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

In today’s global manufacturing landscape, businesses need more than just strong products to stay competitive. They need digital operations that connect customers, distributors, and internal teams in different regions. One powerful way to achieve this is by integrating e-commerce platforms with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. This is the story of a 140-year-old global leader in materials testing machine manufacturing that transformed its order-taking process through a Shopify–Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations integration. The Challenge With offices in five countries and sales across the UK, Europe, China, India and multiple U.S. territories, this manufacturer had a truly global footprint. Yet, order-taking remained manual and inefficient: In short: their legacy setup couldn’t keep up with modern customer expectations or their own ambitions for global growth. The Solution Over the course of a decade long partnership, we helped the company modernize and digitize its business processes. The centerpiece was a seamless integration between Shopify and Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (F&O), built natively within F&O (no recurring middleware costs). Key integrations included: This solution ensured that high data volumes and complex processing demands could be handled efficiently within F&O. The Results The change has reshaped how the company works: Lessons for Other Global Manufacturers This journey highlights critical lessons for manufacturers, distributors, and global businesses alike: The Road Ahead After integrating Shopify with Dynamics 365 F&O, the company has launched a dedicated distributor website where approved distributors can place orders directly on behalf of customers. This portal creates a new revenue stream, strengthens the distribution network, and ensures orders flow into F&O with the same automation, inventory sync, and reporting as direct sales. By extending digital integration to distributors, the company is simplifying order-taking while expanding its business model for global growth. Ending thoughts The journey of this global manufacturer shows that true digital transformation isn’t about adding more tools, it’s about connecting the right ones. By integrating Shopify with Dynamics 365 F&O, they moved from fragmented, manual processes to a scalable, automated ecosystem that empowers customers, distributors, and internal teams alike. For any organization operating across regions, the lesson is clear: e-commerce and ERP should not live in silos. When they work together, they create a foundation that not only accelerates order taking but also unlocks new revenue streams, sharper insights, and stronger global relationships. In a world where speed, accuracy, and customer experience define competitiveness, the question isn’t whether you can afford to integrate, it’s whether you can afford not to. If you need further assistance or have specific questions about your ERP setup, feel free to reach out for personalized guidance.We hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfonts.com.

Managing budgets is a key part of financial discipline and managing budgets is more than just tracking numbers. Companies need to make sure departments, projects, and cost centers spend within limits. Dynamics 365 Finance helps by providing a built-in Budget Control feature that keeps spending under check right where daily transactions happen. In Dynamics 365 Finance, Budget Control helps to enforce spending limits in real time, directly within transactions. Budget control is a tool in D365 Finance that checks transactions against available budgets. If a transaction exceeds the budget, the system can either: This way, overspending is caught before it happens. Steps to know how It works How Budget Control Works in Dynamics 365 Finance When setting up budget control (see screenshot below), finance teams define: This ensures that every purchase, expense, or journal is validated against budgets before the company commits to spending. Example: If Marketing has a $100,000 budget and a new purchase order exceeds it, the system can block it or route it to a manager. Why is Budget Control Important? Budget control in D365 Finance is a simple but powerful way to enforce financial discipline. It connects budgeting with daily operations, helping companies stay on track. If you are looking to set up or optimize Budget Control in your organization, our team can help you design the right approach, implement best practices, and ensure a smooth rollout. Reach out to CloudFronts Technologies at transform@cloudfronts.com to explore how we can support your Dynamics 365 Finance Budgeting journey.

In any growing business, finance isn’t just about ticking compliance boxes anymore. It’s about staying in control, spotting trends early, and making confident decisions fast. That’s exactly where financial dimensions in Dynamics 365 Finance come into play. Over the last few months, we’ve seen multiple requirements from businesses asking for smarter use of dimensions. And it makes sense, dimensions are no longer just an optional “nice-to-have.” They’re becoming the backbone of modern financial management, enabling organizations to track performance in ways that directly support decision-making. Think of them as a smarter way to organize your numbers. They give finance teams the flexibility they need to adapt on the fly, and they give leadership the kind of clear, real-time visibility that helps drive better business calls  What Are Financial Dimensions? At the core, financial dimensions are labels you attach to transactions. These labels tell you: So instead of tracking expenses only by account (e.g., Travel Expenses), you can track: All this without creating hundreds of extra GL accounts. Why Should Management Care? Here’s how financial dimensions support strategic and operational goals: 1. Multi-Dimensional Reporting Want to review profitability by region, department, or project? Dimensions let you filter and analyze financial data from multiple angles—without waiting on custom reports. This supports faster decision-making, better forecasts, and more agile operations.  “How much did we spend on marketing in South India last quarter?” You’ll have the answer in seconds. 2. Budgetary Control and Cost Monitoring Dimensions allow finance teams to set up budget controls per department or project. This ensures: Spot overruns before they become problems not after. 3. Cleaner Chart of Accounts Without dimensions, you’d need separate accounts like: This becomes unmanageable. With dimensions, you keep one account (611000 – Travel) and layer in detail using dimensions, keeping your chart lean and reporting rich. 4. Easier Scaling and Restructuring Adding a new business unit, product line, or region? No need to overhaul your chart of accounts. Just add new dimension values. Dimensions give you the structure you need today and the flexibility you’ll need tomorrow. A Practical Example Let’s say you want to understand the true cost of a customer support center in Pune. You can filter all expense accounts with: Immediately, you’ll see: All grouped by those two dimensions without modifying your account structure. Final Word Financial dimensions are not just about slicing data they’re about driving alignment between finance and operations. They: If you’re already using Dynamics 365 or considering it, investing time in defining the right dimensions upfront will pay dividends for years. Planning a D365 Finance rollout or re-implementation? Let’s talk about how to design a dimension strategy that fits your business model. You can reach out to us at transform@cloudfronts.com. 

