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

In Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM, Business Process Flows (BPFs) are powerful tools that guide users through defined business stages. However, when working with Lead-based BPFs that persist into Opportunity, certain platform limitations surface-especially when multiple Lead-rooted BPFs are involved. This blog walks through a real-world problem I encountered with Lead → Opportunity BPF switching, why the out-of-the-box behavior falls short, and how I designed a robust client-side + server-side solution to safely and reliably switch BPFs-even after the Lead has already been qualified. How BPFs Work (Quick Recap) It ideally won’t allow a switch, either via brute forcing via client side or server side as – The Problem In my scenario: The Challenge Once a Lead is qualified: This is non-intuitive, error-prone, and inefficient, especially considering the manual effort that goes into it. Solution Overview I implemented a guided, safe, and reversible BPF switching mechanism that: High-Level Architecture This solution uses: Step-by-Step Methodology 1. Entry Point: Opportunity Ribbon Button A custom ribbon button on the Opportunity form: These fields act as a controlled handshake between Opportunity and Lead. 2. Lead OnLoad: Controlled Trigger Execution On Lead form load: if (diffSeconds > 20) { return;} Xrm.WebApi.updateRecord(“lead”, formContext.data.entity.getId(), { cf_shouldtrigger: false}); This ensures: 3. Identifying and Aborting the Existing BPF Before switching: var activeProcess = formContext.data.process.getActiveProcess(); Xrm.WebApi.updateRecord(bpfEntityName,result.entities[0].businessprocessflowinstanceid,{statecode: 1, // Inactivestatuscode: 3 // Aborted}); This is a critical step—without aborting the old instance, Dynamics can behave unpredictably. 4. Switching the UI BPF After aborting: 5. Handling BPF Instance Creation (First-Time Switch Logic) The solution explicitly checks: If it exists: If it does NOT exist (first switch): This dual-path logic makes the solution idempotent and reusable. 6. Server-Side Plugin: Persisting the Truth A plugin ensures that: // Identify BPF typebool isNewBpf = (context.PrimaryEntityName == “new_bpf_entity”); // Resolve related LeadGuid leadId = isNewBpf? ((EntityReference)target[“bpf_leadid”]).Id: ((EntityReference)target[“leadid”]).Id; // Retrieve related Opportunity via LeadEntity opportunity = GetOpportunityByLead(service, leadId); // Determine stages and pathstring qualifyStageId = isNewBpf ? NEW_QUALIFY_STAGE : OLD_QUALIFY_STAGE;string finalStageId = isNewBpf ? NEW_FINAL_STAGE : OLD_FINAL_STAGE;string traversedPath =START_STAGE + “,” + qualifyStageId + “,” + finalStageId; // PATCH 1 – Qualify stageservice.Update(new Entity(target.LogicalName, target.Id){[“activestageid”] = new EntityReference(“processstage”, new Guid(qualifyStageId)),[“traversedpath”] = START_STAGE + “,” + qualifyStageId}); // PATCH 2 – Final stage + Opportunity bindservice.Update(new Entity(target.LogicalName, target.Id){[“activestageid”] = new EntityReference(“processstage”, new Guid(finalStageId)),[“traversedpath”] = traversedPath,[isNewBpf ? “bpf_opportunityid” : “opportunityid”] =new EntityReference(“opportunity”, opportunity.Id)}); // Mark Lead as successfully processedservice.Update(new Entity(“lead”, leadId){[“cf_pluginsuccess”] = new OptionSetValue(1) // Yes}); This guarantees data consistency and auditability. 7. Final UI Sync & Redirect After successful completion:   Xrm.Navigation.openForm({ entityName: “opportunity”, entityId: opportunityId }); From the user’s perspective: “I clicked a button, confirmed the switch, and landed back in my Opportunity—done.” Why This Solution Works ✔ Respects Dynamics 365 BPF constraints✔ Prevents orphaned or conflicting BPF instances✔ Handles first-time and repeat switches✔ Ensures server-side persistence✔ Minimal user disruption✔ Fully reversible Most importantly, it bridges the gap between platform limitations and real business needs. Final Thoughts Dynamics 365 BPFs are powerful—but when multiple Lead-rooted processes coexist, manual switching is not enough. This solution demonstrates how: can be combined to deliver a seamless, enterprise-grade experience without unsupported hacks. If you’re facing similar challenges with Lead → Opportunity BPF transitions, this pattern can be adapted and reused with confidence. 