The Msdw Podcast

This episode is sponsored by the 365 Leadership Summit, taking place September 18-19, 2025 On this episode we are discussing the business leader's perspective on AI transformation, including a theme that people aren't talking about as much: failure. Our guests on this episode, Prachi Mishra of Microsoft and Geoff Ables of C5 Insight, talk both the risks and the potential benefits of the AI offerings that are emerging almost in real time from Microsoft in 2025. Prachi and Geoff both explain their reasons for viewing AI as key to the future of business, and the conditions that will lead organizations to successful investments. They share case studies from their own clients, AI adoption advice, and how to build an achievable roadmap. And Geoff helps us understand one of the key risks that he foresees, the emergence of AI shelfware and the loss of excitement or momentum within an organization. More about the 365 Leadership Summit: Taking place September 18-19, 2025 at The Ritz-Carlton, Denver, CO the 365 Leaders

This episode is sponsored by SignUp Software. On this episode we are discussing the opportunity to solve sophisticated finance challenges with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. My guests are Bob Monio of SignUp Software and Morgan Prengler of Sksoft. Their organizations have partnered for years, and they say the newest phase of their alliance will lead to new and improved solutions and programs to address the needs of finance teams in areas like AP, payments, reconciliation, and reporting. Bob and Morgan both share use cases from recent customers and some of the emerging patterns that they have observed in the last twelve months around advanced financial solutions and modernization initiatives. They also explain why they are using the strategic narrative of the CFO stack and the value of bringing audit, spending, and control under one roof. More Resources: •        To learn more about embedded solutions for D365 BC, visit signupsoftware.com •        To learn more about SKsoft's toolbox, visit sksoft.

This episode is sponsored by XPLUS. On this episode we are diving into key changes in license enforcement in Dynamics 365 F&SCM with Bartosz Szpiech, vice president of product at XPLUS. We begin by discussing what has changed in the licensing model from AX 2012 to Dynamics 365 and how it is changing in the coming months in ways that will have important implications for customers still planning a move from on-premises to cloud, as well as for existing D365 customers. And while many customers will be able to adapt without too much disruption, there will be scenarios in which organizations could face a major impact to license costs and user management. We also discuss how security setup projects have evolved and how user security governance, or USG, can support license optimization and compliance going forward. Resources: D365 Licensing Guide - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/dynamics365 USG - YouTube 1 hour walkthrough -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XOugnAmFi8 USG Mastercla

Early in Microsoft's FY26, managers in the sales and channel organizations have worked to explain important program changes that will impact partners in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform space. At the recent Biz Apps Partner Executive Summit 2025 event, attendees heard from a variety of Microsoft representatives who presented sales strategy and the reorganized structure that attempts to blend business applications with modern work. Partners also heard about Microsoft's new and updated incentives, vision for AI agent sales in the enterprise, and revised sales plays across industries and segments. Joe Corigliano was one of the key organizers of the event from Dynamics Communities and he joined us after the event ended to recap some of the highlights like memorable insights from speakers, some of the MSDW event coverage, and partner reactions to Microsoft's outlook on selling AI agents.

On this episode we are talking to some of the experts who presented at the Summit North America Roadshow event in Seattle this week, where members of the Dynamics 365 community came together to hear from Microsoft and their peers about D365 applications, Power Platform, and the broader technology landscape that they face. Microsoft kicked off the event with a tour of some of the latest Power Platform AI features in their plan designer, which recently reached GA, as well as the latest preview feature, generative pages. That focus on AI-driven capabilities became a theme of the day, woven in with other functional and technical topics. To better understand what Microsoft's product evolution and efforts mean, we spoke with three enterprise software veterans for more perspective on topics like user adoption, sharing lessons about early AI solution development efforts, the impact on people's jobs, individual vs organizational solutions, and how to focus on outcomes.  Our guests for this episode are:  Luciano Cunha

This episode is sponsored by Invoiced by Flywire.   Advances in AR software are re-shaping financial management in ERP systems. Our guest on this episode, Flywire product lead Chris Couch, discusses the evolution of the invoice to cash story from an AR and payments perspective and how his team's solution for Dynamics 365 Business Central, Invoiced by Flywire, improves the work experience of finance teams.   Chris is a veteran of the AR automation space, and he shares his perspective on how the technology and business case have evolve in recent years. We also discuss what's new with Invoiced by Flywire, including its D365 integrations.   Chris also discusses some real-world use cases and tells us what the Microsoft community can expect in the near future from the solution.   More from Flywire: Learn more about Invoiced by Flywire: https://www.invoiced.com/accounts-receivable-software-msdw

This episode is sponsored by Mekorma.   On this episode we are examining the persistent digital gaps plaguing Accounts Payable teams, despite widespread adoption of AP software. Our guest is Mekorma's Director of Revenue Brendan Coffey, and we explore why disjointed workflows still exist, what those inefficiencies look like in practice, and how they impact everything from compliance to cost-per-invoice.   Brendan explains some of the fundamental differences between embedded and integrated AP automation solutions within the Microsoft Dynamics ecosystem, and how each approach affects user experience, security, IT overhead, and ROI.   Whether you're trying to simplify your AP tech stack or reduce manual touchpoints, this episode will help you assess which approach aligns with your operational needs and long-term goals.   Visit Mekorma.com to find out if an embedded Accounts Payable solution is the right fit for your business.

