A Guide to Reporting Tools for Dynamics 365 Business Central

In the data-driven world of today, successful business management depends on the capability to derive useful insights from enormous volumes of data. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365 BC), in this regard, is a useful ERP that combines several business operations into one, cohesive system with strong reporting capabilities.

This blog looks at the several reporting tools available with Dynamics 365 Business Central and demonstrates how companies may use them to make smart decisions and spur growth.

Reporting Needs in Business Central

Every business produces a lot of data every day covering operational transactions, sales performance, financial transactions, and more. Several key aspects like strategic planning, operational effectiveness, and performance monitoring depend on meaningful reporting from this unprocessed data.

Types of Reports Businesses Need

1. Financial Reports: These include balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and financial ratios.
2. Operational Reports: These comprise production schedules, inventory levels, and supply chain analytics.
3. Sales Reports: These reports include sales forecasts, customer orders, and revenue analysis.
4. Human Resources Reports: These consist of employee performance, payroll summaries, and workforce planning.

Key Benefits of Effective Reporting

1. Accuracy: Guarantees that the data for decision-making is reliable.
2. Timeliness: Provides up-to-date information needed for quick decisions.
3. Customization: Tailors reports to specific business needs and benchmarks.
4. Accessibility: Helps stakeholders to get information readily.

Integrated Reporting Tools within Dynamics 365 Business Central

Dynamics 365 Business Central comes integrated with a suite of various reporting capabilities meant to satisfy a range of business needs.

1. Business Central Reports

D365 BC provides a broad spectrum of basic reports covering fundamental areas of business operations. Direct access to these reports lets users change layouts, add fields, and apply filters to satisfy particular requirements straight within the system.

Options for Customization:

• Report Layout Designer: Personalize reports without requiring great technical knowledge.
• Filters and Parameters: Use filters and parameters to narrow down data to concentrate on particular dates, departments, or criteria.

2. Financial Reporting

Formerly known as account schedules, financial reporting in D365 BC is a powerful tool for financial reporting and analysis. They let customers create tailored financial statements and do thorough financial data analysis.

Purpose and Use Cases:

• Custom Financial Statements: Create custom balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports.
• Comparative Analysis: Examine actuals in line with budgets or past performance.

3. Analysis Views

Analysis Views in D365 BC offer a versatile means to examine data across several angles without compromising the central data structure.

Purpose and Use Cases:

• Ad hoc querying and multi-dimensional analysis.
• Monitoring performance across several departments or time periods.

Advanced Reporting Tools

For organizations looking for more sophisticated reporting capabilities, Dynamics 365 Business Central connects easily with various advanced tools.

1. Power BI Integration

Microsoft's business analytics tool, Power BI, offers interactive visuals and business intelligence features. Combining D365 BC with Power BI software opens advanced data visualization and more thorough analytical insights.

Advantages of Incorporating Power BI:

• Interactive Dashboards: Create dynamic, interactive dashboards that use real-time data to provide insights.
• Advanced Analytics: Utilize predictive analytics and machine learning to project trends and discover patterns.
• Data Sharing: Share dashboards and reports all throughout the organization with ease.

Examples of Advanced Visualizations and Dashboards:

• Sales performance dashboards with capabilities to provide in-depth insights.
• Dashboards showing financial health with important financial ratios and trends.

2. Microsoft Excel Integration

Microsoft Excel is still a somewhat popularly used tool for reporting and data analysis. The integration of Microsoft Excel with Dynamics 365 Business Central lets users export data and generate customized reports.

Exporting Data to Excel:

• Simply export data from any D365 BC list or report into Excel for further analysis.
• With direct access to Business Central data sources, you can maintain consistency and integrity of the exported data.

Using Excel for Custom Reports:

• Create thorough reports using formulas, pivot tables, and charts within Microsoft Excel.
• Use Excel's data refresh features connected to D365 BC to automate data changes.

3. Microsoft Copilot in Business Central

Copilot in Dynamics 365 Business Centre uses artificial intelligence capabilities to simplify data analysis and then display it in a presentable form, hence improving reporting. It automates routine processes, offers predictive analytics, and provides real-time insights, to allow you to make data-driven decisions.

Copilot easily generates thorough reports and simplifies difficult searches using natural language processing, therefore enhancing general business intelligence and operational effectiveness.