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 many small and medium-sized organizations, the ERP that once powered early growth is now slowing progress. Custom-built systems, often implemented long before the cloud era, were developed for a different time: smaller product catalogs, simpler compliance requirements, and fewer integration demands. Today’s businesses need more: more visibility, more agility, and more operational resilience. That is where Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central stands out. Its cloud-native architecture, rich financial and operational capabilities, and strong talent availability make it an ideal next step for organizations evolving from aging, home-grown systems. When “It Still Works” Is Not Enough Leaders often tell us their legacy ERP is still functioning. But “functioning” is not the same as “fit for the future.” Common challenges we hear include: 1) Systems Built for a Smaller Business Custom ERPs often cannot scale with new product lines, acquisitions, or international expansion. What once felt tailored now feels restrictive. 2) Rising Skill Gaps The original developers and architects are long gone. Each new change requires specialized workarounds, creating dependency on limited IT support and extending delivery timelines. 3) Infrastructure and Security Risks On-premises systems demand constant upkeep: servers, backups, security patches, disaster recovery, and more. Maintaining all this diverts attention from core business priorities and increases risk exposure. 4) Limited Audit and Compliance Capabilities Regulatory expectations have evolved. Many legacy ERPs lack traceability, standardized reporting, and audit-ready controls, making compliance costly and inefficient. These challenges create operational drag. Instead of enabling efficiency, the ERP becomes a barrier to progress. That is why many organizations are accelerating their move to the cloud, and Business Central has become the preferred direction. Why Business Central Is the Right Upgrade Path Modern Skills and Easier Adoption Business Central aligns with competencies already familiar to finance and IT teams. Talent is more widely available compared to niche ERP platforms, lowering hiring and training efforts. The Right Size for SMB Growth It offers robust ERP capabilities without the cost and complexity associated with larger enterprise systems. Cloud as a Differentiator With Microsoft handling security, performance, and updates, organizations free up resources for innovation instead of infrastructure maintenance. Designed for Integration CloudFronts has helped many organizations successfully transition from custom ERPs to Business Central Online. To further simplify operations, we have developed the PO BC Integration Module 2.0. This connects Dynamics 365 Project Operations and Business Central, delivering process continuity that is missing in standard connectors. A Foundation for the Future Migrating to Business Central is not just a technology upgrade. It is a strategic shift. It builds the foundation for advanced reporting, AI-driven insights, automation, and scalable growth. Businesses that make this move gain a system that: ✔ Supports today’s operations✔ Adapts to future changes✔ Reduces risk and complexity✔ Strengthens competitiveness Ready to Modernize Your ERP? CloudFronts helps organizations move from custom, outdated systems to Business Central with a structured, low-risk transformation approach. If you are considering your next ERP move, we are here to support you at every step. Connect with our experts: transform@cloudfronts.com

