The MSDW Podcast

Episod

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  Keeping Your Dynamics 365 Business Central System Healthy Over Time 26.06.2026 52min

  Long-running Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central environments are at risk for becoming complicated and causing pain for users. But don't rush to blame such issues on bad decisions or mistakes. A BC system can easily accumulate a mix of inefficiencies, workarounds, and issues as a result of many small and innocent-seeming decisions that accumulate over time, say our guests, Microsoft MVPs Cynthia Priebe and Cari Corozza. More often, the reasons for such user pain are related to a lack of clear ownership or a clear vision that considers the downstream impact of changes. When a system does reach a breaking point, experts like Cari and Cynthia are there to help, and they have both seen their share of BC customers dealing with systems that have gone from inconvenient or inefficient to problematic. In this episode they share stories of real world patterns they have observed in areas including permissions, reporting, month-end, and data ownership and how they lead to disruptions. They also offer suggestions on how to identify and avoid potential problems as part of the ongoing upkeep of a BC solution. Connect with Cari and Cynthia on LinkedIn: Cari on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cari-corozza-cpa/ Cynthia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-priebe-dcp/ Business Central Strength Training Network LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14822015/ The Righter Way LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14295297/  
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  Previewing EPPC 2026 with Sean Astrakhan 25.06.2026 13min

  EPPC 2026 begins soon, and MSDW is a media partner of the event with on-site coverage planned. To prepare, we talked to one speaker who will be presenting two sessions at the event, Microsoft MVP Sean Astrakhan. Sean tells us about his two session, one on building accurate AI with Azure tools, and another focused on building better integrations with Power Automate and more advanced tools. We discuss our expectations for the event, the experience of an attendee vs a presenter, and picking sessions that can fill in knowledge gaps. Sean's next free workshop: https://www.untethered365.com/freetraining Save €200 with the code MSDynamicsWorld. Book now! EPPC 2026 on MSDW: https://msdynamicsworld.com/eppc-2026
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  How Microsoft Partners are advancing their Copilot and AI Agent Offerings 24.06.2026 26min

  This episode is sponsored by Stratos Cloud Alliance. As Microsoft expands the capabilities of M365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, and surrounding tools, partners must work to understand the updates and translate them into meaningful guidance for their clients. That ability to mature AI skills in a rapidly evolving marketplace requires partners to bring a combination of skills to bear, according to our guests, David Buggy of Velosio and Scott May of Stratos Cloud Alliance. Customers expect partners to bring a practical but also forward-looking approach to Copilot and AI agent capabilities. But often, those partners are still working to help their teams understand the latest changes so they can provide the right guidance to clients. David and Scott break down some of those challenges for us and share some of the ways partners are adapting. We discuss what it means to be customer zero today, learning from other partners, and introducing new monetization options. They also share some of the go-to-market motions that are shoing promise, including messaging that they believe is resonating with customers as everyone races to stay current with the AI landscape. If you would like to continue the conversation on how you can use AI in your org, book time with Scott May: Meet with Scott May | Stratos Cloud Alliance
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  Autonomous agents and AI priorities, with Steve Mordue 18.06.2026 37min

  Steve Mordue joins us to talk about the AI landscape that SMBs are facing today and how that led to his team's launch of a new AI offering, RapidClaw, an OpenClaw-based agent framework that made it to market before the reveal of Microsoft's latest autonomous offering category, Autopilot, and the first of its agents, called Scout.   Steve explains how he has made sense of some of the big choices today in the enterprise IT space like pre-built services from hyperscalers, the rise of AI agents, different user interface options, and a variety of billing models. He also explains how his team made some of their decisions, like the use of OpenClaw as an agent harness that each organization can host with full control.  We also discuss how Steve sees AI costs shifting, some of the qualities of effective agents, and the importance of natural language-driven interfaces. Show notes: 6:45 - How are customers should be calibrating their AI priorities vs what many are doing so far 9:50 - Copilot Studio and Power Automate co-existing 4:30 - Boring successes 24:00 - How costs are shaking out for clients 30:15 - How partner billing will change with AI 34:00 - Are we moving away from user-based license model, and what does that mean for partners
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  New guidance on modernizing legacy systems, with Velosio 12.06.2026 26min

