In Part 1, we explored the core logic of handling prepayment invoices in Business Central using AL. In this part, we will dive deeper into the practical implementation, focusing on how prepayments are applied, invoices are generated, and item charges are assigned. This blog will break down the logic in a simplified, yet complete way. Why Automate Prepayments? In real-world business scenarios, companies often pay vendors before the invoice is fully posted. Handling these prepayments manually is tedious and error-prone: Our AL code automates this process: it creates purchase invoices, handles prepayment lines, applies payments, and ensures that item charges are correctly assigned. 1. Event Subscriber: Trigger After Posting Purchase Document The automation starts with an event subscriber that triggers after a purchase document is posted: [EventSubscriber(ObjectType::Codeunit, Codeunit::”Purch.-Post”, ‘OnAfterPostPurchaseDoc’, ”, false, false)]procedure OnAfterPostPurchaseDocHandler(var PurchaseHeader: Record “Purchase Header”)var    Rec_PreppaymentLines: Record PrepaymentLinesandPayment;    PurchInvoiceHeader: Record “Purchase Header”;    VendorInvoiceMap: Dictionary of [Code[20], Code[20]];    VendorNo: Code[20];begin    // Collect unique vendors    Rec_PreppaymentLines.SetRange(“Purchase Order No.”, PurchaseHeader.”No.”);    Clear(VendorList);    if Rec_PreppaymentLines.FindSet() then        repeat            if not VendorList.Contains(Rec_PreppaymentLines.”Vendor No.”) then                VendorList.Add(Rec_PreppaymentLines.”Vendor No.”);        until Rec_PreppaymentLines.Next() = 0; // Process each vendor    foreach VendorNo in VendorList do begin        // Create or reuse invoice        if VendorInvoiceMap.ContainsKey(VendorNo) then            PurchInvoiceHeader.Get(PurchInvoiceHeader.”Document Type”::Invoice, VendorInvoiceMap.Get(VendorNo))        else begin            PurchInvoiceHeader := CreatePurchaseInvoiceHeader(VendorNo);            VendorInvoiceMap.Add(VendorNo, PurchInvoiceHeader.”No.”);        end; // Handle prepayment lines        Rec_PreppaymentLines.SetRange(“Purchase Order No.”, PurchaseHeader.”No.”);        Rec_PreppaymentLines.SetRange(“Vendor No.”, VendorNo);        if Rec_PreppaymentLines.FindSet() then            repeat                HandlePrepaymentLine(Rec_PreppaymentLines, PurchInvoiceHeader);            until Rec_PreppaymentLines.Next() = 0;    end;end; Key Takeaways: 2. Handling Prepayment Lines The HandlePrepaymentLine procedure ensures each prepayment is processed correctly: procedure HandlePrepaymentLine(var PrepaymentLine: Record PrepaymentLinesandPayment; var PurchHeader: Record “Purchase Header”)var    PaymentEntryNo: Integer;begin    // Unapply previous payments if any    PaymentEntryNo := UnapplyPaymentFromPrepayInvoice(PrepaymentLine.”Prepayment Invoice”);    if PaymentEntryNo = 0 then        Error(‘Failed to unapply Vendor Ledger Entry for Document No. %1’, PrepaymentLine.”Prepayment Invoice”); // Create credit memo and invoice line    CreateCreditMemoLine(PrepaymentLine, PrepaymentLine.”Prepayment Invoice”);    CreatePurchaseInvoiceLine(PurchHeader, PrepaymentLine); // Assign item charges and post    AssignItemChargeToReceiptAndPost(PrepaymentLine, PurchHeader.”No.”, PrepaymentLine.”Purchase Order No.”);end; Highlights: 3. Applying Payments to Invoice The ApplyPaymentToInvoice procedure ensures the invoice is linked with the correct prepayment: procedure ApplyPaymentToInvoice(InvoiceNo: Code[20]; PaymentEntryNo: Integer)var    InvoiceEntry, VendLedEntry: Record “Vendor Ledger Entry”;    ApplyPostedEntries: Codeunit “VendEntry-Apply Posted Entries”;    ApplyUnapplyParameters: Record “Apply Unapply Parameters”;begin    InvoiceEntry.SetRange(“Document No.”, InvoiceNo);    InvoiceEntry.SetRange(Open, true);    if InvoiceEntry.FindFirst() then begin        VendLedEntry.SetRange(“Entry No.”, PaymentEntryNo);        if VendLedEntry.FindFirst() then begin            InvoiceEntry.Validate(“Amount to Apply”, InvoiceEntry.”Remaining Amount”);            VendLedEntry.Validate(“Amount to Apply”, -InvoiceEntry.”Remaining Amount”); ApplyUnapplyParameters.”Document No.” := VendLedEntry.”Document No.”;            ApplyPostedEntries.Apply(InvoiceEntry, ApplyUnapplyParameters);        end;    end;end; Benefits: 4. Assigning Item Charges Item charges from receipts are automatically assigned to invoices: procedure AssignItemChargeToReceiptAndPost(var PrepaymentLine: Record PrepaymentLinesandPayment; PurchInvoiceNo: Code[20]; PurchaseOrderNo: Code[20])var    PurchRcptLine: Record “Purch. Rcpt. Line”;    ItemChargeAssign: Record “Item Charge Assignment (Purch)”;begin    PurchRcptLine.SetRange(“Order No.”, PrepaymentLine.”Purchase Order No.”);    PurchRcptLine.SetFilter(Quantity, ‘>0’);    PurchRcptLine.SetRange(“No.”, PrepaymentLine.”Item No.”); if PurchRcptLine.FindSet() then        repeat            ItemChargeAssign.Init();            ItemChargeAssign.”Document No.” := PurchInvoiceNo;            ItemChargeAssign.”Applies-to Doc. No.” := PurchRcptLine.”Document No.”;            ItemChargeAssign.”Item Charge No.” := PrepaymentLine.”Item Charge”;            ItemChargeAssign.”Qty. to Assign” := 1;            ItemChargeAssign.”Amount to Assign” := PrepaymentLine.Amount;            ItemChargeAssign.Insert(true);        until PurchRcptLine.Next() = 0;end; Outcome: To conclude, by implementing this automation: This code can save significant time for finance teams while keeping processes accurate and transparent. 