Managing secure operations in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365FO) is crucial for enterprise-level environments. While working in a Dev environment, I recently encountered an issue while posting the packing slip for a Sales Order. After troubleshooting, I identified the problem was related to expired SSL certificates in a cloud-hosted environment. SSL certificates in D365FO environments remain valid for one year. To maintain security and avoid disruptions, it’s necessary to renew these certificates regularly-a process called credential rotation, managed via the Lifecycle Services (LCS) portal. In this blog, I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to resolve this issue through SSL certificate rotation. Why SSL Certificate Rotation is Important When deploying Dynamics 365 Finance Operations as a cloud-hosted environment, SSL certificates are used to encrypt data and ensure secure communication between servers. Expired certificates can disrupt functionality. Regular rotation of credentials is a best practice to maintain smooth operations and robust cybersecurity. Step-by-Step Process to Rotate SSL Certificates in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Here’s how you can resolve the issue and renew SSL certificates in your environment: Step 1: Log into the LCS Environment Step 2: Navigate to the Implementation Project Step 3: Initiate Credential Rotation Step 4: Rotate SSL Secrets Certificates Step 5: Wait for the Process to Complete Step 6: Verify the Deployment Status To conclude, regularly rotating SSL certificates not only resolves operational issues but also ensures compliance with enterprise-level cybersecurity practices. By following the above steps, you can maintain the security and functionality of your Dynamics 365 Finance Operations cloud-hosted environments. We hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfronts.com

Most organizations think of Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O) only as a system that receives data from other applications. In reality, the most powerful and scalable architecture is when F&O itself becomes the source of truth and an event producer. Every financial transaction, inventory update, order confirmation, or invoice posting is a critical business event – and when these events are not shared with other systems in real time, businesses face: So, the real question is: What if every critical event in D365 F&O could instantly trigger actions in other systems? The answer lies in an event-driven architecture using Azure Event Hub and Azure Logic Apps, where F&O becomes the producer of events and the rest of the enterprise becomes real-time listeners. Core Content Event-Driven Model with F&O as Source In this model, whenever a business event occurs inside Dynamics 365 F&O, an event is immediately published to Azure Event Hub. That event is then picked up by Azure Logic Apps and forwarded to downstream systems such as: In simple terms: Event occurs in F&O → Event is pushed to Event Hub → Logic App processes → External system is updated This enables true real-time integration across your entire IT ecosystem. Why Use Azure Event Hub Between F&O and Other Systems? Azure Event Hub is designed for high-throughput, real-time event ingestion. This makes it the perfect choice for capturing business transactions from F&O. Azure Event Hub provides: This ensures that every change in F&O is captured and made available in real time to any subscribed system. Technical Architecture Here is the architecture with F&O as the source: Role of each layer: Component Responsibility D365 F&O Generates business events Event Hub Ingests & streams events Logic App Consumes + transforms events External Systems Act on the event This architecture is:✔ Decoupled✔ Scalable✔ Secure✔ Real-time✔ Fault tolerant How Does D365 F&O Send Events to Event Hub? Using Business Events F&O has built-in Business Events Framework which can be configured to trigger events such as: These business events can be configured to push data to an Azure Event Hub endpoint. This is the cleanest, lowest-code, and recommended approach. Logic App as Event Consumer (Real-Time Processing) Azure Logic App is connected to Event Hub via Event Hub Trigger: Once triggered, the Logic App performs: Example downstream actions: F&O Event Logic App Action Invoice Posted Push to Power BI + Send email Sales Order Create record in CRM Inventory Change Update eCommerce stock Vendor Created Sync with procurement system This allows one F&O event to trigger multiple automated actions across platforms in real time. Real-Time Example: Invoice Posted in F&O Step-by-step flow: All of this happens automatically, within seconds. This is true enterprise-wide automation. Key Technical Benefits Why this Architecture is important for Technical Leaders If you are a CTO, architect, or technical lead, this approach helps you: Instead of systems “asking” for data, they react to real-time business events. To conclude, by making Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations the event source and combining it with Azure Event Hub and Azure Logic Apps, organizations can create a fully automated, real-time, intelligence-driven ecosystem. Your first step: ➡ Identify a critical business event in F&O➡ Publish it to Azure Event Hub➡ Use Logic App to trigger automatic actions This single change can transform your integration strategy from reactive to proactive. We hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfronts.com

