My previous post gave an introduction to the Power Platform and some initial guidance on how to get started.
In today’s post, I’ll be going through the benefits of utilising the Power Platform with F&O, alongside some real-world use cases.
Benefits of Extending F&O with the Power Platform
When enhancing or updating any ERPEnterprise Resource Planning software is used by businesses to manage day-to-day activities. More system, there are steps that need to be taken ensuring unnecessary items are not added. By this, I mean adding in non-standard capabilities to a product or platform. Common instances of this may include adding whole new components to a tool set which typically would not be supported by Microsoft, and often require support from third parties.
Custom enhancements that significantly alter products often have a major impact on business operations, but usually aren’t the best long-term strategy. Ideally, keeping products as close to their native configuration as possible ensures better supportability and reduces the risk of downtime during Microsoft’s regular updates.
Where the Power Platform helps is enabling simple connectivity to D365 F&O. Connectivity can be achieved through Dual Write, but also available via Azure Integration Services (AIS), by leveraging the Fin & Ops Apps (Dynamics 365) connector.
Dual-Write enables D365 F&O to not only write into its core database but also into Dataverse. This enables real-time interaction between traditional D365 Customer Engagement apps and D365 F&O. By having a copy of the data stored in a platform which supports extension natively enables organisations to build applications outside of F&O without compromising the product.

Another option for extension is leveraging the Power Platform connector for F&O. The connector leverages the F&O APIAn Application Programming Interface is a set of rules enabling two or more applications to communicate and exchange data. More to pass information between F&O to the Power Platform such as in the instance of using a Canvas Power App to access data directly inside of F&O, essentially enabling changes directly to system data.
In both scenarios, there are mechanisms for accessing data within F&O promoting platform extensibility. And as these changes are pulling data outside of F&O there is limited impact to a production system in which the business is dependent on. Additionally, with information now accessible outside the platform the following benefits can be realised:
- Increased Flexibility: The Power Platform provides additional tools to help speed up solution developments enabling businesses to adapt to ever-changing needs.
- Enhanced Productivity: Streamlining operations and automating tasks with elements of AIArtificial Intelligence is a field of computer science dedicated to creating systems that mimic human intelligence. More sprinkled in.
- Better Decision Making: Utilising Power BIPower BI is a cloud-based suite of business intelligence and analytics tools that lets anyone connect to, visualise, and analyse data with greater speed, efficiency, and understanding. More to create visual and interactive reports, promoting data sharing and transparency.
- Improved User Experience: Let us be honest, there are some excellent user interfaces out there and F&O is not quite of them. By having options to customise how users interact with their data can help promote data quality, assist with user input, and ensure systems are more accessible.
Real-World Scenarios
Let us apply the above into some real-world scenarios! In this instance, we will be focussing on a medium sized distribution company. Warehouse staff members are facing issues with manual inventory tracking, delayed order processing and a lack of real-time data on stock levels and order statuses. How can the Power Platform help?
- A Canvas Power App developed for mobile devices, such as scanners used when picking items can be created. This app can support in scanning barcodes to update inventory levels in real-time. By synchronising data directly to F&O, warehouse workers can automatically push data into the core ERPEnterprise Resource Planning software is used by businesses to manage day-to-day activities. More system, reducing stock loss, errors and improving overall data accuracy.
- A Power AutomatePower Automate is Microsoft’s service for creating automated workflows between apps, streamlining repetitive tasks. More flow created for order processing enables alerts when orders are placed with options to automatically assign tasks to warehouse staff. These activities could be picking, packing, or shipping.
- Power BIPower BI is a cloud-based suite of business intelligence and analytics tools that lets anyone connect to, visualise, and analyse data with greater speed, efficiency, and understanding. More reports can generate real-time insight into key warehouse operations. This includes pulling dashboards from F&O displaying key metrics such as stock levels, order statuses and staff performance.
The above are but a few examples of how low-code can support organisations with integration to F&O.
Conclusion
Hopefully it’s apparent that D365 F&O with the Power Platform offers substantial benefits for businesses looking to enhance their operational efficiency and flexibility.
The Power Platform low-code tool kit helps extend an already feature-rich platform, promoting customised development and enabling citizen development referencing core ERPEnterprise Resource Planning software is used by businesses to manage day-to-day activities. More data. Moreover when leveraging the Power Platform’s core framework, users can build extensions in a secure and governed environment, mitigating risks associated with Shadow IT.
By adopting the Power Platform, businesses can achieve greater agility, streamline their processes, and unlock new levels of productivity and insight.