Resource Management is at the heart of delivering successful project-based services. In Dynamics 365 Project Operations (D365 PO), it ensures that the right people with the right skills are assigned to the right projects at the right time. Effective resource management boosts utilization, enhances profitability, and drives customer satisfaction. This article explores how D365 PO supports resource allocation, capacity planning, and skills-based matching. 1. Resource Types in D365 PO In D365 PO, resources can be: Resource Type Description User Licensed individual within the system Contact External personnel (e.g., subcontractors) Generic Placeholder resource for planning purposes Resources are linked to roles, organizations, cost rates, and sales prices. 2. Resource Allocation  Process: Booking Types: Each booking is visible in Team Members section of the project and feeds into utilization reports.  3. Capacity Planning Capacity planning in D365 PO is about balancing project demands with available workforce capacity. Key Capabilities: Project Managers and Resource Managers can proactively manage staffing levels, avoiding burnout or bench time. 4. Skills-Based Matching Matching resources based on skills, proficiency, and certifications ensures project quality and client satisfaction. Skill Matching Features: This structured approach supports fair allocation, talent development, and project success. 5. Impact on Project Execution Good resource management: All bookings and allocations are tightly integrated with WBS tasks, time entry, and financial tracking modules in Dynamics 365 PO. 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.

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.

Accurate and transparent costing and pricing is fundamental to the profitability of any project-based business. Dynamics 365 Project Operations (D365 PO) provides a flexible framework to manage internal cost rates, define sales pricing, and configure billing rules that align with different engagement models such as Time & Material or Fixed Price. In this article, I walk through the key configuration steps and concepts behind setting up costing and pricing models in D365 PO. 1. Understanding Cost & Sales Rates 🔹a. Cost Rate: The cost rate represents the internal cost to the company for using a resource. This can include: Cost rate setup helps track project profitability and perform margin analysis. 🔹b. Sales Price: The sales price is what the customer will be billed for the resource’s effort or service. It can be: This helps manage client expectations and enables accurate invoicing. 2. Setting Up Cost and Sales Price Lists In D365 PO, cost and sales prices are configured through Price Lists.  Steps:  Note: 3. Sales Pricing Models D365 PO supports different pricing models to suit diverse customer contracts: Pricing Model Description Time & Material (T&M) Billing based on actual time and expenses incurred Fixed Price Customer is billed agreed-upon amount regardless of actual effort Milestone-based Invoice generated upon reaching predefined milestones Progress-based Invoicing occurs based on percentage completion Sales pricing rules are linked to contract line details to control how billing is triggered and calculated.  4. Billing Rules Configuration Billing rules define how and when the system should generate invoices. Configuration: Billing rules link directly to project tasks or milestones and automate invoice generation. Example Scenario A customer agrees to a Fixed Price project of $50,000, to be billed across 3 milestones: In D365 PO: When the task is marked complete, an invoice proposal is automatically generated.  Reporting & Impact Proper costing and pricing setup enables: Cost and sales rates feed into Project Actuals, enabling real-time financial tracking. To conclude, costing and pricing configuration in Dynamics 365 Project Operations is a cornerstone of financial control and project success. Whether your business operates on T&M, Fixed Price, or milestone-based models, D365 PO offers the flexibility and automation to manage it efficiently. Through hands-on learning, I now understand how to set up cost rates, sales pricing, and billing rules to support a wide range of project billing scenarios in D365 PO. 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.

In a project-driven organization, time and expense tracking is not just about administrative accuracy—it’s essential for billing, cost control, compliance, and project profitability. Dynamics 365 Project Operations (D365 PO) offers a seamless and integrated module to manage employee time entries, expense submissions, and approval workflows with real-time visibility into project performance. This article explains the complete lifecycle of time and expense management in D365 PO, from entry to approval, validation, and integration with billing and costing. 1. Time Tracking in D365 PO D365 PO allows team members to enter time against project tasks directly. Time Entry Workflow: Time can be entered daily or weekly, based on organizational preference. Integration with Project Plan:  Time Entry Validation: 2. Approval Process Time entries follow a configurable approval workflow: Approver Typical Role Project Manager Reviews accuracy and relevance of effort Resource Manager Optional; verifies allocation validity Finance Team Optional; validates for billing cycle Approval settings can be defined per project, customer, or legal entity. Approved entries become part of:  3. Expense Management D365 PO supports tracking billable and non-billable expenses incurred during project delivery.  Expense Entry Steps:  Expense Policies: Administrators can define Expense Policies to control spending: Policy Area Examples Limits Max per diem, lodging cap, airfare budget Category Rules Travel allowed only if project is > X days Receipt Requirements Mandatory for amounts above X Currency Controls Only specified currencies allowed Violations can trigger warnings, hard stops, or workflow escalations.  Integration & Automation Post Approval: Time/Expense on the Go:  Reporting & Compliance Auditors and finance teams can rely on historical logs, comments, and attachments for audit trails and regulatory compliance. To conclude, Effective Time and Expense Management in Dynamics 365 Project Operations enables accurate billing, real-time cost tracking, and employee accountability. With intuitive entry interfaces, approval workflows, and policy enforcement, D365 PO ensures both operational efficiency and financial compliance. 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 data-driven business landscape, organizations strive to enhance visibility into their project operations to make informed decisions. Microsoft’s Project Operations (PO) provides a robust solution for managing projects, finances, and resources. However, to unlock its full potential, integrating PO with Power BI allows businesses to gain deeper insights through real-time analytics and visualization. This blog is specifically designed for Team Leads, CTOs, and CEOs who need to streamline project tracking, financial oversight, and resource allocation. By integrating PO with Power BI, decision-makers can reduce manual reporting efforts, gain actionable insights, and drive operational efficiency. Why Integration Matters Project Operations (PO) enables organizations to streamline project management, resource planning, and financial tracking. However, without effective reporting, extracting meaningful insights from this data can be challenging. Power BI bridges this gap by offering advanced visualization tools, predictive analytics, and customizable dashboards. Benefits of Integrating PO with Power BI Steps to Integrate PO with Power BI Use Cases of PO & Power BI Integration What’s Next? This blog is the first in a series on leveraging data for business growth. Stay tuned for upcoming blogs on: To conclude, Integrating Project Operations with Power BI empowers businesses with real-time, data-driven insights that enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. By leveraging advanced analytics and visualization, organizations can proactively manage projects, optimize resource allocation, and drive profitability. By embracing this integration, businesses can unlock the full potential of their project data and stay competitive in today’s digital economy. Stay tuned for the next blog in this series! 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

