Indian Companies are required to maintain fixed asset records as per Companies Act and Income Tax Act, governed by Companies Act, 2013, and the Income Tax Act, 1961, respectively. While the Companies Act focuses on providing a true and fair view of an organization’s financial position for stakeholders, the Income Tax Act is concerned with determining taxable income and ensuring fair tax collection. This blog will explore the methodologies, and practical considerations for managing fixed asset depreciation under the Companies Act and the Income Tax Act, helping organizations to be compliant. This is possible by following the below steps: This functionality helps companies to maintain proper records, traceability and retrieval of records for compliance. Organizations must carefully maintain separate records and calculations to meet the distinct requirements of both laws. Aligning accounting practices with these regulatory frameworks not only helps in minimizing compliance risks but also optimizes financial planning and tax efficiency. Regular reviews and updates in line with legislative changes are critical to sustaining accurate asset management and reporting. 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.

Software development has been around since the 1940s.We started with punch cards, then machine language, followed by assembly, high-level programming languages, low code, no code, and now AI-assisted coding. Along the way, several tools have been developed to make programmers’ jobs easier, from card sorters and verifiers to debuggers and IDEs. Now, with the advent of AI, we have large language models (LLMs) writing code for us, but I don’t think it’s quite there yet. In this article we’ll see how AI assists developers, what it can do for us today, its limitations, and where it’s headed. The concept of AI began in the 1950s when researchers tried to imbue machines with the magic to think. Early systems followed set rules, but as computers improved and data became more available, smarter methods emerged, such as machine learning, natural language processing, and neural networks. Large Language Models (LLMs) grew from these advances, using huge amounts of data and computing power to understand and create language. This marked a shift from fixed rules to models that learn on their own. By 2025, AI has taken root in most fields, even in places we might not have expected.For example, robotic bees — tiny drones designed to mimic bee behavior, are now being used to assist with pollination in areas where natural bee populations are struggling. These drones combine machine learning and computer vision for navigation, flight control, pollination strategies, and swarm intelligence. Usage Copilot is integrated with both Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio, and it comes with a few LLMs built in by default.Currently, these include Claude Sonnet 3.5, GPT-4o, o3-mini, and Gemini Flash 2.0.If you want to add more models, you’ll need a subscription for Copilot Pro. We can use Copilot Chat to prompt these models directly in the sidebar chat, whether to generate a specific functionality or create an entirely new file. Here, I asked it to create a simple sales order.Notably, it kept the key details — Customer, Item, and Quantity — as parameters without requiring any input. From here, we can click a button to apply the changes to the open file. At the bottom, we can see which file Copilot is currently using as a reference.If we want to stop Copilot from referencing that file, we can click the eye button. We can also ask it to make changes to the generated code. Now, I noticed that while it has parameterized the “Customer No.” for the sales order, it hasn’t actually used it anywhere in the code. If I point this out to Copilot… Instead of using Copilot Chat, we can also get recommendations directly within the file.Here, I’m trying to write a function to delete a sales order based on the given SO No. I can just tab my way into writing the method. One common way I’ve used copilot is to add Guard clauses to methods that I’ve written. For instance –  Here, it is referring to Customer and Item record variables, which don’t exist yet. But if I go to the variables section then it knows what I’m trying to do and suggests the same. Now, if I were to make it handle something complex, that’s when the cracks start to show. For example, pulling data from an API and creating customers would require several steps — authenticating with the API, fetching the data, parsing it, handling errors or logging, and finally creating the customers. We get the following as an output – Here, we can see that while it has a surface-level understanding of the code structure and the steps needed to achieve the goal, it struggles with the details. This could be because, unlike open-source languages like Java, Python, or C++, there isn’t as much publicly available source code for AL. I believe Microsoft Documentation would have helped to some degree, but instead, it tends to guess what the correct methods or fields should be. To its credit, the generated code isn’t far off from being functional, especially considering the simplicity of the input prompt. The structure it provides is still a solid starting point and much better than writing everything from scratch. Another example of these “hallucinations” is when it suggests methods that don’t actually exist, like this- However, once you show it what the correct method is, it suggests that –  To go one step further, I asked the different models to create an entire project based on the below prompt –  Findings: o3-mini 1. The objects it generated had the fewest errors.2. It was the simplest and closest to compiling successfully.3. It returned all the text in a single response, so I had to manually create files from it. GPT-4o 1. Created a Readme.md with project requirement details.2. Automatically generated the necessary project files.3. Farthest from compiling successfully, with most requirements missed.4. There were plenty of hallucinations, including methods that don’t exist in AL at all – like this example below. Gemini Flash 2.0 1. Created a Readme.md with project requirement details.2. Automatically generated the necessary project files.3. Added launch.json, settings.json, and app.json.4. Didn’t meet all requirements but managed to lay some groundwork.5. Struggled with code structure in several places, though still significantly better than GPT-4o.6. Had at least a couple of pages with zero errors. Claude Sonnet 3.5 1. Created a Readme.md with project requirement details.2. Automatically generated the necessary project files.3. Added launch.json and app.json.4. Included a test codeunit, though it had errors.5. Created a permission set for the objects generated.6. All files had one or more errors. In my opinion, Claude and o3-mini are the most useful for coding assistance. HumanEval is a test developed by OpenAI to assess how well language models can write code.It includes 164 programming problems where the model must generate accurate and functional Python code. The HumanEval leaderboard aligns with my assessment as well. Pricing While all these models offer a free trial with a limited set of tokens, they can become quite expensive if you don’t monitor your usage. Below … Continue reading Transforming Development: How Copilot is Revolutionizing Developer Productivity →

