Designing a Custom Copilot Experience in Business Central
Are you ready to enhance your Business Central experience? Imagine creating a custom copilot that simplifies tasks for you and your team. You don’t need to be a coding expert or an AI whiz to make this happen. With the right tools and a little creativity, you can build your own copilot and transform how you work. Let's dive into the exciting world of automation and see how you can make your daily operations smoother!
Key Takeaways
You can make a custom copilot in Business Central. You don't need coding skills. Use tools like Power Automate and Azure OpenAI Service. They help make tasks easier.
It is important to understand Business Central APIs. They help your copilot talk to the system. This way, it can manage data well.
Testing your copilot is very important. Get feedback from users. This helps improve its performance and meet user needs.
Create a user-friendly interface. Use the PromptDialog page type. Different display modes can make user interaction better.
Fix common problems quickly. Follow easy steps to solve issues with connectivity, UI glitches, and API integration errors.
Prerequisites for Your Copilot
Before you start making your custom copilot, you need to know some important things. These will help you succeed. Let’s look at what you should understand.
Understanding Business Central APIs
Business Central APIs are very important for your copilot. They help your app talk to Business Central. This lets you get and change data easily. It’s important to learn about these APIs. Here are some common APIs you will use:
To learn more about Business Central APIs, check out these helpful links:
Required Tools and Technologies
To build your copilot well, you need the right tools and technologies. Here’s a list of what you need to start:
Development platform: Use the AL (Application Language) in Visual Studio Code.
APIs: Use the easy layer for Azure OpenAI Service.
Prompt dialog: Make an in-app UI for AI features.
Guidance: Find documents and code examples for using the toolkit.
Feedback loop: Set up a way for users to give feedback on AI results.
Feature governance: Create an admin screen to manage AI features.
Also, here are the basic system needs for making a copilot in Business Central:
User Role and Permissions
Giving the right user roles and permissions is very important for your copilot's work and safety. You want to make sure users can access what they need without risking sensitive data. Here are some key permission types to think about:
By knowing these prerequisites, you’ll be ready to create a custom copilot that improves your Business Central experience. Now, let’s get to the fun part—building your own copilot!
Build Your Own Copilot
Making your own copilot can be a fun adventure! Let’s look at the steps you need to start.
Setting Up Your Development Environment
To set up your development environment for your copilot, do these steps:
Download Visual Studio Code.
Install the AL Language extension for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Open the User Settings window to change telemetry settings.
Run the AL Go! command, pick a path to a new empty folder, and choose the server version.
Enter your sign-up details.
Deploy and run the extension on your online sandbox tenant.
By doing these steps, you’ll build a strong base for your copilot project.
Designing the User Interface
A good user interface (UI) is very important for a great copilot experience. Here are some best tips to remember:
Use the PromptDialog page type. This helps users give input and see AI output easily.
Use three display modes to improve the AI content generation process:
Prompt Mode: Users can enter data by hand or automatically to affect AI results.
Generate Mode: This mode shows a progress indicator while the platform makes content.
Content Mode: Here, users can check AI results and decide to regenerate, save, or delete them.
These design tips will help you make a simple and friendly interface for your copilot.
Integrating with Business Central
Now that you have your development environment ready and your UI designed, it’s time to connect your copilot with Business Central. This connection lets your copilot access and change data easily.
To link with the Azure OpenAI Service API, do these steps:
Register your application in the Azure portal.
Get the needed API keys and endpoint URLs.
Use the API to send requests from your copilot to the Azure OpenAI Service.
Handle the responses to show AI-generated content in your user interface.
By connecting with Business Central and Azure OpenAI, you give your copilot the power to offer helpful insights and support to users.
With these steps, you’re on your way to building your own copilot! The next part is testing your creation to make sure it meets user needs and expectations.
Testing Your Copilot Experience
Testing your copilot is very important. You need to make sure it meets what users want and expect. You want to create a smooth experience that users find helpful and easy to use. Here’s how to test your copilot well.
Conducting User Testing
User testing helps you see how well your copilot works. Here are some good strategies to think about:
Tailored Approach: Focus on being accurate, safe, and reliable.
Human-in-the-Loop: Always have a person check things for important situations.
Real-World Tasks: Make tests based on real tasks to show how it will be used.
By using these strategies, you can make sure your copilot gives good and accurate results.
Gathering Feedback
After user testing, it’s time to get feedback. Here are some ways to collect useful insights:
Enable Enhanced Feedback: Turn on feedback options in the Power Platform admin center.
User Submissions: Let users give feedback with thumbs-up or thumbs-down buttons.
Admin Review: Admins can check feedback through the Microsoft 365 admin center.
This organized way helps you understand what users think and find areas to improve.
Making Necessary Adjustments
Once you have feedback, you’ll want to make changes to improve your copilot. Here’s how to do this:
By looking closely at feedback, you can find patterns and trends that improve the user experience. This ongoing process makes sure your copilot grows to meet user needs well.
With these steps, you’re ready to improve your copilot experience. Testing and feedback are key to making a tool that really helps your users.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
When you create a custom copilot, you might face some common problems. Don’t worry! Here’s how to fix them.
Connectivity Problems
Connectivity problems can be annoying, but you can fix them fast. If your copilot isn’t connecting to Business Central, do these steps:
Open the Get Help app.
In the Search bar, type Copilot connectivity troubleshooter.
Follow the steps given to find and fix the problem.
These steps will help you see what’s wrong and get your copilot working again.
User Interface Glitches
Sometimes, you might see glitches in the user interface. These can make using the app hard. Here are some tips to fix common UI issues:
Refresh the Page: A quick refresh can often fix small glitches.
Clear Cache: Clearing your browser cache can remove old files that might cause problems.
Check Compatibility: Make sure your browser works with Business Central. Using the latest version of supported browsers can stop many UI issues.
If you still have problems, think about asking your IT support team for more help.
API Integration Errors
API integration errors can be tricky, but you can solve them well. If your copilot isn’t getting data from Business Central, try these steps:
Verify API Keys: Check that your API keys are right and haven’t expired.
Check Endpoint URLs: Make sure the endpoint URLs you’re using are correct.
Review Permissions: Confirm that your application has the right permissions to use the APIs.
By using these troubleshooting tips, you can fix common problems and keep your copilot working well. Remember, every problem has a solution, and with a little patience, you’ll get everything back on track!
Making a custom copilot in Business Central can change how you and your team work. You will make tasks easier, boost productivity, and help with decision-making. Here are some important points about using a custom copilot:
By following the steps in this blog, you can create a copilot that fits your needs and improves your Business Central experience. So, why wait? Start your journey today and unlock your business's full potential! 🚀
FAQ
What is a copilot in Business Central?
A copilot in Business Central is an AI helper. It helps you automate tasks, find data, and make better choices. It makes your work easier and boosts productivity without needing to know a lot about coding.
Do I need coding skills to build a copilot?
No, you don’t need to know how to code! You can make a custom copilot using tools like Power Automate and Azure OpenAI Service. These tools let you create automation without writing complicated code.
How can I test my copilot?
You can test your copilot by doing user testing with real tasks. Get feedback from users to find out what needs to be better and make sure it works for them.
What should I do if I encounter issues?
If you have problems, start by fixing common issues like connection or API errors. Use the help tools in Business Central or ask your IT support for help.
Can I customize the user interface of my copilot?
Yes, you can design the user interface to meet your needs. Use the PromptDialog page type and different display modes to create an easy experience for users who work with your copilot.