Steve Endow's Business Central Podcast

I Need Coffee - Episode 170- Live from Berlin El Salvador! 1. Live Stream Setup Improvements: - Improved audio by disabling noise and echo cancellation on the streaming platform. - Addressed mirrored video issue during the stream. 2. Life in Berlin, El Salvador: - Highlighted challenges of living in Berlin, El Salvador, including daily problem-solving (e.g., trash management, water supply). - Noted the presence of coconut trees at the office, posing a risk to parked cars due to falling coconuts. 3. Weekend Activities: - Conducted English classes at the ERP Center of Excellence on Saturday. - Visited San Miguel for shopping at Metro Centro, Walmart, Super Selecto, and PriceMart (El Salvador’s Costco equivalent). - Observed a volcano visible from San Miguel’s shopping areas, emphasizing the region’s volcanic landscape. 4. Cybersecurity and Technology: - Daughter’s cybersecurity internship focusing on Entra, conditional access, and Defender. - Using SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge for seamless VPN-like connectivity via SAML authentication through Entra. - Challenges with Microsoft Intune for device management; ongoing efforts to configure Defender for Business. 5. Berlin English Academy: - Hosting English classes at the office. - Plans for a four-month training program starting in October to prepare locals for seasonal call center jobs (November–January). 6. Local Challenges and Solutions: - Installed a fortified trash can to prevent animals (e.g., cats) from scattering trash, addressing a local issue. - Implementing a 2,500-liter water tank with a concrete platform to ensure independent water supply for the office/house. - Dealt with a power outage during a storm, prompting plans to acquire backup lighting (lanterns). 7. Cultural Observations: - Introduced fresh cherries (imported from the U.S.) to the Berlin team, a rare and expensive treat locally. - Shared a homemade ramen meal with the team, incorporating local and imported ingredients. 8. Work Projects: - Team member Ronald learning Continia Document Capture for AP automation, troubleshooting configuration issues. - Franklin conducting web API testing to resolve version-related issues (25.5 to 26.0). - Joselyn training in Power BI and DAX for complex financial reporting. - David working on configuration packages for a customer with over 10,000 inventory items. 9. Documentation Challenges: - Struggles with maintaining Product Requirement Documents (PRDs) in Word for customer presentation, while needing markdown/text for AI tools (e.g., Copilot, Cursor). - Seeking a workflow to sync Word and markdown files to avoid version control issues. 10. Upcoming Events and Training: - Anti-Syphon cybersecurity training recommended, including a cloud security course (July 11) and summer camp (July 21–22). - DynamicsCon regional meetups scheduled in multiple cities (June–September). - Summit NA event planned for October 20–23 in Orlando, Florida. 11. Infrastructure and Maintenance: - Addressing a roof leak and poor wiring issues at the office. - Power bill for the office (with heavy AC use) was $50, considered high locally but low by U.S. standards. 12. Coffee Setup: - Described a pour-over coffee setup using a Hario V60, Kin Grinder K6, and Salvadoran electric kettle, well-received by the team. 13. Personal Note: - Speaker mentioned feeling tired and achy due to a cold, impacting the stream’s energy.

