Do you work with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and do employees still retype item numbers, batches or expiration dates into the label software? That costs time and causes errors. Giesbus connects Loftware to Business Central, so every label automatically shows the current data from your ERP. This also applies to older Dynamics NAV and Navision environments and to the move from NAV to Business Central.
What does a connection with Business Central deliver?
- No more retyping: item, order and batch data come directly from Business Central.
- Automatic printing: as soon as a pallet or order is ready, the print job starts by itself.
- GS1-compliant labels: Business Central creates the SSCC, Loftware creates the GS1-128 barcode and prints the pallet label.
- Traceability: in a recall, you immediately see which batch went to which customer.
- Central management: the label designs are in Loftware Cloud, with version control, for all your sites.
How does the connection work?
Business Central and Loftware Cloud talk to each other through an API. When your process needs it, for example when a pallet is reported or a shipment is posted, Business Central sends the data to Loftware. Loftware fills the right label design and sends the label to the right printer. There is no export file and no manual step. You can read how such an API connection works technically, with the Cloud Print API, Cloud Trigger and Loftware Automation, on the page connecting label software to your ERP.
Which route fits your situation?
| Situation | Route |
|---|---|
| Business Central (online or on-premise) | Connection through the API with Loftware Cloud; labels start automatically from Business Central |
| Dynamics NAV with its own SQL database | Loftware retrieves the data directly from the database |
| Navision or NAV, printing per workstation | A PowerForms print screen that retrieves the data from the ERP |
| Moving from NAV to Business Central online | From database connection to API connection; the label designs can stay |
From NAV to Business Central: mind your labels
Many companies are moving from Dynamics NAV to Business Central. If your label software now retrieves its data directly from the NAV database, that no longer works after the move to Business Central online: there is no direct access to the database. The connection then has to go through the API. So include your labeling process early in the migration, so printing simply continues on the day of the move.
In practice
Edex Food: Business Central
Food importer for major Benelux retailers. Business Central creates the SSCC as soon as a pallet is ready; batch, expiration date and destination go directly to Loftware Cloud Business, which prints the GS1 pallet label.
Eurofast: Dynamics NAV
Fasteners for construction and industry. Loftware Cloud Business retrieves the data directly from the Dynamics NAV SQL database, for multiple production sites.
AllNuts: Navision
Labels from Dynamics Navision with a NiceLabel PowerForms print screen: employees choose the order, and the data comes from the ERP.
Why Giesbus?
- Certified Loftware Cloud Solutions Expert (LCSE): verify at lcse.giesbus.nl
- Connections with Business Central, NAV and Navision built in practice
- Direct contact with the architect, with no layers in between
- Guidance in English or Dutch from analysis to go-live
Frequently asked questions about Loftware and Business Central
Can Loftware print labels from Business Central?
Yes. Business Central sends the data through the API to Loftware Cloud, which fills the label and sends it to the right printer. At Edex Food, this happens automatically as soon as a pallet is ready for shipment.
Can Business Central create the SSCC?
Yes. At Edex Food, Business Central generates a unique SSCC per pallet. Loftware turns it into the GS1-128 barcode, together with batch and expiration date, and prints the pallet label.
Does a direct database connection also work with Business Central?
With Dynamics NAV, Loftware often retrieves the data directly from the SQL database, as at Eurofast. With Business Central online, there is no direct access to the database; there the connection runs through the API.
We are moving from NAV to Business Central. What does that mean for our labels?
The label designs can usually stay, but the way the data comes in changes. Include the labeling process early in the migration, so the new connection is ready on the day of the move.
Would you like to know which route fits your environment?
Book a free demo or request the free Labeling Compliance Scan. We will look at your Business Central environment and your labels together.
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Loftware Cloud Solutions Expert