When systems suddenly start talking to each other, processes run smoothly and teams make decisions faster than ever before, Power Automate has done its job. But many companies are unaware of the far-reaching possibilities that arise when Business Central, Dynamics 365 Sales, Microsoft Teams and SharePoint are truly connected. This is where true digital transformation begins.
The requirements for modern companies are clear: processes must become faster, more transparent and more flexible. Microsoft Power Automate is the engine that drives this. Once Business Central, Dynamics 365 Sales, Microsoft Teams and SharePoint are connected, fully automated processes are created that save time, reduce errors and enable teams to work better together.
What is possible with Power Automate
Power Automate connects all of the above systems and creates workflows that have a real impact on everyday business. These include approval processes for Business Central documents such as sales orders, purchase orders and invoices. Master data changes can also trigger automatic approvals. Records can be created and updated between Business Central and Dynamics 365 Sales. This provides a synchronised view of customers, contacts, quotes and items.
Microsoft Teams serves as a communication hub. Important events can be sent there as automatic messages, adaptive cards or approval requests. SharePoint takes on the role of document archive. Receipts can be filed automatically, PDF documents created or folder structures set up. Emails from Outlook can also trigger workflows, for example to create sales enquiries or initiate invoice approvals.
Many companies also use Power Automate for quality checks such as stock levels, budget controls or credit limit checks. If a defined limit is exceeded, the team immediately receives a notification in Teams. Files received in SharePoint can be processed and transferred to Business Central. The range of possibilities is so wide that almost any business process can be mapped.
What you need to know
Anyone using Power Automate with Business Central should be familiar with the basics of BC tables, fields and page IDs. Many triggers are based on changes to a data record. Dynamics 365 Sales works on Dataverse, which is why it is important to understand tables, columns and relationships. For teams, the design of messages and approvals via Adaptive Cards plays a major role. SharePoint requires a feel for libraries, folder paths and permissions.
Power Automate itself requires knowledge of triggers, actions, conditions, loops, variables, and error handling. For more demanding workflows, knowledge of Business Central APIs may be relevant, especially when standard connectors are not sufficient. Those who closely link sales and BC also need basic knowledge of Dataverse and security roles.
Which licences are required
For Business Central, every active user needs an Essentials or Premium licence. Team Member is only sufficient to a limited extent, as many workflow actions require actual editing rights. Dynamics 365 Sales requires Sales Professional or Sales Enterprise, depending on your needs. Power Automate usually requires a Premium licence, as the Business Central Connector is a Premium connector. SharePoint and Teams are included in most Microsoft 365 plans, but require the appropriate M365 licences. Those who use Dataverse intensively need a suitable Power Apps or Dynamics licence.
What must be technically available
Business Central should be operated in the cloud, as this is the only way to utilise the full range of functions offered by the Power Platform. On-premises operation only works via a gateway and with restrictions. Dynamics 365 Sales must be located in the same Azure AD environment. SharePoint must be available as SharePoint Online. In addition, administrators must be able to set up API permissions, and user rights must be clearly assigned in all systems. For document-heavy workflows, it is advisable to plan the SharePoint structures correctly in advance.
Conclusion
Power Automate is much more than a tool for small automations. In conjunction with Business Central, Dynamics 365 Sales, Teams and SharePoint, it creates a system that intelligently controls processes, promotes collaboration and enables companies to act faster digitally. Those who understand the possibilities and have the appropriate licences can automate business processes and thus create a real competitive advantage.