In any enterprise application like Dynamics 365 Project Operations, setting up a secure and structured environment is the foundation of a successful implementation. Before diving into projects, resource planning, or billing, it’s critical to configure the environment, establish legal entities, assign the right user roles, and implement appropriate security controls. This article explains how to configure these foundational elements in D365 PO. 1. Legal Entity Configuration A Legal Entity in D365 represents an organization that can enter into legal contracts and is used to segregate financial, operational, and statutory data. Steps to Configure: Why It Matters: Each project in D365 PO must be linked to a legal entity for:  2. User Setup D365 users are authenticated via Azure Active Directory (Azure AD). Once synced, users must be provisioned in the application. How to Set Up: 3. Security Roles & Duties Security in D365 PO is role-based, meaning users get access based on the role(s) assigned to them. Each security role contains duties, which contain privileges. Common Roles in D365 PO: Role Name Purpose Project Manager Manage project planning, time entry approvals Project Accountant Responsible for costing, billing, revenue Resource Manager Manage bookings and capacity Salesperson Handle opportunities and quotes Time/Expense User Submit time and expenses System Administrator Full access, environment config  Assigning Roles:  4. Security Settings & Access Controls Security ensures users can access only what they are authorized to. Key Configurations: Advanced Features: 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.

We are pleased to announce that the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America has partnered with CloudFronts for Phase 1 of a Dynamics 365 ERP implementation. The company is the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading producer of heavy- and medium-duty trucks as well as specialized commercial vehicles. Its Gastonia Components and Logistics facility plays a pivotal role in the supply chain, providing stamping, metal fabrication, and sub-assembly of cab and chassis components used across manufacturing operations and aftermarket support. Additionally, the facility oversees line sequencing of parts for manufacturing plants and aftermarket packaging, ensuring efficiency and consistency throughout the production process. The customer is facing several operational challenges due to disconnected systems and limited data visibility. The lack of real-time inventory insights is causing production delays, slowing down planning, scheduling, and work order releases. Teams are burdened with redundant work and manual effort, as legacy systems force them to navigate multiple platforms, leading to inefficiencies and errors. Procurement processes are also impacted, with limited visibility into raw material availability and purchase history resulting in material waste, overstocking, shortages, and purchasing delays.  Phase 1 focuses on implementing Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management (SCM) to establish the client’s defined end-state capabilities. This phase includes configuring and setting up core business processes such as User & Security Management, Product Information Management, Warehouse Management, Procurement, and other operational setups, which will be further expanded in Phase 2.  On this occasion, Priyesh Wagh, Practice Manager at CloudFronts, stated:   “This engagement marks the beginning of an ERP implementation journey, laying the groundwork for long-term business transformation. At CloudFronts, we are committed to helping our client overcome their complex challenges through technology. By implementing Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, we aim to streamline processes, reduce inefficiencies, empower their team with data-driven insights, and build scalable capabilities for future growth.”  About CloudFronts  CloudFronts is a global AI First Microsoft & databricks Solutions Partner for Business Applications, Data & AI, helping teams and organizations worldwide solve their complex business challenges with Microsoft Cloud, AI, and Azure Integration Services. We have a global presence with offices in U.S, Singapore & India. Since 2012, CloudFronts has empowered 200+ global clients small and medium-sized clients all over the world, such as North America, Europe, Australia, MENA, Maldives & India, with diverse experiences in sectors ranging from Professional Services, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Retail, Logistics/SCM, and Non-profits.   Please feel free to connect with us at transform@cloudfronts.com 