I Need Coffee - Episode 169 - BC Weekly Update! Show Notes: Episode 169 – Live from Berlin, El Salvador Overview: This episode is a live stream attempt from a makeshift setup in Berlin, El Salvador, covering local experiences, professional activities, and community initiatives. Steve discusses their visit, their daughter’s cybersecurity internship, and local cultural and organizational events. 1. Ad Hoc Live Streaming Experiment: - The episode is an experimental live stream using a laptop, microphone, and a new version of Reream Studio, set up in a bedroom at the office in Berlin, El Salvador. - Challenges include difficulty checking audio and accessing public chat, leading to a switch to a cell phone for Plan B. 2. Cultural Observations in Berlin, El Salvador: - Description of local life, including a woman carrying a large bag of produce, highlighting the resilience of locals. - Mention of an Earth Day parade with loud music, costumes, and community participation, emphasizing the vibrant, festive atmosphere of Berlin. - Daily life challenges, such as water shortages, with a backup tank issue resolved late at night by a local contact, Joselyn. 3. Cybersecurity Internship for Daughter: - Steve brought their daughter to El Salvador for a cybersecurity internship with the ERP Center of Excellence Blue Dragonfly Test Team. - Tasks include researching Entra P1, conditional access, and Microsoft Defender to secure a distributed team’s laptops without a central office. - Testing Sonic Wall Cloud Secure Edge, connecting to a firewall in California, with generally positive results despite minor issues with multiple Microsoft logins. 4. Berlin English Academy Launch: - Official launch of the Berlin English Academy, providing advanced English training for graduates of a 10-month English for Callers program. - Steve and daughter taught the first American English accent training class, using a Udemy course by Gabriel, focusing on vowel sounds challenging for Spanish speakers. - The program is held in a dedicated classroom at the office, with plans for a 10-class series. 5. Travel and Logistics: - The Steve and daughter traveled with 160 pounds of luggage, benefiting from Star Alliance Gold Elite status for quick check-in and lounge access. - Unexpected business class upgrade on Avianca, despite prior issues with upgrade credits. - Discussion of setting up a bedroom in the office to save on accommodation costs, estimated at $1,200 for 16 days. 6. Local Food and Community Activities: - Description of Salvadoran cuisine, including soapa dez (beef soup with vegetables) and aso tico breakfast (frijoles, queso, salsa de tomate, and pan). - Coffee culture highlighted with the host’s first pour-over coffee in El Salvador using a Hario V60 and Toro’s coffee beans, improvised with a hand grinder and dripper. - Visit to El Portal cafe for a sweet lemon tea (T de Lemon). 7. Professional Engagements and Upcoming Events: - Participation in a Dynamics Con post-conference review for the Business Central track. 8. Office Setup and Cost-Saving Measures: - The office serves multiple purposes: a main workspace, a bedroom to reduce accommodation costs, and the Berlin English Academy classroom. 9. Technical Challenges and Local Infrastructure: - Discussion of local infrastructure issues, including water supply problems and the need to purchase a tank and pump. - Mention of a luxury garbage can and the noisy garbage truck, reflecting unique aspects of local services.

I Need Coffee: Episode 167 - May 30 2025 Home Repairs and Tech IssuesGaming and Weekend ActivitiesBusiness Central (BC) UpdatesExpensive Cell Phone BillCybersecurity and TechnologyTeam and Office UpdatesUpcoming Events and TrainingCoffee and Cultural NotesBerlin English Academy

I Need Coffee: Episode 167 - May 23 2025 1. Software Development Challenges: - Business Central (BC) Version Issues: Discussion of a potential breaking change in BC version 26.0, affecting default dimension set lines behavior for a third-party developer's API integration. The host describes the tedious task of reconstructing API calls in versions 25.5 and 26.0 to diagnose the issue, using AI tools to prepare payloads and set up Postman for testing. 2. AI in Work and Learning: - AI Adoption: The host emphasizes the growing role of AI in research and development, sharing anecdotes about AI’s impact, including a customer referral via ChatGPT for a Dynamics GP solution. They also discuss a humorous scenario where employees brought AI chatbots to a meeting, reflecting on AI’s increasing presence. 3. Microsoft Authenticator and MFA Setup: - MFA Challenges: After losing a phone, the host discusses the difficulties of restoring Microsoft Authenticator MFA codes, recommending backup options like SMS, email recovery, and TOTP in password managers (e.g., RoboForm) to mitigate risks. They advise setting up multiple authenticator entries (e.g., phone and iPad) to avoid losing access to environments. 4. Personal Anecdotes and Challenges: - Home Maintenance Issues: A chaotic day involving a clogged kitchen sink, a mouse under the sink, a dishwasher fault, and a car stereo failure (subwoofer working, other speakers not). These incidents highlight the host’s juggling of personal and professional responsibilities. - Travel Mishaps: A humorous recounting of booking a return flight from Utah after a flight to El Salvador, requiring a last-minute rebooking to correct the scheduling error. 5. Business and Community Initiatives: - Berlin English Academy: Introduction of a new initiative in Berlin, El Salvador, to provide intermediate to advanced English training, including pronunciation, job skills, and resume preparation. The program will use a dedicated classroom in the renovated office. - Office Renovation in El Salvador: Details on the newly renovated office, including a new kitchen, blinds to combat intense sunlight, and cleaned bathrooms. The office will also have sleeping accommodations to save on hotel costs during visits. - ERP Center of Excellence: Updates on team activities in El Salvador, including Joselyn’s work on PowerBI reports and check formats, David’s preparation for a large BC implementation, Ronald’s Continia training, and Franklin’s AI-assisted development using Cursor for a customer PTE. 6. Upcoming Events and Community Engagement: - Conferences and Meetups: Mention of upcoming events like Dynamics Minds in Slovenia, BC Tech Days in Antwerp, Summit NA in Orlando, and various regional meetups (e.g., Toronto, Ghana, Denver). The host notes submitting sessions for Summit NA and the potential cost of attending if not selected. - Podcast Syndication: Acknowledgment of Mauricio’s help with podcast editing and syndication on platforms like Buzzsprout, LinkedIn, and Twitter, encouraging listeners to check show notes on podcast.stevend.com. 7. Security and Infrastructure Concerns: - VPN Vulnerabilities: Discussion of SonicWall VPN appliance issues, including a zero-day vulnerability and bricked devices, prompting the host to consider switching to cloud-based solutions like Cloud Secure Edge. - DDoS Attack Reference: Brief mention of a 6.3 terabit per second DDoS attack on Krebs on Security, highlighting the scale of modern cyber threats.