In a world where timing, accuracy, and coordination make or break profitability, modern project-based enterprises demand more than isolated systems. You may be leveraging Dynamics 365 Project Operations (ProjOps) to manage projects, timesheets, and resource planning and Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (F&O) for financials, billing, and accounting. But without seamless integration, you’re stuck with manual transfers, data silos, and delayed insights.  That’s where PO F&O Connector app comes in built to synchronize Project Operations and F&O end-to-end, bringing together delivery and finance in perfect alignment. In this article, we’ll explore how it works, why it matters to CEOs, CFOs, and CTOs, and how adopting it gives you a competitive edge.  The Pain Point: Disconnected Project & Finance Workflows  When your project execution and financial systems aren’t talking:  The result? Missed revenue, resource inefficiencies, and poor visibility into project financial health.  The Solution: Cloudfronts Project-to-Finance Integration App  Cloudfronts new app is purpose-built to connect Project Operations → Finance & Operations seamlessly, automating the flow of project data into financial systems and enabling real-time, consistent delivery-to-finance synchronization. Key capabilities include:  Role  Core Benefits  Outcomes  CEO  Visibility into project margins and outcomes; faster time to value  Better strategic decisions, competitive agility  CFO  Automates billing, enforces accounting rules, ensures audit compliance  Revenue gets recognized faster, finance becomes a strategic enabler  CTO  Reduces custom integration burdens, ensures system integrity  Lower maintenance costs, scalable architecture  Beyond roles, your entire organization benefits through:  We hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfronts.com

For global lessors, reporting is more than just a compliance requirement -it’s a strategic capability. Investors, regulators, and executives all expect real-time insights into lease performance, profitability, and funding structures. Traditional spreadsheets and disconnected tools can be replaced with Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations + Power BI. With Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (F&O) combined with Power BI, lessors can achieve compliance-ready reporting while unlocking deep financial and operational insights. The Reporting Challenges Lessors Face Lessor reporting must comply with these questions: Without automation, finance teams would need manual reconciliations. Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations + Power BI: The Reporting Engine Compliance Reporting Power BI dashboard with lease liabilities trend line and revenue recognition chart. Funding & ROI Transparency Stacked bar chart showing funding mix with KPI cards for ROI by source. Billing & Revenue Recognition Column chart comparing recurring vs usage-based revenue streams. Profitability Analysis Heatmap of profitability by customer with KPI margin %. Renewal & Churn Insights To conclude, with Dynamics 365 F&O and Power BI, lessors achieve: Reporting is no longer a back-office activity. With Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations and Power BI, lessors can transform reporting into a strategic driver – ensuring compliance while delivering actionable insights that improve investor confidence and portfolio profitability. We hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfronts.com

Efficient document management is vital for seamless business operations. Are you looking to enable and customize the attachment functionality in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365FO)? This guide will walk you through the steps to activate this feature and enhance your document-handling capabilities. Understanding the Business NeedBusinesses often handle scenarios where attachments—such as invoices, purchase orders, or additional documents-are tied to forms like Sales Orders or Journals. These attachments streamline communication, improve transparency, and provide essential references. For example, attaching specific documents to Sales Order lines ensures clarity and supports collaboration. Steps to Enable the Attachment Functionality Bonus: Enabling Attachment CountsAttachment counts provide a quick overview of the number of documents linked to a record. This feature offers instant visibility into attachment volumes, supporting better decision-making. Why Use the Built-in Functionality?While attachments can be enabled via backend configurations, the platform’s built-in tools are more efficient, aligning with best practices. Most forms already support this functionality by default, emphasizing its importance in D365FO’s design. To conclude, by enabling the attachment functionality in D365FO, businesses can effectively manage critical documents, streamlining operations and communication. Don’t forget to implement the attachment count feature for quick insights. Explore this functionality today to enhance your document management process We hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudFronts.com