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

Managing prepayments can be challenging for businesses that work with multiple vendors on the same Purchase Order. In many industries, especially those that handle specialized procurement or complex supply chains, it is common for a single PO to include several lines that each involve a different vendor. This means every vendor has different payment terms, different prepayment requirements, and different financial workflows. A client in the gas distribution industry had this exact issue: each PO line belonged to a different vendor, and every vendor required a separate prepayment invoice, payment, and auto-application before goods could be received. Because of strict financial controls and vendor requirements, nothing could be posted or received until each prepayment was correctly processed and applied. Why Standard Business Central Was Not Enough Business Central supports prepayments, but only at the Purchase Order header level, not line by line.This means BC assumes the entire PO is for a single vendor, which is not always true in real-world scenarios. In addition, standard BC does not automatically: This forces users to manually: Thus, managing prepayments became a manual and error-prone process. As the number of PO lines increased, the amount of duplicated work increased as well, leading to delays, mistakes, and inconsistencies across the system. Our Solution – A Custom Prepayment Engine To solve this, we built a customized “Prepayment Lines” page where users can manage prepayments at the line level instead of the header level. On this page: This gives the user full control while keeping everything in one place. When the user confirms, Business Central automatically: All of this happens in a single automated process without requiring the user to manually open journal pages or vendor ledger entries. To conclude, this transformed a lengthy, manual workflow into a fully automated one. What previously took many steps across multiple pages and required careful tracking is now processed reliably with one action, saving time, reducing errors, and ensuring that goods can be received without financial delays. 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

Project Operations and Business Central are designed to work together, one managing project execution, the other ensuring financial accuracy. When integrated thoughtfully, they create a clean and reliable flow from project activity to financial reporting. Clear Ownership of Responsibilities In a PO–BC integration: This separation allows project teams to focus on delivery while finance maintains full control over accounting outcomes. Smooth Cost Flow from Projects to Finance Costs captured in Project Operations- time, expenses, and materials – are transferred to Business Central as project journals. Business Central then: This ensures project activity is reflected accurately in financial statements. Consistent Project, Task, and Dimension Mapping A well-designed mapping between: ensures costs and revenue are visible: This makes both project reviews and financial reporting easier and more reliable. Period Control and Financial Accuracy Project Operations captures real-world project activity. Business Central applies: Together, they ensure project data flows into the correct accounting periods without compromising financial governance. Strong Visibility into Commitments and Actuals With the right setup: This combination provides management with a clear view of: To conclude, Project Operations tells the story of the project. Business Central tells the story of the business. When aligned, both stories match, and decision-making becomes easier. Final Thought Project Operations and Business Central integration works best when designed as a financial process, not just a system connection. With the right structure, it delivers clarity for project teams and confidence for finance. We have packaged our Project Operations-Business Central integration to help organizations achieve this alignment with minimal complexity You can explore our PO–BC integration on Microsoft AppSource here: PO-BC Integration 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.