I Need Coffee: Episode 166 - May 16, 2025 1. Community and Networking at Conferences: - Steve’s extensive involvement in DynamicsCon (booth, presentations, party) and promotion of upcoming events (Dynamics Minds, Summit NA, regionals) highlight the critical role of conferences in fostering professional connections and knowledge-sharing. 2. El Salvador Advocacy and Cultural Ties: - Steve’s promotion of Salvadoran coffee, booth theme, and unexpected connections with Salvadorans (Daniel, medical mission volunteer) underscore his deep commitment to El Salvador’s culture and community, both personally and professionally. 3. AI and Emerging Technologies in Development: - The use of Cursor and GitHub Copilot for AL development and page scripting exploration reflects the growing integration of AI and automation in BC, with potential to streamline but requiring refinement. 4. Operational Challenges and Solutions in El Salvador: - The Berlin office renovations and community-driven painting party illustrate the logistical challenges of operating in El Salvador, addressed through team effort and local collaboration (E4CC scholars). 5. Team Development and ISV Expertise: - Training interns on ISV solutions and establishing the Berlin English Academy emphasize the importance of skill-building to support global customers and create career opportunities in El Salvador. 6. Customer Support and Partner Services: - The ERP Support Team’s partner support plans and help desk development address the challenge of balancing support with other business functions, aiming to enhance partner efficiency. 7. Creative Marketing and Branding: - The custom mugs, Salvadoran coffee giveaways, and swag collection showcase creative marketing strategies to stand out at conferences and reinforce Blue Dragonfly’s brand identity. 8. Personal Resilience and Adaptability: - Steve’s pool cleaning, sunscreen testing, and recovery from a cold while managing a busy conference schedule demonstrate personal resilience and adaptability in balancing personal and professional demands. 9. Telemetry and Performance Optimization: - Sessions on BC telemetry and custom telemetry for PTEs highlight the growing importance of data-driven insights for optimizing BC performance and customer solutions. 10. Global Accessibility and Regional Engagement: - The mention of regional meetups (e.g., Kenya, Ghana) and concerns about BC affordability in developing regions reflect a focus on making technology accessible and engaging communities globally.

Show Notes: Episode 165 - I Need Coffee (may 9, 2025) 1. Cultural Engagement and Local Connections: - Steve’s focus on El Salvador’s coffee culture (Good Beans, Fina La Cruz) and events like the Judas Priest concert highlights the importance of engaging with and promoting local culture, both personally and professionally. 2. AI-Driven Development and Its Challenges: - Steve’s experiments with Cursor AI for BC development underscore the potential and pitfalls of AI tools, producing rapid but inconsistent code that requires human oversight, reflecting the evolving role of AI in software development. 3. Technical Reliability and Scalability: - Issues with Azure Key Vault, NAS drive failures, and Google’s telemetry challenges illustrate the critical need for reliable, scalable infrastructure in both small-scale (NAS) and enterprise (Google) contexts. 4. User Experience (UX) Design: - Steve’s critique of poor UX in Twitter and grocery store systems emphasizes the importance of intuitive, frictionless design and the consequences of intentional or unintentional design flaws. 5. Security and Data Protection: - The Pearson cyberattack and AI bot issues in Teams highlight ongoing security challenges in managing credentials and uninvited AI presence, stressing the need for robust security practices. 6. Affordability and Accessibility in Technology: - The BC price increase and its potential impact in regions like Kenya and El Salvador reflect challenges in making cloud-based solutions affordable and accessible globally. 7. ISV Integration Challenges: - Difficulties with Continia’s setup process compared to other ISVs like Binary Stream MEM underscore the complexities of integrating third-party solutions, requiring streamlined partner processes. 8. Team Skill Development: - The team’s focus on training (e.g., Joselyn’s user guides, Ronald’s Continia training, David’s page scripting) highlights the importance of continuous learning to meet customer needs and support migrations. 9. Community and Professional Networking: - Steve’s promotion of DynamicsCon, Dynamics Minds, and Summit NA emphasizes the value of community events for networking, knowledge-sharing, and business promotion. 10. Operational Challenges in El Salvador: - The Berlin office painting party and reliance on community help (E4CC scholars) reflect the practical challenges of operating in El Salvador, requiring creative solutions and local collaboration.

