Integrating Dynamics 365 (D365) with external systems using Azure Logic Apps is one of the most common patterns for automation. But in real-world projects, things rarely go smoothly – API throttling, network timeouts, and unexpected data issues are everyday challenges. Without proper error handling and retry strategies, these issues can result in data mismatches, missed transactions, or broken integrations. In this blog, we’ll explore how to handle errors and implement retries in D365 Logic App integrations, ensuring your workflows are reliable, resilient, and production-ready. Core Content 1. Why Error Handling Matters in D365 Integrations Without handling these, your Logic App either fails silently or stops execution entirely, causing broken processes.  2. Built-in Retry Policies in Logic Apps What They Are:Every Logic App action comes with a retry policy that can be configured to automatically retry failed requests. Best Practice: 3. Handling Errors with Scopes and “Run After” Scopes in Logic Apps let you group actions and then define what happens if they succeed or fail. Steps: Example: 4. Designing Retry + Error Flow Together Recommended Pattern: This ensures no transaction is silently lost. 5. Handling Dead-lettering with Service Bus (Advanced) For high-volume integrations, you may need a dead-letter queue (DLQ) approach: This pattern prevents data loss while keeping integrations lightweight. 6. Monitoring & Observability Error handling isn’t complete without monitoring. Building resilient integrations between D365 and Logic Apps isn’t just about connecting APIs—it’s about ensuring reliability even when things go wrong. By configuring retry policies, using scopes for error handling, and adopting dead-lettering for advanced cases, you’ll drastically reduce downtime and data mismatches. Next time you design a D365 Logic App, don’t just think about the happy path. Build error handling and retry strategies from the start, and you’ll thank yourself later when your integration survives the unexpected. 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 developing in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, you spend a lot of time working in Visual Studio Code. To streamline productivity and keep projects well-organized, workspaces in Business Central AL play a critical role. In this blog, we’ll explore what workspaces are, why they matter, and how you can use them effectively in your AL development journey. What is a Workspace in Business Central AL? A workspace in Visual Studio Code is essentially a container that holds your project’s structure, settings, and configurations. In Business Central AL development, a workspace defines: In short, a workspace ensures that everything needed to build and deploy an extension is neatly bundled together. Benefits of Using Workspaces Creating and Managing Workspaces Tip: Save your workspace using File > Save Workspace As… so you can reopen it quickly in future. Example: Multi-root Workspace When working with multiple extensions in a workspace, handling dependencies used to mean installing each required app one by one. Now, the development environment can automatically look at the dependency graph in your workspace and publish the necessary projects along with the one you selected. This way, you can focus on building and testing without worrying about missing dependencies. Imagine you’re working with multiple extensions in your Business Central environment: From the diagram: Base App ALProject1 ALProject2 ALProject3 Adding Folder to Workspace. Saving Workspace. Creating a separate folder to store workspaces. Publishing Full Dependency. This allows you to debug, build, and manage all the extensions from a single VS Code instance. Best Practices for Workspaces To conclude, workspaces in Business Central AL are more than just folders — they are the foundation of your development environment. By structuring your projects with well-maintained workspaces, you ensure smoother collaboration, better organization, and efficient extension deployment. If you’re just starting with AL, experiment with single-project workspaces, and as you grow, explore multi-root setups to manage larger development scenarios. 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

One limitation while working with MS forms is the 1 GB limit on file submission through the forms. Many of you guys are must be using Forms to get files from users or clients outside your organizations and those files can be over 1GB.  In this blog I will show you how you let users submit files over 1 GB through MS Forms and store this response into a SharePoint list. So let’s being..  Approach:   MS Form stores all the files onto your one drive, One drive also offers a feature called “Request Files” using which you can create a shareable link to a one drive folder in which anyone with the link can upload files and it has no limit over the size of the file.   So instead of using the forms upload file feature we will be using shareable link from the Request File feature on the form using which users will be able to submit documents of any size. Let’s see how to do this.  Create Shareable link to a one drive folder using Request File Feature.  Copy this link and save it we will be using this link in our MS form.  Create MS Form.  You can add the link as you want on the form you can also add it in your sections sub title (Both these are just examples or ideas of how you can show users this link.)  Stored attachments in one drive.  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.

