If you’ve been using the custom help toolkits for Dynamics 365 finance and operations apps or Dynamics 365 Business Central, then change is coming your way. If you’ve never used either toolkit, you can stop reading now.

What’s changing

The custom help toolkits started out as a way to connect your own help content to Dynamics 365 and to customize Microsoft’s help content. But times change, technology changes with them, and we no longer recommend that you customize our content. Instead, we recommend that you create your own help content using any tools you prefer, and then let that override Microsoft’s content.

After April 11, 2023, the toolkits will be archived.

We’re also removing content from our contributor guides that encourages customizing our content. Everyone can still contribute to our documentation, but in English only.

Why are you making this change?

The custom help toolkits are being used less and less. We know custom solutions are still running on versions that are or soon will be unsupported. We expect those migration projects will be complex enough that existing custom help can’t be easily reused.

If you find that you need one of the tools in the archived toolkits, you can download a release package and extract the one you need.

What about custom help?

If you develop a solution that’s based on Dynamics 365, you should continue to deliver documentation for its users. Use any tools you prefer.

If your solution includes Dynamics 365 Finance, Supply Chain Management, or Commerce, and you need to connect your content to the in-product help pane, download the AzureSearchCustomHelp solution. Learn more at Connect a custom help website to the Help pane.

Not yet a Dynamics 365 customer? Take a tour and get a free trial.

The post Custom help toolkits for Dynamics 365 to be retired in April 2023 appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

This is an exciting time in the evolution of AI, and you don’t have to look far to see the headlines on ways it is changing the world. From advanced machine learning models to breakthrough natural language technology, new opportunities to use AI to improve the way we work are surfacing daily. AI innovation can free employees from mundane, repetitive tasks and allow them to focus on the work that matters most, increasing job satisfaction and pushing productivity to new heights. According to our recent survey on business trends, 89 percent of those with access to automation and AI-powered tools feel more fulfilled because they can spend time on work that truly matters.¹

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central brings the power of AI to small and medium-sized businesses with features that help companies work smarter, adapt faster, and perform better. Let’s explore some of the ways that AI in Business Central is improving how work gets done, including:

• Automating repetitive tasks
• Improving customer service
• Anticipating business challenges
• Enhancing decision making

Automate repetitive tasks with Copilot in Business Central

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Copilot introduces the next generation of AI-powered experiences to Microsoft Dynamics 365 business applications. Dynamics 365 Copilot provides AI assistance directly in the flow of work using natural language technology, automating repetitive tasks, and unlocking creativity. Dynamics 365 Copilot is the world’s first copilot in both customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP), ushering in the new age of productivity for businesses of all sizes.

With Copilot in Business Central, product managers can save time and drive sales with engaging AI-generated product descriptions. Banish writer’s block with unique, compelling marketing text created in seconds using product attributes such as color, material, and size. Tailor the descriptions to your brand by choosing a tone of voice, as well as format and length. Complete the process by publishing to Shopify or other ecommerce stores with just a few clicks. Copilot in Business Central makes launching new products fast and easy so you can focus on growing your business. Try Copilot in Business Central today.

Improve customer service with Sales and Inventory Forecasting  

In a highly competitive business landscape, effective inventory management can be the key differentiator between a successful business and one that struggles to retain customers and remain profitable. Inventory management is a trade-off between customer service and managing your costs. While low inventory requires less working capital, inventory shortages can lead to missed sales. Using AI, the Sales and Inventory Forecast extension predicts future sales using historical data to help you avoid stockouts. Based on the forecast and inventory levels, the extension helps create replenishment requests to your vendors, helping you save time and improve inventory availability to keep your customers happy.

Anticipate business challenges with Late Payment Predictions

Effectively managing receivables is critical to the overall financial health of a business. The Late Payment Prediction extension can help you reduce outstanding receivables and fine-tune your collections strategy by predicting whether sales invoices will be paid on time. For example, if a payment is predicted to be late, you might decide to adjust the terms of payment or the payment method for the customer. By anticipating late payments and making adjustments, you can better manage and ultimately reduce overdue receivables.

Enhance decision-making with Cash Flow Analysis

Azure AI in Business Central helps you create a comprehensive cash flow forecast with Cash Flow Analysis, enhancing decision-making so you can stay in control of your cash flow. A company’s cash flow indicates its financial solvency and reveals whether the company can meet its financial obligations in a timely manner. To make sure that your company is solvent, a future-oriented planning instrument is necessary. With insights from AI, you can make proactive adjustments to ensure your company’s fiscal health, such as reducing credit when you have a cash surplus or borrowing to mitigate a cash deficit.

Innovate with Business Central

In today’s fast-paced market, AI has become essential for companies looking to stay ahead of the competition. The AI tools built into Business Central can help you improve the end-to-end customer experience, reduce costs, and boost financial success. With the ability to automate repetitive tasks, analyze data, and offer personalized recommendations, Business Central can help you operate more efficiently and grow your business.

Dynamics 365 Business Central

Adapt faster, work smarter, and perform better with Business Central.

Download the guide

Sources

¹Four Ways Leaders Can Empower People for How Work Gets Done

The post Introducing a new era of AI-powered experiences in Dynamics 365 Business Central appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

The first release wave of 2023 kicks off in just a few weeks! You’re invited to get a sneak preview of what’s new at the Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event, streaming live on April 4 at 9:00 AM Pacific Time. Tune in live, or on-demand after the live broadcast, for news and demos showcasing some of the hundreds of product features and innovation heading to Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform.

Sign up for the event today for reminders, agenda updates, and instructions to tune in live from your desktop or mobile device.

