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Net customer and vendor balances

Net customer and vendor balances Table of Contents Net customer and vendor balances Customer and vendor balance netting is when the balances for a vendor and a customer are netted against each other, because the vendor and customer are the same party. This approach minimizes the exchange of money between an organization and the customer or vendor party. It can also help a company avoid making unnecessary payments or receipts, and save on transaction fees, by consolidating the company’s customer and vendor balances. Learn about Microsoft D365 Netting. https://youtu.be/JZ73m5VoANQ Author: Sohena Hafiz President Icon-linkedin Latest Posts You might also like:

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AI-Powered Predictive Pricing: A Game Changer

AI-Powered Predictive Pricing: A Game Changer Table of Contents Optimize Pricing for Maximum Growth Pricing has always been a challenge, no matter the industry. Whether selling industrial equipment, retail products, auto parts, or wholesale goods, businesses need accurate, data-driven pricing to remain competitive and profitable.   Traditionally, pricing relied on historical trends, intuition, and competitor benchmarking. However, manual methods lead to inconsistencies, lost revenue, and slow inventory turnover.   Now, AI-powered predictive pricing is transforming how businesses price their products. By analyzing historical sales, quotes, competitor trends, and real-time demand, AI provides dynamic price recommendations that help businesses:   Maximize revenue and profitability Reduce inefficiencies and guesswork Adapt quickly to market changes Why Businesses with Large SKU Inventories Benefit the Most While AI pricing benefits all businesses, those managing large, diverse SKU portfolios see the most impact. Pricing thousands of SKUs manually creates challenges: How to competitively price each SKU while maintaining profitability How to adjust pricing dynamically based on inventory levels and demand How to balance slow-moving vs. high-demand items to optimize cash flow With AI-driven pricing, businesses can: Automate SKU-level pricing based on real-time market data Prevent overstocking or excessive discounting Improve margins by identifying premium pricing opportunities Inventory: A Fluctuating Asset or a Hidden Liability? Inventory is a valuable asset, but mismanagement turns it into a liability. The challenge is knowing when to maximize profits on high-demand SKUs and when to adjust pricing for slow-moving stock. AI-powered predictive pricing acts like a real-time stock market for inventory: High-demand SKUs – AI raises prices to maximize margins before demand drops. Slow-moving SKUs – AI recommends strategic discounts before they become dead stock. Market adjustments – AI continuously scans trends, adjusting pricing to optimize turnover. By leveraging AI-driven pricing, businesses avoid markdown losses, optimize margins, and ensure inventory remains a revenue-generating asset. Industries Where AI-Powered Pricing Delivers the Most Impact Industrial Equipment & MRO Supplies Managing pricing for industrial equipment and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) supplies is complex due to demand fluctuations, supplier costs, and product lifespan.   AI-driven pricing models help: Optimize pricing based on supplier costs and demand trends Adjust prices for slow-moving stock before obsolescence Maintain competitive pricing for in-demand equipment   Example: A company selling industrial pumps and spare parts can use AI to: Update prices dynamically based on raw material costs Improve margins by pricing high-turnover SKUs effectively Prevent markdown losses on aging stock Wholesale & Distribution Wholesalers manage tens of thousands of SKUs across suppliers and regions, where pricing depends on bulk orders, supplier costs, and demand shifts.   AI pricing eliminates inefficiencies by: Automating bulk pricing adjustments Preventing excessive discounting while maintaining competitiveness Adapting pricing to inventory levels and demand fluctuations   Example: A food distributor managing thousands of SKUs can use AI to: Optimize pricing for perishable goods based on expiration dates Prevent markdown losses by adjusting prices proactively Ensure profitable bulk pricing E-Commerce & Retail In fast-moving consumer markets, price is a major factor in conversions. Retailers and e-commerce businesses need continuous pricing adjustments to stay competitive.   AI helps by: Automating real-time price updates based on competitor pricing Identifying optimal discounting strategies to maximize revenue Predicting seasonal demand spikes to optimize pricing in advance   Example: An online electronics retailer can use AI to: Adjust prices based on inventory and sales velocity Prevent over-discounting during peak sales periods Identify premium pricing opportunities based on customer behavior Automotive & Auto Parts Suppliers The automotive parts industry deals with millions of SKUs, from OEM parts to aftermarket accessories. Inventory turnover varies, making manual pricing inefficient and inconsistent.   AI-driven pricing models help: Optimize pricing for high-demand parts while preventing deep markdowns on slow-moving inventory Predict resale value for aging stock based on historical trends Automate price adjustments for new vehicle model parts   Example: An auto parts distributor can use AI to: Optimize pricing for aging inventory to reduce obsolescence costs Adjust prices dynamically for high-demand replacement parts Predict demand surges for vehicle-specific parts How AI Predicts the Optimal Selling Price AI pricing models follow a structured approach to ensure accuracy and adaptability: Data Collection – Aggregates historical sales, competitor pricing, and industry benchmarks Category & Subcategory Analysis – Refines pricing based on product classification and demand trends Depreciation & Asset Age Modeling – Determines optimal pricing for aging stock Market Trend & Demand Integration – Adjusts prices dynamically based on seasonal demand shifts Continuous Optimization & Learning – Refines pricing based on real-world sales results How Ascent Innovations Helps Businesses Overcome Common Barriers Implementing AI-powered pricing requires clean data, seamless integration, and a strategic approach to ensure accuracy. Ascent Innovations helps businesses overcome common AI pricing challenges by: Building a Clean, Reliable Data Foundation – We help clean, structure, and centralize pricing data to ensure AI models generate accurate recommendations. Optimizing Data Integration – We ensure AI pricing tools seamlessly connect with ERP, CRM, and e-commerce platforms, eliminating data silos. Leveraging Real-Time Market Intelligence – We set up automated data pipelines to keep AI models updated with market trends and competitor insights. Combining AI with Human Expertise – AI models need strategic oversight for complex pricing scenarios and asset valuations. We help businesses balance automation with human input. Conclusion: The Future of Pricing is AI-Driven AI-powered predictive pricing is no longer a competitive advantage—it’s a necessity for companies looking to scale efficiently, maximize profitability, and stay ahead of market shifts.   Are you ready to transform your pricing strategy with AI? About the Author Sohena Hafiz is the Founder and CEO of Ascent Innovations, with 20 years of experience in Microsoft Dynamics and 16 years leading ERP implementations. She has been directly involved in 50+ ERP projects, including 30+ in D365, across industries like industrial equipment, steel fabrication, food manufacturing, banking, recycling, retail, and the public sector.   Her passion is helping businesses succeed with ERP—the right way, the first time. With a deep background in business process optimization and system integration, she knows that strong leadership and … Read more

