Steve Endow's Business Central Podcast

I Need Coffee - Episode 182 - Weekly BC Review!

Steve Endow Episode 182

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.