In the last week or so, Microsoft has released its latest Dynamics 365 Business Central Wave 2 2019 update which brings with it a whole range of new and improved features that are now available for Dynamics 365 Business Central.
First of all, we will provide you with a comprehensive summary of exactly how Microsoft has positioned its latest Dynamics 365 Business Central Wave 2 2019 release.
Summary of Dynamics 365 Business Central Wave 2 2019
The independent software vendor (ISV) ecosystem is vital for customers that are looking to build vertical or horizontal solutions for Dynamics 365 Business Central. Microsoft will be looking to ramp up the activity around this ISV ecosystem as it looks to shift new and existing customers to Dynamics 365 Business Central online. In order to make this goal achievable, the following development pillars will help to define the 2019 release wave 2 update:
- Service fundamentals: A significant focus on performance, reliability, supportability and security is vital in helping to make sure that service quality stays ahead of the increase in service usage. It is vital that accessibility, already in a secure position is fully preserved.
- Modern client: Following the release of Wave 2, users are able to access their Dynamics 365 Business Central solution in the browser, Windows 10 desktop app, mobile apps on both Android and iOS or within Microsoft Outlook. Microsoft will be ramping up their investment in both speed and productivity features suited to the modern browser experience, thus hitting a significant milestone in its transformation into a leading desktop experience for both new and expert users. The 2019 release wave 2 is the first version that does not include the Dynamics NAV Client connected to Dynamics 365 Business Central (referred to as the Windows client). The modern clients will now be able to support numerous productivity features so the Windows client is discontinued for Dynamics 365 Business Central going forwards. Despite this, the legacy Dynamics NAV client will be fully supported as per the April 2019 update and in earlier versions in line with the support lifecycle.
- Modern developer tools: It is important to note that the 2019 release wave 2 is the first version that does not include the classic development environment (often referred to as C/Side). You will also see that the modern developer experience based on Visual Studio Code with Azure DevOps and an AL language that supports an extension-based approach to customisation will also now support developing large apps such as the base application from Microsoft. As a result of this, C/Side will be discontinued for Dynamics 365 Business Central going forwards. However, the classic development environment in place will be fully supported as per the April 2019 update and in earlier versions in line with the support lifecycle.
- Empower ISV acceleration: The 2019 release wave 2 update provides a whole host of new features which aim to simplify ISV development for new solutions and more specifically for streamlining the migration from the source code customisation model of Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central. The Dynamics NAV business has been driven by strong vertical ISV solutions with add-on solutions. However, for the 2019 release wave 2 update, Microsoft’s main focus will be on streamlining the path for ISVs to bring their solutions, followed by their customers to Dynamics 365 Business Central online.
- Customer migration tools: After the step has been taken to enable Dynamics NAV ISVs to bring their solutions to Dynamics 365 Business Central online, the next move is to make the transition easier for existing Dynamics SMB customers moving from Dynamics NAV, Dynamics GP or Dynamics SL to migrate from their current on-premises solutions to Dynamics 365 Business Central online. These tools already exist for this process but will be further enhanced with the 2019 release wave 2.
Limited extension to the Dynamics 365 Business Central online localisations is planned for the 2019 release wave 2 to allow the prioritisation of the service fundamentals work ahead of the expansion of the service footprint. Furthermore, additional partner-developed localisations will be added following the 2019 release wave 2.
What new and improved features are coming to Business Central?
Watch the below video to find out all the new & improved features that will be rolled out for Dynamics 365 Business Central between October 2019 to March 2020. For a full list of the specific release dates for new features please go onto Microsoft’s website.
If you are a current Dynamics NAV or Dynamics GP customer looking to upgrade your existing ERP solution to harness the power of Business Central in the Cloud then please give our experts a call today who will be able to take you through the whole process.
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