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Power Platform Overview

Power Platform Overview Table of Contents Power Platform Overview Microsoft Power Platform is a collection of low to no code tools that help businesses build apps, automate workflows, integrate systems seamlessly and analyze data. It empowers employees to become self-sufficient and in-house developers to meet some basic critical gaps and tasks.   The platform can connect to Azure and hundreds of other apps with built-in connectors, and integrates with vast majority of other systems.   Please checkout an overview of this powerful tool. https://www.ascent365.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Microsoft-Power-Platform.mp4 Author: Sohena Hafiz President Icon-linkedin Latest Posts You might also like:

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Migrate EWS Apps to Microsoft Graph for Exchange Online in D365 Finance and Operations

Migrate EWS Apps to Microsoft Graph for Exchange Online in D365 Finance and Operations Table of Contents Share Migrate EWS Apps to Microsoft Graph for Exchange Online in D365 Finance and Operations Exchange Web Services (EWS) is a legacy protocol that has been in use since Exchange Server 2007. In August 2018, Microsoft announced that there won’t be any active investment in EWS APIs for Exchange Online. We recommend that you migrate your EWS apps that access Exchange Online to Microsoft Graph. Checkout the below recording on how to set this up in D365 Finance and Operations. The exchange email provider stopped sending emails as of September 15, 2024. https://www.ascent365.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Switch-from-Exchange-to-Microsoft-Graph-for-email-settings.mp4 Author: Sohena Hafiz President Icon-linkedin Share Latest Posts You might also like:

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Why upgrade from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations?