Budget Control in D365 Finance allows organizations to enforce spending discipline by validating transactions against defined budgets. Here are the steps to set it up. 1. Navigate to Setup Go to: Budgeting > Setup > Budget control configuration. 2. General Settings 3. Define Dimensions Select the financial dimensions to apply budget control against, such as: If Department + Cost Center are selected, every transaction is validated against that combined budget. 4. Approval Rules Determine the actions when a budget is exceeded: 5. Documents & Journals Specify which transactions should be included in budget checks, such as: It is best practice to include unposted documents (e.g., open POs) to ensure commitments are accurately reflected. 6. Activate Once the configuration is complete, activate Budget Control. From this point, all relevant transactions will be validated against the assigned budgets. Example To conclude, budget Control in Dynamics 365 Finance is straightforward to configure but highly effective in preventing overspending. With the right setup, organizations can gain real-time visibility and strengthen financial governance. For Finance consultants, system admins requiring guidance with setup or optimization, CloudFronts can help you design the right Budget Control configuration for your business. Get in touch with CloudFronts Technologies at transform@cloudfronts.com for assistance.

When working with Dynamics 365, one of the key decisions during integration design is whether to implement synchronous or asynchronous communication. Understanding the differences and use cases for each approach is critical to building reliable, efficient, and scalable integrations. Understanding the Difference When to Use Synchronous Integration Synchronous integration is appropriate when: Advantages: Immediate confirmation, straightforward error detection.Considerations: Can slow down the system if the target application experiences latency, less scalable for high-volume scenarios. When to Use Asynchronous Integration Asynchronous integration is better suited for scenarios where: Advantages: Highly scalable, non-blocking operations, suitable for batch processing.Considerations: Errors may not be detected immediately, and tracking processing status requires additional monitoring. Real-World Examples Decision-Making Approach When evaluating which approach to use, consider these questions: To conclude, both synchronous and asynchronous integrations have distinct advantages and trade-offs. Synchronous workflows provide real-time feedback and simpler error handling, while asynchronous workflows offer scalability and efficiency for high-volume or non-urgent processes. Selecting the right approach for your Dynamics 365 integration requires careful consideration of business requirements, data volume, and system performance. By aligning the integration method with these factors, you can ensure reliable, efficient, and maintainable integrations. 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.

At CloudFronts Technologies, we understand that growing organizations often operate across multiple geographies and business units. Whether you’re working with Dynamics 365 CRM or Finance & Operations (F&O), syncing data between systems can quickly become complex—especially when different legal entities follow different formats, rules, or structures. To solve this, our team developed a powerful yet simple approach: Dynamic Templates for Multi-Entity Integration. The Business Challenge When a global business operates in multiple regions (like India, the US, or Europe), each location may have different formats for project codes, financial categories, customer naming, or compliance requirements. Traditional integrations hardcode these rules—making them expensive to maintain and difficult to scale as your business grows. Our Solution: Dynamic Liquid Templates We built a flexible, reusable template system that automatically adjusts to each legal entity’s specific rules—without the need to rebuild integrations for each one. Here’s how it works: Why This Matters for Your Business Real-World Success Story One of our client’s needs to integrate project data from CRM to F&O across three different regions. Instead of building three separate integrations, we implemented a single solution with dynamic templates. The result? What Makes CloudFronts Different At CloudFronts, we build future-ready integration frameworks. Our approach ensures you don’t just solve today’s problems—but prepare your business for tomorrow’s growth. We specialize in Microsoft Dynamics 365, Azure, and enterprise-grade automation solutions. “Smart integrations are the key to global growth. Let’s build yours.” 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.

