Over the last few years, AI has been hard to miss. At first, it felt like something to observe rather than adopt immediately. Most companies experimented with automation, tried to speed up individual steps, or used AI mainly as a helpful assistant.
This year feels different. It is becoming clear that AI is no longer just an experiment. In many areas, it is already part of daily business activities.
How are companies actually using AI in their operations?
Companies are now using AI to:
- reduce manual effort,
- improve data quality,
- avoid simple but costly mistakes,
- scale operations without growing teams proportionally.
What also stands out is that AI is no longer separate from core business systems - it is being embedded directly into systems and solutions people already use, such as ERP, finance, logistics, and operational platforms.
Let’s explore several examples that illustrate this shift. Some are built-in capabilities recently introduced by Microsoft, while others are real solutions already used by Ukrainian companies. Together, they show how AI is moving from proof-of-concepts to real into day-to-day business use.
1. What can AI do for sales? Sales Order Agent in Business Central Case
One of the built-in AI agent capabilities recently introduced by Microsoft is the Sales Order Agent in Dynamics 365 Business Central.
The scenario is very familiar. A customer sends an email asking for a few items and a delivery date. Normally, a user would read the email, check availability, create a quote, and later turn it into a sales order.
With the Sales Order Agent:
- The email is read automatically.
- The customer is identified.
- Availability and delivery dates are validated.
- A quote is prepared and once approved, converted into a sales order.
Availability
This capability is available as a built-in feature in Dynamics 365 Business Central and can be enabled and configured within the application.
Business Impact
Sales teams respond faster during high-volume periods, focusing energy on complex deals rather than routine transactions.
2. How Can AI Automate Invoice Processing? Payables Agent for Vendor Invoices Case
Another built-in AI agent capability in Dynamics 365 Business Central is the Payables Agent.
Anyone who has worked with accounting processes knows how much time is spent opening invoice PDFs and entering data manually. The agent shows how this process can be automated:
- Invoices are read using OCR and AI.
- Vendor and line-item data are extracted.
- Invoices are matched to purchase orders.
- Exceptions are flagged, and approved invoices are posted.
Availability
This capability is available as a built-in feature in Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Business Impact
Accounts payable processes scale without a corresponding increase in headcount.
3. How can AI help reduce paperwork? Voice-Driven Reports Case
Voice-based reporting is a practical example of how AI is being applied in field operations, particularly for technicians and inspectors.
After completing a job, a technician records a short voice note describing the work performed. AI processes the voice input, including language translation when required, and saves it as a structured report in the system.
Availability
This is typically a partner-built solution that uses existing services such as speech-to-text and Azure OpenAI, integrated with ERP or field service systems.
Business Impact
Technicians spend much less time on paperwork, while report quality becomes more consistent and reliable.
4. Can AI be trusted with security? AI-Based Computer Vision for Safety and Quality Case
In Ukrainian industry, AI-powered computer vision is already being used in production environments.
These solutions can:
- Detect safety violations, such as missing protective equipment
- Inspect areas that are difficult or unsafe to reach
- Identify defects in products automatically
Availability
These are custom solutions, adapted to each site and production process. They are typically implemented by partners and trained on real operational data.
Business Impact
Early issue detection prevents costly recalls, while continuous monitoring reduces the need for constant manual inspections.
5. What AI Solutions Exist for Dairy Farm Management? AI-Assisted Livestock Monitoring on a Dairy Farm Case
Another example comes from the agriculture sector, where AI is being used to improve livestock management and animal health.
In dairy farming, it is often challenging to identify optimal insemination of windows or detect early health issues across a large herd. These decisions often rely on observation and experience, making it difficult to scale consistently. AI-based solutions help support and partially automate this process:
- Individual animals are monitored using sensors and behavior data
- Fertility periods and potential health anomalies are detected
- Real-time insights into animal behavior are provided
- Recommendations are generated for care, feeding, and breeding schedules
Availability
These are specialized aggrotech AI solutions, typically implemented as dedicated platforms and integrated with farm management systems.
Business Impact
Improved milk yields, better animal welfare, reduced manual labor, and data-driven herd management that scales with your operation.
So What are Our Final Thought?
AI no longer feels like a distant destination, but more like a running train — already in motion and quietly becoming part of everyday work in many organizations.
Some organizations are already on board, using built-in capabilities that remove routine effort. Others are joining through carefully designed solutions that address specific operational needs. In both cases, progress does not come from chasing every new AI feature, but from understanding where AI genuinely strengthens existing processes.
The key question is no longer if AI will be adopted, but how it will be used. The real advantage goes to organizations that board the train with intent - focusing on real problems and turning momentum into measurable results.
Ready to board?
Whether you're looking to implement built-in AI capabilities in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or need a custom solution tailored to your unique operational challenges, the time to act is now.
Contact us us to discuss how we can help your specific business challenges or explore how Xpand Portal's seamless Business Central integration can give your team the tools they need to work smarter, not harder.
About Xpand
Xpand is a product and service company offering full-cycle services from implementation to customer support for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics 365 products, as well as for our product, Xpand Portal, which integrates with Business Central and provides customizable, 24/7 access to information for clients globally.