
Steve Endow's Business Central Podcast
Steve Endow's Business Central Podcast
I Need Coffee - Episode 182 - Weekly BC Review!
Show Notes: Episode 182 - I Need Coffee (sept 26, 2025)
1. Personal Updates and Weekend Activities:
- Received Gajuino kit after 6-month group buy (Hong Kong); upgrades $500 Gaggia espresso machine to $2,000–$5,000 equivalent with electronic controls (boiler temp, pump control, pre-infusion, pressure curves, scale integration).
- Picked up wife at LAX Saturday night; airport unusually empty, easy parking.
- Harvested three dragon fruits from backyard (one overripened, split); yields tripled from last year.
- Discovered yellow dragon fruit at Amazon Fresh ($8/lb, individually wrapped).
2. Work and Projects:
- Team Updates:
- Ronald: Learning McCormma Payment Hub, focusing on supercheck/overflow remittance for US check printing (beyond 10–13 line limit).
- David: Handling Word/RDLC report layouts; found multiple fields in one grid space.
- Joselyn: Tackling Word report layouts, learning hidden tricks.
- Franklin: Refining Excel file import prototype via code review; working on Tenant Admin Dashboard for internal multi-tenant management.
- Fatima: Completed 8–10 hour PMI PMP video series; seeking next course; aiding El Coyolar Christmas Festival planning.
- Bill.com MEM Integration: Successful go-live after complex project (started February); managed multi-entity/company setup with bill.com API (version 3 incomplete, used version 2).
- Statement of Work Improvements: Added prerequisites (50+ record sample files, field screenshots); explicit scope (anything unlisted is out); assumptions (BC online US v26.5, English, no multi-currency); error handling; no intercompany/APIs; BC update warnings.
3. Technical Challenges and Discoveries:
- BC Word Add-in: Discovered Dynamics 365 Business Central Word Add-in (~1.5–2 years old); features hide empty tables/rows/columns, zero fields; SOD-compatible after import error fix.
- AppSource Region Bug: El Salvador team faced app install issues (SV vs. US region); resolved via company info change or PowerShell/AL code.
- Aider Tool (Jeremy Howard): Tested AI code intelligence with 14 "agents" (e.g., architect, coder); heavy setup (Node.js); not suited for small projects; better for test-driven development; provided feedback.
4. Cybersecurity and Industry Insights:
- MITRE Evaluations: Microsoft and vendors withdrew from MITRE ATT&CK evaluations, deemed low-value; akin to meaningless firewall certifications.
- Social Engineering: Viewed Rachel Tobac (hacked Jeffrey Katzenberg via Aura) and Erica Zelik (Teams impersonation for wire transfers) videos.
- Privacy/Data Brokers: Removed personal info from brokers after ransom demands tied to incorrect listing (co-owner of "Blue" company); recommends services like Aura; bad data fuels phishing.
5. Professional Engagements and Conferences:
- Vibe Partner Conference: Jan 28–30, 2026, South Padre Island, TX (partnerin.io); remote, 4-hour drive from San Antonio.
- Summit NA Road Shows: Houston Dec 9, Fort Lauderdale Dec 11.
- Contract Negotiations: Rejected removing liability cap ($5M proposed for small project); viewed as red flag.
6. Technology Preferences:
- Keyboards: Sticking with Filco Ninja Majestouch MX Brown (14 years); rejected Cherry MX Board 3.0; found Norbauer Senica ($3,600–$8,000, custom, no numpad); Ducky cheaper but Filco preferred.
7. Coffee and Experiments:
- Ordered Dera Brazil coffee (Passenger Keystone favorite); experimental cherries ripen/dry on tree; interesting but not enjoyable; shared with Gabe in El Salvador.