Directions Asia 2019 highlighted the strength and growth of the Dynamics NAV/Business Central ecosystem, with over 32 years of heritage, 223,000 customers, and 3.3 million users in 196 countries supported by 4,500 partners. The event attracted over 450 participants from 32 countries. Microsoft participated with over 45 members conducting sessions and meeting with partners. The next release of Dynamics in October 2019 will retire the Windows client and only use AL with VS Code, requiring developers to migrate to Extensions. The future of business applications with Dynamics 365 Business Central is promising based on the rapid developments and partnerships.

1. Highlights from Directions Asia 2019
32 years of heritage, 223,000 customers, 3.3 million users, sold in 196 countries, served
by 4500 partners. No rewards for guessing what we are talking about. Yes, this is how
strong the global Dynamics NAV eco-system is. And the recently concluded 'Directions
Asia 2019' once again exhibited – the eco-system which continues to modernize and grow
stronger.
In its new avatar of D365 Business Central, the eco system is experiencing 311% growth
in partners selling Business Central, 41% growth in new Business Central customers
month-over-month in Asia, and adding over 30 Applications each month to the
AppSource.
It is this momentum that makes Directions - the Dynamics NAV/ BC partner event -
perhaps the most important event focused on Business Applications. While the Directions
EMEA brings around 2500 participants, and Directions US has about 1000, in its 3rd year
Directions Asia 2019 attracted over 450 participants, from 32 countries. Kudos to the
Directions Asia organizing team for pulling off a very well managed event.
Microsoft, the Platinum sponsor of the event, had over 45 members participating in the
event, conducting numerous sessions and spending time to meet partners. This is a
unique opportunity to meet everyone who matters in the NAV/ BC business. Sales and
Marketing teams, Engineering teams, Partner managers and evangelists from both
Microsoft and Partner side - were here to share, learn and contribute.

2. Microsoft continues to push with its ‘twice a year’ release plan. While the April release
took place at the time of the Direction event, the next due release - October 2019 glimpses
gave a strong view of the changes to come.
The most important change perhaps announced for the October 2019 release is - the
retirement of the Window client. The April 2019 is the last release of the Windows client
and C/AL source code. The October 2019 release will be shipped in AL with VS Code
only. It was also announced that the future releases will forbid developers from making
the source code modifications, even for an on premise installations. Thus, it is important
to migrate to Extensions now.
The rapid developments on, and around, D365 BC, together with the rapid pace of
partners and customers adapting the solution, there is no doubt that the future of Business
Applications is here.
Look forward to the Directions Asia 2020, and we have no doubt that it would be an even
bigger event.