AI in Finance for the Mid-Market with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Contents
From AI Conversation to AI in Production
Most mid-market organisations don’t have an AI strategy problem.
They have a “where do we start — and how do we govern it” problem.
With Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central evolving into an AI-enabled cloud ERP platform, the most practical and lowest-risk starting point is Finance.
Over the past 12 months, almost every customer conversation has included the same phrase:
“We need an AI strategy.”
The real shift in 2026 is moving from discussion to deployment — where artificial intelligence is embedded into daily finance operations and delivering measurable outcomes in months, not years.
Why Finance Is the Natural Starting Point for AI
For mid-market organisations, Finance provides the ideal foundation for AI adoption because it is:
- Highly structured and data-rich
- Process-driven and repeatable
- Governed and audit-controlled
This makes it the lowest-risk, highest-ROI entry point for artificial intelligence.
Typical early use cases include:
- Automated accounts payable document processing
- Intelligent bank and ledger reconciliations
- Predictive cash flow forecasting
- Faster month-end close
- Exception-based approvals and workflows
These are not future concepts — they are delivering real operational value today.
How Business Central Enables AI-Driven Finance
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides the platform required for secure and scalable AI adoption in the mid-market.
Continuous innovation without re-implementation
The cloud release model allows organisations to access new AI capabilities without disruptive upgrades.
Native integration across the Microsoft platform
Business Central connects seamlessly with:
- Microsoft Copilot
- Power BI
- Power Automate
- Microsoft 365
This enables AI to become part of everyday finance operations.
Enterprise-grade governance for the mid-market
Security, compliance and environment controls ensure AI is deployed in a controlled and auditable way.
Copilot in Business Central: AI Embedded in Your ERP
Microsoft Copilot is embedded directly within Business Central and works in the context of your live business data.
Finance teams can:
- Ask questions in natural language
- Generate contextual summaries
- Automate invoice processing
- Assist with reconciliations
- Analyse data without exporting to Excel
No data-science project or model training is required to get started.
Copilot Licensing, Activation and Governance
As at the date of this article, Copilot capabilities within Business Central are included as part of the standard cloud service.
Included today, with future policy expected
- There is currently no separate per-user Copilot licence for Business Central.
- Microsoft has indicated that fair-use policies, consumption limits or pricing models may be introduced in the future.
Activation and controlled rollout
Copilot is enabled and governed through:
Copilot & AI capabilities setup
This allows:
- Role-based access
- Controlled rollout
- Full auditability
Business Central Copilot vs Microsoft 365 Copilot
| Business Central Copilot | Microsoft 365 Copilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded in | Business Central | Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook |
| Licence | Included (currently) | Additional per-user licence |
| Works on | Financial & operational data | Documents & communications |
| Audience | Finance & operations | Knowledge workers |
The Shift from ERP Implementation to Continuous Improvement
ERP success is no longer measured by go-live.
It is measured by:
- Reduced manual effort
- Faster insight
- Better forecasting
- Scalable operations
ERP is now a continuous improvement platform.
A Practical Roadmap for AI in Finance
- Start with core finance processes
- Automate structured tasks
- Introduce predictive decision support
- Extend AI across the business
This delivers rapid ROI with governance.
Why This Matters for CFOs and Finance Leaders
The competitive risk is no longer AI adoption.
It is the speed at which competitors operationalise it.
Finance-led AI delivers:
- Faster reporting
- Stronger cash visibility
- Better cost control
- A scalable digital operating model
The Next Phase: From AI in Production to Agentic Finance
Deploying AI in finance today creates the foundation for what comes next.
AI is moving from assistance to execution — where:
- Routine tasks are completed within policy
- Exceptions are managed automatically
- Digital labour becomes part of the operating model
This is the transition to agentic, governed AI.
Organisations that start with Finance now will be ready to adopt this next phase with control and confidence.
AI strategy → AI in production → agentic, governed digital labour.
The CloudFactory Approach: From AI Strategy to AI in Production
At CloudFactory, we focus on deploying AI where it delivers measurable outcomes.
- Platform-aligned architecture
- Governed implementation
- Outcome-driven roadmaps
- Continuous optimisation
This finance-first approach applies across:
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
- SAP Business One
- MYOB Acumatica
Start Your AI in Finance Journey
AI in Finance for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Review
In this advisory session we identify:
- Immediate AI opportunities
- Data readiness
- A 6–12 month ROI roadmap
- How your architecture scales into the next phase of AI
📩 enquiries@cloudfactory.co
🌐 www.cloudfactory.co
Frequently Asked Questions: AI in Finance and Business Central
Is Copilot included in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central?
Yes. As at the date of this article, Copilot capabilities are included in the standard Business Central cloud service. Microsoft has indicated that future fair-use policies or pricing models may be introduced.
Do I need Microsoft 365 Copilot to use AI in Business Central?
No. The AI capabilities inside Business Central operate independently and do not require a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence.
What are the first AI use cases for finance in Business Central?
Most organisations begin with:
- Accounts payable automation
- Bank and ledger reconciliations
- Cash flow forecasting
- Month-end close acceleration
These deliver rapid, measurable ROI.
Is AI in Business Central suitable for mid-market organisations?
Yes. Business Central delivers enterprise-grade AI in a scalable cloud model designed specifically for the mid-market.
How long does it take to see value from AI in finance?
With the right data and governance approach, organisations typically begin to see measurable outcomes within months rather than years.