Project Operations and Business Central together make a great ‘Better-Together’ pair for Services Automation which connects all the way from Sales to Billing.  However, from an implementation standpoint, doesn’t it look like a long-shot since there’s no out-of-the-box integration capability available?  Well, that’s where our PO-BC connector comes in and this Quick Start offer makes it a no-brainer for connecting getting up and running on Project Operations connected with Business Central end-to-end.  Let’s see how to do it and what gets configured.   What is the offer about?  First, you can familiarize yourself with the PO-BC Integration module by CloudFronts which connects Project Operations to Business Central for the business transactions between the two systems.  We have mentioned the pricing on the page, however, let me walk you through what’s get setup in this Quick Start –     PO Setup – No Customization  BC Setup – No Customization  PO-BC Integration Setup with Master Data Sync  Custom Reports – Project Profitability, Resource Allocation, AR Report & Invoice Schedule Report  To conclude, given that the above gets setup, you now have an end-to-end Project Operations to Business Central connected environment with our PO-BC connector setup. This helps you not miss another billing and ensures billing excellence.   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.

For organizations, cashflow issues can be mitigated if billing happens on time. Having Project Operations and Business Central gets you covered from a Sales/Project standpoint and BC handles the accounting side, which is great. But when these systems are not connected end to end, it creates problems.  Let’s look at some of the issues and the need to have PO-BC integrated so that business transactions need not be left to manual dependency.  Disconnected Systems  Organizations like Professional Services or Project-based organizations in the SMB/SMC sector use Project Operations to handle Sales and Project Management and use Business Central as their backend Accounting.  Out-of-the-box, Project Operations and Business Central are not integrated from a transaction perspective. This leaves a gap for the organization to be filled manually and dependent on accounting/project management to ensure everything is accounted for in Business Central.  This adds human dependency to keep both the systems in sync and make sure everything gets billed on time.  But this is only the scenario, let’s talk about some problems with this scenario in the below section.  Why PO and BC Integration Matters  When we don’t have the systems connected all the way from Sales to Billing, the following issues start to add up resulting bigger cashflow issues –   These things add up causing loss in revenue and hence, causing cashflow issues. Profit and Loss statement might look great, but cash-in-hand makes organizations suffer and causes hindrance in growth.  Hence, the systems should be reliably integrated to eradicate the issues discussed above.  To give perspective of what all needs to be integrated to ensure that all transaction data between Project Operations and Business Central is taken care of, refer to the below architecture which we’ve incorporated in our PO-BC Integration Module –  To conclude that, when Organizations have their business systems connected to accounting and the financial transactions are taken care of, cashflow issues are eradicated so that organizations can bill on time and get paid on time.  Without this, cashflow chaos is difficult to overcome and fixing billing issues is of prime importance.  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.