Show Notes: Episode 163 - I Need Coffee (April 18, 2025) 1. Introduction: Turbo edition of the weekly BC review, pre-recorded due to travel to El Salvador. 2. Weekend Homeowner Chores: - Managed pool maintenance with daughters, cleaning the cover and addressing green water, to be completed post-vacation. - Dealt with a bumper crop of loquats from trees overhanging the pool, sharing fruit with neighbors. - Fixed a broken garage door spring, resolved quickly by a professional. 3. El Salvador Office Updates: - Undergoing a complete electrical rewire due to hazardous wiring, including makeshift “wire nuts” made from plastic packaging. - New conduit, outlets, and boxes installed for improved functionality, including outdoor lighting and shower heaters. 4. Weekly Projects: - Received Binary Stream MEM runtime packages for Cosmo Alpaca pipelines, learning to incorporate for multi-entity management. - Investigated a customer statement oddity regarding unapplied payments, suspecting date range issues; verifying with vanilla BC. - Addressed unauthorized PTE and AppSource app installations in a customer’s production environment, likely via BC Admin API. 5. Business Central Challenges: - Critiqued BC’s job queue for automated posting (e.g., transfer orders) due to lack of error visibility; planning a custom app. - Struggled with third-party APIs, adding a disclaimer clause to statements of work to mitigate risks and lawsuits. 6. Power Platform Issues: - Confirmed Azure Key Vault permissions for Power Automate take ~5 days to propagate, limiting its reliability for BC integrations. - Resolved BC approval workflow notification issues by using a shared mailbox instead of a user mailbox in Office 365. 7. AI and Technology Insights: - Subscribed to Perplexity Pro ($200/year) for reliable AI search, solving issues like OneDrive errors and crafting legal clauses. - Highlighted a Transloose AI study exposing ChatGPT’s fabrication of data (e.g., fake prime numbers) and false claims about processing. 8. Mobile OS Updates: - iOS 18.4.1 patched a zero-day audio stream exploit targeting high-profile users. - Android introduced auto-reboot after 3 days to thwart data extraction, following iOS’s lead. 9. Upcoming Events: - ColorCloud (Hamburg, April 24-25), DynamicsCon (Chicago, May 13-16), Dynamics Minds (Slovenia, May 26-28), Summit NA (Orlando, October 20-23, featuring BC Bash). - Summit NA Road Shows: Toronto (April 29), Minneapolis (May 1), Columbus, Chicago, Philadelphia (June). 10. DevOps Progress: - Franklin in El Salvador submitted his first DevOps pull request for a PTE, overcoming permission and credential issues. 11. El Salvador Trip: - Traveling with family and Tanya Henderson to Berlin, El Salvador, to visit the ERP Center of Excellence office. - Meeting four full-time interns, E4CC English scholarship recipients, and assessing ISV apps. 12. AppSource App Evaluation: - Guided a prospect on evaluating Big Commerce integrations on AppSource, cautioning against G2 ratings and hand-numbered app versions.

