Microsoft Business Central Partners may hear constant talk about AI, but many ERP customers still have one job ahead of everything else: get to the cloud.
That tension emerged in a recent PartnerTalks interview with Shannon Mullins, a six-time Microsoft MVP and owner and CEO of A BC Consulting Group.
A career shaped by ERP transitions
“My background is I came from Dynamics GP. So this is my 25th year of Dynamics, about to wrap up,” said Mullins.
Her career mirrors the broader evolution of Microsoft’s ERP portfolio, from on-premises systems like GP to cloud platforms such as Dynamics 365 Business Central. Today, her firm focuses on helping organizations move off legacy systems and into the Microsoft cloud, where they can modernize financials and operations on a single platform.
Microsoft describes Dynamics 365 Business Central as a cloud ERP for small and midsize organizations that unifies finance, supply chain, manufacturing, project management, and service operations, according to its overview on Microsoft Learn.
Why cloud migration comes before AI
“So many customers are still undergoing that digital transformation,” Mullins said.
She said most organizations remain focused on foundational ERP work rather than advanced AI projects. That work often involves replacing on-premises or heavily customized systems with a standardized cloud platform. Until that transition is complete, customers cannot take advantage of newer capabilities built into Business Central.
Microsoft delivers those capabilities through Copilot, which operates only in cloud environments and integrates directly into Business Central workflows, according to documentation published on Microsoft Learn.
A packed conference calendar reflects demand
“It was extremely busy,” she said.
Mullins described a stretch of weeks that included Community Summit North America, the Power Platform Conference, and PartnerTalks programming in Poland. The pace reflects sustained demand for peer learning and ecosystem engagement as Partners and customers navigate cloud and AI transitions.
Community Summit North America describes itself as the largest independent gathering of the Microsoft Dynamics and Power Platform community, based on information published on its official site.
The Power Platform Conference focuses on low-code development, automation, and integration across Microsoft’s business applications, according to details published on the conference website.
From conferences to practice building
“I get to just be a judge. I don’t develop,” Mullins said.
She was referring to her role at the Arctic Cloud Developer Challenge in Norway, where she will evaluate solutions built during the multi-day event. The challenge centers on Microsoft cloud technology and partner collaboration, according to information published on its official site.
Later in the quarter, Mullins will present at Partner Vibe in South Padre Island, Texas. Her session will focus on building Microsoft business applications practices from scratch, drawing on her experience launching multiple Dynamics consulting firms.
Event organizers position Partner Vibe as a peer-led conference focused on partner leadership and practice growth, according to details published on the Partner Vibe event page.
AI adoption remains uneven
“We’re actually still not seeing a push for AI on our end on the ERP side,” she said.
Mullins said customers continue to approach AI cautiously, especially in ERP environments where stability and data integrity remain priorities. Many organizations want to complete cloud migrations before layering AI tools on top of core financial and operational systems.
Microsoft requires cloud deployment for Copilot features in Business Central and does not support on-premises systems, according to guidance published on Microsoft Learn.
As customers complete those migrations, Mullins said they will be better positioned to benefit from Microsoft’s ongoing investment in AI-driven capabilities.
