Enhancing Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations with Copilot - PART 2 - Install Copilot and connect to an Dynamics 365 ERP

DYNAMICS 365 FINANCE AND OPERATIONS & MICROSOFT'S AI COPILOT

This article series provides an overview of Copilot usage in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations apps.

Copilot will be explained in 3 posts:

PART 1: Introduction to Copilot

PART 2: Install Copilot and connect to an Dynamics 365 ERP

PART 3: Copilot applications in Dynamics 365 ERP

Let's get started with PART 2

CONTENTS Introduction Finance and operations apps and Dataverse connection Copilot installation and deployment in Power Platform (Dataverse) AI security role assignment Summary

INSTALL COPILOT AND CONNECT TO AN DYNAMICS 365 ERP

Introduction

Copilot is powered by the Azure OpenAI Service, which combines the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) with the business data residing in Dynamics 365 ERP. Copilot leverages the data in your Power Platform environment, as well as the data in Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, and other sources, to provide relevant and accurate suggestions.

Finance and operations apps and Dataverse connection

In the fast-paced world of ERP, the integration of artificial intelligence through Copilot is not just an innovation, it's a game changer. Dynamics 365 ERP stands at the heart of business operations, managing everything from supply chain logistics to financial transactions. This guide provides an overview to implementing Copilot within your Dynamics 365 environment, empowering your business with AI capabilities.

As a prerequisite, your environment must be a cloud-deployed environment.

Second prerequisite, you must have enabled the Power Platform integration in Microsoft Dynamics Lifecycle Services. If you have any power apps in your system then this integration would be already in place.

Copilot installation and deployment in Power Platform (Dataverse)

Step 1: Enable the SQL row version change tracking license key

• Put the environment on Maintenance mode on LCS
• Navigate to the License Configuration form to activate Sql row version change tracking: System administration >> Setup >> License configuration

Activating the "SQL row version change tracking" license key in Dynamics 365 before setting up Co-pilot is needed because it helps keep track of every little change in your data. Think of it like setting up a system that notes down every edit, addition, or deletion in your information files. Co-pilot uses this info to work correctly, ensuring it always has the latest updates to help you better. Without this setup, Co-pilot will miss out on recent changes, making it not possible in assisting you.

STEP 2: Enable Power Platform to publish bots with AI features

Note: The copilot for app users in model-driven apps feature isn't enabled by default. Administrators must manually enable this feature for their environments in Power Platform admin center. 

The next step is to enable our power platform environment to publish bots with AI Features:

• Access Power Platform Admin Center https://admin.powerplatform.microsoft.com/
• Click on Environment on the navigation pane
• Select your environment and click on Settings at the top
• Select the Product, then Features
• In Features section, activate the set the value for Allow users to analyze data using an AI-powered chat experience in canvas and model-driven apps to On in the dropdown control and Save your changes

STEP 3: Install the Copilot application in finance and operations apps environment

The last part is the actual copilot installation in the environment.

• Open the Copilot in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management page in the Microsoft commercial marketplace.

• Select Get it now
• System automatically opens Power platform admin center
• Select your environment, agree to all of terms and conditions, click on Install

AI security role assignment

The next step is to assign security roles that are one of the copilot installation components.

Users who should have access to the functionality must be assigned the AIB Roles and Finance and Operations AI security roles in Dataverse.

• Sign in to Power platform admin center
• Select your environment
• In the Access field, select Users or Teams

• Select the users or teams that should have access, and assign the AIB Roles and Finance and Operations AI security roles to them

Summary

Integrating Copilot into Dynamics 365 ERP through the outlined steps equips your business with AI-driven insights and efficiencies. By enabling SQL tracking, activating AI features in Power Platform, and installing Copilot followed by security role assignments, your organization can leverage artificial intelligence to optimize operations, decision-making, and customer engagement.

In Part 3, we’ll dive into how Copilot really works in the day-to-day of Dynamics 365 ERP. You'll see real examples of how this tool changes the game, making tasks easier and insights sharper. It’s about seeing the real impact of AI in action, from streamlining operations to sparking new ideas. Get ready to explore a world where technology and practicality meet to make your work smarter.