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O) is a powerful enterprise solution that helps businesses streamline their operations. However, troubleshooting issues in D365 F&O can be challenging if the root cause isn’t visible on a form. One of the most effective ways to diagnose problems is by connecting to the UAT (Sandbox) database and querying tables directly. This blog will walk you through: How to retrieve SQL connection details from LCS (Lifecycle Services) How to enable firewall access to allow a secure connection How to connect to the D365 UAT database using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) Why Connect to the UAT Database? Diagnose Issues: Querying the database allows you to inspect data and troubleshoot errors that aren’t visible in the front-end UI. Microsoft-Managed Environments: In sandbox/UAT environments, remote desktop access is restricted, making database queries essential for analysis. Test Before Deployment: Ensures that all configurations and data changes work as expected before going live. Step 1: Retrieve SQL Connection Details from LCS To connect to a D365 F&O UAT database, you must obtain SQL connection details from Lifecycle Services (LCS). Follow these steps: Go to Lifecycle Services (LCS): Select Your Project: Find the UAT Environment: Request Database Access: Find Database Connection Info: Step 2: Enable Firewall Access for Your IP Address By default, the D365 UAT database is secured behind a firewall. You must add a rule to allow access from your machine. Go to the LCS “Full Details” page for your UAT environment. Select: Maintain > Enable Access. Add a Firewall Rule: Note: The firewall rule expires after 8 hours, so you may need to re-add it later. Step 3: Connect to the UAT Database Using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) The best tool for connecting to the database is Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). Launch SSMS and Open the Connection Dialog Enter Connection Details from LCS Set Database Name in Connection Properties Click ‘Connect’ to Establish the Connection Key Takeaway Direct Access to Data: Enables in-depth troubleshooting by querying database tables directly. Secure and Controlled Access: LCS-managed firewall rules ensure data security. Easy Setup: The process takes only a few minutes to complete. By following these steps, you can quickly and efficiently connect to your D365 F&O UAT database and retrieve critical data for testing and issue resolution. 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. Need help troubleshooting your D365 environment? Let us know in the comments!

In Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365 F&O), managing the lifecycle of purchase orders (POs) is important for maintaining accurate procurement, inventory, and financial records. Over time, companies may accumulate old or obsolete purchase orders that are no longer valid — whether due to supplier changes, business needs evolving, or operational delays. Cancelling these POs helps keep the system clean, improves reporting accuracy, and prevents unnecessary financial commitments. Purchase orders can have the following status & stages: Stage Status Confirmed Invoiced Rejected Received Draft Open order Approved Cancelled In review   Finalized   From Finance & Accounts point of view, Open PO means commitments to order and contingent financial liabilities. Rationale behind cancelling of old Pos: Cancelling old or unordered POs ensures that your records are up to date and reflective of actual business needs, which is important for financial planning, reporting, and auditing. Companies can streamline their procurement processes by maintaining only those Purchase Orders which are active and required as per current business needs. This was an issue faced by one of our Client in Oil and Gas industries which was resolved by using the below method. Stage Status Finalized Invoiced   Received Closing of Purchase orders: Purchase Orders can be closed only if all the items contained in the Purchase order are invoiced and the delivery is completed. Cancelling of Purchase orders: Purchase orders having In principle, in the above cases, PO is no longer required, and requirements are not fulfilled though the particular PO. Hence, it is justified to cancel the PO and not close it. Stage Status Confirmed Open order Rejected   Draft   Approved   In review   Click on Cancel quantity. In case of approved & draft purchase orders. Deactivate the workflow and continue the same process. We can delete the purchase orders which are in draft, however, then it would not be traceable in the system and the number sequences would be disrupted. By following the above process, Companies can maintain only active Purchase Orders, thereby, showing the actual committed value of an organization. Effectively cancelling old purchase orders in D365 F&O is crucial for maintaining clean procurement records, improving reporting accuracy, and ensuring better control over open financial commitments. By following systematic cancellation processes and adhering to best practices, organizations can avoid confusion, prevent overstatement of liabilities, and streamline operational workflows. Regularly reviewing and closing obsolete purchase orders not only enhances system performance but also supports better decision-making for purchasing, budgeting, and inventory management. A disciplined approach to managing old POs ultimately leads to greater efficiency, improved compliance, and stronger financial governance within D365 F&O. 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.

Debugging is an essential skill for developers working with Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365 F&O). The built-in debugger helps you identify and fix issues in your X++ code efficiently. In this blog post, we’ll walk through how to use the debugger effectively in D365 F&O. Prerequisites Before you can start debugging, you’ll need: Access to a D365 F&O development environment Appropriate permissions (developer role) Visual Studio installed (for some debugging scenarios) Enabling Debugging Set up debugging permissions: Navigate to System administration > Setup > License configuration Ensure the “Debugger” privilege is enabled for your user role Configure debugging options: Go to Tools > Options > Development > Debugging Configure your preferred debugging settings Starting a Debug Session There are several ways to start debugging in D365 F&O: 1. Attaching to a Process Open the Debugger workspace Click on Attach debugger Select the process you want to debug (user session) Click Attach 2. Debugging from Visual Studio Open your X++ project in Visual Studio Set breakpoints in your code Press F5 to start debugging (or use the Debug menu) 3. Using Conditional Breakpoints Navigate to the form or process you want to debug After adding the breakpoint, right-click it in the breakpoints list Select “Edit breakpoint” In the “Condition” field, enter your X++ expression Example: custAccount == “US-001” Key Debugging Features Breakpoints Breakpoints pause execution at specific lines of code. You can: Set conditional breakpoints that only trigger when certain conditions are met Set hit count breakpoints that trigger after a specified number of hits Enable/disable breakpoints as needed Stepping Through Code When execution is paused, you can: Step Over (F10): Execute the current line and move to the next Step Into (F11): Dive into method calls Step Out (Shift+F11): Complete the current method and return to the caller Examining Variables The debugger allows you to: View local variables in the Locals window Add watches for specific variables Quickly evaluate expressions in the Immediate window Call Stack The call stack shows: The hierarchy of method calls that led to the current execution point , Allows navigation to different levels of the call stack Debugging Different Scenarios Batch Jobs To debug batch jobs: Set breakpoints in the batch job code , submit the batch job and Attach the debugger to the batch process Business Events To debug business events: Set breakpoints in the event handler code Trigger the business event The debugger will pause when the event is processed Tips for Effective Debugging Use the debugger’s data tips (hover over variables to see their values) Common Debugging Challenges Solution: Use thread debugging and pay attention to execution order Solution: Replicate the production environment configuration as closely as possible Solution: Use targeted debugging rather than broad breakpoints To Conclude, The D365 F&O debugger is a powerful tool that can save you hours of troubleshooting time. By mastering breakpoints, variable inspection, and call stack navigation, you can quickly identify and resolve issues in your X++ code. Remember to use debugging judiciously in production environments and always follow your organization’s guidelines for debugging in live systems. 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.