Managing inventory effectively is essential for any organization aiming to balance stock levels, minimize excess inventory costs, and ensure timely order fulfillment.Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides a range of tools that simplify and automate inventory control – helping businesses maintain the right stock at the right time. In this post, we’ll walk through the key features and planning tools available in Business Central’s Inventory Management module. Pre-requisite: 1. Access the Item List Page Start by opening the Item List page. This page offers a complete overview of all active items, including quantities on hand, reorder points, and categories. It serves as the foundation for any inventory planning activity. 2. Open an Item Card Select an item from the list to view its Item Card, where you configure how the system manages, replenishes, and forecasts that product. The setup on this page directly affects how purchase or production orders are generated. a. Configure Replenishment Method and Reordering Policy Under the Replenishment tab, you can define how stock for each item should be refilled when levels drop below a specific threshold. Replenishment Methods include: Lead Time:Set the expected number of days it takes to receive, produce, or assemble an item. This ensures the system plans replenishment activities in advance. Reordering Policies: b. Using Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) for Location-Specific Planning SKUs allow tracking of an item by individual location or variant, enabling businesses to manage stock independently across warehouses or stores.This approach ensures accurate availability data, reduces fulfillment errors, and supports better demand analysis for each location. c. Demand Forecasting The Demand Forecast feature in Business Central helps predict future requirements by analyzing past sales and usage patterns.Forecasts can be system-generated or manually adjusted to reflect upcoming promotions, seasonal variations, or expected demand spikes. d. Requisition (MRP/MPS) Planning The Requisition Worksheet supports Material Requirements Planning (MRP) and Master Production Scheduling (MPS). It automatically reviews forecasts, current stock, and open orders to suggest what needs to be purchased or produced. The system lists recommendations such as item names, quantities, and suppliers.Once reviewed, click Carry Out Action Messages to create purchase or production orders directly — saving time and minimizing manual work. e. Aligning with Sales Orders When a Sales Order is entered, Business Central dynamically recalculates availability.If demand exceeds what was forecasted, the system proposes additional purchase or production orders to prevent shortages and maintain customer satisfaction. To conclude, Dynamics 365 Business Central simplifies inventory control by automating procurement, forecasting demand, and synchronizing stock levels with actual sales.By using replenishment rules, SKUs, and requisition planning, businesses can improve inventory accuracy, reduce costs, and deliver orders faster – all within a single integrated ERP system. 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

Many growing companies work with multiple legal entities. Each month, they exchange bills, services, or goods between companies. Doing this manually often leads to delays and mistakes. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central helps fix that through Intercompany Automation. This feature lets you post one entry in a company, and the system automatically creates the same transaction in the other company. Let’s see how you can set it up and how it works with a real example. Why Intercompany Automation Matters If two companies within the same group trade with each other, both sides must record the same transaction, one as a sale and one as a purchase. When done manually, the process is slow and can cause mismatched balances. Automating it in Business Central saves time, reduces errors, and keeps both companies’ financials in sync automatically. Step 1: Setup Process 1. Turn on Intercompany Feature Open Business Central and go to the Intercompany Setup page. Turn on the setting that allows the company to act as an Intercompany Partner. 2. Add Intercompany Partners Add all related companies as partners. For example, if you have Company A and Company B, set up each as a partner inside the other. 