Why upgrade from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations? Table of Contents Why upgrade from AX to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations? Dynamics AX is a popular enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that has been widely used by businesses for several years. However, Microsoft has now released a newer version of the software called Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, which offers many improvements and advantages over Dynamics AX. Here are some reasons why it’s time to upgrade from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations:   1. Cloud-based Solution: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations is a cloud-based solution that provides greater flexibility, scalability, and accessibility. With cloud-based solutions, you don’t have to worry about maintaining and updating on-premises hardware and software.   2. Improved User Interface: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations has a modern and intuitive user interface that is easy to use and navigate. This can improve user productivity and reduce training time.   3. Advanced Reporting and Analytics: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations comes with built-in reporting and analytics capabilities that allow you to make more informed business decisions. The software provides real-time insights into your business operations, which can help you identify areas for improvement.   4. Integration with Other Microsoft Products: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations integrates with other Microsoft products such as Office 365, Power BI, and Azure, providing a seamless user experience and better collaboration across different teams and departments.   5. Continuous Updates and Support: With Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, you will receive continuous updates and support from Microsoft. This means you will always have access to the latest features and functionalities, as well as any necessary security patches and bug fixes.   In summary, upgrading from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations can provide several benefits, including a cloud-based solution, improved user interface, advanced reporting and analytics, integration with other Microsoft products, and continuous updates and support. 1. Functional Enhancements Few new features and functionalities those were not available in Microsoft Dynamics AX, that are now built-into Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. Advance Warehousing Transportation Management Mobile Time sheet Project Enhancements Auto Bank Reconciliation Positive Pay Enhanced Financial Dimensions RFQ (request for quotation) Purchase Requisition Public Sector Azure Dev Ops Task Recorder Automated Testing Suite Global Address Book Office 365 Add-in Vendor Collaboration Portal Retail & POS Product Catalogs Trade Allowance There are many more additional functionalities available through App Source, from Microsoft and third-party providers. Of course, the framework exists to build your own in future. 2. Integrated Business Operations With Dynamics 365, people and processes are all integrated, resulting in a much better experience for your employees and your clients.   Your data and workflow seamlessly moves across all your departments. You get to build your software system according to your business operations, and not have to tweak or twist because of mosaic of systems you may have. Finance Operations Project Management Customer Service Talent Sales Field Service Retail 3. Business Insights With Dynamics 365, you can now easily realize the benefits of latest technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Business Intelligence and Forecasting. Leverage the unlimited power of Flow (integration), PowerApps (extensibility) and Power BI (insights), giving your business a real advantage. 4. Web Client Modern & Mobile-friendly User Experience Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations has a user-friendly interface and is available anywhere, anytime, on any device. Savings on the user training and improved user productivity. 5. Microsoft Cloud Leader in the cloud space. Office 365 – Active Directory & Authentication Top quality infrastructure maintenance Scalability & flexibility Consistent Upgrades Built-in Disaster Recovery Cybersecurity Monitoring & Threat Management Intrusion detection & Ongoing Application Penetration testing 6. Cost of Ownership Freeing up your infrastructure workforce to work on other projects. Cloud model provides more visibility into the operating costs of your solution. Huge savings in the total cost of application (infrastructure, application maintenance, software license combined). 7. Support Lifecycle Support for Dynamics AX is nearing its end and current users are transitioning to D365 Finance and Operations. Software Patches, Application Updates, Security fixes would not be available in time or not at all. The Application Support resources and User forums will start drying up. Our Microsoft certified professionals are ready to guide you through the process, and request a personalized TCO comparison. About the Author Sohena Hafiz is the President at Ascent Innovations LLC.   Sohena has extensive experience both in Technical and Functional roles over 22 years delivering customer-centric solutions in Microsoft Dynamics AX and Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations. Author: Sohena Hafiz President Icon-linkedin Latest Posts You might also like:

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Getting D365 Right the First Time: Why Fundamentals Matter