In this kickoff episode of our new podcast series focused on IT leadership, we sit down with Tom Doran and Tony Darden of VCIO Global to explore the concept of the "invisible IT department". We start by describing some of the common trends in the evolution of IT management and its ability to be a strategic asset rather than just a cost center. Tom and Tony share stories of the challenges businesses are facing when it comes to software selection, accountability, technology project expectations, and how to tie the CIO responsibilities to business successes.   Key topics we discuss include: The historical evolution of IT ownership challenges Real-world examples of failed or misdirected technology initiatives The lingering trauma (and myths) from legacy system upgrades and Y2K-era thinking Transitioning from legacy ERP systems to modern platforms The generational shifts and employee tech expectations are reshaping the IT roadmap The changing interface of systems based on the influence of AI  

In this episode, our guests from SignUp Software and Eftsure use AP automation as an entry point into a bigger story: how finance leaders are becoming cybersecurity leaders. Our guests, Rob Ashe of SignUp and Gabe Garcia of Eftsure, discuss the organizations' strategic partnership, why it will help Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations users, and the role of financial automation in fortifying against modern threats. Framed by insights from Eftsure's 2025 Cybersecurity Guide for CFOs, this conversation dives into why today’s fraud landscape demands adversarial thinking, how practices like red teaming are reshaping finance functions, and what it takes for CFOs to lead their organizations into a new era of digital resilience.

This episode is sponsored by SignUp Software. On this episode, we explore the challenges that CFOs, controllers, and other decision-makers are managing today. Our guests, SignUp's Bob Monio and Velosio's Chris Wheeler, are here to discuss market conditions and trends that are driving priorities for companies using Dynamics 365 Business Central. When it comes to automation, executives are prioritizing investments based on the end-to-end business processes, Bob explained.  That type of big picture strategic planning requires committed partners with industry and technology expertise. And with their ExFlow suite, SignUp also counts on partners like Velosio to set the context for technology investments. Chris shares some of Velosio's recent experiences, as well as plans for the future of the partnership between the firms. More from SignUp Software: Explore SignUp Software’s native D365 solutions at signupsoftware.com, and discover how Velosio can support your business at velosio.com.

This episode is sponsored by Delinea. Security and compliance concepts related to Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management are constantly evolving, and our guest, Delinea principal software development engineer Alex Meyer, continue to work to help the community make sense of their options. Alex, a Microsoft MVP, recently presented a new webcast to the MSDW audience on native controls in D365 applications, and he joins the podcast to provide more perspective on the gaps that still exist. Auditors have become more familiar with D365 F&O solutions, Alex explains, and that means they know where to look for verification of segretation of duties. We also discuss another hot topic right now, D365 licensing and the new policies Microsoft is trying to finalize related to technical enforcement for users. Alex shares his experiences and observations thus far, including the latest known delays to Microsoft's implementation of this plan. More from Delinea: For all the latest expertise on D365 F&SCM securi

MSDW was a media partner at May's Resco Next 2025 event, and we had the chance to chat with a range of the event's presenters. Resellers, customers, and Resco's own team brought news, perspective, and fresh ideas to the event. We heard how partners have developed unique industry solutions atop Resco's mobile tools, how customers have pushed their field scenarios forward, and where Resco sees their product roadmap going, both for their own vision and in alignment with Microsoft's technology vision.   Guests you will hear from in this episode are: Daniel Laskewitz - Microsoft - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laskewitz/ Tomas Michalek - Resco - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomas-michalek-78666814/ Jonathan Taub - FIELDBOSS - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-taub-aa84b64/ Marlon Salinas - NOV - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlon-salinas-89885048/ Cameron Mott - Uiltradent - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-mott-02103297/   You can see all our Resco Next 2025 coverage here: https://msdynamicsworld.

This episode is sponsored by Emfluence. On this episode, we look at some of the specific ways that the data from a Dynamics 365 CRM system can help marketers get the best results for their sales teams. Our guest, Monico Hoyer of emfluence, explores some of the scenarios in which marketers can leverage Dynamics data more effectively, along with practical ways they can integrate it with their marketing automation solutions. Monica breaks down the first steps every Dynamics customer should take to enhance their marketing efforts, ensuring they're making the most of their data. The challenges span process, technical integration requirements, and organizational scenarios, she explains. We also explore advanced marketing tactics that Dynamics users can adopt to drive engagement, optimize campaigns, and boost business growth. More from Emfluence: Want to see what smarter marketing with Dynamics really looks like? Check out emfluencemarketingplatform.com for tools, tips, and a closer look at the platform.

This episode is sponsored by Mekorma. Mekorma has been helping the Dynamics community streamline AP for over 30 years, and one way they have differentiated their brand is through their focus on empathy and client care. To learn more about the company's roots and core values, we spoke with founder and CEO Ora Goldman. Ora shared some defining moments in Mekorma's history, like their early efforts to bring the needs of financial professionals front and center in their solution development. The company's product evolution has also been focused on understanding real pain points of customers, Ora explains, and she shares some examples and stories about client experiences. We also discuss some of the company's experiences as an ISV in the Microsoft ecosystem, first working with Great Plains and Dynamics GP, and how they have modernized their offerings and expanded to Dynamics 365 Business Central. We also learn more about Ora's outlook on the Dynamics community and her approach to fostering relationships and partne

This episode is sponsored by SignUp Software. For Dynamics 365 Business Central users, the decision between embedded and external accounts payable (AP) automation solutions can have a lasting impact on the organization. To understand the topic further, we spoke with Rob Ashe, Vice President of North America at SignUp Software, and David Huether, Chief Commercial Officer at NEXT 365 for North America, about their organizations' experiences partnering on Business Central projects and what they are learning from finance leaders implementing AP automation solutions. BC customers want to invest in AP automation that delivers both greater efficiency and better operating conditions like improved security, integration, and consistency for user experiences. The partnership between SignUp Software and Next365 is providing unique results in areas like process assessment and optimization, executive-level advisory scenarios, and implementation acceleration. For example, David shared a case study from the energy sector whe

MSDW was a media sponsor of this week's DynamicsCon 2025 event, live in Chicago. In our travels, we met up with some Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management experts to get their perspective on Microsoft announcements, customer feedback, and other plans.  In this episode, we hear from Microsoft MVP Alicia King (Keener) of RSM, James Cook, director with enVista, and Joe Christensen, founder of Aqueducts Consulting. All three work with Dynamics 365 F&O solutions, and we talked about new features, how customers are learning about Microsoft's AI offerings like pre-built agents and Azure AI Foundry, and some of the pressing needs for F&O customers related to licensing.

This episode is sponsored by Coffee + Dunn. As buyer behavior has evolved, sales and marketing teams have tried to keep pace. Understanding buyer behavior remains key, says our guest, Thomas Manders, CEO of Microsoft partner Coffee + Dunn, but data gathering and contextualizing insights for sellers have proved a challenge for some firms. In this episode, Thomas shares examples of business processes that Dynamics 365 users can execute on today, including steps that can bring sales and marketing teams closer together. We also discuss some of the latest Dynamics 365 Customer Insights marketing capabilities and what the Coffee + Dunn team is watching for in Microsoft's D365 road map. More from Coffee + Dunn: Download the white paper: Breaking Silos: The Strategic Advantage of Sales & Marketing Alignment | Coffee + Dunn (https://coffee-dunn.com/whitepapers/breaking-silos-the-strategic-advantage-of-sales-marketing-alignment/) Schedule your complimentary envisioning session with Coffee + Dunn: Schedule your se

This episode is sponsored by Avalara. The complexities and challenges of use tax compliance only seem to grow as a business expands its operations and customer base. Our guest, Avalara use tax product solution consultant Myles Metzger, explains some of the most common misconceptions about use tax and why it is so tricky for finance teams to comply. Myles also explains some of the common challenges that Dynamics ERP customers face and how Avalara's latest integrations with Dynamics GP, D365 Business Central, and D365 Finance improve tax accuracy and reduce the risks of under- or overpayment. More from Avalara: See how Avalara’s integrations with Microsoft Dynamics GP, BC, and Finance help improve accuracy, reduce manual effort, and minimize audit risk:

This episode is sponsored by Mekorma. It may be hard to believe, but many partners are still unaware of the Accounts Payable compliance best practices. On this episode, Mekorma’s Director of Revenue, Brendan Coffey joins us to highlight regulatory updates impacting AP teams and explains how those changes tie into partner observations and feedback at Directions NA 2025. We discuss the increasing demand for advanced security and compliance solutions and how Mekorma’s check printing solutions handle fraud prevention and compliance. Brendan explains that tackling these challenges with technology solutions is representative of a broader mindset among SMBs to adopt Business Central as the heart of business operations, not just for bookkeeping or data management. More from Mekorma: Don’t let your business fall behind—stay ahead and ensure you're fully compliant. Want to learn more? Book a meeting with us today or reach out to us at info@mekorma.com

Alicia King (Keener) received her first Microsoft MVP award in 2024, but her experience with Dynamics ERPs goes back more than 15 years. She joins us to share some of the meaningful experiences in her professional journey and her perspective on the present and future of Dynamics 365 F&O.   We discuss Alicia's approach to community participation, how she has extended her expertise into specific industries, and about her presentation plans for DynamicsCon 2025 in Chicago, where she will be presenting on using the built-in tax engine for D365 F&SCM.   Show Notes: 4:00 - The types of content she creates and what she prefers to consume 5:45 - Alicia's history with the product, starting with AX 8:45 - On working with a system that has added so many feature areas and specializations 11:00 - Working with D365 F&O in the life sciences industry 16:45 - Alicia's DynamicsCon 2025 session plans related to the D365 tax engine 18:45 - On building and nurturing an audience in the Microsoft community