Financial records of a Company should show its true and fair value of its assets and liabilities. In circumstances, for value of assets to be shown correctly, they have to be depreciated as per their use. For examples, car (kms run), production machine (number of hours run). In this case, straight line or reducing balance method of depreciation is not appropriate. How to set up Consumption Depreciation in D365F&O: 2. Set up consumption units under Fixed Assets=>Setup=>Consumption depreciation=> Consumption units. 3. Set up the consumption factor, either percent or units. 4. Define the depreciation method to the specific asset. 5. Run depreciation proposal by selecting consumption depreciation proposal. This depreciation method is applicable to Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics, Mining & Oil and Gas, Utilities & Energy, Agriculture, Printing and Publishing. This depreciation method is useful for performance-based maintenance and replacement planning. 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.

In the world of corporate reporting, presentation matters just as much as data. The more personalized and professional your reports look, the more impactful they become. If you’re using Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (F&O), chances are you rely on SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) reports to generate vital business insights. But have you ever wondered how to make those reports more aligned with your company’s branding? Are you struggling with adding your company logo to SSRS reports in F&O? I am going to show you how to easily embed your corporate logo into your SSRS reports within Dynamics 365 F&O, transforming your data into visually appealing reports that reflect your brand identity. Whether you’re preparing financial statements, customer invoices, or custom reports, adding a logo enhances the look and feel, ensuring that your reports maintain a consistent and professional corporate image. Steps to Achieve the goal Before embedding your logo into the SSRS report, ensure that the image file (usually in PNG, JPG, or GIF format) is prepared and accessible. You need to upload the logo to a location within the F&O environment where your SSRS report can access it. Follow these steps: To conclude, adding your company logo to your SSRS reports in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations is a powerful way to enhance your brand’s presence across all reports. You can instantly elevate the look and feel of your documents. Happy Coding! 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.

In today’s globalised world, firms frequently operate in numerous areas and languages. To efficiently manage worldwide operations, software with multilingual capabilities is required. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC) includes a powerful translation system that enables enterprises to customise language choices, thereby increasing user experience and operational efficiencies. This article looks at how translations function in Business Central and how they may be used to support global business operations. Why Are Translations Important in Business Central? Businesses that expand into new areas face a variety of languages, currencies, and regulatory regimes. Ensuring that employees can interact with Business Central in their native language improves the software’s usability and productivity. Business Central allows users to configure numerous languages across various modules, allowing workers to work smoothly in their favourite language. It also allows translations for custom fields, reports, and data entry, assuring consistency and correctness in both internal and external interactions. How Translation Works in Business Central Business Central supports several languages, including English, French, German, and Spanish. Here’s an outline on how to activate and use translations successfully. 1. Configuring Language Settings The first step in enabling multilingual support is to configure the Language Settings in Business Central. Users can choose their favourite language or use the organization’s default language settings. This guarantees that when a user logs in, the interface, menus, and forms appear in their preferred language. To configure a language in Business Central: 2. Standard Text Translations Business Central provides built-in translations for standard interface elements and commonly used terms such as “Sales Orders,” “Invoices,” and “Purchase Orders.” These translations are included in the base application by Microsoft. For example, changing the language from English to French automatically updates the captions. However, some standard texts may not be translated by default. To install additional language support: Once installed, the system updates with the new language settings, ensuring a localized user experience. 3. Translating Custom Fields Many businesses customize Business Central by adding custom fields, tables, and industry-specific terminology. While these enhancements improve operational efficiency, they may not be automatically translated in the base system. To resolve this, Business Central provides the CaptionML property, which allows developers to define multilingual captions for custom elements. Example: English: Displays field names and labels in English. French: The same fields are shown with French translations. By implementing the CaptionML property, businesses ensure a seamless multilingual experience even for customized elements. To conclude, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central makes it simple for multinational companies to handle multilingual customers. Companies can improve usability and efficiency across regions by changing language settings, adding extra translations, and ensuring that custom fields are translated using CaptionML. Embracing Business Central’s translation skills enables firms to operate efficiently in a global market while providing a consistent and localized experience to all users. 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.