Business Applications Launch Event

The latest updates across Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform

Register for the event

What to expect at the Business Applications Launch Event

Featuring news and product demos, the event will cover updates launching between April and September 2023 across business rolesfrom marketing, sales, and service to supply chain and financeas well as low-code innovation for everyone in the organization. Tune in to learn about:

• The very latest on AI-powered copilots that work alongside you to help create ideas and content faster, complete time-consuming tasks, and get insights and next best actions. 
• A preview of new ways to deliver more personalized and engaging customer experiences across marketing, sales, and service.
• A host of new capabilities that will bring more insight, visibility, and automation across supply chain, operations, and finance roles.
• New capabilities for low-code development to help teams manage building apps, storing data, and modernizing customer experiences with improved governance and scalability.
• Updates across Microsoft Power Platform for governance and administration, pro development, ISV experiences, and data integration.

And there’s much more in store. You’ll also see how these solutions work for businesses like yours with demos hosted by Microsoft product experts. You’ll hear from Charles Lamanna, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Business Applications and Platforms, about how to innovate with business applications to grow your business faster than ever. The team behind the Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform 2023 release wave 1 will also share insights and guide you through how all these updates, advancements, and new tech will help you:

• Expand visibility, reduce time, and enhance creativity in your departments and teams with unified, AI-powered capabilities.
• Empower your employees to focus on revenue-generating tasks while automating repetitive tasks.
• Connect people, data, and processes across your organization with modern collaboration tools.
• Innovate without limits using the latest in low-code development, including new next-generation AI capabilities.

AI innovations

A major theme of this digital event is the evolution of AI. Leaders in the field will show you some of the latest developments in AI that are leading the next generation of business applications. You’ll also have the opportunity to join us for a special session that includes a deep dive into the tech behind next-generation AI hosted by Dr. Walter Sun, Microsoft Vice President, AI in Business Applications. Throughout the event, you’ll receive expert guidance on how to build more agile, customer-focused teams by empowering your solutions with AI and see firsthand how to get more value out of your data, collaboration, and tools.

Insights from the experts

Find out how to enhance the customer experience and operational excellence across your business with a look at real-life scenarios in expert-led demos of new capabilities and features. Gain valuable insights for overcoming your current challenges from other Microsoft customers who will share their journeys. And if you have any questions for the experts, ask them during a live Q&A chat.

For a range of key best practices, strategies, and insights applicable to organizations across many industries, you don’t want to miss this digital launch event.

Register now. We hope you’ll join us. 

Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event 

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

9:00 AM10:30 AM Pacific Time (UTC-7)

The post See what’s new for Dynamics 365 at the Microsoft Business Applications Launch Event appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.

Nuance Gatekeeper is a biometric authentication and fraud prevention technology that can be integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Service. It offers a streamlined verification process that allows contact centers to identify customers through natural conversation without relying on specific questions, security codes, or secret questions and answers. 

This technology provides a secure and seamless way to verify customer identities so call center agents can focus their attention on serving these individuals. The results include increased customer satisfaction and reduced average call handling times. By using voice biometrics, Nuance Gatekeeper can quickly and accurately verify a customer’s identity, significantly reducing the risk of fraud and protecting customers’ personal data from unauthorized access.   

The integration of Nuance Gatekeeper into the Microsoft Digital Contact Center Platform (DCCP) is a significant step forward in improving the customer experience and enhancing contact center security. It allows businesses to provide fast, personalized service while maintaining the highest levels of security and compliance. 

We are announcing the opportunity to preview Nuance Gatekeeper services for all customers using the voice channel in their contact centers. Microsoft is inviting interested customers to explore the capabilities of this technology and see how it can improve their operations. Customers must nominate themselves at the Dynamics Insider portal to experience the benefits of this innovative solution firsthand. 

Biometric authentication

As part of DCCP and Dynamics 365 Customer Service, Nuance Gatekeeper uses strong biometric authentication to reduce friction and send customers on their way to a fast resolution. They won’t have to share sensitive personal data to authenticate themselves, and they can use voice authentication on an opt-in basis. Customers can opt out of biometric authentication at any time.  

Dynamics 365 Customer Service agents can enroll customers in biometric authentication and verify customer identity in each subsequent call. Nuance Gatekeeper alerts agents to suspected fraudsters and flags fraudulent conversations. Agents have insight into the customer’s full consent history.  

Contact center administrators can configure specific channels to use Nuance Gatekeeper services within their omnichannel environments and determine the parameters for authentication.

Fraud prevention

Stop fraudsters in their tracks while kicking customer interactions into high gear. Nuance Gatekeeper can detect fraudulent calls before they reach the contact center agent while giving legitimate customers the greenlight for personalized support. 

In addition to caller authentication, fraud detection capabilities prevent attackers from usurping your customers’ identities using layered methods including a suspected fraudsters watchlist, and synthetic speech and playback detectors. Additional factors like device, network, and location signals help identify suspicious activity. 

Nuance Gatekeeper checks caller voices against a watchlist to alert the contact center agent about known fraudsters. The agent can then take steps outlined in their organization’s fraud detection policy. If the caller isn’t flagged but the agent finds the caller suspicious, the agent can manually flag the conversation within their workspace in Dynamics 365 Customer Service.  

Fraud teams can use the information gathered by contact center agents to block fraudsters, analyze fraud patterns and trends, and gather data to assist law enforcement. 

Try Nuance Gatekeeper

Sign up for the DCCP Biometric Authentication and Fraud Prevention preview and learn how you can provide next-level security for your customers.

The post Improve customer loyalty and reduce fraud with Nuance Gatekeeper appeared first on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog.