Optimizing Your Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O System with the Optimization Advisor

Enhancing Performance, Efficiency, and Compliance in D365 F&O

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O) is a powerful platform, but maintaining peak performance requires continuous monitoring and optimization. That’s where the Optimization Advisor comes in—a built-in tool designed to proactively identify inefficiencies, enhance system performance, and ensure compliance.

Why the Optimization Advisor Matters

For organizations running D365 F&O, system efficiency directly impacts productivity and business outcomes. The Optimization Advisor helps users:

✅ Proactively Identify Issues – Detects potential system inefficiencies before they escalate into operational bottlenecks.
✅ Improve Process Efficiency – Provides actionable recommendations to streamline workflows.
✅ Ensure Compliance – Keeps processes aligned with industry regulations and best practices.
✅ Reduce Costs – Saves time and resources by minimizing troubleshooting and manual corrections.

Who Should Use the Optimization Advisor?

This tool is valuable for various stakeholders across your organization, including:

• System Administrators – To monitor and optimize system performance.

• Finance and Operations Teams – To streamline processes and ensure compliance.

• Functional Consultants – To fine-tune configurations based on system recommendations.

• IT Teams & Power Users – To maintain optimal system health and prevent disruptions.

When to Use the Optimization Advisor

To get the most out of this tool, incorporate it into your routine system management:

• Post-Implementation: Validate system configuration and performance after deploying new modules or features.

• Regular Maintenance: Use it as part of periodic system health checks.

• Issue Resolution: Address performance bottlenecks or unexpected errors.

• System Upgrades: Verify system stability after updates and patches.

How to Access and Use the Optimization Advisor

Getting started with the Optimization Advisor is simple:

1. Navigate to the System Administration module in D365 F&O.

2. Select Optimization Advisor under the Tools section.

3. Review the system recommendations based on your current configuration and usage.

4. Implement suggested actions or assign them to relevant team members for execution.

By making this tool a part of your regular workflow, your organization can ensure a well-optimized system that supports seamless operations.

Customizing Optimization: Creating a Rule for Overdue Invoices

One of the key advantages of the Optimization Advisor is its ability to support custom rules for specific business needs. Here’s an example of how a finance team can set up a rule to identify overdue invoices exceeding $1,000.

Custom Rule: Overdue Invoice Detection

This rule ensures that overdue invoices above a set threshold are flagged for review, improving cash flow management and reducing financial risk.

How It Works

• SelfHealingRule: The base class for rules that can automatically heal or recommend actions.
• evaluate(): The method that checks customer transactions to identify overdue invoices over the specified threshold (in this case, $1000).
• SelfHealingOpportunity: This object encapsulates the opportunity to address the identified issue, in this case, overdue invoices.
• performAction(): Executes the corrective action (e.g., opening the invoices for manual review).
• Security Menu: Defines the menu item for security-related actions when taking action.

Testing the Rule

Once the rule is implemented, follow these steps to ensure it functions properly:

1.Go to System Administration > Periodic Tasks > Maintain Diagnostics Validation Rule to view the newly created rule.

2. Schedule the rule for evaluation by navigating to System Administration > Periodic Tasks > Schedule Diagnostics Validation Rule. Select the frequency (e.g., Daily), then click OK.

3. View the new opportunity in the Optimization Advisor by navigating to System Administration > Optimization Advisor.

Once the opportunity appears, you can click Take Action to see the corresponding action (in this case, opening overdue invoices for review).

In our case I have shown overdue invoices in the custom form and also shown in the Infolog message.

By using the Optimization Advisor, you can keep your D365 F&O system running smoothly and efficiently, with automated checks to help catch and resolve issues early. 

If you’re not using this tool yet, now is the time to integrate it into your system management strategy. Your business—and your IT team—will thank you!

Contact us to get help customizing your Optimization Advisor. 

Author: Venkata Durga Prasad Mattaparthi, Senior Technical Consultant at Domain 6.