Show Notes: Episode 164 - I Need Coffee (may 2, 2025) 1. Cultural Immersion and Travel Experiences: - Steve’s vivid descriptions of El Salvador’s culture (greetings, food, local challenges) highlight the importance of understanding and adapting to local customs when traveling or operating abroad. 2. Personal Resilience and Preparedness: - Stories like the phone loss and having a backup phone underscore Steve’s emphasis on preparedness and adaptability in handling unexpected challenges. 3. Technical Challenges in Software Development: - Issues with APIs, pipeline dependencies, artifact management, and code typos reflect the complexities of modern software development, particularly in Business Central and ISV integrations, as discussed by Steve. 4. Second-Order Thinking: - Steve’s rant on second-order thinking emphasizes the need for deeper, strategic consideration of decisions’ long-term impacts, applicable to both technical and business contexts. 5. Community Engagement and Networking: - Steve’s references to upcoming conferences and community events highlight the importance of professional networking and knowledge-sharing in the tech industry. 6. Operational Challenges in El Salvador: - Renovation issues, trash management, and noise from rain illustrate the practical challenges Steve faces in setting up and running an office in a developing country, requiring creative problem-solving. 7. Team Development and Skill-Building: - Steve’s focus on team members’ training (PowerBI, BC scripting, expense management) underscores the importance of continuous learning and skill development in a competitive tech environment. 8. Customer Resistance to Technology Adoption: - Steve’s discussion of the struggle with ISV adoption reflects broader challenges in convincing clients to invest in specialized solutions, highlighting the need for effective communication and simplified offerings. 9. Technology Tools and Efficiency: - Steve’s endorsements of tools like Perplexity Pro and Code Spell Checker emphasize the role of technology in improving productivity and reducing errors in professional workflows. 10. Grief and Community Loss: - Steve’s mention of Tim’s passing highlights the emotional impact of losing a community member and the importance of acknowledging such losses within professional and expat communities.

Show Notes: Episode 162 of "I Need Coffee" - Weekly BC Review 1. Steve Introduction: Tanya Henderson joins the livestream, adding insights and energy to the episode. 2. Vegas Conference Recap: - Attended Directions NA 2025 in Las Vegas with 1,300 accounting and software professionals. - Stayed at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (formerly Hard Rock Hotel), noting its quirky design and high rates. - Dined at Hofbräuhaus and Batista’s Hole-in-the-Wall, a historic Vegas restaurant with unique character. 3. Parenting Adventures: - Managed a busy weekend, organizing a beach bonfire for daughter’s group and delivering a boba bar for high school prom. 4. Conference Highlights: - Microsoft’s Mike Morton announced 45,000 Business Central online customers, signaling significant growth. - Heavy emphasis on AI and Copilot in Business Central, with skepticism about its immediate customer value. - AJ Kaufman’s session critiqued BC web hooks, advocating for Business Events due to fewer limitations. - Eric Hogar live-coded an AI app for formatting international addresses, showcasing multi-engine compatibility. - Freddy’s DevOps session recommended ALGO with GitHub or Cosmo Alpaca for streamlined development. 5. Presentations Delivered: - “Provide Impressive Customer Support with BC Admin Center API”: Introduced a BC Admin Dashboard to enhance support efficiency. - “Avoiding a $1 Million Lawsuit”: Highlighted litigation risks for BC partners with strategies to avoid lawsuits. 6. Business Central Community Insights: - Shannon Mullen emphasized collaboration over competition among BC partners, given the vast market opportunity. - Expressed concerns about Power Platform’s reliability, citing potential seven-day downtimes. 7. Third-Party API Challenges: - Discussed unpredictability of third-party APIs in BC integrations, suggesting explicit disclaimers in statements of work. 8. Upcoming Events: - ColorCloud (Hamburg, April 24-25), DynamicsCon (Chicago, May 13-16), Dynamics Minds (Slovenia, May 26-28), Summit NA (Orlando, October 20-23). 9. Operational Updates: - Expanding Spanish-speaking BC support in El Salvador for Latin American markets. - Ordered custom coffee from El Salvador for DynamicsCon giveaways. - Upgrading electrical systems in El Salvador office for improved functionality. 10. Technical Issues: - Ted identified missing AppSource versions in 26 countries, causing upgrade issues; Microsoft is investigating. 11. Closing Thoughts: - Critiqued sloppy AI-generated images in presentations, urging higher quality standards. Call to Action: Register for upcoming BC events, dive into Business Central, and engage with the community!

Show Notes: Episode 161 of "I Need Coffee" - Weekly BC Review 1. Personal Updates: - Host is recovering from a cold, managing with water due to a failed coffee attempt. - Watched "The Bondsmen" on Amazon Prime, enjoying Kevin Bacon’s performance in a light, silly show. - Performed grill maintenance, replacing Weber flavor bars for veggie grilling. - Watched "Malcolm in the Middle" and "The Residence" on Netflix, praising the cast, including Uzo Aduba and Giancarlo Esposito. 2. Community Engagement: - Encourages listeners to share projects, Business Central features, customizations, or interesting blogs they’re working on or reading. - Curious about obscure or unique projects in the community. 3. Professional Updates: - Cosmo Alpaca Issue: Resolved a VS Code authentication issue causing permission errors with Cosmo Alpaca, requiring a settings profile reset. - Business Central Report Layouts: Discussed challenges with Dynamics GP to Business Central migrations, particularly mapping GP-specific fields (e.g., reprint flags, order types) to BC, requiring implementation pauses for clarification. - Power Automate and Azure Key Vault: Noted a 3–5 day delay for permissions to propagate in Power Automate when using Azure Key Vault, necessitating documentation to warn customers. - Passkey Authentication: Adopted passkeys via RoboForm password manager, praising its seamless, portable implementation across devices. - NFC Authentication: Impressed by NFC-based bank app authentication using a credit card on an iPhone, enabling Face ID setup. - Business Central Admin Dashboard: Junior developer Franklin in El Salvador is building a BC Admin Dashboard to display admin center data (e.g., environment status, storage, upgrade dates) within Business Central for improved customer support. 4. Upcoming Events: - Presenting at Directions NA (April 7–9, 2025, Las Vegas) on avoiding lawsuits through better project management and using the BC Admin Center API for customer service. - Other events: ColorCloud (April 24–25, Hamburg), DynamicsCon (May 13–16, Chicago), Dynamics Minds (May 26–28, Slovenia). 5. Project Management Insights: - Session on avoiding lawsuits emphasizes declining risky sales opportunities, unrealistic customer requests, or projects lacking sufficient skills/staff. - Importance of saying “no” to focus resources, declining on-prem BC/NAV projects, and potentially firing problematic customers to reduce risk. 6. Workshop Observations: - Admires highly organized workshops (e.g., Porsche garage in Germany, Rocket Lab in New Zealand) for their meticulous tool management and cleanliness, aspiring to apply similar discipline to ERP projects. 7. Tech Issues: - Reported Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon keyboard failures in El Salvador due to high heat and humidity in a coffee roastery and beach environment. Ordered a replacement keyboard and a hygrometer to monitor conditions. 8. Travel Coffee Setup: - Planned a coffee setup for El Salvador office: Kin Grinder K6 ($99), Hario V60 pourover, and Aeropress Go with a steel travel mug for pour-over brewing. Aims to leave equipment at the office for convenience. 9. Closing: - Plans to rest, recover, and finalize a presentation for Directions NA. - Encourages listeners to share weekend plans, learn Business Central, and attend Las Vegas event.

Show Notes: Episode 160 of "I Need Coffee" - Weekly BC Review 1. Technology Challenges and Frustrations: - Persistent issues with Microsoft product sync delays (e.g., Azure Key Vault, Power Automate, Business Central email notifications), highlighting unreliable internal system integration. - On-premise system struggles, including consultants’ lack of basic SQL Server knowledge and misdiagnosed issues, underscoring the complexities of maintaining legacy systems. - Docker environment problems caused by IPv6 DNS settings, emphasizing the need for deep technical knowledge to troubleshoot modern development stacks. 2. Importance of Detailed Application Logging: - Critical role of meticulous logging in defending against false accusations and diagnosing issues, as demonstrated by resolving an ISV app blame scenario. - Proposal for a $1,000 award to encourage innovative logging solutions, reflecting the value placed on robust logging for application reliability. 3. Learning and Skill Development: - Team’s rapid progress in mastering PowerBI, BC Admin API, and ACH file formats, showcasing a commitment to building expertise within the ERP Center of Excellence. - Emphasis on fundamental troubleshooting skills, contrasted with the lack of such skills in on-prem consulting, highlighting the need for continuous learning in IT. 4. Cost Optimization and Efficiency: - Cancellation of unnecessary subscriptions (Zoom, Pact, training, web hosting) to save ~$400/year, reflecting a proactive approach to financial efficiency. - Use of cost-effective tools like Notepad++ with plugins as alternatives to expensive software like UltraEdit, balancing functionality with budget constraints. 5. Work-Life Balance and Personal Enjoyment: - Balancing professional demands with personal activities like smoking ribs for neighbors, beach trips with family, and re-watching Rick and Morty to unwind. - Emphasis on enjoying life outside work, reinforced by weekend recaps and encouragement to the audience to “go do something fun.” 6. Community Engagement and Knowledge Sharing: - Upcoming participation in industry events (Directions NA, DynamicsCon, etc.) to connect with the ERP community and share expertise. - Call for audience Q&A and sharing of Business Central experiences, fostering a collaborative learning environment. 7. Microsoft Ecosystem Concerns: - Criticism of Microsoft’s consumer-facing practices, such as Windows 11 spam emails and Teams’ security issues, raising concerns about the company’s direction and its impact on professional users. 8. Transition to Modern Development Practices: - Acknowledgment of Microsoft’s deprecation of BC Container Helper by 2027, signaling a shift toward new tools like ALGO for GitHub, and the need to adapt to evolving development environments.