Getting D365 Right the First Time: Why Fundamentals Matter Table of Contents Getting D365 Right the First Time: Why Fundamentals Matter ERP implementations are among the hardest things a business can do. They touch every part of an organization, bringing both transformation and disruption. The difference between success and failure often comes down to one thing: getting the fundamentals right. I founded Ascent Innovations because I’ve seen firsthand what happens when an ERP project doesn’t have the right leadership, expertise, and structure behind it. The truth is, a D365 implementation is not the time for trial and error. It’s like choosing a surgeon for heart or brain surgery—you want to know the expert you trusted will be there, not handing things off while they go golfing. At Ascent, we don’t just advise from the sidelines. I personally hire, train, and work alongside our team, ensuring that every project benefits from real experience—not just certification exam course prep level knowledge. Why the Details Matter D365 should be a game-changer for your business, but only if the foundation is solid. That foundation comes down to four things: Data – If your data is wrong, everything built on top of it will be wrong. Processes – ERP should support your business, not force you into workarounds. Integration – Systems need to talk to each other, otherwise efficiency breaks down. Analytics – If you can’t trust your reporting, you can’t make informed decisions. If any of these are overlooked, rushed, or mishandled, the result is the same—delays, budget overruns, and a system that doesn’t deliver what was promised. The 5 Most Critical D365 Implementation Fundamentals 1. Data Accuracy and Migration Your ERP is only as good as the data inside it. Messy, incomplete, or inaccurate data leads to incorrect reports, broken workflows, and user frustration. What Needs to Happen Data cleansing before migration—not after problems surface. Structured mapping to ensure all critical relationships stay intact. Rigorous validation to prevent surprises post-go live. Data translations and transformation for accuracy and efficiency. 2. Business Process Alignment ERP success isn’t just about technology—it’s about how your business operates. If key workflows aren’t well-defined and integrated, the system will never fully support your team. What we focus on: End-to-end process analysis – Understanding how departments interact. Fit-gap assessments – Identifying where D365 meets your needs and where adjustments are required. Thoughtful customization – Only where it adds business value, not adding complexity. 3. System Integration An ERP does not operate in isolation. It needs to connect seamlessly with everything from CRM and eCommerce to payroll, warehouse management and other external systems. Where failures happen: Incomplete integration planning leading to manual workarounds. Weak data mapping that creates reporting discrepancies. Delayed testing that uncovers issues too late. How we solve it: Early-stage integration planning to map system dependencies. Test-driven validation to ensure real-world functionality before go-live. Scalable architecture that grows with your business. 4. Reporting and Analytics Decisions should be based on real-time, accurate data. If leadership cannot trust the numbers coming from the system, they will revert to spreadsheets—and the entire ERP investment loses its value. What matters: Finance and supply chain reports need to be accurate from day one. Role-based dashboards so each team sees relevant insights. Data governance policies to prevent long-term reporting issues. 5. User Readiness and Training Even the best system fails if people do not know how to use it. Training is not an afterthought—it is a core part of success. Our approach: Power users trained early to act as internal champions. Train the trainers – power users will become the go-to users for their respective department as first level support Practical, role-specific training instead of generic system overviews. Post-go-live support to ensure long-term adoption. Why Leadership and Experience Matter D365 implementation is not a textbook exercise. It’s a complex transformation that requires leadership, foresight, and real experience. This is why I still practice, mentor, and work alongside my team—because when problems arise, leadership should be in the room solving them, not just checking in. At Ascent Innovations, we believe ERP should be predictable, rewarding, and successful—but that only happens when the right fundamentals are in place from the start. Let’s Have a Conversation I encourage you to explore our website and see how we approach D365 projects, but there is no substitute for a real conversation. If you are considering implementation, or if your current project is not where it should be, we would welcome a conversation. Even if, for whatever reason, you do not choose us—and we hope you do—our mission is always your success. About the Author Sohena Hafiz is the Founder and CEO of Ascent Innovations, with 20 years of experience in Microsoft Dynamics and 16 years leading ERP implementations. She has been directly involved in 50+ ERP projects, including 30+ in D365, across industries like industrial equipment, steel fabrication, food manufacturing, banking, recycling, retail, and the public sector. Sohena Hafiz President Icon-linkedin Latest Posts You might also like:

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Why Upgrade from AX to D365?