3. Map the Chart of Accounts Make sure both companies use accounts that match in purpose. Example: 4. Create Intercompany Customer and Vendor 5. Create Intercompany Journal Templates Use IC General Journals to record shared expenses or income regularly. You can automate them using job queues or recurring batches. Step 2: Automation in Action Once the setup is complete, every time a user posts a sales invoice or general journal related to an Intercompany Customer or Vendor, Business Central creates a matching entry in the partner company. Both companies can see these transactions in their IC Inbox and Outbox. You can even add automation rules to post them automatically without approval if desired. Step 3: Use Case – Monthly IT Service Charges Scenario: The Head Office provides IT services to a Subsidiary every month for ₹1,00,000. Steps: Both companies now have matching entries, one as income and one as expense, without any manual adjustments. Result: Transactions are accurate, time is saved, and your accountants can focus on analysis rather than repetitive posting. To conclude, automating intercompany postings in Business Central makes financial management simple and reliable. Once configured, it ensures transparency, reduces errors, and speeds up reporting. 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.

Sometimes, it becomes necessary to correct a posted transaction. Instead of manually adjusting or attempting to delete it, you can utilize the reverse functionality. Reverse journal postings are helpful for correcting mistakes or removing outdated accrual entries before creating new ones. A reversal mirrors the original entry but uses the opposite sign in the Amount field. It must use the same document number and posting date as the original. After reversing, the correct entry must be posted. Only entries created from general journal lines can be reversed, and each entry can be reversed only once. To undo a receipt or shipment that hasn’t been invoiced, use the Undo action on the posted document. This applies to Item and Resource quantities. You can undo postings if an incorrect negative quantity was entered (for example, a purchase receipt with the wrong item quantity and not yet invoiced). Similarly, incorrect positive quantities posted as shipped but not invoiced, such as sales shipments or purchase return shipments. can also be undone. Pre-requisites Business Central onCloud Steps: Open the transaction you wish to reverse. In this case, we aim to reverse the payment for the customer shown below. Click on Ledger Entries to view all transactions associated with this customer. As shown, this payment has already been applied to an invoice. Therefore, you must first unapply the payment before proceeding. Use the Unapply Entries action button to unapply the entries for the selected customer. Once you successfully unapplied payment you can see “remaiing amount” is equal to “Amount” field. Now click on “Reverse Transaction”. You can view the related entries for this transaction. Click the Reverse button, and a pop-up will appear once the reversal entries have been posted for the selected transaction. The reverse entry has now been created, reflecting the same document number and amount. Leveraging the reverse transaction functionality in Business Central enables businesses to correct errors seamlessly, improve operational efficiency, and uphold the integrity of their financial data. Whether managing invoices, payments, or other ledger entries, this feature is an essential tool for maintaining transparency and accuracy in your financial workflows. To Conclude, the reverse transaction feature in Business Central is a powerful tool that simplifies the process of correcting posted transactions. Instead of manually adjusting or deleting entries, you can efficiently reverse them, ensuring your financial records remain accurate and consistent. 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 working on report customizations in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, one common challenge is maintaining a consistent layout regardless of how many lines are present in the data source. This situation often arises in reports like Purchase Orders, Sales Orders, or Invoices, where the line section expands or contracts based on the number of lines in the dataset. However, certain business scenarios demand a fixed or uniform presentation, such as when a client wants consistent spacing or placeholders for manual inputs. This article demonstrates how you can achieve this flexibility purely through RDLC layout design – without making any changes in AL or dataset logic. Business Requirement The objective was to design a Purchase Order report where the line area maintains a consistent structure, independent of how many lines exist in the actual data. In other words, the report layout should not necessarily reflect the dataset exactly as it is. The idea was to ensure visual uniformity while keeping the underlying data logic simple. Proposed Solution The solution was implemented directly in the RDLC report layout by