Introduction When setting up trade agreements in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365FO), you may notice the “Find Next” option. What does this Find Next flag do? How does it affect discount calculations in the system? This blog will break it down with a simple example! What Does “Find Next” Do? Find Next = ON → The system accumulates multiple applicable trade agreement lines and applies all eligible discounts. Find Next = OFF → The system only applies the first best-fit discount and ignores other possible discounts. Key Impact: When enabled, multiple discounts can be combined. If disabled, only the most specific discount is applied. Step-by-Step Example: Trade Agreement with “Find Next” Let’s walk through a real-world scenario to see how this setting changes discount application. Step 1: Create a Trade Agreement Step 2: Add Discount Lines We add three discount lines for Item A: Line Condition Discount % 1 Basic discount for Item A 5% 2 Quantity-based discount (10 – 100 units) 10% 3 Quantity-based discount (101 – 500 units) 20% Scenario 1: “Find Next” is OFF (Disabled) Step 3: Create a Purchase Order Step 4: Increase the Order Quantity Scenario 2: “Find Next” is ON (Enabled) Step 5: Enable “Find Next” Step 6: Recreate the Purchase Order Step 7: How the Discount is Applied Key Takeaways Find Next OFF → The system applies only the first matching discount. Find Next ON → The system adds up multiple applicable discounts. Best Practice: Use Find Next when you want multiple discounts to be applied together. Understanding how Find Next works helps businesses configure trade agreements properly and avoid unexpected pricing issues. Need more D365 tips? Stay tuned for our next blog! 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.

Uploading documents to Dynamics 365 through mobile devices can enhance the flexibility and efficiency of your team members. In this blog, I’ll Walk you through a step-by-step procedure for uploading documents using the **Sales Team Member** app on mobile devices. This guide focuses on document upload via the mobile version of Dynamics 365, showcasing how easy it is to manage files on the go. Whether you’re a Sales Team Member or an administrator, this simple process will help you streamline document management using the mobile application. The Use-Case: Uploading Documents in Sales Team Member Imagine a scenario where your team needs to upload documents related to orders, opportunities, or leads while out in the field. Using the Sales Team Member app, the document upload process is streamlined and works seamlessly. Here’s how you can do it: Key Components of the Solution PowerApps Mobile Application: This app provides an easy-to-use interface for users to interact with Dynamics 365 on their mobile devices, including document uploads. Document Upload in Dynamics 365: The process allows users to upload files to records in various entities such as Order Fulfillment, Leads, Opportunities, etc. SharePoint Integration: After uploading the document via mobile, it is stored in SharePoint, where it is accessible both on the mobile device and the web interface. Step-by-Step Process Step 1: Install the Power Apps Application Navigate to your App Store or Play Store, install the Power Apps app, and open it. Step 2: Sign In Sign in with your work account by adding it to the app. Enter your credentials when prompted. Step 3: Access the Sales Team Member App Once logged in, find and select the Sales Team Member app to access your required entities and records. Step 4: Navigate to the Order Fulfillment Entity To upload a document, go to the Order Fulfillment entity. The upload process is the same across all entities. Step 5: Upload the Document In the Order Fulfillment record, tap the Related tab, then select Documents. Tap the ellipsis (three dots) beside the Document Associated Grid and choose Upload. Select Choose File to upload the document from your mobile storage. Step 6: After selecting Upload, you’ll see a prompt. Tap Choose File to access your Gallery/File Storage. Select your desired file, then tap OK. Step 7: View Uploaded Document Once uploaded, the document will display on your mobile app, and you can also view it on the web version. The document will be stored in SharePoint and accessible from either platform. Mobile version: Web version: On opening the file, the file opens SharePoint and displays the document. To encapsulate, with the above procedure, Sales Team Members can easily upload documents via their mobile devices in Dynamics 365, making it easier to manage and share important files from anywhere. This streamlined process not only boosts efficiency but also ensures your team stays connected, even when working remotely or on the move. Hope this helps!!! 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.