Microsoft Dynamics 365 - Process Automation

Or how recently added option ‘Automate ledger settlement’ features previously mentioned utility, and so do Cash flow forecast calculations:

This article’s objective is introducing readers to Process Automation, giving essential insight into nuances, beneficial points and helping understand several common ways to practically apply it.

What is Process Automation and how it betters your workflow?

Put bluntly - a superb feature that allows arranging automatic assignments, with optional recurring patterns. For example, upon launching cash flow forecast, additional instructions may be placed, like how frequently system should update it automatically and also specific time periods it should begin:

Looking at the image above, let’s say you wish to conduct cash flow forecasts each morning, starting at 11 AM sharp. Dynamics 365 will establish automated tasks based on chosen time intervals, meaning you never have to launch aforementioned forecast manually ever again!
For every action established, corresponding pages in functionality tab will display status of activity completion in calendar view:

Jobs marked as Completed allow manual reviews, showing results (helping search for errors easily or just confirm successful execution) and orders marked as Scheduled can either be edited (changing their time interval) or outright disabled, should the need arise.

What are batch jobs?

Task automatization has been a long-time aspect of Microsoft Dynamics 365, most prominently in queuing Axapta batch jobs. Such option is still fully viable, notably in ‘Run in the background’:

As seen on screenshot below, you can also automate certain procedures and assign recurring patterns:

Microsoft Dynamics 365 may advise using the indicated mode for assignments requiring managing big data amounts. Such prompt happens when tasks are expected to be time-consuming. As such, you can assign such chores to the system and work on absolutely anything else, while a report is compiled for possible future manual review.

How do batch jobs relate to Process Automation?

Process automation and batch operations both allow establishing same types of automated tasks, with detailed descriptions located in System Administration module. Here, all of your created automatic assignments and batch tasks can be observed.

What are key differences of batch jobs and Process Automation?

Since this article is based on personal experience of Hylke Britstra, Senior Trainer & Certified Consultant Dynamics AX / D365 FO at Mprise, we can't help but share his thoughts on this topic. In his opinion, despite quite obvious similarities between the two utilities, there are still major distinctions:
Process Automation is overall a less complicated method of scheduling procedures as automatic tasks in Dynamics 365, since it permits using wizards. This makes setting automatization up very streamlined and straightforward.A most useful aspect of aforementioned tool lets users analyze timetables of queued automated actions in clean and concise way, thanks to calendar view mode.

To conclude

Process Automation is a powerful way to automate menial activities at workplaces, saving countless work hours and labor costs long-term. Despite its simple premise, the functionality this utility provides is unrivaled and well-worth looking into.We suggest looking over official Microsoft Dynamics 365 documentation to learn more.