creating two tables and controlling their visibility through expressions. There was no need to align them in the same position one table was placed above the other. RDLC automatically handled which one to display at runtime based on the visibility conditions. Table 1 – Actual Purchase Lines Displays the real data from the Purchase Line dataset. Table 2 – Structured or Blank Layout Displays a predefined structure (for example, blank rows) when fewer lines are available. This design ensures that whichever table meets the visibility condition is rendered, maintaining layout flow automatically. Implementation Steps 1. Add Two Tables in the RDLC Layout 2. Set Visibility Conditions To control which table appears at runtime, open each table’s properties and go to:Table Properties → Visibility → Hidden → Expression Then apply the following expressions: For Table 1 (Actual Purchase Lines) =IIF(CountRows(“DataSet_Result”) <= 8, True, False) Hides the actual data table when the dataset has fewer rows. For Table 2 (Structured or Blank Layout) =IIF(CountRows(“DataSet_Result”) > 8, True, False) Hides the structured or blank table when enough data rows are available. Note: The number “8” is just an example threshold. You can set any value that fits your design requirement. Result At runtime: The RDLC engine handles layout adjustment, ensuring the report always looks uniform and visually balanced – without any need for AL code changes or temporary data handling. Advantages of This Approach Benefit Description No AL Code Changes Achieved entirely within RDLC layout. Upgrade Friendly Dataset and report objects remain unchanged. Automatic Layout Flow RDLC adjusts which table is displayed automatically. Professional Appearance Ensures consistent formatting and structure across all reports. Key Takeaways This simple yet effective approach shows that report design in Business Central can be made flexible without altering data logic.By using two tables with visibility expressions, you can create reports that adapt their appearance automatically – keeping the layout professional, stable, and easy to maintain. 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 modern business settings, employees spend a significant portion of their time searching for information rather than using it. According to Microsoft, office workers can spend up to 20 % of their working time simply looking for data. With the “Search in company data” feature in Business Central, organizations can now provide users with faster, broader, and more relevant search capabilities—giving them more time to focus on strategic tasks rather than just data retrieval. Using this feature is straightforward and intuitive. You can either highlight any text within Business Central and open the Tell Me window, or type one or more keywords directly into it. Then, select the Search company data option to explore matching information across your system. So instead of opening Item list page and searching item name you can simply use above option. Once you click on Search Company Data it will open Search result with new page. You can simply click on result to open searched item page. You can enable more table to search across them by clicking “Setup where to search” option. To conclude, the Search in Company Data feature in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central empowers users to find information faster and more efficiently. Instead of navigating through multiple pages or lists, users can now access the data they need directly through the Tell Me window. With the added flexibility to configure which tables and fields are searchable, organizations can tailor the experience to meet their specific needs. By simplifying the search process and enabling broader data accessibility, this feature not only saves time but also enhances productivity-allowing users to focus on decision-making and value-driven tasks rather than manual data lookups. 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

We’ve all been there. You’re closing out the month, and you spot it: a General Journal line where the “Department” dimension is set to “Sales” but should have been “Marketing.” Or perhaps a purchase invoice was posted with an incorrect “Project” code. In the world of accounting and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, dimensions are the lifeblood of meaningful reporting, and even a single mistake can ripple through your financial statements, leading to misguided decisions and frantic period-end corrections. Fortunately, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers a powerful, built-in safety net: the Dimension Correction feature. This isn’t just a handy tool, it’s a game-changer for financial integrity and auditor peace of mind. What Are Dimensions, and Why Do Mistakes Happen? Before