As Directions EMEA 2024 approaches, I can’t help but reflect on my journey with Dynamics and Directions over the years. My first Directions was back in 2018, where I presented on using machine learning in Business Central for inventory forecasting. It was one of the first sessions to explore AI in this space, and I remember being the only one speaking about it outside of Microsoft. Fast forward to 2024, and AI has become a major focus, with countless partner sessions dedicated to Copilot and AI advancements. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come—perhaps I overdid my mission to bring AI to the Business Central community just a little! 😊
Directions EMEA 2024
Directions is a unique event where intense days are dedicated to learning, sharing knowledge, and connecting. It’s the perfect place for those passionate about pushing boundaries in Business Central. This year, I have an exciting lineup of sessions, each focused on pioneering concepts in AI and Business Central.
Here’s where you can find me
1. Microsoft Presents: Co-developing the Business Application on GitHub - a Copilot Feature
- 📅 Wednesday, November 6, 2024
- ⏰ 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
- 📍 Room 0.49+0.50
I’m thrilled to be co-presenting with Jesper Schulz-Wedde from Microsoft, where we’ll share the story of how a weekend demo evolved into the Number Series Copilot, now a core feature in Business Central. This session is all about empowering those who think they can’t make a big impact. Spoiler: you absolutely can! We’ll walk through the journey from ideation to release, diving into the open-source process on GitHub and how we managed to bring this feature to life.
2. Expert Panel Discussion: Navigating AI Governance in Business Central
- 📅 Wednesday, November 6, 2024
- ⏰ 5:15 pm – 6:00 pm
- 📍 Room 0.96+0.97
I’m honored to join Dona Sarkar, Rick McCutcheon, AJ Ansari, and Jason Gumpert on this expert panel to discuss AI governance within Business Central. As AI integrates more deeply into business applications, maintaining a balance between innovation and regulation is crucial. We’ll discuss strategies, risks, and best practices for navigating this complex terrain.
3. Uncharted Territory: Beyond Copilot with Dona Sarkar
- 📅 Thursday, November 7, 2024
- ⏰ 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm
- 📍 Hall A
The idea for this session came to me as I realized that many partners have already explored Copilot and even developed their own. Now, it’s time to look beyond! Together with Dona, we’ll showcase demos that push boundaries, like autonomous agents that learn from their own mistakes. This session will be a visionary deep-dive into the next big thing for Business Central and AI.
4. Hey Copilot, How’s My Business Central Doing? with Waldo
- 📅 Thursday, November 7, 2024
- ⏰ 4:15 pm – 6:00 pm
- 📍 Hall M
This is our longest, most in-depth session, perfect for those who want to dive deep into building production-ready copilots. Alongside the telemetry guru himself, Waldo, we’ll tackle how to create a copilot that can handle Business Central performance questions using telemetry. From KQL queries to AI-driven responses, this session is packed with technical insights and practical steps.
Closing Thoughts
Directions EMEA 2024 in Vienna is shaping up to be an incredible event, and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of it. With amazing co-speakers and engaging sessions, there’s no better place to explore what’s next for Business Central and AI.
If you’re attending, come find me at one of my sessions or grab me between events. Whether it’s diving into AI, discussing your ideas, or chatting at the party, I’d love to connect!
And if you’re interested in hearing more about my journey, check out my recent PartnerTalks interview with Rick McCutcheon here:
See you in Vienna!
