Episode #5 - Sync or Swim: Power Platform Without the Panic

Every business has pain points, but many are trying to solve them with AI, big features or new systems, when the real answer is simpler: fix the process first. In this episode of D365 Shot First, Ben and Charlie dig into common day-to-day user problems across BC and CE, from bad data and manual entry to duplicated information across SharePoint, spreadsheets and inboxes.   They share practical ways to solve these issues with automation, Copilot Studio, OCR and forecasting, without selling big AI dreams.   As they put it: most businesses don’t need artificial intelligence, they need intelligent use of what they already have.   The conversation then shifts to how consultants should approach these problems.   Do we specialise deeply? Learn everything? Or just become strong problem-solvers with enough technical grounding to ask the right questions?   Their answer: understand people, understand process, and don’t pretend to know what you don’t.   🔥 What you’ll learn:   - Why most pain points come from process, not missing features - Practical fixes using automation, Copilot Studio, Power Platform & OCR - Where AI forecasting helps… and where exact finance work needs humans - How consultants should balance broad knowledge with specialism - Why asking questions beats pretending to know everything - The real skills that make clients trust you (hint: it's not coding alone) - Why “go learn everything” is terrible advice for new consultants - How to build confidence without knowing every answer   Whether you work in Business Central, CE, Power Platform or consulting, this episode is a reminder that the real value we bring isn’t technology, it’s clarity, problem-solving, and honest delivery.   🎧 Listen to more FormusPro Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/podcasts   🔗 Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/formuspro/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FormusPro YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formuspro/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72ICkcQZ9iieagf1rcKocC?si=xu5yTJZ1TCG-N_TCDkf9gw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dynamics-365-shot-first/id1802607903

Does it really matter whether a business uses a CRM, an ERP, Dynamics 365, Salesforce, or something entirely bespoke? In this episode of D365 Shot First, Charlie and Ben unpack a big question that most consultants never stop to ask: do users actually care what technology they’re using, or do they just care about outcomes? Using real stories from their own backgrounds, they explore why clients rarely think about labels like “ERP” or “CRM.” Instead, they think about accuracy, efficiency, time saved, data visibility, and whether the system just makes their jobs easier. From manual invoicing and spreadsheet-based businesses, to fully integrated multi-site CRM/ERP journeys, this episode breaks down where technology labels matter, and where they don’t. Because at the end of the day, systems aren’t bought for their brand… they’re bought to solve real problems. 🔥 What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why most users don’t care if the tool is ERP, CRM, or Power Platform - The only thing that truly matters: business outcomes, not branding - Real examples of BC & CE systems being used to solve unique workflows - When integration becomes more valuable than choosing “the right system” - Why some businesses shouldn’t buy Dynamics at all (ethical selling) - When it’s better to redirect clients to FinOps or third-party tools - How naming systems (e.g., “Hive”) can engage users better than calling them CRM or ERP - The importance of simplifying tech language in client conversations Whether you work in Business Central, CE, Sales, Power Platform, or consultancy, this episode is a reminder to zoom out. Technology is the tool. The solution is the outcome. 🎧 Listen to more FormusPro Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/podcasts 🔗 Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/formuspro/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FormusPro YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formuspro/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72ICkcQZ9iieagf1rcKocC?si=xu5yTJZ1TCG-N_TCDkf9gw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dynamics-365-shot-first/id1802607903  

