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OnlyBCFans x MSDW: AI, Agents & Future of Business Central | Directions Recap ft. Jason Gumpert [S2 E04]

What does the future of Business Central consulting and development actually look like in an AI-first world? AJ Ansari (Host of The OnlyBCFans Show) and Jason Gumpert (Partner & Editor, MSDynamicsWorld.com) recorded this episode live on the last day of Directions NA 2026 in Orlando — breaking down the biggest themes from the event.In this episode:🔹 Partner Marketing Day recap — what marketers of all sizes can take away🔹 Microsoft's massive investment in AI-assisted development & DevOps pipelines🔹 Vibe coding: amateur gimmick or game-changer for BC partners?🔹 How AI is compressing development cycles — and what that means for billing🔹 Fixed fees, outcome-based pricing & the MSP parallel🔹 The open source BC developer community gaining momentum🔹 Where F&O, CRM, and Power Platform fit in the bigger pictureThis episode was co-hosted as a collaboration between two media sponsors for Directions NA 2026.📍 EPISODE TIMELINE0:00 – Intro & Guest Welcome1:45 – Setting the Scene: Last Day at Directions NA 20263:00 – Partner Marketing Day Recap6:30 – How Jason Evaluates a Conference8:15 – Microsoft's AI Investment in BC Development11:00 – Vibe Coding: Gimmick or Game-Changer?13:00 – Open Source BC Community & Mike Morton's Keynote15:30 – AI as a Natural Tool — Not a Decision17:00 – The Billing Model Crisis: What Happens to Hourly Rates?19:30 – The Broader Dynamics Ecosystem: CRM, F&O, Power Platform21:15 – Wrap-Up & Closing Thoughts🎙️ ABOUT THE ONLYBCFANS SHOWThe OnlyBCFans Show is your go-to podcast for Business Central insights, AI innovation, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 discussions. Hosted by AJ Ansari, we bring you conversations with industry leaders, Microsoft insiders, and community experts.🎙️ ABOUT MSDYNAMICSWORLD.COMMSDynamicsWorld.com, a GuidePoint Media publication, is the leading global independent authority covering Microsoft Dynamics, Power Platform, and Azure. We are committed to publishing the leading integrated content for Microsoft users, partners, independent software vendors (ISVs), and consultants around the globe. MSDW is the community's resource for news, expert advice, white papers, videos, podcasts, case studies, and more. Keep up to date on the latest developments and information relating to Microsoft Dynamics applications and breaking news.🔗 CONNECT WITH THE ONLYBCFANS SHOW:🌐 Website: https://www.OnlyBCFans.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/onlybcfans👤 AJ Ansari on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ajansari💻 GitHub: https://github.com/ajansari🎧 Listen to our podcast:📱 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0OJjioVucLDmvXgZWllzW4🎵 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/onlybcfans/id1811978715#DirectionsNA2026 #BusinessCentral #MSDynamics #MicrosoftDynamics #Dynamics365 #AIinERP #CopilotStudio #VibeCoding #BCPartners #ERP #MSDynamicsWorld #OnlyBCFans

Directions NA 2026: Dmitry Chadayev on AI Agents, Copilot Chat & Business Central’s Future - [S2 E03]

Join AJ Ansari live from Directions North America as he sits down with Dmitry Chadayev, Group Product Manager for Cloud and AI Platform at Microsoft's Dynamics 365 Business Central team. Fresh after the Day 1 keynote, Dmitry shares insider insights on the biggest announcements from Business Central 2026 Wave 1, including the game-changing Expense Agent and what's coming next.In this 10-minute conversation recorded on-site at Directions NA, you'll discover:✅ Why the new Expense Agent got the biggest reaction from the audience✅ The free portal that eliminates friction for receipt uploads (available May 8th)✅ How Microsoft's CEO personally uses AI to inspire the entire BC team✅ What to expect from tomorrow's "geekiest session ever" on coding with agents✅ The Copilot chat feature bringing M365 and BC data together✅ Dmitry's reflections on 21 years of Directions NA and how the partner channel has evolvedWhether you're a Business Central partner, developer, or business user, this conversation reveals what's next for the platform and how AI agents are transforming the way we work with ERP systems.⏱️ CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS0:00 - Introduction from Directions NA Day 10:45 - Dmitry's Unusual Morning: Watching from the Audience1:30 - Biggest Keynote Reaction: The Expense Agent Reveal3:00 - Why the Expense Agent UI Changes Everything4:15 - Free Portal, Zero Friction: Breaking Down the Value5:00 - Second Favorite Moment: Mike's Personal AI Projects6:15 - Preview of Day 2 Keynote: Coding with AI Agents7:30 - Copilot Chat Feature: BC Data Meets M3658:30 - General Availability: Sales Order & Payables Agents9:00 - 21 Years of Directions: Dmitry's Journey & Reflections10:15 - Closing Thoughts & What's Next👤 ABOUT DMITRY CHADAYEVDmitry Chadayev is Group Product Manager for Cloud and AI Platform and Partner Tooling on the Dynamics 365 Business Central team at Microsoft. His core passion is building future-proof platforms and tooling that prepare entire ecosystems for what’s next.🎙️ ABOUT THE ONLYBCFANS SHOWThe OnlyBCFans Show is your go-to podcast for Business Central insights, AI innovation, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 discussions. Hosted by AJ Ansari, we bring you conversations with industry leaders, Microsoft insiders, and community experts.🔗 CONNECT WITH US🌐 Website: https://www.OnlyBCFans.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/onlybcfans👤 AJ Ansari on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ajansari💻 GitHub: https://github.com/ajansari🎧 Listen to our podcast:📱 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@OnlyBCFans🎵 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/onlybcfans/id1811978715