Power BI is one of the most popular tools for business intelligence and reporting. But out-of-the-box reports often fall short when it comes to addressing real-world business needs. To truly maximize its potential, Power BI can be customized with advanced features like conditional formatting, multi-page designs, and Row-Level Security (RLS). In this blog, we’ll walk through a practical example of customizing a Power BI report for territory-based account analysis. Even if you’re a beginner, this guide will help you understand the steps and how you can apply them in your own reports. Problem Statement The business needed to analyze accounts by sales territory. The default Power BI report had limitations: – All territories looked the same on the map, making it difficult to differentiate them. – Managers had no easy way to drill into account-level details. – Sensitive account data was visible to everyone, creating compliance risks. Clearly, a more structured and secure approach was needed. Solution Approach Using DAX, we created a measure to assign each territory a unique color. This helped managers quickly distinguish regions on the map. 2. Multi-Page Report Design We structured the report across three pages: – Page 2 – Drill-Through Account Details: Clicking on a territory brings you here to view specific accounts. – Page 3 – Tabular Data View: A table version of Page 2 for exporting and validating data. 3. Row-Level Security (RLS) RLS was applied so each Territory Manager only sees data for their assigned region. This not only secures data but also builds trust among users. Key Learnings – Beginners can start small: apply conditional formatting to bring clarity to visuals. – Multi-page design makes reports more user-friendly than cluttering everything on one screen. – RLS is essential for real-world deployments, ensuring only the right people see the right data. To conclude, by customizing Power BI with conditional formatting, multi-page design, and Row-Level Security, even a beginner can create professional-grade reports. These enhancements transform Power BI into a secure, role-based tool that aligns with how businesses actually operate. 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 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. 

As a Business Central functional consultant, I often come across clients who want to stretch the system just a little further than what the standard product offers. And honestly? That’s the fun part of my job, taking a real business problem and making Business Central work for it. Recently, one of our clients came to us with an interesting ask. They were using Projects in Business Central (note: not full-blown Project Operations, since BC’s project functionality is more limited) just to track their internal projects. For them, it wasn’t about billing customers or external reporting, it was about managing their own internal tasks in a structured way. But soon, they hit a snag: “We want task dependencies. Unless Task A is done, Task B should not be editable. And while we’re at it, can we also forecast task timelines automatically?” The Customization: Task Dependency + Forecasted Dates We built a customization with two powerful features: This combination turned their static task list into a dynamic project plan inside Business Central. Why This Feature Made a Big Difference Here are a few ways it improved their day-to-day working: A Small Customization, A Big Win Sometimes, it’s not about adding a huge new module, it’s about adding the right control and visibility at the right place. This customization gave our client confidence that their internal projects would stay on track, with dependencies and timelines automatically adjusting in Business Central. And that’s the beauty of Business Central: it gives you a strong foundation, and with a little tailoring, it can adapt perfectly to your unique business needs. 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.

Service Management in Dynamics 365 Business Central supports companies that provide after-sales services such as repairs, maintenance, installation, and support. It allows users to manage service agreements, quotes, orders, invoicing, and even loaner equipment, ensuring full control of service delivery and customer satisfaction. This article outlines the entire flow of managing service operations in D365 Business Central—from quote to invoicing and everything in between.  Create Service Quotes A Service Quote is the initial estimate given to a customer before approving or scheduling the actual service. Steps: Once accepted, convert it directly into a Service Order. Create Service Orders A Service Order is used to record and execute the actual service work. Types of Services: Key Components: Once created, the order acts as the central document for planning, execution, and billing. Create Service Invoices or Credit Memos After the service is completed, a Service Invoice or Credit Memo is generated. Invoice: Credit Memo:  Allocate Resources Assign technicians or engineers to perform the work: This ensures the right person is assigned to the right task with visibility for planning teams.  Work on Service Tasks Each Service Order can include multiple Service Tasks: Technicians can: These tasks provide visibility for both field and back-office teams. Service Posting Service Posting involves updating financial and inventory records after service execution. Items/Resources Posted: System ensures all services are financially accounted for and supports audit trails. Post Service Orders and Credit Memos Once the work is completed and verified: Posted documents are archived and accessible under: Lend and Receive Loaners D365 BC allows you to lend temporary replacement items (Loaners) while the customer’s equipment is being serviced. Loaner Process: This boosts customer satisfaction during long repairs and keeps service transparent.  Service Management Features Here are some of the advanced features D365 BC provides in the Service Management Module: Feature Purpose Service Contracts Recurring maintenance or warranty-based agreements Service Items Registers customer equipment and service history Fault/Repair Codes Standardize service documentation Service Pricing Price groups, discounts, and warranty handling Response Time Setup SLAs based on service priority or zone Service Dispatching Schedule and manage field technicians  To Conclude, service Management in Dynamics 365 Business Central enables complete control over the entire lifecycle of customer service, from the initial quote to the final invoice. With integrated features for resource allocation, task execution, inventory tracking, and loaner control, the system enhances service efficiency and customer satisfaction. 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.

