How to Become a Top Microsoft Business Central Developer

  • Business Central developer
  • Published by: André Hammer on Feb 06, 2024

Are you interested in becoming a top developer for Microsoft Business Central? The demand for skilled professionals in this field is growing, making it the perfect time to take the first steps towards achieving your goal.

In this article, we will explore the necessary skills, resources, and strategies you need to become a top Microsoft Business Central developer. Whether you are looking to start a career in development or are simply looking to enhance your existing skills, this guide will provide you with the information you need to succeed in this fast-paced and rewarding field.

Understand the Business Central Ecosystem

Role of a Business Central Developer

A Business Central Developer has an important role in the Business Central ecosystem. They customize and extend the platform to meet specific business needs. This involves developing and maintaining applications and integrations using AL and Visual Studio Code, ensuring they seamlessly integrate with Dynamics 365.

Collaboration with Administrators and Resellers is key. They work closely with them to implement necessary changes, updates, and enhancements to the system. The Developer provides technical expertise and support, while the Administrator ensures the system's overall health and maintenance. Similarly, working with the Reseller involves meeting client requirements, troubleshooting issues, and offering ongoing support and guidance.

The Business Central Developer's role is crucial in ensuring the platform meets a business's specific needs.

Integration with Dynamics 365

Integrating with Dynamics 365 has many benefits for businesses. It helps streamline operations, improve customer relationship management, and provide valuable insights through data analytics.

By integrating with Dynamics 365, a Business Central developer can enhance the overall functionality and performance of their business processes. This is achieved by automating routine tasks, ensuring data consistency across departments, and enabling real-time access to important information.

To seamlessly integrate with Dynamics 365, it's important to clearly define integration goals, establish a data integration strategy, and ensure data security and compliance. Open communication with stakeholders and end-users throughout the integration process is crucial, as is establishing clear metrics to measure the integration's success.

Relationship with Administrator and Reseller Roles

Developers can work together with administrators and resellers to ensure successful implementation and operation of Business Central.

They can do this by establishing clear lines of communication and understanding each other's roles and responsibilities. For example:

  • Developers can customise the platform to meet specific business needs and provide technical support during implementation.
  • They can also provide training and support to resellers, helping them effectively market and sell Business Central to end-users.

A strong relationship between developers, administrators, and resellers can benefit the overall performance and success of Business Central deployments. This can streamline processes, minimize downtime, and ensure a seamless user experience.

By working collaboratively, these key stakeholders can align their efforts to achieve business objectives and drive the continued success of the platform.

Microsoft's CSP Program Explained

Microsoft's CSP Program allows partners to resell its cloud services.

In the Business Central Ecosystem, the CSP program enables developers, administrators, and resellers to collaborate in offering and deploying the Business Central service.

Business Central developers work with administrators and resellers to integrate Business Central into the cloud services offered by the CSP Program.

Formal education and certification pathways are recommended for those interested in participating in the CSP Program.

Microsoft encourages developers, administrators, and resellers to undergo Microsoft-specific certification and training to ensure they have the necessary knowledge and skills to work effectively within the program.

Acquire Essential Business Central Knowledge

Core Concepts in Business Central Development

Business Central developers should understand core concepts like the AL language and development environment. They also need to know how to design applications and manage extensions within the Business Central ecosystem.

Integration with Dynamics 365 affects the development process by enabling seamless data flow and access to a variety of functionalities, enhancing the scope and capabilities of applications.

Important administration tasks, such as managing users, permissions, and security settings, are essential for developers to know in Business Central development. These tasks ensure the smooth functioning and security of the applications and systems they create.

Understanding and implementing these core concepts are foundational for successful Business Central development projects.

Fundamental Administration Tasks for Developers

Developers in Business Central need to know how to manage users, set up security, and customize the system. User management involves creating and managing accounts, assigning roles, and defining permissions. Security setup includes configuring data and access permissions to ensure privacy and security. System customization involves tailoring Business Central to meet specific needs, like adding custom fields, tables, and pages.

Developers support administrators and resellers by using their technical expertise to implement and customize the system based on business requirements. They should understand key concepts such as extension development, AL language, integration with other systems, and working with different data types and structures. This knowledge helps developers design, customize, and integrate Business Central solutions effectively.

Profiles Specific to Business Central Development

Business Central Development has different roles: functional consultants, technical consultants, and development consultants.

Functional consultants focus on business processes and system configuration to fit the organization's needs. Technical consultants work on system setup, data migration, and integration with other systems. Development consultants customize and extend the system by writing code and creating custom extensions.

To gain Business Central knowledge, developers can attend training, access online resources, and engage in the Business Central community. Working on real-world projects and collaborating with experienced professionals also provides valuable hands-on experience.

Developers can gain practical experience by contributing to open-source projects, participating in hackathons, or working in a company specializing in Business Central development as an intern or junior developer. These opportunities allow them to apply their knowledge, gain exposure to different system aspects, and build a strong foundation for their careers.

Pursue Formal Education and Certification

Recommended Academic Pathways

If you want a career in Business Central development, consider getting a degree in computer science or software engineering. You can also pursue certifications in Business Central development. These can validate your skills and knowledge. Many training programs, like online courses and workshops, offer practical experience in Business Central development. They cover topics like application development and customization, giving you hands-on experience.

Certification Programs for Developers

There are certification programs available for developers in the Business Central ecosystem. These are tailored to the specific needs of developers working with Dynamics 365.