Microsoft VP of Business Central Mike Morton on 55K Users, AI & 21 Years of Directions NA - The OnlyBCFans Show [S2 E02]

In this exclusive interview from Directions North America 2026, host AJ Ansari sits down with Mike Morton, Vice President of Dynamics 365 Business Central at Microsoft, for an intimate conversation about the partner ecosystem, AI transformation, and the future of Business Central.🎯 WHY THIS INTERVIEW MATTERS:Mike Morton opens up about Microsoft's unique relationship with the Business Central partner community and why Directions NA serves as the launchpad for major product releases—something that "confuses people at Microsoft" but makes BC partners feel truly special.🔥 KEY HIGHLIGHTS:✅ 55,000 Business Central Users Milestone – Mike shares the journey and vision for reaching 100K, 200K, and even 1 million customers✅ Wave 1 2026 Top Features – Mike's three favorite features including revolutionary AI agent coding, reporting enhancements, and the game-changing expense agent✅ Why Microsoft Launches at Partner Events – The strategy behind using Directions NA/EMEA as the primary release platform instead of Microsoft-owned events✅ AI Transformation Strategy – How Mike is changing how developers think about AI possibilities✅ Authenticity in Leadership – Mike discusses his approachable leadership style and why transparency builds better products✅ 21 Years of Directions NA – Reflections on this landmark event and what makes the BC community "special"✅ Day 2 Keynote Preview – What to expect from the partner-focused deep dive (spoiler: it's going to blow your mind)📌 CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS:0:00 – Introduction & Welcome from Directions NA0:42 – Who is Mike Morton? VP Introduction1:15 – Why Directions NA is THE Launch Event for Business Central2:47 – How Partners Are the Business Central Business3:45 – Mike's Approachable Leadership Style & Authenticity5:12 – The Copenhagen Segway Saga5:52 – Day 1 vs Day 2 Keynote Strategy7:18 – AI Transformation: The Heart of Wave 1 20268:15 – 55,000 Users Milestone & Growth to 1M Vision9:42 – Mike's 3 Favorite Wave 1 Features11:05 – Camp Air: Microsoft's AI Innovation Program12:08 – 21 Years of Directions NA Reflection13:02 – Wrap-up & Segway Waiver Request👤 ABOUT MIKE MORTON:Mike Morton is the Vice President of Dynamics 365 Business Central at Microsoft, leading the product strategy and vision for one of the fastest-growing ERP solutions in the Microsoft ecosystem. 🎙️ ABOUT THE ONLYBCFANS SHOW:The OnlyBCFans Show is your go-to podcast for Dynamics 365 Business Central insights, partner stories, and insider perspectives from the heart of the BC community. Hosted by AJ Ansari, we bring you conversations with industry leaders, Microsoft executives, MVPs, and innovative partners shaping the future of Business Central.🔗 CONNECT WITH US:🌐 Website: https://www.OnlyBCFans.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/onlybcfans👤 AJ Ansari on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ajansari💻 GitHub: https://github.com/ajansari💻 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnlyBCFansAJ 🎧 LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PLATFORM: Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Amazon Podcasts📢 SHARE THIS VIDEO if you're part of the amazing Business Central partner community!💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's your biggest takeaway from Mike's vision for Business Central? Are you as excited about AI agent coding as we are?🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more exclusive interviews with Microsoft executives, BC MVPs, and partner success stories!---#BusinessCentral #MicrosoftDynamics #Dynamics365 #MikeMorton #DirectionsNA #BCPartners #ERPSoftware #MicrosoftERP #AITransformation #BusinessCentralAI #Wave12026 #PartnerEcosystem #SMBSoftware #CloudERP #OnlyBCFans #DynamicsCommunity #BC #MSDYN365BC #CopilotInBC #AgentCoding #DirectionsNorthAmerica

Inside Directions NA 2026 — 20 Years, 1,400 Attendees, 150+ Sessions | The OnlyBCFans Show [S2 E01]

