it comes with stability, security, and erected- in integrations that reduce the need for bolt- on results. So Which One’s Right for You? Choose Business Central if you Choose Odoo if you To conclude, there’s no universal “best ERP”—only the best one for your business. Business Central and Odoo both offer strong value, but suit different types of organizations. Still unsure? Let’s have a conversation. For more information on Microsoft products, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfonts.com.
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Phases of Quality Control in Business Central – 6
In the pharmaceutical industry, quality doesn’t stop at the first inspection. Even after raw materials (RM) and finished goods (FG) pass initial testing, they may need to be retested over time to ensure they still meet quality standards. Retesting is done for various reasons—checking product stability, verifying shelf-life, or re-evaluating materials due to storage issues. If not managed properly, it can lead to delays, compliance risks, or even wasted inventory. With our GMP-compliant Quality module in Business Central, the retesting process becomes more structured and efficient. In this blog, we’ll look at how the system helps identify items due for retesting, track test results, and make informed inventory decisions. Items due for retesting Once the QA user completes the quality process and posts the inspection receipt, the system stores the retesting date on the item ledger entry. This ensures that retesting requirements are properly recorded and can be tracked throughout the product lifecycle. Retesting Worksheet The next step is to track and manage items due for retesting. Business Central simplifies this with the Retesting Worksheet, which allows QA teams to efficiently identify materials and products that need to be retested. With this approach, retesting becomes a structured and automated process, helping pharma companies stay compliant and maintain quality without operational bottlenecks. I Hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfonts.com.
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Phases of Quality Control in Business Central – 5
In our previous posts, we covered the key stages of production—planning, creating orders, managing materials, and reviewing the final product. Now, let’s focus on an important next step: quality control of Finished product. Quality control is not something we just do at the end of the process; it’s crucial to making sure our products meet the high standards our customers expect. In this post, we’ll explain the essential steps involved in quality control, from inspections to ensuring everything follows the right rules, all to make sure only the best products are delivered. Let’s dive into how we keep our products up to standard and protect the reputation of our brand! Released production order System will automatically create Inspection datasheet with all the item details and list of specification. Inspection Datasheet Inspection Receipt Posted inspection receipt To conclude, our comprehensive quality control, driven by inspection datasheets and receipts, delivers excellent products, traceable records, and customer confidence through verifiable results and Certificates of Analysis. I Hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfonts.com.
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Ready to Set Up a Legal Entity in D365 Finance and Operations? Here’s How!
Setting up a legal entity in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365 F&O) is a crucial step for organizations managing multiple business units, subsidiaries, or operations across different regions. A legal entity represents an organization that has a registered business name, legal obligations, and transactions within the system. This guide provides a step-by-step process to create a legal entity in D365 F&O, ensuring that your business is structured properly for financial reporting, transactions, and compliance. Steps to Create a Legal Entity 3. In the Navigation Pane, go to Modules > Organization administration > Organizations > Legal entities. 4. Click New to create a new legal entity. 5. Enter Basic Legal Entity Information 6. General Fast-tab 7. Configure Address and Contact Details Under the Contact Information tab, click Add and enter: 9. In the Statutory Reporting section, enter the legal entity’s registration numbers required for compliance. 10. In the Registration Numbers section, fill in any necessary legal details based on the country’s requirements. 11. In the Bank Account Information section, add bank accounts and routing numbers. It’s best to manage these in the Cash and Bank Management module. 12. In the Foreign Trade and Logistics section, enter the shipping details for the company. 13. In the Number Sequences section, 14. In the Dashboard Image section, you can upload or change the company’s logo or dashboard image. 15. In the Tax Registration section, enter tax registration numbers required for reporting. 16. In the Tax 1099 section, enter 1099 details (only needed for US-based companies). 17. Finally, click Save to apply the changes. To conclude, creating a legal entity in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is a foundational step for ensuring seamless business operations, compliance, and financial tracking. By following these structured steps, businesses can effectively manage multiple legal entities within the system. If you’re new to D365 F&O or need to discuss business needs, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfonts.com.
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Phases of Quality Control in Business Central – 4
In our previous blog, we walked you through the process of procuring high-quality raw materials and the essential quality checks that ensure only the best make it to production. Now that we’ve laid the groundwork, it’s time to ask: What happens next? How do we turn those raw materials into timely deliveries for our customers? That’s where the planning of sales orders comes in! In this blog, we’ll dive into the crucial steps of sales order planning, discussing how we manage demand, and ensure a seamless flow from order placement to delivery. Let’s take a closer look at how this next phase keeps everything running smoothly! Firm plan production order Released production order A Released Production Order in Business Central indicates that the production order has been finalized and is ready to begin production. Once released: Material Issue Production Journal We will continue the Finished good quality in the next blog! I Hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfonts.com.
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The Power of Real-Time Data: How Business Central Enhances Pharma Decision-Making
Consider the scenario of a pharmaceutical manufacturer facing an unexpected shortage of essential raw materials. This situation inevitably leads to production delays, potentially causing missed deadlines and expensive product recalls. In today’s dynamic pharmaceutical sector, where adherence to regulations and a responsive supply chain are crucial, outdated information poses a significant risk. What if these disruptions could be predicted and mitigated before they materialize? What if you had immediate, comprehensive visibility into your entire operational landscape? This is the advantage offered by real-time data, and solutions like Microsoft Business Central are spearheading the evolution of pharmaceutical decision-making. The Shortcomings of Traditional Pharmaceutical Data: Historically, the pharmaceutical industry has operated with data that is often delayed. Reports generated several days or weeks after events occur provide a historical perspective, lacking the current operational awareness needed for effective management. This results in: Real-Time Data: A Game-Changer for Pharma: Our Business Central Pharma module provides a unified platform that delivers real-time visibility across your entire pharmaceutical operation. This empowers you to: Practical Implementation and Tangible Benefits: Implementing Business Central can seem daunting, but the benefits are undeniable. By having the end-to-end process in one system can be very beneficiary. The Future of Data-Driven Pharma: The future of pharma lies in leveraging the power of data. Imagine being able to anticipate potential supply chain disruptions or quality issues before they occur. This is the promise of data-driven Pharma Module. To encapsulate, in the pharmaceutical industry, where precision and speed are critical, real-time data is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Our Business Central pharma module helps companies to embrace the data revolution, enabling faster, more informed decisions that drive efficiency, compliance, and growth. Ready to unlock the power of real-time data for your pharmaceutical operations? Contact us today at transform@cloudfonts.com to learn how our Business Central pharma module can transform your business.