Directions 4 Partners: 2022

Microsoft Directions 4 Partners is a specific event for Microsoft Partners, to learn about new and upcoming releases, exclusive offers, product extensions and functionality, as well as benefits and incentives for customers. Now in its 15th year, the conference hosts nearly 3,000 delegates from over 700 organisations, there is no doubt that Directions is a “must do” for Microsoft Partners.

As well as sharing new releases from Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and sessions from Microsoft, MVP’s, ISV’s, Sponsors, and community speakers; a new initiative was launched for ‘young people in Dynamics’ and updates from the newly launched ‘Women in Dynamics’. A brand-new community portal was also introduced into the Dynamics channel.

It’s no surprise that amongst the three day conference, there is too much content to share in a single blog post. So, we thought we’d share a few highlights and points of interest instead…

The Shopify Connector for Business Central

There has been a lot of talk around the Shopify connector for Business Central. Whether it’s a user who has Business Central, and would like to try Shopify, or a user who has Shopify, and would like to know how to connect to a new Business Central system. Microsoft have taken every consideration to various scenarios, with an aim to making set up and workflow of the integration as streamlined as possible.

You can find more on the set up on and using the Shopify Connector through Microsoft learn and documentation.

Accessing Business Central with a Microsoft 365 license

The latest from Microsoft allows users access to Business Central with Microsoft 365 licenses. Business Central users are assigned a Dynamics 365 Business Central licence that permits them to view, modify and act on business data from any user interface. For other employees, Microsoft offers the use of a Microsoft 365 license, which enables them to read (not right) data – all through a simplified UI in Microsoft Teams.

Accessing Business Central with a Microsoft 365 license has multiple benefits, including;

• Empowering departments that don’t run on Business Central by eliminating the need for continually requesting data from others
• Meet licensing budget targets, by assigning licences that progressively match employee needs
• Improve data security by reducing the need for pasting screen snippets of business data outside of data governance boundaries.

This is a great opportunity for users of Business Central to work smarter, improve team performance and productivity – which can all be enabled from the admin center.

What’s new in Permissions

When it comes to permissions, one of the biggest factors users face is the time consumption. Microsoft have shared their goals to ensure users spend less time setting up permissions, understand what it is they have set up, and to reduce maintenance burden.

New permission sets let users decide how to structure their system security, as well as creating a bespoke hierarchy that works for their organisation.

Women in Dynamics

In case you weren’t aware, Dynavics is a partner of Women in Dynamics partner after signing their pledge in 2021.

At Directions 2022, Women in Dynamics shared their insight into how best to retain, motivate and empower women in your business. Since Covid, 1 in 3 women has considered leaving their workforce or downshifting their career (McKinsey, Women in the Workplace 2022), and with many women looking for more flexibility, opportunity to advance, support for mental health, miscarriage and menopause, employers need to take action.

Alongside the focus on motivating and empowering the women in your business, Women in Dynamics also shared some key statistics and insights as to why an inclusive culture is paramount to an organisation. Including:

• Better likelihood for innovation
• Increase probability for overall better business outcomes
• An increased likelihood to meet or exceed financial targets
• Better probability to be high performing

If you would like to learn more about Women in Dynamics, and signing the pledge, you can do so by visiting their website. 

Get in touch…

As a Microsoft Dynamics Partner, Dynavics are committed to keeping up to date with releases, offers and improvements from Microsoft, in a constant effort to ensure we provide the best services for our customers. If you would like to learn more about how Dynavics might be able to help you implement Business Central and optimise your business operations, get in touch.