In the past, app development was reserved for tech experts. Still, the advent of low-code platforms has opened doors for individuals of all technical proficiencies, including those accustomed to working with spreadsheets. This blog examines how Dynamics 365 Business Central and Power Platform work together to create big changes where creativity and productivity are prioritized, making things easier than traditional coding.
What is a low-code development platform?
A low-code development platform empowers organizations to create applications rapidly with minimal hand-coding. Here’s why it matters:
- Digital transformation: As companies embrace digital transformation, low-code platforms allow them to adapt and thrive. These platforms simplify app development, enabling anyone—regardless of technical expertise—to build efficient applications.
- Business user empowerment: Unlike traditional programming, low-code platforms leverage techniques such as drag-and-drop functionality and visual guidance. Even without formal programming training, business users can create apps that address specific needs.
- Offloading IT tasks: Low-code platforms free up IT and development resources by empowering business users to build apps. Professional developers can then focus on more complex projects.
- Agility and flexibility: Low-code development enables the creation of flexible apps that accomplish specific tasks. Agility becomes critical when your business needs to scale or extend apps quickly.
- Addressing growing needs: Low-code platforms help businesses meet the demand for internal workflow applications, automation, seamless integrations, and enhanced customer experiences.
Microsoft Power Platform
Microsoft’s Power Platform bundles low-code and no-code tools and makes app development accessible to business users and professional developers. Here’s how it empowers your organization:
- Microsoft Power Apps: With Power Apps, teams can easily build low-code apps that modernize processes and solve business challenges.
- Dataverse low-code plug-ins: Seamlessly integrate low-code plug-ins within Dataverse databases. Define workflows using Power Fx expressions, connecting with business data and external sources.
- Business Central integration: Power Platform, based on Microsoft Dataverse, offers extensive possibilities for creating low-code applications, especially when integrated into Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Business Central and Power Platform—A Perfect Match
As a cloud-based ERP solution, Business Central provides a robust foundation for managing core business processes, such as finance, operations, and supply chain. The Power Platform extends Business Central’s capabilities to undertake the following:
Build custom apps: Create mobile or web apps to address unique business needs, from automating tasks to streamlining workflows.
Integrate with other systems: Connect Business Central to various data sources and applications, eliminating silos and improving data flow.
Wide range of controls: Build visually appealing and functional applications with diverse UI elements.
Automate processes: Automate repetitive tasks with Power Automate, freeing up time and resources for strategic work.
Analyze data: Gain insights from your Business Central data with Power BI, enabling data-driven decision-making.
Low-code apps’ collaboration with Business Central-Power Platform
Customization
- Triggers and actions: Configure automatic responses for specific events. For instance, in an e-commerce setup, Business Central can update inventory levels and notify the warehouse team when a customer places an order.
- Logic and formulas: Tailor applications to specific needs by adding custom logic and formulas. For example, a manufacturing company customizes cost calculations based on raw material prices, labor hours, and overhead.
- Branding and styling: Customize the user interface to match your company’s branding. If you’re a retail chain with multiple stores, Business Central allows you to ensure a consistent look and feel across all locations, even for the point-of-sale systems.
Data and analytics
- Power BI integration: Analyze sales trends and product performance by integrating Power BI with Business Central. Custom dashboards and reports provide real-time insights into sales data.
- Visualizations and insights: Visualize delivery performance using interactive charts and graphs in Business Central for logistics. Understand delivery times and route efficiency and identify bottlenecks for improved decision-making.
- Data-driven decision-making: Financial institutions can leverage Business Central’s data-driven insights. They can analyze historical loan approval rates and market conditions to make informed lending decisions.
Mobility
- Build mobile apps: For field service teams, create mobile apps with Business Central, offering real-time access to work orders, customer details, and inventory levels on any device.
- Offline functionality: Ensure salespeople in remote areas can access customer data, create quotes, and process orders with Business Central’s offline functionality, even without a stable internet connection.
- Extended reach: Empower employees and customers with real-time access to service status, appointment schedules, and updates from anywhere using Business Central.
Scalability and security
- Cloud-based platform: For a growing startup, Business Central’s cloud-based platform enables flexible scaling of applications based on business needs, eliminating concerns about infrastructure limitations.
- Enterprise-grade security: In healthcare, secure patient records are crucial. Users undergo authentication through Office 365 or Azure AD, adopting the organization’s authentication settings, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Governance and control: As an IT administrator overseeing low-code development, Business Central allows you to maintain governance by controlling user access, defining development guidelines, and ensuring code quality.
Additional features
- Collaboration tools: Business Central’s low-code apps enhance teamwork, allowing seamless collaboration for application refinement. In a prototype scenario, collaboration tools ensure efficient teamwork to meet evolving requirements.
- AI and machine learning integration: Business Central integrates AI seamlessly into low-code apps, offering advanced functionalities without extensive coding. AI analyzes customer behavior, predicts leads, and enhances user experiences in a sales app.
- Continuous updates and improvement: Business Central’s low-code apps ensure sustained relevance. A procurement app benefits from ongoing enhancements and accommodates changing business processes.
Statistics and Impact
According to Forrester Research, low-code platforms can accelerate application delivery up to 10 times compared to traditional development methods.
Gartner predicts that by 2024, 65% of all app development will involve low-code platforms.
Getting Started with Low-Code
Microsoft provides comprehensive resources and training materials to help you get started with low-code development. Their Power Platform offers a free trial, allowing you to experiment and build your first app. Low-code opens doors for innovation and agility in today’s competitive business environment, whether you have a specific need or are looking to explore the possibilities. Transform your Dynamics 365 Business Central journey with LevelShift, where our Microsoft partnership becomes your strategic advantage. Our expertise spans implementation, migration, customization, and unwavering support. Are you intrigued by the potential of low-code apps? Talk to us.
