Ali Raza Zaidi

A practitioner’s musings on Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations

alirazazaidi

D365 Technical Training Day 2 to Day 5

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Let’s revisit the fundamentals! I’m planning to create a 28-video technical training series on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O). The goal is to build a strong foundation for beginners and aspiring D365 developers by covering core technical concepts step by step.

🎉 The first 4 videos are now completed and available on YouTube!

Current Playlist:

  • ✅ Day 2 – Download and Configure the D365 F&O OneBox VM
  • ✅ Day 3 – Visual Studio, Models & Packages
  • ✅ Day 3 – Primitive Data Types, Extended Data Types (EDTs) & Base Enums
  • ✅ Day 4 – D365 Technical Training Day 5 How to create table in D365 Finance and operations

I’ll continue uploading the remaining videos regularly, covering topics such as tables, forms, classes, queries, data entities, integrations, debugging, best practices, and much more.

If you’re starting your journey as a D365 F&O Technical Consultant or X++ Developer, this series is designed to help you learn from the ground up.

Don’t forget to Like, Share, and Subscribe to stay updated with every new lesson!

D365 Technical Training Day 2 : How to download and configure One Box VM on your laptop

D365 Techical Training Day 3 | Visual Studio, Model, packages

D365 F&O Technical Training – Day 4 | Primitive Data Types, Extended Data Types (EDTs) & Base Enums

D365 Technical Training Day 5 How to create table in D365 Finance and operations

Embedding Websites in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365FO)

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esterday, I worked on a small proof of concept (POC) to embed an external web page inside Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations.

Initially, I thought the solution would require using an iframe. However, after some research, I discovered that WebsiteHostControl provides a much cleaner and more suitable approach.

The implementation is straightforward:

  1. Create a custom form.
  2. Apply the appropriate form pattern.
  3. Add a Tab control with a Tab Page.
  4. Add a Group control inside the Tab Page.
  5. Set the Group control’s Width Mode and Height Mode properties to Size to Available.

From there, you can add the WebsiteHostControl to the group and configure it to display the required external web page within the D365 Finance & Operations form.

Overall, it turned out to be much simpler than I initially expected, and WebsiteHostControl is the recommended approach for hosting external web content inside a D365 F&O form.

Then add a website host
Set its properties auto declaration to true
and Height mode and Width Mode to size to available

Inside form Initialize method just give url

public class FormTest extends FormRun
{
    /// <summary>
    ///
    /// </summary>
    public void init()
    {
        super();

        WebsiteHostControl1.url("https://www.tech.alirazazaidi.com");
    }

}

On running the form it will look like this

Thriving in the Age of AI: Strengthening Human Skills

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To thrive in the age of AI, we need to learn how to work effectively with both humans and machines.

Most importantly, we must focus on the human side of work.

According to one estimate, success at work has traditionally been 75% communication and relationship-building, and only 25% technical expertise.

With the rise of AI, that balance is shifting even further. In many roles, human skills now account for 85% of success, while technical skills make up only 15%.

To succeed in this new era, we must adapt to the changes brought by AI and strengthen our soft skills.

The challenge is that while technology has made communication easier, it has not necessarily improved connection.

AI is growing rapidly, and it is here to stay. Yet our connections with other human beings are becoming more fragile. We are losing the ability to build meaningful relationships.

Connection is a skill. Like any skill, if we do not practice it, it weakens over time.

So, how do we navigate disagreements and work better with others?

Here are four principles to improve your human skills in the age of AI.

1. Seek Understanding, Not Just Agreement

Imagine you are participating in a debate competition. Based on a coin toss, you might have to argue either for or against a topic.

Life works the same way.

When someone challenges your point of view, try to understand their perspective rather than immediately defending your own.

The goal is not to agree with every opinion. The goal is to understand it.

We are often taught to win arguments and convince others. Instead, we should focus on understanding how others see the world.

When we do that, we become more persuasive, more empathetic, and more effective collaborators.

Approach conversations with curiosity rather than judgment.

AI can help with this. Whenever you disagree with someone, ask AI to explain the other person’s perspective. It can help you see the issue from different angles.

