Enhancing Number Series in Business Central: New Architecture and Copilot Integration

As Business Central continues to advance, its features and functionalities are also evolving. One significant enhancement is the introduction of a new number series system. This update is designed to simplify the process of assigning numbers to various documents, ensuring both consistency and efficiency. In this blog, we’ll explore the core aspects of this new number series and how you can leverage it in your Business Central environment.

Understanding the Basics

Number series in Business Central serve as unique identifiers for documents such as sales orders, purchase orders, and invoices. These identifiers play a crucial role in effectively tracking and managing documents. With the introduction of the new number series, improvements have been made to enhance flexibility and provide better control over these identifiers.

What's New?

Previously, Business Central used the NoSeriesManagement codeunit for managing number series. The updated system introduces two distinct entities:

1. "No. Series"

2. "No. Series - Batch"

This new structure brings a more organized and streamlined approach to number series management, enabling enhanced customization for different document types and processes.

Refactoring Your Code

With these updates, the NoSeriesManagement codeunit is now marked for deprecation. When you use it, you may encounter a warning like:

"Codeunit 'NoSeriesManagement' is marked for removal. Reason: Please use the 'No. Series' and 'No. Series - Batch' codeunits instead. Tag: 24.0".

Here’s a step-by-step guide to refactoring your code for the new system:

1. Identify Usage

First, locate all instances where the NoSeriesManagement codeunit is referenced in your codebase. This includes direct calls or any references to its functions.

2. Replace with New Codeunits

Update these references to use the appropriate new codeunit:

• "No. Series": Use this for general number series management.

• "No. Series - Batch": Use this for batch processing tasks related to number series.

How to Implement the New Codeunits

a. Using “No. Series”

This codeunit is used for standard number series management tasks. Below is an example of how it works:

var
NoSeries: Codeunit "No. Series";
begin
NoSeries.GetLastNoUsed();
NoSeries.GetNextNo();
end;

b. Using “No. Series - Batch”

The "No. Series - Batch" codeunit is designed for efficient batch processing of multiple number series. Use its methods like PeekNextNo to retrieve the next number without modifying the series.

var
NoSeriesBatch: Codeunit "No. Series - Batch";
begin
    NoSeriesBatch.GetLastNoUsed();
NoSeriesBatch.PeekNextNo();
end;

Example: Before and After Refactoring

Before Refactoring:

After Refactoring:

Suggesting No. Series Using Copilot in Business Central

Business Central's Copilot integration simplifies generating and managing No. Series for different modules. Follow this step-by-step guide to utilize this feature effectively:

1. Access the No. Series Page

• Navigate to the No. Series page in Business Central.

• This page displays all the existing No. Series configurations in your system, allowing you to manage them effortlessly.

2. Create a New Number Series

• Select the option "Create Number Series for [Purchase Order]".

• The system will prompt you to define the series based on your input.

3. Generate Number Series for a Specific Module

• If you want to create a No. Series for a specific module, such as the Purchase module, simply describe your requirement in the Copilot prompt (e.g., "Create a No. Series for purchase orders").

• Click Generate, and the system will automatically create the series based on your specifications.

4. Modify an Existing Number Series

1. • To update an existing No. Series:

     • Use the Modify Existing feature.

     • For example, to change the number series for Sales Orders, type a command like "Change the [Sales Order] number to [SO-1000]", and click Generate.

5. Prepare Number Series for the Next Year

• Planning ahead? Copilot can help you set up No. Series for upcoming years.

This feature empowers users to efficiently manage No. Series with minimal manual effort, ensuring consistency and saving valuable time. Explore the Copilot suggestions to optimize your workflow in Business Central!

Conclusion

The advancements in Business Central's Number Series management, with the introduction of the new architecture and Copilot integration, offer a significant leap in flexibility, efficiency, and user experience. The updated "No. Series" and "No. Series - Batch" codeunits streamline workflows, while Copilot simplifies the creation, modification, and future-proofing of number series with intelligent suggestions.

By adopting these features, businesses can ensure consistency, reduce manual errors, and save valuable time, making their operations more streamlined and future-ready. Explore these enhancements today to unlock the full potential of Business Central!