When integrating Dynamics 365 with external systems, one of the first decisions you’ll face is real-time vs batch (scheduled) integration. It might sound simple, but choosing the wrong approach can lead to performance issues, unhappy users, or even data inconsistency. In this blog, I’ll Walk through the key differences, when to use each, and lessons we’ve learned from real projects across Dynamics 365 CRM and F&O. The Basics: What’s the Difference? Type Description Real-Time Data syncs immediately after an event (record created/updated, API call). Batch Data syncs periodically (every 5 mins, hourly, nightly, etc.) via schedule. Think of real-time like WhatsApp you send a message, it goes instantly. Batch is like checking your email every hour you get all updates at once. When to Use Real-Time Integration Use It When: Example: When a Sales Order is created in D365 CRM, we trigger a Logic App instantly to create the corresponding Project Contract in F&O. Key Considerations When to Use Batch Integration Use It When: Example: We batch sync Time Entries from CRM to F&O every night using Azure Logic Apps and Azure Blob checkpointing. Key Considerations Our Experience from the Field On one recent project: As a Result, the system was stable, scalable, and cost-effective. To conclude, you don’t have to pick just one. Many of our D365 projects use a hybrid model: Start by analysing your data volume, user expectations, and system limits — then pick what fits best. We hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudFronts.com

From AI Experiments to AI That Can Be Trusted  Generative AI has moved from experimentation to executive priority. Yet across industries, many organizations struggle to convert pilots into dependable business outcomes.  At CloudFronts, we’ve consistently seen why.  Whether working with Sonee Hardware in distribution and retail or BÜCHI Labortechnik AG in manufacturing and life sciences, AI success has never started with models. It has started with trust in data.  AI that operates on fragmented, inconsistent, or poorly governed data introduces risk not advantage. The organizations that succeed follow a different path: they build intelligence on top of trusted, enterprise-grade data platforms.  The Real Challenge: AI Without Context or Control  Most stalled AI initiatives share common traits:  This pattern leads to AI that looks impressive in demos but struggles in production.  CloudFronts has seen this firsthand when customers approach AI before fixing data fragmentation. In contrast, customers who first unified ERP, CRM, and operational data created a far smoother path to AI-driven decision-making.  What Data-Native AI Looks Like in Practice  Agent Bricks represents a shift from model-centric AI to data-centric intelligence, where AI agents operate directly inside the enterprise data ecosystem.  This aligns closely with how CloudFronts has helped customers mature their data platforms:  In both cases, AI readiness emerged naturally once data trust was established.  Why Modularity Matters at Enterprise Scale  Enterprise intelligence is not built with a single AI agent.  It requires:  Agent Bricks mirrors how modern enterprises already operate through modular, orchestrated components rather than monolithic solutions.  This same principle guided CloudFronts data architecture work with customers:  AI agents built on top of this architecture inherit the same scalability and control.  Governance Is the Difference Between Insight and Risk  One of the most underestimated risks in AI adoption is hallucination, AI confidently delivering incorrect or unverifiable answers.  CloudFronts customers in regulated and data-intensive industries are especially sensitive to this risk.  For example:  By embedding AI agents directly into governed data platforms (via Unity Catalog and Lakehouse architecture), Agent Bricks ensures AI outputs are traceable, explainable, and trusted.  From Reporting to “Ask-Me-Anything” Intelligence  Most CloudFronts customers already start with a familiar goal: better reporting.  The journey typically evolves as follows:  This is the same evolution seen with customers like Sonee Hardware, where reliable reporting laid the groundwork for more advanced analytics and eventually AI-driven insights.  Agent Bricks accelerates this final leap by enabling conversational, governed access to enterprise data without bypassing controls.  Choosing the Right AI Platform Is About Maturity, Not Hype  CloudFronts advises customers that AI platforms are not mutually exclusive:  The deciding factor is data maturity.  Organizations with fragmented data struggle with AI regardless of platform. Those with trusted, governed data like CloudFronts mature ERP and analytics customers are best positioned to unlock Agent Bricks’ full value.  What Business Leaders Can Learn from Real Customer Journeys  Across CloudFronts customer engagements, a consistent pattern emerges:  AI success follows data maturity not the other way around.  Customers who:  were able to adopt AI faster, safer, and with measurable outcomes.  Agent Bricks aligns perfectly with this reality because it doesn’t ask organizations to trust AI blindly. It builds AI where trust already exists.  The Bigger Picture  Agent Bricks is not just an AI framework it reflects the next phase of enterprise intelligence.  From isolated AI experiments to integrated, governed decision systems  From dashboards to conversational, explainable insight  From AI as an initiative to AI as a core business capability  At CloudFronts, this philosophy is already reflected in real customer success stories where data foundations came first, and AI followed naturally.  We hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudFronts.com