Show Notes: Episode 158 of "I Need Coffee" - Weekly BC Review 1. Technical Challenges and Solutions: - Struggles with audio issues due to faulty studio monitors and Microsoft Teams updates causing security alerts. - Encountered and resolved a glitch in Business Central (BC) admin center and issues with incorrect MICR fonts in check formats. - Highlighted the complexities of BC Web API (e.g., PATCH operations, bound actions) and the need for thorough testing due to inconsistent functionality. 2. Professional Development and Learning: - Emphasis on continuous learning at the ERP Center of Excellence, focusing on billable hours, utilization, and intensive training (e.g., Joselyn reducing check format time from 8 hours to 1.5 hours). - Team in El Salvador expanding skills, including website creation with Namecheap and Power Automate for automation. - Exploration of BC admin API for Sentinel rules and telemetry sessions for DynamicsCon. 3. Business Central Updates and Processes: - Business Central version 25.5 dedicated to 58 hot fixes with no new features, prioritizing bug fixes and refactoring. - Deep dive into ACH and Positive Pay configurations, noting non-standard bank file formats as a challenge. - Development of standardized processes, like a check request form to streamline customer interactions. 4. Community and Social Impact: - Building an English Academy in El Salvador to support students transitioning to call center jobs, including sponsorship of English scholarships. - Creating a community-focused website to promote the program, teaching team members new technical skills (e.g., domain registration, website building). 5. Consumer Technology and Cybersecurity: - Painful experience setting up a new iPhone from scratch, losing app data (e.g., WhatsApp, Authenticator), contrasted with the seamless eSIM transfer process. - Discussion of cybersecurity trends, including Google’s $12M bug bounties, X’s DDoS attack, and phishing scams with suspicious SMS job offers. - Highlighted Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast insights on malware persistence and malvertising campaigns. 6. Evolution of Information Access: - Questioned the relevance of traditional web search due to ad-heavy, noisy results, advocating for LLMs like Grok for quick, ad-free answers. - Referenced Techno Tim’s shift away from Google to LLMs, aligning with personal experiences of using Grok for practical queries (e.g., recipes). 7. Cost-Saving Strategies and Consumer Behavior: - Introduced “color arbitrage” as a strategy to exploit pricing differences based on product color (e.g., buying blue Bose headphones to save $80). - Critiqued luxury pricing at stores like Hermès (e.g., $10,000 pouch) and reflected on being out of place in affluent settings. 8. Logistics and Systemic Inefficiencies: - Shared a frustrating experience with a package (iPhone) transiting the US multiple times due to shipping errors, highlighting logistics inefficiencies. - Discussed US check usage persisting due to financial incentives like float, drawing parallels to slow adoption of digital payments. 9. Conference and Networking Preparations: - Detailed involvement in upcoming conferences (Directions NA, DynamicsCon), including session planning (telemetry, AI tools) and logistical challenges (e.g., expensive Las Vegas hotel rates). - Encouraged attendance at local events like Summit NA Roadshows for professional growth.