2. Expand the Pie

Think beyond win-or-lose situations. Look for win-win outcomes.

I once negotiated with a shopkeeper, and we could not agree on the price. Instead of continuing to bargain, I asked myself, “What else is possible?”

I offered to recommend his shop to my friends if he could lower the price. He agreed.

I bought the product at a fair price, and later I brought my friends to his store.

We both benefited.

Too often, we approach life with a win-lose mindset. But most successful relationships are built on mutual value.

Expanding the pie means creating opportunities where everyone gains.

This mindset transforms competition into collaboration.

Instead of asking, “How can I win?” ask, “How can we create more value together?”

3. Diversify Your Circles

Surround yourself with people who think differently from you.

Build relationships with people from different backgrounds, cultures, professions, beliefs, and experiences.

Diverse teams create stronger ideas and better solutions because they bring multiple perspectives to the table.

There is a saying: “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.”

Actively seek new connections, especially with people outside your usual circles.

Find common ground despite your differences. Those shared interests become the foundation for meaningful relationships.

4. Show That You Care

People remember how you make them feel.

Offer a helping hand. Listen carefully. Support others, even when it requires extra effort.

If someone is preparing a presentation, help them. Understand their goals and encourage their ambitions.

Show genuine interest in their success.

At the end of the day, people want to feel heard, understood, and appreciated.

When people feel valued, teams thrive. When they feel ignored, teams break apart.

Reach out to someone. Check in on them. Make time to connect.

In the age of AI, technical skills will continue to evolve, but human connection will always matter.

Build the muscles that allow you to work effectively with both people and machines.

Simple formula for better prompt engineering in Any AI tool

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Act as a [Role].
Your task is to [Task].

Context: [Background, audience, goals, and constraints]

Output Requirements: [Format, tone, length, and specific instructions]

1. Role

Tell the AI who it should act as.

Examples:

  • Act as a Senior Software Architect.
  • Act as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
  • Act as a Digital Marketing Expert.
  • Act as a Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Solution Architect.

The more specific the role, the better the AI can tailor its response.

2. Task

Clearly describe what you want the AI to do.

Examples:

  • Write an article.
  • Create a project plan.
  • Analyze a business problem.
  • Compare different solutions.
  • Design a system architecture.

Example Task:

Write a detailed article explaining why Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations is an excellent ERP solution for inventory management and financial operations.

3. Context

Provide the necessary background information.

Include:

  • Target audience
  • Business goals
  • Industry
  • Constraints
  • Relevant assumptions

Example Context:

The audience consists of CFOs, Financial Advisors, CTOs, and CEOs. The goal is to help decision-makers understand how Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations improves inventory visibility, financial control, operational efficiency, and business scalability.

4. Output Requirements

Specify exactly how you want the response presented.

Include:

  • Format
  • Tone
  • Length
  • Structure
  • Special requirements

Example Output Requirements:

  • Write approximately 3,000 words.
  • Use a professional and executive-friendly tone.
  • Include an executive summary.
  • Explain key business benefits.
  • Compare traditional ERP systems with Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations.
  • Present pros and cons in a table.
  • Use bullet points where appropriate.
  • Include a conclusion with recommendations for business leaders.

Complete Example Prompt

Act as a Senior Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Solution Architect.

Your task is to write a comprehensive article explaining why Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations is one of the best ERP solutions for inventory management and financial operations.

Context:
The target audience includes CFOs, Financial Advisors, CTOs, and CEOs. The article should help business leaders understand the strategic, operational, and financial benefits of implementing Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations.

Output Requirements:

  • Write approximately 3,000 words.
  • Use a professional yet easy-to-understand tone.
  • Include an executive summary.
  • Explain inventory management capabilities.
  • Explain financial management capabilities.
  • Compare Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations with traditional ERP systems.
  • Include a pros and cons table.
  • Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points.
  • End with practical recommendations for executives evaluating ERP solutions.

A simple way to remember this framework is:

R-T-C-O = Role → Task → Context → Output

Most weak prompts miss one or more of these four elements. The more clearly you define them, the better the AI’s response will be.

GPTs that Every D365 Finance and Operation Consultant Must use

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There are many GPTs available that are specifically trained to help answer different types of questions.