diving into corrections, let’s quickly recap. Dimensions in Business Central are tags like Department, Project, Cost Center, or Region. Instead of creating separate G/L accounts for every possible combination, dimensions allow you to slice and dice your financial data, delivering incredible analytical power. Common Reasons These Errors Occur: In the past, fixing mistakes meant reversing entries, posting manual journals, and leaving a messy audit trail. Not anymore. Enter the Hero: The Dimension Correction Feature The Dimension Correction feature allows you to change dimensions on already posted entries without creating new transactions or affecting original amounts. It simply updates the dimensional context of the existing entry. Key Benefits of Dimension Correction How to Perform a Dimension Correction: A Step-by-Step Guide Let’s walk through correcting a simple example. Scenario: A telephone expense was incorrectly posted to the SALES department. It should have been posted to the MARKETING department. Step 1: Locate the Posted Entry Step 2: Initiate the Dimension Correction Step 3: Make the Correction Step 4: Verify the Change To conclude, The Dimension Correction feature transforms a once-tedious, error-prone process into a controlled, efficient, and auditable task. It empowers your finance team to maintain the integrity of your financial data without complex accounting workarounds. By understanding how to use this feature and following simple best practices, you ensure that your dimensions-and therefore your management reports – are always accurate, reliable, and ready to guide your business forward. 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 any Indian business running on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, tax compliance isn’t optional, it’s foundational. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework is complex and manually managing it is a high-risk gamble. This guide isn’t just a list of steps; it’s your definitive blueprint for configuring Business Central’s powerful Indian localization features to handle GST seamlessly. We will transform your ERP from a standard ledger into a fully automated, compliance-ready machine. Ready to banish tax-related data entry errors and audit anxiety? Let’s dive in and set up the system correctly, from defining your GSTINs to mastering the G/L posting matrix. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers robust localization features for India, including comprehensive support for the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Properly configuring GST is essential for calculating, recording, and settling taxes on all your inward and outward supplies, ensuring compliance with Indian tax laws. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step process for setting up GST in Business Central, based on Microsoft’s best practices. Phase 1: Laying the Foundation (Tax Periods & Registration) The initial phase involves setting up the legal and temporal frameworks for your GST configuration. Step 1: Define Tax Accounting Periods (GST Calendar) The GST regime operates on a specific timeline, and you need to define this within Business Central. Step 2: Establish Your GST Registration Numbers (GSTINs) Your Goods and Service Tax Payer Identification Number (GSTIN) is critical for identifying your tax entity and the state you operate in. Phase 2: Core Configuration (G/L Accounts and Masters) This phase links the statutory requirements with your company’s general ledger structure. Step 3: Configure GST Groups and HSN/SAC Codes These setups classify your goods and services for accurate rate calculation. Step 4: Define the GST Posting Setup (The Accounting Link) This is perhaps the most crucial step, as it determines which General Ledger (G/L) accounts are used to post GST amounts. Step 5: Set Up GST Rates With your Groups and HSN/SAC codes defined, you now specify the actual tax percentages. Phase 3: Master Data Integration (Connecting the Dots) The final phase ensures that your business entities and locations are linked to the defined GST rules. Step 6: Update Company and Location Information Your company’s primary details must be GST-compliant. Step 7: Configure Customer and Vendor Master Data For every trading partner, you must define their GST status and registration details. To conclude, by following these seven steps, your Indian company’s Business Central environment will be fully configured to handle GST calculations automatically. This setup allows the system to determine the correct tax component (CGST, SGST, or IGST), apply the right rate, and post the amounts to the designated G/L accounts, simplifying your day-to-day transactions and preparing you for GST settlements and reporting. 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.