Why Upgrade from AX to Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations? Table of Contents Why Upgrade from AX to Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations? For years, Dynamics AX has been a reliable ERP system, providing robust financial and operational capabilities for mid-sized and large enterprises. But as business landscapes evolve, so do the tools required to stay competitive. Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O) represents the next generation of enterprise technology—designed to enhance agility, intelligence, and scalability.   Upgrading from AX to D365 F&O is not just about moving to a newer system—it’s about enabling new business capabilities that drive revenue growth, streamline operations, and improve decision-making. While your organization must be in the right cycle for migration, this blog focuses on the advantages of making the move when the time is right. Why Upgrade? Predictive Forecasting for Demand & Materials Planning Accurate forecasting is critical to optimizing supply chains, managing costs, and meeting customer demand. In AX, forecasting is largely manual and based on historical data alone. With D365, AI-driven analytics enhance demand planning, ensuring better alignment between procurement, production, and sales. How D365 Helps: Uses AI-powered insights to improve demand forecasts based on real-time market trends Reduces last-minute production changes and raw material shortages Prevents surplus inventory, minimizing waste and improving cash flow Enables supply chain agility with rapid response to market fluctuations Optimized Financial Management & Reporting D365 Finance integrates financial management, supply chain oversight, and real-time analytics, providing a holistic view of financial health. Unlike AX, where reporting is often fragmented across different modules, D365 eliminates process gaps, enabling real-time performance tracking. How D365 Helps: Provides a unified view of financials across business functions Automates reconciliations and month-end close processes Improves cost tracking with real-time visibility into spending and profitability Enhances FP&A capabilities with AI-powered scenario modeling Cost Accounting & Product Costing Managing costs effectively is essential for profitability, and D365 Finance provides deeper insights into cost structures. Businesses can analyze COGS, SG&A, and profitability per product, allowing for better strategic decision-making. How D365 Helps: Centralizes cost accounting across ledgers, sub-ledgers, and budgets Empowers finance teams to track cost variances and make data-driven adjustments Identifies high-margin products and underperforming SKUs for optimization Improves financial planning by aligning cost analysis with operational goals Modern Customer & Partner Portals D365 provides self-service portals that allow customers and business partners to access real-time data on orders, invoices, and shipments. Unlike AX, where external access often requires custom development, D365 natively supports secure, interactive portals that improve collaboration and efficiency. How D365 Helps: Enhances customer experience with self-service access to real-time information Reduces manual workload by automating order tracking and invoice processing Improves supplier collaboration with better visibility into procurement and payments AI-Powered Cash Flow Forecasting One of the most significant advantages of D365 Finance is its predictive cash flow management. Unlike AX, which requires manual tracking and reconciliation, D365 leverages AI to automate and enhance cash flow forecasting. How D365 Helps: Provides real-time cash flow projections, reducing reliance on static reports Uses machine learning to predict receivables and payables trends Helps businesses optimize working capital for reinvestment in growth initiatives Supply Chain Resilience & Process Automation D365 Supply Chain Management introduces end-to-end visibility and automation, allowing businesses to optimize procurement, warehousing, and logistics. AX users often rely on third-party solutions for these capabilities, while D365 integrates them natively. How D365 Helps: Automates warehouse operations with real-time inventory tracking Improves production scheduling to minimize bottlenecks and reduce lead times Enhances supplier risk management with AI-driven insights Enables seamless collaboration across supply chain functions Gaining the Competitive Edge Upgrading to D365 F&O isn’t just about moving to a cloud-based system—it’s about gaining a competitive advantage through automation, AI, and real-time data. Businesses that embrace these capabilities can increase revenue per employee by allowing their teams to focus on high-value strategic planning, management, and execution. How D365 Helps Organizations Scale & Grow: AI and automation reduce manual effort, freeing teams to focus on strategy Real-time insights improve decision-making, helping companies pivot faster Streamlined operations allow businesses to scale without adding unnecessary overhead Competitive laggards will struggle to catch up as early adopters leverage these capabilities In today’s fast-moving market, those who modernize first will lead. Companies still relying on AX risk falling behind as their competitors adopt AI-driven forecasting, automated workflows, and real-time analytics to optimize their operations. The Business Impact The ROI of modernizing your business isn’t just about technology—it’s about how your people leverage it. The capabilities we’ve described don’t just streamline processes; they empower your teams to shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive decision-making that drives measurable business outcomes.   Instead of constantly firefighting operational issues, your employees can focus on high-value strategic planning, collaboration, and execution. Real-time insights ensure that risks and opportunities don’t catch you off guard—they appear on your radar as they emerge, giving you the time to respond with precision and confidence.   With D365 the ROI is in your hands. The future belongs to those who can harness their data, empower their teams, and take full control of their business outcomes. About the Author Sohena Hafiz is a D365 strategist with 20 years of experience in Microsoft ERPs. As CEO and founder of Ascent Innovations, she provides hands-on leadership, guiding delivery teams and clients while overseeing Ascent’s largest customer engagements to ensure strategic execution and business impact. Sohena Hafiz President Icon-linkedin Latest Posts You might also like: