Examples of how companies use the 365 Business Central V2 API for automation
Get more out of the 365 Business Central API V2! Automate your processes, reduce errors and save time with smart integration of invoicing, inventory and reporting.
· 5 min read
Automation with 365 Business Central
Today, automation is a key word for modern companies that want to optimise processes, reduce errors and free up time for more value-creating tasks.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central V2 API is an effective solution for connecting your ERP system with other business systems and automating workflows. Using the API, companies can pull and update data between Business Central and external systems in real time.
If you do not know the V2 API, you can read more here: What is the Business Central API V2 – everything you need to know
If, on the other hand, you know all about the solution, then we can mention a number of concrete examples of how Danish companies use the 365 Business Central V2 API to create smarter workflows.
Automatic synchronisation of stock data and order processing
Challenge:
Companies with both a physical shop and a webshop often face challenges keeping stock levels and product information up to date across channels.
Solution:
Using the 365 Business Central V2 API, companies can connect the ERP system with their e-commerce platform and automate:
- Real-time stock updates: Products sold in the shop are updated immediately in the webshop, so customers always see the correct stock status.
- Automatic transfer of orders: When a customer places an order in the webshop, it is automatically transferred to Business Central and passed on to the warehouse for picking and shipping.
Example:
A retail company with a Shopify webshop used the 365 Business Central V2 API to automate their order flow. After the implementation, manual entry was removed and stock update errors were reduced by 90%.
Read more:
Shopify integration
Automated invoicing and payment handling
Challenge:
Many companies spend unnecessary time creating and sending invoices manually as well as updating payments in the accounts.
Solution:
With the 365 Business Central V2 API, companies can automate:
- Automatic invoice generation: When an order is completed, the invoice is generated and sent to the customer automatically.
- Payment updates: When a payment is received via a payment system such as Stripe or MobilePay, the status of the invoice is automatically updated as “paid” in the ERP system.
Example:
A consultancy integrated their time and project management tool with 365 Business Central via the V2 API. When a project was completed, the system automatically created the invoice based on the registered hours and sent it directly to the customer.
Integration with Power BI for automated reporting
Challenge:
For companies with many departments and projects, it can be difficult to get a consolidated overview of sales data, stock status and budgets.
Solution:
The 365 Business Central V2 API can be connected to business intelligence tools such as Power BI and automate:
- Real-time data retrieval: The API ensures that data on sales, inventory and finances is continuously updated and shown in visual dashboards.
- Automated reports: Templates can generate reports and send them to the relevant employees automatically every week.
Example:
A manufacturing company used the 365 Business Central V2 API to pull sales and production data into Power BI. This gave them an up-to-date overview of incoming orders and deliveries in one single dashboard.
CRM integration for an improved customer experience
Challenge:
A lack of synchronisation between the ERP system and the CRM system can lead to duplicate work and delays in the sales process.
Solution:
Using the 365 Business Central V2 API, companies can connect their ERP system with CRM systems such as Dynamics 365 Sales or HubSpot and automate:
- Synchronisation of customer details: When a salesperson creates a new customer in the CRM system, Business Central is updated automatically.
- Automatic order creation: When a quote is accepted in CRM, a sales order is created automatically in the ERP system.
Example:
A B2B company automated their quotation process by connecting HubSpot with the 365 Business Central V2 API. When a quote was accepted by the customer, an order and an invoice were created automatically in Business Central.
Payroll administration and expense management
Challenge:
Manual handling of payroll data and expense receipts can be time-consuming and lead to errors in the payroll run.
Solution:
The 365 Business Central V2 API can be integrated with HR and payroll systems to automate:
- Synchronisation of payroll data: Working hours and absence data are updated automatically between the HR system and the ERP system.
- Automated expense approval: Receipts from travel expense claims can be uploaded and sent automatically for approval and posting.
Example:
A service company integrated their HR system with 365 Business Central via the V2 API and automated the process for payroll registration and expense approvals. The result was a 50% reduction in administration time per payroll run.
Integration with warehouse robots and IoT devices
Challenge:
Logistics companies and manufacturing companies with large warehouses need to coordinate workflows between their ERP system and warehouse robots.
Solution:
With the 365 Business Central V2 API, companies can:
- Automate warehouse tasks: The API can send data to warehouse robots about which products are to be picked and shipped.
- IoT integration: Sensors can send data about stock levels directly to Business Central, which automatically updates the stock status.
Example:
An e-commerce company integrated their automatic picking system with the Business Central V2 API, which meant that order handling and picking took place without human intervention.
Benefits of using the 365 Business Central V2 API for automation
- Time saving: Automation reduces the need for manual tasks.
- Increased data quality: Less risk of human errors when synchronising data.
- Flexibility: The API can be adapted to different workflows and systems.
- Effective decision-making: Real-time data gives management better insight.
Automation with an integration platform
The 365 Business Central V2 API makes it possible to create effective integrations and automations that can save time, reduce costs and improve the company’s overall performance. Whether it is about inventory management, invoicing, payroll administration or reporting, the API gives companies the freedom to design tailor-made solutions that match your needs.
Is your company considering implementing the Business Central V2 API? And have you perhaps considered a platform to bring all your integrations together?
Read more
What is an integration platform, and why does your company need one?