In this episode of D365 Shot First, Ben and Charlie dig into what Dynamics 365 consulting looked like 10 years ago, how it’s evolved today, and what the next decade could fundamentally change for developers, consultants, and end-users. From the rise of AI and vibe coding to the shift from in-office waterfall delivery to global, remote-first agile teams, they explore the real impact these changes will have on skills, roles, and the pace of project delivery. More importantly, they dive into the one thing that technology can’t replace: people. As they debate whether AI will accelerate developers or create more clean-up work, they also examine why soft skills, communication, and human connection will become the most valuable part of a consultant’s toolkit in the decade ahead. 🔥 What you’ll learn in this episode: - How Dynamics consulting has changed in the last decade - Why AI can accelerate delivery, but still can’t define problems - The dangers of vibe coding and why consultants may face a “spaghetti systems” future - The growing importance of soft skills as teams become more remote - Why future consultants may act as facilitators, problem-solvers, and even “therapists” - How environmental impact could become part of solution design - Why the next generation may not be entering tech, and what that means for resourcing - How end-users could become the consultants of the future Whether you’re working in Business Central, CE, or Power Platform, this episode helps you rethink the evolving role of the consultant, and why understanding people will matter just as much as understanding the tech. 🎧 Listen to more FormusPro Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/podcasts 🔗 Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/formuspro/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FormusPro YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formuspro/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72ICkcQZ9iieagf1rcKocC?si=xu5yTJZ1TCG-N_TCDkf9gw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dynamics-365-shot-first/id1802607903  

Digital transformations sound great on paper, until they fail.   In this episode of D365 Shot First, Charlie sits down with Ben, a seasoned data architect and former end user turned consultant, to break down why so many digital transformation projects go wrong (and how to stop yours from joining the list).   They dig into:   - The #1 reason transformations fail: poor user buy-in - The hidden cost of bad data (and why cleansing it early saves millions) - How consultants can balance C-suite goals with real end-user needs - Why “shiny” Power BI reports aren’t always the win you think they are - The underrated power of quick wins in Business Central & Dynamics 365 If you’re in the middle of a CRM or ERP rollout, or even thinking about one, this is the episode to hear before you go live.   🎧 Listen to more FormusPro Podcasts:https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/podcasts 🔗 Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/formuspro/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FormusPro YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formuspro/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72ICkcQZ9iieagf1rcKocC?si=xu5yTJZ1TCG-N_TCDkf9gw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dynamics-365-shot-first/id1802607903   #dynamics365 #businesscentral #powerplatform #consultinglife #microsoftcommunity #ERP #CRM #agile #devops #projectdelivery #coding #newepisode #podcast

Progress over perfection – the debate every Dynamics 365 consultant and developer knows too well. In this episode of D365 Shot First, Cam Dry and Charlie Rodgers dive into why chasing perfection can stall delivery – and how small, incremental progress is often the smarter route in both Business Central and Customer Engagement projects. From real-world developer styles and deployment pipelines, to how workshops actually shape client systems, they share what works, what doesn’t, and how different approaches can affect outcomes. We also explore how to balance scope creep, value for money, and the ever-present tension between technical consultants and project managers when “perfect” comes at a price. 🔥What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why “progress is best” in Dynamics 365 projects - The difference between dev styles: fast + exact vs exploratory + adaptive - Real-life examples from Business Central and CE projects - How automated pipelines vs manual config change delivery - The role of agile vs waterfall in ERP & CRM implementations - Why UAT looks different for managers vs end-users - The ROI question: when is “nice-to-have” really worth it? - Why incremental workshops create better client buy-in Whether you’re in Business Central, CE, or Power Platform, this episode will help you rethink how you balance speed, quality, and value in project delivery. 🎧 Listen to more FormusPro Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/podcasts 🔗 Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/formuspro/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FormusPro YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formuspro/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72ICkcQZ9iieagf1rcKocC?si=xu5yTJZ1TCG-N_TCDkf9gw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dynamics-365-shot-first/id1802607903 #Dynamics365 #BusinessCentral #PowerPlatform #ConsultingLife #MicrosoftCommunity #ERPProjects #CRMProjects #AgileDelivery #DevOps #ProjectDelivery #Coding #NewEpisode

