In the dynamic world of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, staying current is more than just a best practice… it's a strategic advantage. Microsoft's commitment to a twice-yearly update cycle, typically launching in April and October, delivers fresh innovations, enhanced performance, and robust security features tailored to evolving business needs. These updates ensure your ERP system remains agile, compliant, and ahead of the curve. By proactively managing this process, your team can unlock new efficiencies, minimise disruptions, and position your business for sustained growth.
Here we outline a practical, focused approach to navigating updates, emphasising the value of dedicated testing time to keep your operations running smoothly.
Why updates matter
Business Central's biannual updates are more than technical necessities; they are opportunities for optimisation. Recent waves have introduced AI-powered insights, streamlined workflows, and deeper integrations with tools like Power BI and Microsoft Teams; features that directly boost productivity and decision-making. For instance, enhancements in financial reporting or inventory management can shave hours off monthly closes or improve forecasting accuracy.
Embracing these updates with enthusiasm means future-proofing your operations. Clients who prioritise testing report fewer post-update surprises and faster realisation of benefits, such as automated approvals or mobile accessibility improvements.
Updates, treated as a collaborative partnership between you and your team at Professional Aadvantage, help turn potential challenges into a competitive edge. With a positive mindset and structured planning, the process becomes straightforward and rewarding.
Our 3 reminders for seamless success
1. Strategic planning within the 5-month windows
Timing is everything when it comes to Business Central updates. Microsoft provides generous 5-month windows—generally opening in April for Wave 1 (October release) and October for Wave 2 (February release)—allowing ample time for preparation and rollout. These windows may occasionally shift due to refinements, so monitoring announcements via the Microsoft Release Planner or your Release Management alerts is essential.
To maximise success, align testing and deployment with your business calendar. Avoid peak periods like end-of-quarter closes, holiday rushes, or major sales events. For a retail client, steer clear of year-end sales; for manufacturers, avoid production ramps. Block out calendar time early: dedicate the first month to planning, the next to testing, and the final stretch to go-live and monitoring.
This proactive scheduling ensures your team remains focused on core activities. Imagine completing your update in a low-pressure window, emerging with upgraded functionality that enhances daily workflows. It's a win that reinforces trust in your ERP investment.
2. Realistic time investment and resource distribution
One common misconception is that updates demand overwhelming effort. In reality, the hands-on commitment is manageable: small clients can invest up to 12 hours, while larger ones allocate as much as 24 hours. Complex setups with custom extensions or heavy integrations may require more, but these are exceptions we can scope together upfront.
Divide tasks across multiple team members—finance tests AP/AR processes, operations verifies inventory, IT handles integrations—and over several days or weeks. This minimises workplace disruption, prevents burnout, and leverages diverse perspectives for thorough coverage.
Consider a mid-sized client we supported: by distributing 20 hours across four resources over two weeks, they completed testing with zero overtime and discovered a new reporting feature that automated a manual reconciliation task. Such outcomes highlight how modest, well-planned input can yield outsized returns, keeping your business humming without halting progress.
3. PA’s comprehensive testing guide
Our Release Management testing guide provides a structured checklist of core functionalities broken up into daily and weekly processes. This is delivered with your Release Notes and other notifications with a link to your sandbox environment to systematically validate changes. This ensures no standard features slip through the cracks.
The guide is most effective when complemented by your unique business cadence. Go beyond the basics: test end-to-end scenarios reflective of your practices, such as multi-entity consolidations, third-party app interactions (e.g., Continia Document Capture), or industry-specific workflows like project billing for consultancies. Document every step—what you tested, results, and any custom checks—to create a reusable audit trail.
This dual approach empowers you. One client, after guide-based testing plus their seasonal inventory cycle simulation, identified a minor UI tweak that prevented a month-end bottleneck. By noting extras, you not only confirm stability but also uncover enhancements tailored to your operations, transforming updates into value-adding events.
Partnering for peak performance
To elevate your process:
- Sandbox first: Always test in a sandbox that mirrors production data. Our Release Management Team will set this up for you and get ready for testing.
- Pre-update checklist: Review extensions, custom code, and printer setups with your Release Management Team if you have any questions or concerns.
- Post-go-live monitoring: Allocate a week for observations, with quick-win training on new features.
- Stay informed: Subscribe to Wave summaries and join user communities for peer insights.
Your Release Management team plays a pivotal role. Lean on us for any questions or concerns you have, and expedited support if you find any issues. We're invested in your success and ready to co-pilot every step.
Seize the opportunity: update with confidence
The twice-yearly Business Central update cycle is a gift of continuous improvement, not a hurdle. By planning thoughtfully within the 5-month windows, budgeting realistic hours across teams, and blending the testing guide with your business realities, you'll mitigate risks and amplify benefits. Clients who embrace this disciplined, yet flexible approach consistently report smoother operations, happier teams, and a stronger bottom line.
Don't just keep up—lead with the latest. Together, we'll ensure Business Central evolves with you, driving efficiency and innovation every six months. Your optimised future starts now.
Not sure if your current Business Central partner is really pulling their weight? See how they add up and make sure you’re getting the outcomes, support, and proactive guidance you should expect. If you’re not happy with your current partner, we can talk through your options. Learn more here.
