In today’s fast-paced business environment, automation isn’t just a competitive advantage—it’s a necessity. For companies operating in Japan, leveraging Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central with Microsoft Power Automate offers a practical path to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and foster digital transformation. Sysamic, based in Japan and trusted by global enterprises, provides tailored support in integrating and managing these solutions effectively.
One of the key features enabling automation in Business Central is Power Automate. Whether you’re automating invoice approvals, alerts, or custom workflows tied to your ERP processes, managing these flows properly is essential to maintaining operational stability and scalability.
Seamless Access to Power Automate Flows from Business Central
In Dynamics 365 Business Central, users can access and manage their existing Power Automate flows in two intuitive ways:
Directly via Power Automate: Sign in to Power Automate, and select My flows from the navigation pane.
From within Business Central: Open a document, list, or card page, then navigate to Automate > Manage Flows.
This dual-access approach allows business users and IT administrators in Japan to stay connected to their automation processes without switching platforms unnecessarily.
Managing and Editing Flows: What You Need to Know
On the My Flows page in Power Automate, users can view, edit, or share flows that they’ve created or that have been shared with them. Selecting the ellipsis (⋮) beside a flow reveals key management options:
Details: View metadata like creation date, status, owner, and flow type.
Connections: See all linked services, including Business Central connectors.
Owners & Run-only Users: Control who can view, run, or edit the flow—essential for collaborative teams in Japan that follow structured data governance protocols.
Performance Insights (Preview): Identify bottlenecks and monitor average completion times.
28-Day Run History: Gain visibility into historical performance and execution logs.
With this transparency, Japanese businesses can ensure automation aligns with their unique compliance and operational standards.
Changes in Business Central v22 and the Shift to In-Context Automation
Previously, Business Central provided a dedicated Manage Power Automate Flows page. However, starting with version 22, this functionality has been transitioned to contextual actions within the Automate group on relevant pages.
This shift reflects Microsoft’s continued investment in more embedded, user-friendly automation. For Japanese users, this offers a more intuitive experience aligned with the lean operational models favored by many local enterprises.
To find flows in Business Central (for versions 21 and earlier), users can:
Use the search icon to find Manage Power Automate Flows.
Access and manage categorized flows:
Cloud Flows: Instant or Automated workflows.
Desktop Flows: Automation on local environments.
Shared with Me: Flows shared by colleagues or IT administrators.
From this interface, users can create, edit, copy, delete, or share flows directly—empowering both technical and non-technical users across departments.
Business-Critical Features for Flow Configuration
The Manage Flows interface also includes:
Home: A quick link to Power Automate’s main dashboard.
Configuration: Set or switch environments, a common need for Japanese firms running multiple localized instances of Business Central.
Additionally, Flow Entries give visibility into which Business Central records are associated with a particular flow. This is useful for audit trails or tracking the lifecycle of approvals and actions.
How Sysamic Supports Automation-Driven Growth in Japan
As a Japan-based Microsoft partner, Sysamic helps organizations implement and optimize Power Automate and Business Central integrations tailored to the Japanese market. From environment configuration to flow governance, Sysamic ensures your automation landscape supports compliance, multilingual needs, and business continuity.
Our team collaborates with both Japanese enterprises and global companies operating in Japan, offering technical depth, business insight, and localized support.
Conclusion: Empower Your ERP with Intelligent Flow Management
For companies in Japan, managing Power Automate flows within Business Central isn’t just a technical necessity—it’s a strategic move toward agility and efficiency. Whether you’re enhancing existing workflows or scaling automation across departments, understanding and controlling your flows is key.