  This episode is sponsored by Velosio. Organizations are feeling increasing urgency to make decisions about the future of their legacy solutions. Demands around security and sustainability become more challenging to meet over time, and as cloud solutions continue to evolve, IT and business leaders may see uncertainty in their path toward modernization. Our guests on this episode are Velosio's Carolyn Norton, Practice Director for Cloud Services and Cloud Solutions Specialist Brian Williams. They help us explore why decisions around legacy systems may feel more urgent now than in the past, and how increasing risk is moving conversations forward across industries. We discuss how Microsoft's cloud and AI strategy is changing buyer expectations, and how that in turn is changing their assessment of the value of legacy systems. Some of the factors customers are discussing with Velosio go beyond security to the latest governance demands and the impact of their investments on cyber insurance, Carolyn and Brian explain. They also offer some perspective on the importance of business outcomes and the way they believe executives should be helping to champion and prioritize the most important modernization efforts. More from Velosio: Not sure if your cloud environment is actually helping your business move faster? Schedule a cloud modernization strategy session to identify risks, reduce inefficiencies, and map your next step. Additional Resources Start with your numbers: Compare on-prem vs. cloud costs with the TCO Calculator Explore your modernization path: Explore your next steps with the Dynamics Modernization Roadmap Go deeper on strategy and decision-making: Why Simplification Must Come Before Transformation  Turning Legacy ERP Friction Into a Modern Growth Engine Why Legacy ERP Systems Are a Board-Level Liability The Right Path: Maintain, Fortify, Bridge, or Transform
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  Jeremy Vyska on AI-accelerated coding, quality, and community for Business Central at DynamicsMinds 2026 02.06.2026 20min

  In this episode we are talking with Jeremy Vyska, he's a Microsoft MVP as well as a solution architect, developer, and community leader who recently started an article series with MSDW, Field Notes on Agentic Development. The first piece discusses BCQuality, a community project focused on Business Central development best practices.   We discuss some of Jeremy's experiences and observations from DynamicsMinds, including his session, his upcoming event plans, other community projects around AI-accelerated development that he is watching, and how it all fits together with his outlook on the channel.
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  Loveable at DynamicsMinds 2026 02.06.2026 12min

  In this episode we look back at DynamicsMinds 2026 with two guests representing a new sponsor of the event, Loveable. Olof Hedin joined Loveable's go-to-market effort, and if you recognize his name, it's probably because he was an executive in the Microsoft partner channel until quite recently. He also has an interesting family connection to the startup, which he explains. You'll also hear a bit from Joe Corigliano, a past podcast guest who has deep roots in the Microsoft ecosystem and is taking on a role with Loveable in their efforts to engage the Microsoft partner ecosystem.   Olof hosted a session at the conference about Loveable's work in this space where he shared the company's outlook, answered questions from Dynamics and Power Platform experts and, explained more about their existing relationship with Microsoft. Olof and Joe also discuss the opportunities they foresee in engaging more with the Microsoft partner ecosystem.
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  Stop firefighting and start controlling your Dynamics 365 F&SCM performance 25.05.2026 18min

  This episode is sponsored by XPLUS. In this episode, we explore how teams can move from reactive firefighting to proactive, evidence-based control. We cover why SQL, AOS, and Batch need to be seen as one correlated system, how custom metrics bridge the gap between technical data and real business activity, and what a structured performance optimization cycle actually looks like in practice - from the first alert all the way to a verified fix. Whether you're dealing with regressions after a One Version update, unexplained batch delays, or just the nagging feeling that your system could perform better - this episode gives you a clear framework for taking back control. More from XPLUS: ·         Curious how this works in your environment? Book a 30-minute call with our D365 performance team - https://xplusglobal.com/book-a-demo/  ·         D365 Partner Day: Observability, Testing & Performance: https://xplusglobal.com/event/d365-partner-day-observability-testing-performance/
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  Navigating CSP changes, with Stratos Cloud Alliance 18.05.2026 32min

  This episode is sponsored by Stratos Cloud Alliance. In this episode, we dive into the evolving Microsoft partner landscape and what it means for growth-minded organizations navigating CSP changes, AI adoption, and cloud strategy. The conversation explores how partners can adapt their go-to-market approach, build sustainable recurring revenue, and take advantage of new opportunities across Microsoft Dynamics 365, Business Central, and Copilot. Our guests share practical insights on aligning your business with Microsoft's direction, strengthening customer relationships, and leveraging programs like Stratos Cloud Alliance to scale more efficiently. More from Stratos Cloud Alliance: With ongoing CSP changes and increasing pressure on Direct partners, now is the time to evaluate your next move. Don't wait until requirements impact your margins or operations. Learn how the Stratos Indirect Partner Program can help you scale faster with less overhead—or explore your path to successfully transition from Direct to Indirect with the right support in place. Reach out to Scott May to learn more: Direct-Bill Recruit Book a Meeting with Scott May | Stratos Cloud Alliance
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  Truvio at Directions North America 2026 01.05.2026 18min

  MSDW was on-site at Directions North America 2026 as a media partner, and we took some time to chat with participants about the event and their outlook on the Microsoft channel. In this episode, three product leaders from Truvio join us to discuss the team's plans, their experiences at Directions North America, and how they are working with SMB ERP partners. Our guests, Tim Kahne, Ari Liukko, and Scott Caudle from Truvio, tell us how the organization is executing on a product strategy that spans banking, finance, operations, and commerce. We also discuss some of the deal-critical demands that Microsoft partners face when competing with Dynamics 365 Business Central and how the Truvio team brings their expertise to bear to support those teams. Truvio: https://truvio.com Directions North America 2026 on MSDW: https://msdynamicsworld.com/directions-north-america-2026
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  IAMCP Leader Elena Baeva at Directions North America 2026 01.05.2026 28min

  MSDW was on-site at Directions North America 2026 as a media partner and we took some time to chat with participants about the event and their outlook on the Microsoft channel. In this episode, IAMCP international president Elena Baeva joins us to discuss her work with the organization, some of her priorities as president of the organization, what makes this volunteer organization so effective as a partner-to-partner community. We reflect on some of the key themes of the event like growth in the BC channel, shifting market conditions, and the nature of partner businesses. And we discuss IAMCP's perspective on the challenge and opportunity of building community among Microsoft partners with different priorities and interests. Elena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenabaeva/ IAMCP: https://www.iamcp.org/ Directions North America 2026 on MSDW: https://msdynamicsworld.com/directions-north-america-2026
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  From Regression Overload to Autonomous Testing in Dynamics 365 F&O 13.04.2026 25min

  This episode is sponsored by XPLUS.  Traditional regression testing in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations breaks down as complexity and test volume grows, but the causes can be hard to identify. Our guest, Bartosz Spiech from XPLUS, discusses how XPLUS's new software introduces a more effective approach based on smoke testing, autonomy, and observability. We also discuss how emerging concepts like agents and agentic UI are reshaping the future of test automation and what organizations can do today to move beyond manual testing.  Learn more in the free masterclasses: https://xplusglobal.com/free-masterclasses-autonomous-regression-testing-for-dynamics-365-fscm/
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  Previewing Directions North America 2026 with Trish Boccuti 10.04.2026 10min

  Directions North America 2026 begins on April 27. MSDW is a media partner of the event, and in preparation for the event, we sat down with event organizing team vice president and content chair Trish Boccuti to learn more about what attendees can expect throughout the week. This year's event builds on past Directions North America experiences, Trish tells us, but also expands the agenda. The organizers have made a concerted effort to offer content relevant to Dynamics GP partners who want to learn more about building a BC practice. And there will be a wealth of Microsoft-led sessions on all the latest product and channel topics. We also discuss some of the event experiences, including the Marketing Day on April 26, session highlights, and the event celebration on the final night. Links: Directions North America 2026: https://www.directionsna.com/conferences-and-events/directions-north-america-2026 MSDW's event hub: https://msdynamicsworld.com/directions-north-america-2026
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  How Flywire Is Rethinking A/R for Dynamics 365 Business Central 08.04.2026 16min

  This episode is sponsored by Flywire. A/R teams running on Business Central are dealing with more invoices, more complexity, and less time to manage it. In this episode, we sit down with Caroline Broms from Flywire — the company behind Invoiced, an award-winning A/R platform trusted by finance teams worldwide — to discuss the company's recent work in the Microsoft ecosystem and learn about their outlook on continuing to improve the invoice-to-cash process for organizations. We discuss the origins of their new offering, Integration Studio, and what it means when a finance team finally owns is ERP integrations rather than relying on IT. Caroline also offers a glimpse at what's coming on the AI front and where listeners can find Flywire at in-person events this spring. Links & Resources Request a demo: flywire.com Integration Studio: https://www.invoiced.com/accounts-receivable/integrations Integration Studio docs: docs.invoiced.com/integration-studio Meet Flywire at Directions NA 2026 — ISV Lounge (April 27–29) DynamicsCon — May 12–15, 2026
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  What Equipment Rental Companies Really Need From ERP - Why Industry Depth Matters 30.03.2026 29min

  This episode is sponsored by STAEDEAN. The unique business process requirements of the equipment rental industry present real challenges when planning for investments in IT systems to improve for financial and operational management. Assets are under heavy use, but also changing hands frequently as demand for rental over ownership grows, customer service expectations change, and financial pressures grow. In this conversation with STAEDEAN's Anastasia van der Wielen and Michiel Toppers, we discuss some of the factors driving the ERP needs of the rental industry. The requirements of these firms in areas like accounting, service tracking, planning and dispatching, inventory management, and more, have led technology firms like STAEDEAN to develop deep industry solutions for them. Our guests discuss their outlook on rental companies' needs, how Microsoft's approach to business solutions serves this sector, and their team's success in building relationships with customers, partners, and Microsoft. More from Staedean: Complete Equipment Rental Software - https://staedean.com/rental/equipment-rental-software?utm_campaign=40634025-Rental-Podcast&utm_source=MSDW
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  AI Agent & Copilot Summit 2026 Recap 24.03.2026 14min

  On this episode we are recapping last week's AI Agent & Copilot Summit 2026 conference, which brought together Microsoft officials, partners, and customers for three days of customer education and education. MSDW was a media partner of the event and in addition to event news and announcements we have already covered, we talked to industry veterans for more perspective on how their work with Microsoft customers is evolving as the solutions and technology options evolve for them. We discuss the theme of headless commerce, new user sentiment data around AI adoption, investments in development projects, user adoption challenges, and scenarios presented at the conference that show promise in the future. Our guests on this episode are: •        Adam Drewes, Kopis •        Michael Newman, Yooz •        Asif Rehmani, VisualSP •        Daniel Spees, BDO
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  New data on AI confidence in finance teams, with Yooz 09.03.2026 17min

  This episode is sponsored by Yooz. Efforts by finance teams to make productive use of AI still vary widely, but a growing number of organizations could be progressing toward establishing use cases for their core processes. New data from Yooz finds that the momentum appears to be real, and that confidence is trending upward as familiarity grows. To learn more about these findings, which Yooz will be releasing soon, we speak with Michael Newman, North America marketing leader at the company. He tells us about how Yooz is approaching AI priorities through the lens of their customers' requirements, the importance of providing guidance, and how finance and IT teams can balance their own interests with advances in the marketplace. We also discuss the upcoming AI Agent and Copilot Summit 2026 event (https://copilot.summitna.com/) and what members of the Yooz team will be paying attention listening to. More from Yooz: •        Blog post: https://www.getyooz.com/blog/use-of-ai-in-accounting •        Interview with Yooz CFO John Gronen: https://globalfintechseries.com/fintech/how-ai-and-lean-financial-operations-will-close-finances-execution-gap-in-2026/
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  From Close to Confidence with Velixo 04.03.2026 18min

  This episode is sponsored by Velixo. Year‑end pain in Dynamics 365 Business Central environments stems less from effort and more from weaknesses in the close process. Our guest, Velixo senior product manager and CPA Jim Norton, shares his latest views on the implications of a challenging year-end close, its link to audit friction, and the issues that arise when teams are rebuilding reports, relying on exports, maintaining offline roll‑forwards, or tightening controls only in January.  For Business Central customers, the risk of audit friction is very real, Jim says, and he shares insights from a recent panel discussion hosted by Velixo where experts identified some of the typical risks like disconnected Excel-based reports.  But Excel can either increase risk or provide an operational advantage, he explains. The right processes and and tools empower finance teams while keeping their Business Central system working for them around close and audits. See also: Velixo's panel discussion: https://www.velixo.com/from-close-to-confidence-on-demand/?utm_source=MSDW&utm_medium=podcast Velixo on MSDW: https://msdynamicsworld.com/vendor/velixo
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  Understanding 2026 Tax Changes with Avalara's Scott Peterson 13.02.2026 45min

  This episode is sponsored by Avalara. Every year brings tax changes at the local, state, and national level, and Avalara has captured the latest updates in their newest tax changes report, which is available now. Avalara's vice president of government relations, Scott Peterson, joins us to discuss some of the report's findings and major themes, including what Scott calls 'off the charts' levels of change in terms of transaction taxes in the US. At the federal level, income tax changes are set to have a direct impact on state income taxes ,and Scott explains how states will react based on own funding needs.  And we discuss why states are expanding their sales tax base into digitawl good and servicees, including taxing digital equivalents and B2B services. Scott also shares his guidance on the role of AI in international tax compliance and what our listeners can take away from this year's report. To learn more, contact Avalara: microsoft@avalara.com.
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  Why D365 Leaders Are Aligning Commerce & AP Automation 07.02.2026 32min

  This episode is sponsored by Truvio. Enterprise systems bring order and control to complex organizations, but in the most challenging business processes like AP and commerce experiences, friction can persist. On this episode we are discussing how Truvio, the new brand representing SignUp Software and multiple Dynamics 365 solutions, works with partners to deliver real-world improvements to ERP customers. Our guests are Kris Marcus, Director of Partnerships at Truvio and Rob Ashe, chief revenue officer at SJS Dynamics. They share customer stories, market challenges, and decisions that partners must make today if they want to add value for their customers in a world where AI challenging business cases are leading to new thinking on technology investment. More from Truvio: If today's conversation resonated, the next best step is to get clear on where you have the most friction: commerce experience, AP workload, or both and what success would look like in 90 days. If you'd like help pressure-testing your priorities, reach out to Truvio and SJS Dynamics for a short discovery conversation and a practical roadmap you can act on.