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.

In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, users frequently need to generate and review Purchase Order (PO) documents. Traditionally, this process involved downloading PDF files locally and then opening them with an external PDF viewer. While functional, this workflow can be inefficient, especially when reviewing multiple purchase orders. With recent enhancements in the AL language and web client capabilities, it is now possible to preview PDF documents directly within the browser, eliminating unnecessary steps and improving user experience. Additionally, Business Central continues to support direct file downloads for scenarios where saving a copy locally is required. This article presents a customization to the Purchase Order List page, allowing users to select multiple purchase orders and either preview or download their PDF documents using AL code. Functional Overview The proposed solution introduces a new action on the Purchase Order List page titled “Preview Selected Purchase Orders”. This action performs the following tasks: Role of Report Selections Report Selections play a vital role in ensuring flexibility and modularity. Instead of hardcoding specific report IDs, the system determines the report to be used for each Purchase Order based on vendor configuration. Example AL Snippet: This method respects configurations made in the Report Selection – Purchase page, allowing different vendors to use different report formats or layouts for the same document type. AL Implementation Below is the complete AL code for the pageextension object: File Handling Options: Preview vs Download Depending on business needs, developers can choose between two methods: 1. File.ViewFromStream 2. File.DownloadFromStream Output This customization provides two ways to handle PDF outputs for Purchase Orders: 1. For a Single Selected Document When a single purchase order is selected and the action is triggered: 2. For Multiple Selected Documents (Merged into One PDF) Business Benefits To Conclude, by leveraging AL capabilities such as Report Selections, Temp Blob, and the File data type methods, developers can significantly enhance document handling processes in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Offering both in-browser preview and direct download options provides users with flexibility and improves overall productivity. This customization is a practical example of how small enhancements can deliver substantial value in day-to-day business operations. We hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfronts.com.

Teams is one of the best forms of notifying users about a form submission, in this blog let’s see how we can post new Microsoft Form responses into a team’s channel.  Step 1: Go to https://make.powerautomate.com/  -> Click on Environments on the top left and select the environment you want to create your flow in if you don’t have any environments you can select the default environment.  Step 2: Click on My flows -> New flow and select Automated cloud flow.  Step 3: Name your flow and search for “When a new response is submitted trigger”  Step: 4 Select the form for which you want to send the notification  Step 5: click on new step and search for Forms -> under Actions select “Get response details”  Step 6: Reselect the same Form in the first column of the Get response details action and in the second column you need to add the Response Id which is coming from the first step, you will get through the dynamics content just by clicking on the column.  Step 7: Now add a new step and search for Send Email V2 action. (We are using this action so that we can make our post content in Rich Text Format)  Step 8: You will get all the form files which are coming from the Get response details step, you can add them using the dynamics contents.  Step 9: In the Send Email V2 action you can create your message style it using the Rich text editor, once you are done styling your message click on code view button as shown in the below image.  Step 10: In the code view you will get the rich text message in HTML, copy this code and Delete the Send an email (V2) step.  Step 11: Click on new step and search for compose   Step 12: Rename this compose to Message body and paste the HTLM code of the message body from step 10  Step 13: Now click new step and search for Post message in a chat or channel action.  Step 14:  Fill in the details as shown below, you can post this as user or a flow bot select the teams and the teams channel and paste the output of compose in the message.  Output  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@cloudfronts.com.