The certification tracks focus on skills such as developing apps and extensions, customizing Dynamics 365 solutions, and maintaining system integrations. Pursuing formal education and certification for developers in the Dynamics 365 environment is important.

These certification programs validate a developer's skills and expertise. They provide a structured learning path and access to up-to-date resources and best practices, which are essential for staying competitive in the fast-paced world of software development.

Certified developers often have more credibility and are favoured by employers and clients. Such credentials can be an invaluable asset for developers looking to advance their careers within the Business Central ecosystem.

Specialised Dynamics 365 Training

Becoming a proficient Business Central Developer requires understanding the Dynamics 365 ecosystem and the developer's role within it. To learn, individuals can follow recommended academic pathways and certification programs. Practical experience can be gained through collaboration with experienced Business Central developers, learning from real-world projects.

By immersing themselves in the Dynamics 365 environment and embracing ongoing professional development, developers can actively contribute to the success of their organization and the wider Dynamics 365 community.

Build Practical Development Experience

Acquiring Real-world Development Projects

Developers can get real-world development projects in the Business Central ecosystem. They can do this by looking for freelance or contract work on online job platforms or networking with local businesses and software development firms.

Ways for developers to gain practical development experience include working on open-source projects, contributing to online forums and communities, and taking part in hackathons or coding challenges.

Developers can also work with experienced Business Central developers by attending industry events, joining professional associations, and participating in mentorship programmes to improve their skills.

By seeking opportunities to work on real-world development projects and learning from established professionals, developers can gain valuable experience to advance their careers in the Business Central ecosystem.

Collaborate with Experienced Business Central Developers

A Business Central developer is responsible for customizing and extending the Business Central application to meet specific business needs in the Dynamics 365 ecosystem.

Experienced developers can collaborate effectively in practical development projects by actively participating in developer forums and communities. This provides them with the chance to seek advice, share knowledge, and learn from others in the field.

Interaction with seasoned developers can offer valuable insights, best practices, and practical tips, enhancing development skills and efficiency. Furthermore, it can create opportunities for networking, mentorship, and potential partnerships that benefit their professional development.

Engagement with experienced Business Central developers in the developer community can lead to an improved skill set, expanded industry knowledge, and a stronger professional network, contributing to greater success in the field.

Participate in Developer Forums and Communities

Participating in developer forums and communities can be really helpful for Business Central developers. By joining these platforms, developers can learn from others' experiences, get tips on best practices, and solve complex issues.

These forums and communities also offer a space for developers to connect with peers, work together on projects, and stay updated on industry trends. This kind of involvement is important for the professional growth of Business Central developers, as it helps them expand their knowledge, enhance their problem-solving skills, and improve their overall proficiency.

Over to you

Becoming a top Microsoft Business Central developer requires a strong grasp of AL language, extension development, and integration techniques. Staying updated with the latest platform features and updates is vital. Building a solid foundation through training and hands-on experience is important for success. Networking with other developers and participating in the community can provide valuable insights and growth opportunities.

Readynez offers a 5-day MB-820 Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer Course and Certification Program, providing you with all the learning and support you need to successfully prepare for the exam and certification. The MB-820 Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer course, and all our other Microsoft courses, are also included in our unique Unlimited Microsoft Training offer, where you can attend the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer and 60+ other Microsoft courses for just €199 per month, the most flexible and affordable way to get your Microsoft Certifications.

Please reach out to us with any questions or if you would like a chat about your opportunity with the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer certification and how you best achieve it. 

FAQ

What are the essential skills needed to become a top Microsoft Business Central developer?

The essential skills needed to become a top Microsoft Business Central developer include proficiency in AL programming language, knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central platform, understanding of object-oriented programming, and experience with developing extensions and customizations for Business Central.

What are the best resources for learning Microsoft Business Central development?

Some of the best resources for learning Microsoft Business Central development include official documentation from Microsoft, online courses on platforms like Udemy and Coursera, and community forums such as Microsoft Community and Dynamics 365 Community.

What are some tips for becoming proficient in developing extensions for Microsoft Business Central?

To become proficient in developing extensions for Microsoft Business Central, start by learning AL language and understanding the Extension Development Toolkit. Utilize resources like Microsoft Learn, participate in the community forums, and practice by creating sample extensions.

How important is it to stay updated with the latest features and updates in Microsoft Business Central?

Staying updated with the latest features and updates in Microsoft Business Central is crucial for maximizing efficiency and taking advantage of new functionalities. This ensures businesses are using the most up-to-date tools for their financial management and operations.

For example, staying informed about new integrations with other Microsoft products can streamline processes.

What are some common challenges faced by Microsoft Business Central developers and how can they be overcome?

Some common challenges faced by Microsoft Business Central developers include data migration, customization limitations, and JavaScript complexities. To overcome these, developers can use data migration tools, create extensions for customization, and leverage the support of the community for JavaScript issues.

A group of people discussing the latest Microsoft Azure news

Unlimited Microsoft Training

Get Unlimited access to ALL the LIVE Instructor-led Microsoft courses you want - all for the price of less than one course. 

  • 60+ LIVE Instructor-led courses
  • Money-back Guarantee
  • Access to 50+ seasoned instructors
  • Trained 50,000+ IT Pro's

Basket

{{item.CourseTitle}}

Price: {{item.ItemPriceExVatFormatted}} {{item.Currency}}