As regulatory pressures mount, particularly with the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) mandating transparency on social and environmental impacts, companies are increasingly prioritising sustainability. At the same time, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) transforming how businesses and sectors operate, those who are embracing new technologies are enabling more efficient processes and smarter decision-making.
Microsoft’s leading cloud ERP solution, Dynamics 365 Business Central, is at the intersection of these core trends, offering an integrated solution that empowers businesses to meet their sustainability goals and drive operational excellence.
Supporting sustainability
Business Central not only provides robust tools for comprehensive sustainability reporting but also integrates cutting-edge AI capabilities to streamline operations and enhance business insights.
For example, its Chart of Sustainability Accounts offers a structured approach to recording and managing a wide spectrum of sustainability metrics, such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation. This framework ensures that businesses can accurately track their environmental impact and comply with regulations.
Complementing this, the Sustainability Journals and Sustainability Ledger functionalities allow companies to record – either manually or through built-in formulas – and analyse sustainability data. By integrating this information with Business Central’s reporting tools, organisations can monitor their performance against sustainability goals and identify opportunities for improvement.
Enhancing efficiency
In addition to its sustainability features, Business Central is revolutionising how businesses – particularly finance teams – use AI to enhance operational efficiency. The introduction of Copilot, an AI-powered virtual chatbot, marks a significant advancement in user experience by answering queries and retrieving data on demand, thus reducing the time and effort required to access and interrogate critical information.
Business Central’s AI capabilities extend beyond Copilot, with advanced analytics empowering businesses to make smarter decisions. For instance, AI-powered cashflow forecasts leverage historical financial data to identify patterns and predict trends, helping organisations to more accurately manage finances. Similarly, AI-driven sales and inventory forecasting enables companies to optimise supply chains, reduce shipping costs, and proactively manage inventory.
Moreover, Business Central can predict late payments, offering insights that allow businesses to minimise outstanding receivables and adjust strategies accordingly. AI-enhanced bank reconciliation further streamlines financial processes by improving transaction matching accuracy and reducing manual errors, making workflows more efficient.
Business Central’s AI capabilities extend beyond Copilot, with advanced analytics empowering businesses to make smarter decisions
Facilitating futureproofing
As businesses navigate the challenges of sustainability and rapidly advancing technology, Business Central provides a comprehensive solution that supports both. By seamlessly integrating AI capabilities with robust sustainability reporting features, it not only helps organisations meet regulatory requirements but also drives efficiency and strategic decision-making.
In an era when staying competitive means being both responsible and forward-thinking, companies must equip themselves with the insights and tools necessary to thrive – both today and in the future. It comes down to balancing sustainability goals with efficiency challenges, supporting compliance alongside innovation, maintaining excellence while being agile.
Find out how Storm Technology can support your business with Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Business Central by calling +353 1 416 1226 or visiting www.storm.ie