How to get started with Copilot in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (without feeling overwhelmed)

AI is everywhere, and for many small and mid-sized businesses, that’s the problem. The options can be overwhelming. They hear competitors talking about it. They see Microsoft announcing new Copilot features every week. And they worry if they don’t act, they’ll fall behind.  

At the same time, very few small and mid-sized businesses have a formal AI strategy, dedicated resources, or the time to sort through what will have the biggest impact. For many Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC) users, the biggest challenge is figuring out where to begin. 

In conversations with our BC customers, we’re hearing a lot of uncertainty: 

• What can Copilot do today? 
• ​​​Is our data secure? 
• Do we need custom development? 
• Are we already behind? 

This is common, especially in organizations without big IT teams. The reality is that Copilot adoption doesn’t start with a big redesign of your systems. If you’re already using BC, you can start small to reduce the friction of day-to-day tasks and still see value. 

Copilot features you can use on day 1 in Business Central 

One of the biggest misconceptions about Copilot is that it’s still experimental. But many Copilot capabilities are already embedded into BC. Among other tasks, out of the box, Copilot can help with: 

• Data retrieval using natural language: Users can ask questions like “When was the last time we sold this item to this customer?” and get answers without navigating multiple screens. 
• Record summarization: Instead of scanning long ERP records, Copilot highlights key information when users open customers, vendors, or transactions. 
• Guided task assistance: Copilot can help users complete processes step by step, reducing training time and errors. 

In addition, Microsoft has introduced native AI agents that go beyond chat and reporting. 

One example we’ve seen SMBs adopt is the Accounts Payable Invoice Agent, which can take an invoice received via email, convert it into a payable transaction in BC, and route it for approval. These workflows save time while improving consistency and accuracy. 

Another is the Sales Order Agent, which is a tool that addresses, clarifies, and fulfills customer requests received via email. Sales Order Agent takes away the manual processes of order-taking, which speeds customer turnaround time, improves data accuracy, and lets sales spend more time doing what they do best—building client relationships. 

How to identify a use case for Copilot in BC 

Start small. Rather than asking: “How do we use AI everywhere?” ask where you’re losing time. Early use cases often involve: 

• Repetitive, manual tasks 
• Time-consuming data lookups 
• Processes that require reconciling information between systems 
• High-volume emails or routine customer or vendor requests 

For example, if a team member spends several hours a week reconciling data or responding to the same vendor questions, Copilot may be able to reduce that. Even cutting that in half can deliver immediate value.  

Another low-hanging fruit: Copilot can assist with drafting routine emails to customers or vendors based on context from Business Central. That reduces repetitive work while keeping responses consistent. 

What you don’t need to do 

Getting started with Copilot in BC does not require: 

• An ERP redesign 
• Custom development 
• A formal AI roadmap on day one 

Microsoft’s approach emphasizes low-code and no-code configurations, especially through tools like Copilot Studio. This allows companies to explore agent-based use cases without a big investment.  

Most successful businesses we work with, however, take a crawl, walk, run approach. They start with existing features and experiment with a few workflows, and then expand over time. 

How Sikich helps you get started 

Copilot adoption doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By starting with a small number of high-impact use cases, businesses can: 

• Save time on everyday tasks 
• Improve data visibility and decision-making 
• Reduce manual errors 
• Build confidence 

Sikich supports our customers through: 

• ​​​Security and governance training to establish safe AI usage 
• Copilot vision workshops to educate teams and identify practical use cases 
• Rapid prototyping to validate ideas before investing heavily 
• Adoption guidance to help companies build internal ownership. 

From there, adoption will grow naturally. The key is having a trusted partner like Sikich to help you focus on what will move the needle the most for your business. If you’re curious how Copilot could support your BC environment, let’s have a conversation.