Microsoft's AP Agent for Business Central is a great example of how AI can be embedded into a business process. It is easy to set up, solves a real problem, and follows a pattern that users can actually adopt.
But I think the real opportunity is bigger than AP.
The reusable agent pattern
The AP Agent demonstrates a reusable pattern:
- Monitor an inbox.
- Read documents.
- Extract information.
- Validate against Business Central.
- Propose a transaction.
- Keep a human in the loop.
Once you look at it that way, AP is just one use case.
Applying the pattern to cash remittances
Using the same approach, I built a custom Cash Remittance Agent for Business Central, delivered as an extension and following the same pattern as the AP Agent.
The agent:
- Monitors a remittance mailbox.
- Reads PDF and Excel remittances.
- Identifies the customer sending the payment.
- Matches remittance lines to open invoices.
- Proposes a cash receipt transaction.
- Prepares invoice application suggestions.
- Routes exceptions for user review.
Keep the AR team focused on exceptions
The goal isn't to replace the AR team.
The goal is to eliminate repetitive work so users can focus on exceptions, customer relationships, and resolving discrepancies.
What I find most compelling about Business Central Agents isn't the out-of-the-box scenarios Microsoft delivers.
It's the ability to apply the same pattern to countless document-driven processes that still rely on emails, attachments, spreadsheets, and manual data entry.
AP is a great starting point. It shouldn't be the finish line.