Copilot for Finance and Operations
Wholesale Distribution and Retail is confronted with an ever-growing mountain of data, the effective interpretation and use of which is crucial to the company's success. Detecting patterns in this data using machine learning is not an entirely new development.
However, the latest generation of AI applications in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations in Microsoft Copilot goes far beyond traditional methods by reacting agilely to market changes and new trends. At the same time, it supports users in taking full advantage of the platform's possibilities, even without in-depth technical understanding. This creates the flexibility and scalability necessary to adapt to dynamic market conditions.
Users can:
- Increase success rates in debt collection
- Send personalized reminder letters with AI-generated content
Use case 2: Plan projects, identify risks and generate reports
The initial situation
In project management, complex tasks such as planning, risk assessment, and performance monitoring are counteracted by time-consuming, recurring tasks such as preparing project status reports. Project managers are often faced with the task of processing a large amount of information and making the right critical decisions despite constant time pressure.
Change through Microsoft Copilot
Here, Copilot can help in two ways: it can analyze large amounts of data and automate routine tasks. With Copilot in Dynamics 365 Project Operations, project managers can work more efficiently because the AI helps to create realistic task plans, provides data-driven risk assessments and generates meaningful project status reports.
Added business value
Copilot helps project managers and their teams accelerate project planning, reduce risk, and improve project visibility—both in terms of financial data (e.g., budgets) and project progress (e.g.,Dynamics 365 Project Operations mit HSO completed tasks and timelines). This allows managers to focus on strategic decisions and creative problem-solving, increasing the overall efficiency and success rate of projects.
The benefits at a glance:
- More efficient project planning and execution
- Increased transparency and control over project progress
- Reduced (financial) risks through proactive assessments
- Improved project performance
- Optimization of resource allocation
Use case 3: Create financial forecasts
The initial situation
Accurate financial forecasts and analyses are essential for business planning in the retail and wholesale industry. But they are often time-consuming and complex. Financial professionals must consider many internal and external data sources and act quickly and securely. Compiling and updating reports and presentations can take hours, sometimes even days, and distract from strategic tasks.
Change by Copilot
By integrating Copilot into Dynamics 365 Finance, financial experts are relieved of routine tasks and supported in data analysis. Copilot can quickly compile meaningful reports and automate the creation of presentations and reports in Microsoft 365 applications. With the help of a comprehensive database, tailored, current and precise analyses can be created. Even complex financial requirements can be analyzed faster and better with the help of AI. With Copilot, questions like "What if..." can be easily asked in natural language, with Copilot building corresponding models that can be used in reports.
Business added value
Copilot in Dynamics 365 Finance increases productivity in financial management, especially accounts receivable management, by automating tasks such as accessing credit and payment histories. Through financial planning and analysis functions, Copilot automates recurring tasks and ensures secure data access and exchange.
The benefits at a glance:
- Better interaction with customers and higher success rates in debt collection
- Innovative planning and analysis in the financial sector
- Flexible and dynamic financial forecasting
Practical example
Astrid, finance team manager at our fictional company MyTrade, uses Copilot to automate time-consuming financial forecasting. Instead of spending hours customizing and updating various inputs, Copilot in Dynamics 365 Finance enables rapid creation and customization of forecast scenarios.
An example is that Astrids' team uses Copilot for detailed demand and inventory planning. Historical data is combined with current trends to make granular predictions. This allows MyTrade to react more efficiently to market fluctuations and dynamically adapt its financial strategy.
Use case 4: Automation of business processes
The initial situation
In the retail and wholesale industry, many companies already use Microsoft Power Automate to execute tasks triggered by specific events automatically. Cloud flows are integrated into Dynamics 365 to automate processes such as invoicing, inventory management, and sales forecasting. The challenge so far? Creating workflows in cloud flows required using buttons that weren't always intuitive.
Creating flows required a deep understanding of how Power Automate works, as well as the ability to configure and combine different connectors and actions manually. This was mainly a hurdle for users without a technical background.
Copilot change in cloud flows
Cloud Flow Copilot makes it easy for users to create and edit flows through natural language prompts. Users can describe and create flows with simple instructions without extensive knowledge of Power Automate's specific features, dramatically simplifying the process and making it accessible to a broader audience.
Business added value
Improved accessibility and ease of creating cloud flows in Power Automate, especially for people with little experience in the platform or automation, allows complex automation processes to be developed quickly and efficiently. This will enable companies to save time when onboarding new employees and reduce the risk of human error when setting up flows.
The advantages at a glance:
- Accelerated flow development
- Shorter training time in Power Automate
- Increased accuracy and fewer sources of error
- Promoting innovation and creativity
Practical example
Linda, as head of controlling at MyTrade, is responsible for the invoice and inventory management processes. Thanks to Copilot in Cloud Flows, Lena can easily describe in natural language the automation she needs. For example, she enters: "When a delivery arrives, check the items against the order and update the inventory." Based on this description, Copilot generates a corresponding flow that automatically handles these tasks.
Linda can customize and refine this flow as needed. In addition, with Copilot, she can quickly and efficiently create sales forecasts based on the current inventory and sales data that Copilot can access.
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