In this episode, Charlie Rodgers and Cam Dry dig into one of the biggest debates in consulting: should you go for the quick fix, or take the time to build something that lasts? 👉 From vibe coding “shortcuts” to designing solutions that clients actually adopt, they unpack the reality of what works in the long run, and why trust, communication, and planning matter way more than plastering over problems. Along the way, they get into: - How Cam went from musician in Johannesburg to Dynamics consultant in the UK 🎶 - The surprisingly big overlap between writing code and writing electronic music - Lessons from building houses and negotiating with landlords that translate directly into consulting life - Why honesty with clients, even when it’s bad news, always pays off   This episode is equal parts tech talk, career growth, and real-life stories from two consultants figuring it out. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance quick fixes with lasting solutions, this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen to more FormusPro Podcasts: 🔗 Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/formuspro/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FormusPro YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/podcasts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formuspro/  

Want to build a long, successful career in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 world? In this episode of FormusPro's D365 Shot First, Charlie and Phil share proven tips for future-proofing your career in Dynamics 365, Power Platform, Business Central, and the wider Microsoft ecosystem. They cover the skills, mindset, and strategies that help consultants, solution architects, and developers stay relevant, even as technology changes. Drawing on decades of real-world project delivery experience, we get into what really matters in consulting and how to stand out in the Microsoft community. 🔥 What you’ll learn in this episode: - How to balance technical skills with soft skills for long-term success - Why balance, passion, and networking are critical to career growth - The importance of certifications, qualifications, and provable knowledge - Building your professional profile through user groups and Microsoft events - How to gather accurate requirements and avoid common data quality mistakes - The role of solution architecture in creating sustainable, supportable solutions - Real consultant stories about delegation, problem solving, and client engagement - Why being “a nice human” is an underrated but powerful career strategy Whether you work in Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics 365 CE, Power Platform, or DevOps, this episode will help you stay relevant, in-demand, and future-ready. 🎧 Listen to more FormusPro Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/podcasts 🔗 Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/formuspro/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FormusPro YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formuspro/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72ICkcQZ9iieagf1rcKocC?si=xu5yTJZ1TCG-N_TCDkf9gw Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dynamics-365-shot-first/id1802607903   

Welcome back to D365 Shot First! In Episode 7, Charlie and Phil return with a packed conversation about one of the hottest topics in the Microsoft ecosystem: AI and Copilot. From CE to BC, Power Platform to DevOps, they unpack what’s actually useful in Microsoft’s AI tooling — and what might just be marketing noise. Expect takes on: - Whether Copilot is actually saving time in delivery - The real-world use cases for Power Automate, Dataverse, and managed environments - Why “citizen developer” might be the most frustrating phrase in tech - The dangers (and brilliance) of vibe coding - And why governance still rules the world of innovation - Plus: they share their top five tools they’d take to a desert island project build, from third-party BC add-ons to the underrated joy of structured “no's” in consultancy. Insightful, sarcastic, and grounded in actual delivery experience, this one’s a must-listen for anyone figuring out what Microsoft AI can actually do for your business. 🎧 Catch up to the Formus Pro Podcasts on demand here: https://www.youtube.com/@formuspro/podcasts Connect with us online:  LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/formuspro  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FormusPro/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGevqznHMorzWt6A1AoVU-g  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formuspro/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72ICkcQZ9iieagf1rcKocC?si=xu5yTJZ1TCG-N_TCDkf9gw

In Episode 6, Charlie and Phil dive into one of the most hotly debated delivery topics: Agile vs Waterfall. Whether you’re deep in CE, BC, or just trying to get your head around delivery methodologies, this episode breaks down the pros, cons, and real-life challenges of both approaches. From cost and risk to compliance and user adoption, nothing’s off limits. Insightful, honest, and full of lived experience, this one’s a must-listen for anyone navigating project delivery in the Microsoft ecosystem.

In this episode, Phil and Charlie cut through the noise. We talk about the real-world mess of syncing CRM and BC. When Power Automate works, and when it doesn't, and how AI is shaping (or breaking) dev habits. You’ll hear: Why functional and technical teams need to talk, when custom code beats no-code, the true cost of "quick fixes", what real consultants do when deadlines hit. This one’s for the builders, the integrators, and the tired-but-determined.