How Copilot AI is Extending the Capabilities of Business Central
AI is starting to show up in almost every business tool, but the real value comes when it’s built into the systems you already use every day. That’s exactly what Microsoft has done with Copilot, their AI assistant that’s been added straight into Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Instead of using a separate app or learning something new, users can get real AI help right inside the ERP system they already rely on for finance, sales, inventory, and more. It’s a simple addition, but it opens the door to a lot of time-saving and decision-making improvements, especially for small and medium-sized businesses that need to do more with less.
What is Copilot?
Copilot is Microsoft’s AI tool built into Dynamics 365 Business Central, and it’s already making a real impact. It’s designed to handle the repetitive admin tasks that slow you down, like chasing payments, writing emails, or finding the right records buried in your system.
Copilot uses the same generative AI technology behind ChatGPT, but it’s been built specifically for business users. So instead of having to go search for information manually or copy-paste data between systems, you can ask Copilot to do the legwork for you.
Why Microsoft Built Copilot for Business Central
Microsoft created Copilot as part of a much broader push to embed AI throughout all its business apps, from Outlook to Excel to Teams. But Business Central is especially well-positioned for this kind of automation because it already handles so much of the day-to-day running of a business. That means the Copilot tools can plug right into your actual workflows, not just float around as an add-on. For small and medium-sized businesses, that can be a huge time-saver.
Key Features of Business Central Copilot
Business Central Copilot isn’t about doing everything for you, it’s about speeding up the everyday jobs that take up too much time. Each feature is designed to be useful right out of the box, and it works with the data already in your system.
Here’s a breakdown of what it can actually do:
Automatically generate customer emails
Copilot can draft emails like payment reminders or quote follow-ups based on live customer and transaction data in your system. You don’t need to start from scratch, the message will be pre-written using relevant details like invoice number, due date, and contact name, so all you need to do is check it and hit send.
Summarise customer or vendor records
If you need a quick overview before a call or meeting, Copilot can generate a summary of any customer or vendor record. It pulls together key details like recent orders, outstanding balances, contact history, and more, saving you from clicking through multiple tabs just to get the full picture.
Use natural language to search and filter data
Instead of building complex filters or trying to remember column names, you can simply ask Copilot to show you “all overdue invoices over £1,000” or “customers with no orders this quarter.” It turns natural language into smart queries, helping you get answers faster without technical knowledge.
Create AI-generated product descriptions
When you add a new item to your catalogue, Copilot can suggest a product description based on keywords, specifications, or similar items. This is especially useful for e-commerce businesses that need to publish consistent, detailed descriptions quickly, and it saves a lot of manual copywriting.
Get inventory suggestions and alerts
Copilot looks at your historical sales, seasonal patterns, and reorder points to suggest what stock levels you should maintain. It can also alert you if you’re at risk of running low or over-ordering, which helps you make smarter purchasing decisions without needing to dig into reports.
Access in-line help and contextual guidance
Whether you’re a new user or just don’t use certain features very often, Copilot can offer helpful prompts directly in the interface. It gives suggestions and explanations based on what you’re doing, so you can learn as you go and reduce mistakes without having to stop and look things up.
How Does Copilot Fit Into the Bigger Picture of Business Central AI?
This is just one part of a wider effort to embed AI throughout the Business Central ecosystem. Microsoft is adding machine learning and natural language capabilities into forecasting, anomaly detection, and reporting tools as well.
Copilot is the most visible feature, but it works alongside other AI-driven tools under the hood, like financial prediction models, AI-based payment insights, and automated workflow suggestions. And because it’s tightly integrated with Microsoft 365, it connects naturally with the tools you’re already using day-to-day.
Do You Need to Be a Developer to Use Business Central Copilot?
Short answer: not at all. Microsoft has made a point of keeping things simple. Copilot doesn’t require any code or development skills to start using. You don’t need to be a data scientist, and you don’t need to learn a new tool. Just update to the latest version of Business Central and start typing into the search bar or triggering Copilot from supported fields.
If you do want to go further, developers can hook into Copilot via AL code or use Azure OpenAI to customise what it can do. But that’s optional. For most users, it’s ready to go straight out of the box.
Benefits of Using Business Central Copilot
The main idea is that Copilot helps people who are already using Business Central work faster, make better decisions, and reduce the admin work that takes up so much time. And it’s not just about speed, it helps reduce errors too. Because the data is already in your system, you’re not copying and pasting between spreadsheets or trying to remember which file is the right one.
Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect to see:
- You’ll save time by automating small, repetitive tasks that eat up hours each week
- There’ll be fewer errors caused by manual data entry or inconsistent formatting
- New hires can get up to speed faster, with AI-guided prompts and contextual help
- You’ll have better visibility when making decisions, thanks to on-demand summaries and insights
- Customers and suppliers get faster, more accurate communication from your team
- It all ties neatly into Microsoft 365, so you can use what you’ve already got
Are There Any Limitations or Risks?
As with any AI tool, it’s important to use Copilot with a bit of care. It’s designed to assist, not take over completely. You’ll still need to check what it’s suggesting and make sure your underlying data is accurate and up to date. If your records are messy or inconsistent, the AI won’t be able to perform at its best.
There are also a few limits to be aware of. Some Copilot features might only be available in the latest version of Business Central or might need specific modules to be enabled. And while it supports English very well, more complex language support is still catching up.
How to Get Started With Copilot in Business Central
If you’re ready to try Copilot in your Business Central environment, the good news is it’s not difficult to get started. Make sure you’re using the cloud version and that it’s updated to the latest release. Then just start testing it out within the finance, inventory, or sales modules. If you want to do more with it later, like customise prompts or bring in external AI models, that’s entirely up to you.
Business Central Copilot brings the power of AI into the hands of everyday users without making things more complicated. If you're already using Business Central, it’s a no-brainer to start exploring what it can do for you. If you're thinking of implementing Business Central, get in touch now and Dynamics Connect can help you start your journey.