Microsoft just released their plans for 2024 Release Wave 1 of Dynamics 365 and Power Platform, and the Finance and Operations suite will be adding a range of process and data-themed capabilities. Generative AI is part of that roadmap too, of course, but our guest on this episode, Microsoft VP Georg Glantschnig, shares that his broader focus is on improving automation, solution composability, and data-centric capabilities.

Georg discusses some of the highlights of the current release wave and, while this is not an "all AI" conversation, he explains that Copilot will continue to be a priority for the Dynamics 365 team in the future. His team's approach of bringing customers and partners into preview and GA cycles should help Microsoft launch new AI-based capabilities that users want, he believes. And he shares his outlook on how Copilot could become more advanced over time, from today's productivity tools toward a future where autonomous systems handle end-to-end processes, asking users for help only in exceptional cases. 

Show Notes:

• 1:30 - Georg's background in the ERP space going back to the 1990s
• 3:30 - Microsoft's ERP position (and dividing Finance & SCM) at the time Georg joined the team in 2019 and how priorities have evolved
• 5:15 - How Georg positions Microsoft's ERP progress over the years
• 7:45 - Setting priorities in product planning
• 9:30 - Top level themes of 2024 Release Wave 1 plans
• 13:45 - What to expect from the launch of the D365 Finance Premium license option
• 15:30 - One Version updates for the product and what it means for customers
• 18:00 - How have customers adapted to the cloud, especially those who have been on D365 in the cloud for several years
• 19:15 - Automation and composabilty scenarios in the new release wave
• 22:30 - Domino's UK story: Inventory planning at scale with D365 and AI-driven demand planning
• 26:00 - Looking ahead to F&O product planning priorities:  operational process improvement and generative AI
• 29:00 - The journey for AI advancements - low stakes to high stakes
• 31:30 - Microsoft's product management approach to approach planning for future AI-related scenarios for F&O products
• 35:30 - How much will D365 F&O AI capabilities cost users?
• 38:30 - How is the One Dynamics One Platform (ODOP) initiative progressing?
• 41:30 - How F&O scenarios will expand their use of Power Platform
• 43:30 - Approaching concerns over cost of Dataverse usage
• 45:30 - The trend of building custom capabilities on Power Platform
• 46:00 - Other 2024 plans for Georg's team

Conferences play a key role in many Dynamics and Power Platform professionals' training plans. On this episode, Julie and Jason talk about the types of educational content that are gaining popularity at Microsoft-focused events, how sessions are selected, and how to get the most educational value out of the next event you choose to spend your time at.

Julie gives an update on planning for the next Power Platform 24 virtual event on March 20 and 21 and their call for speakers. We also talk about Jason's recent trip to the NRF Big Show 2024 event, why AI could become a bigger part of event attendees experiences soon, balancing structure and spontaneity in an event schedule, and whether session selection teams are doing a better job encouraging participation from a diverse range of presenters.

Show Notes:

• 6:30 - Push toward beginner content at events
• 14:15 - Julie's experience with conference session selection processes
• 18:45 - Planning your next conference experience and setting fair expectations with session presenters
• 23:30 - Why Julie believes AI has a role to play in all future conferences for session planning
• 26:30 - Jason and Julie's event plans for 2024 so far

The latest updates to Metafile's AP Automation solution blend improving AI-based capabilities with their trusted capabilities around process and data efficiency. Company veteran Doug Bertram talks with Biz Apps Buzz host Amiee Keenan about his experiences watching the company's AI tools evolve before his eyes, with extraction and error handling capabilities improving almost before his eyes. Doug tells the story of a demo thrown off when the solution's AI engine learned to correctly interpret an invoice field that had been failing a few weeks earlier. And he explains how improvements in understanding documents raises the bar for AP fundamentals like automating 2-way and 3-way PO matching and for approving invoices without a PO. 

To learn more about the latest updates from Metafile, contact them at info@metafile.com.

About Biz Apps Buzz
Biz Apps Buzz is the newest podcast series from MSDynamicsWorld.com, focusing on breaking news and announcements from Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform channel partners. The conversation is broadcast live on LinkedIn and YouTube, and the recording is then made available as a podcast.