Some of these GPTs are focused on Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations, helping with areas like X++, functional processes, troubleshooting, and solution design. For example, GPTs like D365F&O-GPT are built to act as experts for Finance & Operations queries.

You can also build and share your own GPTs, but this requires the Pro version of ChatGPT.

These GPTs become more useful over time as people continue to use and interact with them. In fact, similar AI assistants are being developed specifically for the D365 ecosystem to provide faster and more reliable guidance by combining documentation, best practices, and real-world experience.

Personally, I use these four GPTs related to Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations. You can search for them, try them out, and explore others as well—new ones are being added by the community every day.

  • X++ Dev Helper for Dynamics
  • Dynamics 365 Architect
  • Dynamics 365FO Expert
  • Dr Dynamics – D365 F&O Architect

Lets do a better prompt

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I am using AI since 2023. Many times I think, I could deliver better if I had these tools couple of years back.

But second time is now.

Here are my notes for Prompot Engineering. And why it is called engineering.

A prompt typically has three main parts:

  1. Top (Role & Output Expectation)
    Define the role you want the AI to take and specify the type of output you expect.
  2. Middle (Task & Context)
    Clearly describe the task and provide the necessary background or context.
  3. Bottom (Format & Constraints)
    Specify how the response should be structured (e.g., bullet points, paragraphs) and include any constraints such as word limits or tone.

Why is it called Prompt Engineering?
Because it is a structured approach to problem-solving. You are designing inputs in a deliberate way to get precise and useful outputs.

Types of Prompts

  1. Zero-Shot Prompting
    No examples are provided. The model relies entirely on the instructions.
  2. Few-Shot Prompting
    Includes examples and reasoning to guide the model toward the desired output.

Daily vs Periodic Ledger Journal Names in D365 Finance

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While working with ledger transactions in the General Journal in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance, two types of Ledger Journal Names are most commonly used: Daily and Periodic. Other journal names exist, but they are usually specific to certain business scenarios.

There are no strict or hard-and-fast rules for using Daily or Periodic journal names. However, in practice, they are typically used in the following way:

  • Daily journals are used for day-to-day transactional postings, such as routine adjustments or operational entries that occur regularly during the accounting period.
  • Periodic journals are used at the end of an accounting period for adjustments and closing activities, such as accruals, allocations, depreciation, and other period-end corrections.

In simple terms:

Daily journals support regular business operations,
Periodic journals ensure financial accuracy at period close.

This practical distinction helps organizations keep operational postings separate from period-end accounting activities, making audits, reviews, and month-end closing processes easier to manage.

Purchase RFQ response is not allow to Edit

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While working with Demo data in Dynamics 365, I recently encountered an issue where I was unable to add or edit a reply to an RFQ (Request for Quotation).

At first glance, everything looked correct—the RFQ was created properly, vendors were added, and the workflow seemed fine. However, the reply option was disabled, making it impossible to proceed.

After investigating the setup, I found the root cause was a missing parameter configuration.

Root Cause: RFQ Edit Permission Disabled

In Dynamics 365 Procurement and Sourcing, RFQ behavior is controlled by system parameters. In Demo data, one critical parameter is disabled by default, which blocks RFQ replies.

✅ Solution: Enable RFQ Editing for Purchasers

To resolve the issue, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to
    Procurement and Sourcing > Setup > Procurement and Sourcing Parameters
  2. Open the Request for Quotation tab
  3. Set the following parameter to True:
    “Purchaser can edit”
  4. Save the changes

Consolidation of Purchase requisition lines in D365 Finance and Operations

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In this video, I explain the consolidation of purchase requisition lines in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations.

In many real-world scenarios, different departments may create purchase requisitions for the same item. Instead of processing these requests separately and negotiating with vendors for each individual line, D365 F&O allows us to consolidate purchase requisition lines into a single consolidation.

This helps streamline vendor negotiation, enables better control over price, discounts, and vendor selection, and allows you to convert the consolidated requisition into a single purchase order efficiently.

I hope you find this video helpful. If you do, please like, share, and subscribe for more D365 F&O content.

Consider courses on udemy

https://www.udemy.com/user/alirazazaidi