Integrated inside Business Central, Microsoft Copilot is a powerful AI-assisting tool that can help you streamline processes across several roles. Download our freshly released white paper—Microsoft Copilot: The Catalyst for Transformation in Your Business—to learn more about it. Grab your copy for free, now!

Third-Party Reporting Solutions

Apart from the integrated and advanced reporting tools, various third-party solutions further expand the reporting capabilities of Dynamics 365 Business Central.

1. Jet Reports

One of the popular reporting and business intelligence tools, Jet Reports easily connects with D365 BC. It offers quick, adaptable reporting and analytics straight inside Microsoft Excel.

Key benefits:

• Excel-based Reporting: Design reports in Microsoft Excel utilizing known tools and functions.
• Real-time Data: Access real-time data from D365 BC for real-time reporting.
• Pre-built Templates: For standard financial and operational reports, make use of pre-built templates.

2. Zetadocs

Zetadocs provides reporting and document management tools catered for Dynamics 365 Business Central. It improves reporting capabilities by means of document process simplification and integration with reports.

Key benefits:

• Automated Document Capture: Automatically capture and save documents linked to transactions in D365 BC.
• Custom Reporting: Generate reports that include linked documents for comprehensive analysis.

3. SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)

Microsoft developed a server-based report generation technology called SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). For Dynamics 365 Business Central, it lets users create, run, and control reports.

Key benefits:

• Complex Report Design: Make detailed reports with lots of formatting choices.
• Web-based Access: Deploy reports on the web for easy access and sharing.
• Interactive Reports: Include interactive features such as drill-down, sorting, and filtering.

4. PowerApps and Microsoft Power Platform

Microsoft Power Platform, including PowerApps, lets organizations create bespoke apps that can easily integrate with Dynamics 365 Business Central. These applications can include customized reporting tools.

Key benefits:

• Custom Applications: Create apps that smoothly interact with D365 BC and handle particular business demands.
• Improved Reporting: Within PowerApps, create bespoke reports and dashboards.
• Automation: Use Power Automate to design workflows that automatically generate and distribute reports.

Best Practices for Effective Reporting

Following best practices for efficient reporting will help organizations realize the advantages of reporting tools in Dynamics 365 Business Central.

1. Define Key Metrics and KPIs

List the main performance indicators and metrics that complement your business objectives. This guarantees that reports offer pertinent and practical insights.

• Determine What to Measure: Pay heed to metrics that impact business performance and decision-making.
• Aligning Reports with Business Goals: Make sure operational targets and strategic goals are reflected in reports.

2. Data Accuracy and Consistency

Reliable reporting depends on consistent and accurate data. Put in place systems to guarantee data integrity by means of frequent audits and reviews.

• Ensuring Data Quality: Verify data input and fix disparities right away to guarantee data quality.
• Consistent Audits and Checks: Plan frequent data evaluations and reports to ensure correctness.

3. User Training and Adoption

Adoption and correct application of reporting tools by users determine effective reporting. Give thorough instruction and encourage the use of these tools across the organization.

• Importance of Training Users: Provide users with the required knowledge and skills to use reporting tools effectively.
• Encourage Adoption of Reporting Tools: Foster a culture of data-driven decision-making by promoting the use of reporting tools.

Making smart decisions and corporate performance depend on accurate reporting. From built-in options to sophisticated integrations and third-party solutions, Dynamics 365 Business Central has a strong spectrum of reporting capabilities. Organizations can transform by using these reporting tools and adhering to best practices.

How Can Dynamics Square Help You Leverage Reporting Tools for Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Dynamics Square has been a reputed Dynamics 365 implementation partner in the USA for more than 12 years. We have all the resources to ensure successful Business Central implementation.

Our team consists of professionals who grasp the subtleties of businesses inside out. By means of meticulous examination of your business's requirements, they will configure Business Central.

If you run across any problems, send us an email at arish.siddiqui@dynamicssquare.com or simply call at +1 281 899 0865. 

Also Read:

How to Generate Interactive Reports in Power BI?

Why Businesses Need to Invest in Power BI – A Business Intelligence Tool

Why it is Important to Clean Data in Power BI? How to clean and transform the data?

Copilot for Power BI: Take Productivity to the Next Level