In the world of Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O), efficient code management isn’t just a luxury-it’s a critical requirement. Whether you are a seasoned developer or just setting up your first Virtual Machine (VM), correctly configuring Visual Studio with Azure DevOps (Team Foundation Server/TFVC) is the bedrock of a stable development lifecycle. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step configuration to ensure your environment is ready for enterprise-grade development. 1. Why TFVC and Not Git? While Git is widely adopted across modern software development, Team Foundation Version Control (TFVC) continues to be the preferred version control system for Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations due to its architectural fit. 2. Prerequisites Before you dive into Visual Studio, ensure you have the following ready: 3. Step-by-Step Configuration Step A: Connect Visual Studio to Azure DevOps Step B: The “Golden” Folder Structure Before mapping, you must define a clean folder structure in your Azure DevOps repository (Source Control Explorer). A standard structure looks like this: Step C: Workspace Mapping (The Critical Step) This is where most errors occur. You must map the server folders (Azure DevOps) to the specific local directories where the D365 runtime looks for code. Note: On some local VHDs or older VMs, the drive letter might be C: or J: instead of K:. Verify your AOSService location before mapping. Step D: Configuring Dynamics 365 Options Once mapped, you need to tell Visual Studio to organize new projects correctly. 4. Best Practices for the Development Lifecycle To conclude, configuring Visual Studio for D365 F&O is a one-time setup that pays dividends in stability. By ensuring your Metadata maps to the AOS service directory and your Projects map to your user directory, you create a seamless bridge between your IDE and the D365 runtime. We hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudFronts.com

Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) with concessional rates on threshold limits is a provision that enables eligible taxpayers to benefit from lower TDS rates, as permitted by government-issued certificates. These certificates are granted to individuals or entities that meet specific criteria, such as lower tax liability or involvement in designated transactions. By implementing concessional rates, taxpayers can effectively manage their immediate tax burden, enhance cash flow, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. This guide outlines the step-by-step process for configuring concessional TDS rates in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O) to facilitate accurate tax calculations and ensure seamless compliance. Step-by-Step Configuration of TDS in D365 F&O 1. Setting Up the Withholding Tax Code Navigate to Tax → Indirect Taxes → Withholding Tax → Withholding Tax Code and either select an existing tax code or create a new one. Ensure all required details are entered accurately. 2. Defining Concessional TDS Rates Click on Values and insert the applicable TDS rates as per government guidelines. 3. Configuring Threshold Limits Access Tax → Indirect Taxes → Withholding Tax → Withholding Tax Code and select Threshold Designer. Enter the threshold limits for TDS rates, specifying the applicable conditions when these limits are reached. 4. Establishing Post-Threshold Tax Treatment Provide details regarding the applicable tax rate once the threshold limit is exceeded to ensure proper compliance. 5. Assigning Threshold References Navigate to Tax → Indirect Taxes → Withholding Tax → Withholding Tax Code and select Threshold Reference. Assign the relevant Vendor, specific group, and threshold code to ensure accurate tax calculations. 6. Creating a TDS Group Define a new TDS Group and link it with the recently created withholding tax code to streamline tax application across transactions. 7. Configuring the Tax Code in Designer Use the Designer tool to reassign the withholding tax code, ensuring correct integration within tax processing workflows. 8. Associating the Tax Group with Vendors Assign the defined Tax Group to the relevant vendor. Once this is set up, proceed with Vendor Invoice postings or Purchase Order creation, ensuring that the concessional TDS rates are accurately applied to financial transactions. Proper configuration of TDS with concessional rates in D365 F&O ensures compliance with tax regulations while optimizing cash flow for eligible taxpayers. By implementing the correct withholding tax setup, organizations can streamline their tax processes and minimize unnecessary deductions. This structured approach enhances financial accuracy and simplifies tax management, contributing to more efficient business operations. We hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfronts.com

This blog provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide for performing a year-end close in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (F&O). It includes instructions, common issues, and suggestions for extracting relevant screenshots from a demo environment. 1. Pre-Close Activities 2. Performing the Year-End Close A. Set Up the Fiscal Year End Parameters B. Perform the Year-End Close Process C. Review Results D. Post-Close Activities 3. Common Issues and Tips Issue Action Profit and Loss accounts didn’t zero out Check ledger account settings. Retained Earnings entry missing Verify Retained Earnings account in ledger setup. Incorrect balances after year-end close Use the “Reverse” option and review postings. User doesn’t have access Ensure role has Financial Period Close privileges. Ledger Calendar page Performing the year-end close in D365 F&O is a structured process that ensures data integrity across financial periods. We hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfronts.com