TL;DR

Learn how to use Copilot Cowork to transform Dynamics 365 Sales opportunity data into a formatted demand forecast for Dynamics 365 Business Central. This process helps operations and purchasing teams improve MRP planning, automate Excel formatting tasks, and make smarter inventory decisions using CRM-driven forecasting.

Using Copilot Cowork to Improve Demand Forecasting

Microsoft recently released Copilot Cowork, and I want to show you how I can use it to take data from Dynamics 365 Sales and use that information to enhance the demand forecast in Dynamics 365 Business Central.

I currently have opportunities in Dynamics 365 Sales, and those opportunities contain products. What I want to do is use Copilot Cowork to take that information, format it properly, and upload it into Dynamics 365 Business Central specifically for demand forecasting.

Here is my current demand forecast in Dynamics 365 Business Central. You can see that I already have several different products spread across multiple months. This is the demand forecasting data I’m using for MRP. What I want to do is add a few additional products from my CRM system so they can move into Dynamics 365 Business Central and become part of the forecast.

Adding CRM Opportunity Data in Dynamics 365 Sales

To demonstrate this, I’m going to add a couple of items to an existing opportunity that has an estimated close date of June 2026. I’m going to add the Antwerp Table and the Tokyo Guest Chair.

Reviewing Opportunities in Dynamics 365 Sales

Now let’s go over to Dynamics 365 Sales and look at the opportunities. Here is my CRM dashboard. I’ll open the Opportunities area, where I can see all of my current opportunities. I have a newer opportunity here that I recently started, so let’s open it up.

This opportunity is estimated to close in June 2026, and it already has some products associated with it. Let’s add two additional products so they can appear in the demand forecast after the integration runs. I’m adding the Antwerp Table and several Tokyo Guest Chairs. Once those products are added, I’ll save the opportunity.

Exporting Opportunity Product Data

Next, let’s look at all of the products currently tied to opportunities in Dynamics 365 Sales. I created a specific view that includes the estimated close date because that information is important for demand forecasting in Business Central.

Now I have the basic information I need to update the demand forecast in Business Central, so I’m going to export the data. The export process is very simple and only takes a moment.

Configuring Copilot Cowork

Next, let’s go into Copilot Cowork. I currently have it installed, and it’s available through the Frontier program. It’s easy to add into your environment through the available agents if you want to test it yourself.

I’ve already been using Cowork for several different tasks. In this case, I have a specific set of skills configured. What I’ve done is provide Cowork with instructions on how to take information from my CRM system, format it correctly, and prepare it for use with configuration packages in Business Central.

Creating the Initial Prompt

At the beginning of the project, I started with a basic prompt:

“Format the most recent Dynamics 365 Sales download to match the BC Demand Forecast template.”

I also supplied the forecast template itself. Cowork takes the latest export from the CRM system and produces a formatted output file that can be imported directly into Business Central.

The setup is fairly straightforward. The template is essentially blank, and my goal is for Cowork to take the CRM data and fit it into the forecast structure required by Business Central.

Correcting and Formatting CRM Data

The CRM export itself also contains a few issues that need to be corrected automatically. For example, the unit of measure needs to be changed to “PCS.” Additionally, the inventory location is not included in the export, so I want Cowork to assign the MAIN location code for all records.

Back in Cowork, you can see the original prompt along with the additional instructions I added. I specifically instructed Cowork to change the unit of measure code to PCS and make the location MAIN.

What Cowork is doing here is combining all of the information I supplied, including the files and prompts, into a cohesive process that creates a properly formatted import file for Business Central.

Generating the Import Files

I also added another prompt asking Cowork to create an XML file that will accompany the Excel file during the Business Central import process.

Once everything is configured, I submit the request and Cowork begins processing the project. It reviews all of the supplied input files, along with the previous conversations and instructions, in order to generate the exact output I need.

As it processes the request, it analyzes all of the information. If necessary, I can stop the process at any time, and Cowork will retain all of the project details without losing the setup.

After processing is complete, Cowork automatically detects the new CRM export file and creates the updated demand forecast file. At this point, Cowork has completed everything I asked it to do.

Importing the Forecast into Business Central

Now I simply download the generated file and move into Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Using Configuration Packages

Inside Business Central, I open the Configuration Package and choose the option to import from Excel. I select the new demand forecast file that was created by Copilot Cowork and import it into the system.

Once the import is complete, I apply the package. The process finishes successfully, adding the two new product lines associated with the opportunity in Dynamics 365 Sales while also modifying the existing forecast records.

Reviewing the Updated Forecast

Now when we look at the demand forecast, we can see that it has been updated with the information coming from the CRM opportunity, including the newly added chair items.

Running Requisition Worksheets with Forecast Data

Next, let’s test the process by running the requisition worksheet. Business Central will analyze the existing inventory, the current demand, and the updated demand forecast that was generated using CRM opportunity data.

This is where the real value becomes clear. The system combines CRM information with ERP inventory and planning data to produce more accurate operational and purchasing recommendations.

From both an operations and purchasing perspective, this approach makes much more sense because all organizational information is being brought together into one system where it can be acted upon effectively.

Calculating the Plan

Now I’ll calculate the plan using the updated forecast. After running the process, I now have the purchasing direction I need based on both CRM opportunities and ERP inventory information.

Operationally, this is extremely valuable because it gives me a much clearer understanding of future demand across the organization and allows me to respond proactively.

Why Copilot Cowork Is Valuable

Another major advantage is that this Cowork project can be reused repeatedly. Once the process is set up, Cowork can continue handling the repetitive formatting and transformation tasks automatically.

Cowork works especially well with Microsoft 365 applications like Excel. If you spend a lot of time reformatting spreadsheets or preparing files manually, this can save a tremendous amount of time. Instead of repeating the same process every week or every month, you can create a reusable Cowork project with a defined set of skills and let it handle the work for you.

Final Thoughts

In this example, we looked at how information from Dynamics 365 Sales opportunities can be pushed into Dynamics 365 Business Central and incorporated into demand forecasting for better purchasing and operational decision-making.

We started by reviewing an opportunity in Dynamics 365 Sales. Then we used Copilot Cowork to process the CRM export data, apply the required formatting, and generate a new output file that integrates directly into Business Central.

Finally, we validated the results through the requisition worksheet process and confirmed that the new items appeared correctly in the planning recommendations. From there, purchasing and operations teams can move forward confidently using more complete and accurate business information.

If you’re ready to deploy Copilot in Microsoft 365, download our free guide using the link in the video description.