Microsoft’s Unified Developer Experience (UDE) helps developers build solutions that work across both Finance and Operations (F&O) and the Power Platform by providing a common, cloud-based environment. Challenges Before UDE Before UDE, developers often faced the following issues: What UDE Changes With UDE, Microsoft combines these tools into one environment, making it easier to: Why UDE Is Useful Adopting UDE brings several practical benefits for developers and organizations: Check Access, Licenses, and Capacity Before starting, make sure your user role, license, and environment capacity are all set up properly. You can check this in the Power Platform Admin Center. Starting the Setup with PowerShell To get started, open PowerShell ISE on your laptop. If you haven’t installed the required Power Platform module yet, run this command (skip it if it’s already installed): #Install the module Install-Module -Name Microsoft.PowerApps.Administration.PowerShell -Force Next, sign in to your account and prepare the JSON template that defines your environment settings. Make sure DevToolsEnabled is set to true so developer tools are available. You can also set DemoDataEnabled to true if you want sample Contoso data included by default. Write-Host “Creating a session against the Power Platform API” Add-PowerAppsAccount -Endpoint prod #To construct the json object to pass in $jsonObject= @” { “PostProvisioningPackages”: [ { “applicationUniqueName”: “msdyn_FinanceAndOperationsProvisioningAppAnchor”, “parameters”: “DevToolsEnabled=true|DemoDataEnabled=true” } ] } “@ | ConvertFrom-Json Finally, you’re ready to start the environment deployment. New-AdminPowerAppEnvironment -DisplayName “EnvironmentName” -EnvironmentSku Sandbox -Templates “D365_FinOps_Finance” -TemplateMetadata $jsonObject -LocationName “unitedstates” -ProvisionDatabase Example: New-AdminPowerAppEnvironment -DisplayName “Basic_Env” -EnvironmentSku Sandbox -LocationName “unitedstates” -Templates “D365_FinOps_Finance” -TemplateMetadata $jsonObject -ProvisionDatabase Make sure to use a proper name for your environment — it must be 20 characters or fewer. Also, pick the correct data center location based on your region (for example, I used unitedstates, but you could choose India or another available region). Alternatively: Install on an Existing Environment If you already have a Power Platform environment with a Dataverse database, you can use it to install Finance and Operations apps. Simply select the environment, navigate to Resources > Dynamics 365 apps, and then select Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Provisioning App. Once your environment is successfully provisioned, you’ll see it listed in the Power Platform Admin Center — just like in the screenshot above. Here’s what the key information means: You’ll also see links to manage: These settings help control access and structure within your environment. This confirms your Finance + Power Platform environment is now fully functional and integrated — ready for development, testing, and customization. Make sure your user account has the System Administrator security role in Dataverse. Once assigned, this role will automatically carry over to the Finance and Operations (F&O) environment — no need to reassign it separately. If you navigate to the Dynamics 365 apps, you’ll also find pre-configured and installed solutions available. You can check out the Modules, Packages, and Operation History by simply clicking on the Environment URL. System Requirements for Setting Up the Development Environment Before you begin working with the Unified Development Experience (UDE), it’s important to make sure your machine meets the basic hardware and software requirements. Here’s what you’ll need: Workstation Requirements To ensure smooth performance while developing: Required Software The following software components are essential for working with UDE in Visual Studio: Once everything is set up, you’re ready to open Visual Studio. Make sure to run it as Administrator and choose the “Continue without code” option when prompted. This ensures all tools load properly and you’re ready to begin your development work. Install Power Platform VS Extension Go to VS > Manage Extensions > Search ‘Power Platform Tools Now, navigate to Tools > Options > Power Platform Tools and enable the specified parameters. Now, go to Tools > Connect to Dataverse Always show the full list of organizations. Avoid signing in with your current Windows user if it’s not the same account you’ve already connected to in Visual Studio. You can view the environments you previously created in PowerShell – just select the one you set up earlier. Choose the default option, unless you’re planning to create specific components for D365 CE or Power Platform—in that case, it’s best to create a dedicated solution and publisher for your work. If the X++ source code for your specific UnO DevBox version (e.g., 10.0.35) hasn’t been downloaded yet, you’ll be prompted to get it locally. After setting up the Power Platform Tools extension and connecting to your Dataverse sandbox, you’ll see an option to install the Finance and Operations extension for Visual Studio, along with the related metadata. If you didn’t get any option you can download it manually by going to “C:\Users\ShubhamPrajapati\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Dynamics365\10.0.2263.74” Meanwhile, in the background, the PackageLocalDirectory is being extracted. You can monitor the progress by going to View > Output. The installation typically takes around 30 minutes. After installation, you’ll see a few prompts the first time you open Visual Studio—just click “Yes” to continue. As you can see, all models have been downloaded successfully. You can switch between Classic View and Model View by right-clicking on the AOT. Once that’s done, navigate to Tools > Options > Power Platform Tools and apply the required changes as shown in the image below. The final step is to configure the Finance & Operations extension. In my case, I use LocalDB for the Cross Reference (Cross Ref) Database—it’s convenient because it’s already included when you install Visual Studio. If you’re using LocalDB, ensure your connection string is correct. A typical value is: (localdb)\ To set up LocalDB (if not already initialized), open Command Prompt and run: sqllocaldb create MSSQLLocalDB -s This command initializes and starts the LocalDB instance. Once LocalDB is running, your Cross Reference Database will be restored. This enables key development features such as: These features significantly enhance the development experience by improving code navigation and reference tracking. If you receive errors when trying to open certain class files (which are XML files under the hood), it’s likely because the Modeling SDK is not installed. This SDK is essential for working with … Continue reading A Unified Approach to Developing Finance and Operations Applications →