Directions North America 2026 is just around the corner — and in this episode of The OnlyBCFans Show, host AJ Ansari sits down with Mary Miller, Marketing Chair on the Directions NA Board, to break down everything partners and ISVs need to know before heading to Orlando this April. From Microsoft keynotes with Mike Morton and the Business Central product team, to 150+ sessions, a revamped expo hall, and a partner celebration at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure — this is the ultimate preview for anyone in the Business Central community.🎙️ About Our GuestMary Miller is the Director of Marketing at PayTrace, the B2B payment experts serving 40,000+ customers. She also serves as the Marketing Chair on the Directions North America Board — a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit that has been bringing the Business Central partner community together for over 20 years. Mary has been in the Microsoft channel since the early '90s, spanning roles across software providers, ISVs, and partners.🔑 Key Takeaways• Directions NA 2026 runs April 27–29 at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, FL — expect ~1,400 attendees and ~100 sponsors• Microsoft is delivering 70+ sessions plus keynotes from Mike Morton, Bryan Goode, and Joe DeHaai (Neural Impact on Day 3)• A brand-new consolidated expo hall puts sponsors, meals, networking, Microsoft support engineers, and a new Partner Showcase Theater all in one place• The Partner Celebration takes over Universal Orlando — City Walk, Hogsmeade, and exclusive roller coaster access on Wednesday night• Full-day Monday–Wednesday schedule with pre-day activities on Sunday, including Partner Marketing Day• 400+ session submissions were narrowed to ~85 community-selected sessions — the content quality bar is the highest it's ever been• Former GP/SL partners will find dedicated sessions on transitioning into the Business Central ecosystem• Microsoft "office hours" and booth access give partners direct face time with product leadership⏱️ Timestamps0:10 – Introduction & Guest Welcome1:15 – Mary's Background: PayTrace, Directions NA & 30 Years in the Channel2:12 – Directions NA 2026 Overview — What's Coming to Orlando3:09 – 21 Years of Community: How Directions Grew from 300 to 1,400 Attendees4:06 – Who Should Your Organization Send? AJ's Advice for Partners6:31 – Event Logistics: Expo Hall, Partner Showcase Theater & Networking8:40 – Microsoft's Massive Presence: 70+ Sessions, Keynotes & On-Site Support14:50 – Partner Celebration at Universal Orlando — Hogsmeade & Roller Coasters16:25 – Full Event Schedule: Pre-Day Sunday through Wednesday Night20:27 – Reflecting on 20+ Years of Directions North America26:28 – Closing Remarks & How to Register📌 Register & Learn More🔗 Directions North America: https://www.directionsna.com📱 Download the Directions NA App for the full agenda, QR badge, and session ratings👋 Connect With Us🌐 Website: https://www.OnlyBCFans.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/onlybcfans/ 📌 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnlyBCFansAJ💼 AJ Ansari on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ajansari💻 GitHub: https://github.com/ajansari🎧 Follow The OnlyBCFans Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Podcasts#DirectionsNA #DirectionsNA2026 #BusinessCentral #MicrosoftBusinessCentral #BCPartners #Dynamics365BusinessCentral #OnlyBCFans #MicrosoftDynamics365 #Dynamics365 #BusinessCentralPartner #DirectionsNorthAmerica #BC #ERPCommunity #MSDyn365BC #Orlando2026 #PartnerCommunity #Copilot #PowerPlatform #ISV #MicrosoftPartner

S1E05 - Freddy Kristiansen: Reflecting on 23 Years in the NAV-BC Ecosystem & Life After Microsoft

In this episode of the OnlyBCFans Show, host AJ Ansari welcomes Freddy Kristiansen, a veteran of the Business Central community and a newly minted Microsoft alum. They discuss Freddy's journey from his early days in technology to his 23 years at Microsoft, the transition of Navision into Microsoft, and the challenges faced with the Role-Tailored Client. Freddy shares insights on his departure from Microsoft, his future plans involving open source projects, and the impact of AI on ERP systems. The conversation highlights the importance of community, legacy, and the evolving landscape of technology.Memorable Moment:Getting laid off from Microsoft was a "present"Links and Resources referenced in this episode:Freddy's Websitehttps://www.freddy.dkRegister for AJ Ansari's AL Development and Copilot Studio bootcamps:Community Summit NA 2025 Academy - Orlando, FL:October 17-18 (AL Development), 19 (Advanced AL), and 23 (Copilot Studio)https://summitna.comPre-Directions EMEA 2025 Academy - Poznan, Poland:November 3 (Copilot Studio)https://businesscentralworkshops.comBook by Hans Peter Bech on Microsoft's acquisition of Navision A/SEnglish title: 5,460 Miles from Silicon Valley https://hpbech.com/books/5460-miles-from-silicon-valley/Danish title: Fr Damgaard til Microsofthttps://hpbech.com/da/boeger/fra-damgaard-til-microsoft/Chapters00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back01:56 Freddy's Journey with Navision07:39 Transition to Microsoft and Early Challenges10:58 Project Green and the Evolution of Business Central24:00 Reflections on the Journey and Recent Changes27:34 Navigating Layoffs and Personal Reflections31:37 Contributions to Microsoft and Community Engagement33:03 Future Aspirations and Community Involvement38:59 The Developer Zone and Open Source Projects43:40 AI's Impact on Business Central and Future Directions50:48 Legacy and Family Involvement in TechnologyVisit us on OnlyBCFans.com.Keywords:#businesscentral #msdyn365bc #podcast #freddyk #freddykristiansen #navision #projectgreen #microsoft #layoffs #microsoftlayoffs #algogithub #roletailoredclient #directions4partners