Show Notes: Episode 159 of "I Need Coffee" - Weekly BC Review 1. Weekend Recap: Cherry Blossoms and Chicago Play - Trip to San Diego to see cherry blossoms with wife, involving a long drive and crowded Balboa Park. - Evening outing to see the play "Chicago" at a local performing arts center, highly enjoyable. 2. New Hobbies: Card Tricks and Metal Detecting - Received "Card College Volume 1" to learn card tricks and sleight of hand, a childhood interest requiring significant practice. - Purchased a surprisingly effective $50 metal detector from Amazon, fascinated by its eddy current technology. 3. Life Lessons from a Memorial Service - Attended a friend’s memorial, prompting reflection on life’s brevity and a new goal to enjoy it daily. 4. Tech Upgrades and Coffee Adventures - Upgraded to Sennheiser IE 100 earphones after old headset failed; found them adequate but not exceptional. - Learning to use a new Gaggia E24 espresso machine, more challenging than consumer-grade models but rewarding. 5. Business Central Performance Testing - Used BC Client Performance Profiler to analyze app performance, benchmarking against Dynamics GP (23-25 transactions/minute). - Results showed no major bottlenecks, with enhancements improving efficiency. 6. Directions NA Presentations - Two accepted sessions: - "Avoiding a $1 Million Lawsuit" (partner-focused, addressing litigation risks and mitigation). - "Impressive Customer Support Using BC Admin Center API" (proactive tenant management tools). 7. Google’s $32 Billion Whiz Acquisition - Discussed Google’s acquisition of Whiz, a cloud security provider, for $32 billion—its largest ever. - Noted Whiz’s obscurity despite rapid growth and focus on Google Cloud security. 8. Family Moments and API Struggles - Made steak and egg breakfast sandwiches for daughters; enjoyed a convertible ride with daughter in LA. - Ongoing challenges integrating a third-party SaaS API with Business Central, citing documentation and sandbox issues. 9. Vibe Coding Pitfalls - Critiqued "vibe coding" (AI-assisted coding without fundamentals), citing examples of technical debt and security risks (e.g., Firebase $121K bill). 10. Fiestas Patronales de Berlin - Learned about a week-long festival in Berlin, El Salvador, celebrating the patron saint with concerts and fireworks. 11. Positive Pay File Solutions - Resolved a bank’s positive pay file issue (IS/CN codes) using Business Central’s record type code, thanks to team member Alyssa. 12. New Laptop and PCI DSS Updates - Bought a $299 eBay laptop (Gen 7/8, 16GB, i7) for daughter’s schoolwork. - Noted new PCI DSS requirements (effective April 1, 2025) for e-commerce script monitoring to prevent skimmer attacks. 13. Upcoming Events - Directions NA (April 7, Las Vegas), ColorCloud (April 24-25, Hamburg), DynamicsCon (May 13-16, Chicago), DynamicsMinds (May 26-28, Slovenia). - Summit NA Road Shows in various cities (April-June). 14. Microsoft Teams Personal Nightmare - Frustrated by Teams Personal update prompting Skype migration, causing login issues and PowerShell script alerts. 15. Team Excellence Updates - Joselyn learning PowerBI for detailed financial reports; David mastering positive pay exports; Ronald and Franklin advancing BC Admin API projects.

Wake up and smell the coffee with Steve on a chilly March morning full of Business Central learning and ERP antics! Show Notes 1. Twitch Platform Experience * Positive feedback on Twitch’s video/audio quality and streaming capabilities * Host enjoys using it as both a user and streamer 2. Coffee Talk * Host drinks Cafe Negro Togo from Good Beans El Salvador * Mentions a variety of coffee mugs at home, including a 20-year-old one * Discussion on decaf coffee experiences (good and bad) 3. Weekend Hiking * Host went hiking with wife in Orange County, ~5.5 miles, exhausting but enjoyable * Playfully suggests sofa testing as a preferable hobby 4. Tribute to Friend Mike * Friend Mike passed away from a heart attack * Introduced host to coffee passion, attended a coffee class together * Considering an internship program in El Salvador’s coffee industry in his honor 5. Weekly Work Updates * Managing US and Berlin teams, conference season prep, reporting extensions * Issue with integration app: registration validation error * Telemetry showed slow Azure function performance, still investigating 6. Franklin’s Progress * Completed first report extension and pull request * Submitted first Sentinel rule to GitHub for GL posting date validation 7. Tech Purchase and Setup * Bought a Lenovo ThinkCenter tiny PC on eBay for $99 * Came with a 512 GB SSD despite listing, set up as Pi-hole server with Ubuntu * Struggles with configuring static IP in Ubuntu due to YAML file complexities 8. Rant on Open Source Software * Criticizes reliance on unmaintained libraries (e.g., Passlib, last updated 2020) * Highlights security risks and dependency issues (e.g., Log4Shell) 9. Upcoming Events * Directions NA (April 7-9, Las Vegas), Color Cloud (April 24-25, Hamburg) * DynamicsCon (May 13-16, Chicago), Dynamics Minds (May 26, Slovenia) * Summit NA Roadshows (April-June, various US cities) 10. Cybersecurity Webinar * Attended Black Hills Information Security session on Wi-Fi Forge tool * Tool simulates Wi-Fi networks for offline pen testing practice 11. Power Platform Admin Center * Discovered to manage Power Automate flows, shared a flow with himself * Criticizes its poor interface and usability 12. Berlin Office Update * New electrical panel and air conditioning installed in El Salvador office * Aims to improve comfort and laptop longevity 13. Q&A and YouTube Recommendation * Recommends M539 Restorations channel for BMW restoration content * Reflects on personal interest in 8 Series BMWs from youth

Raise your mug and take a sip of fresh brew with Steve as he wraps up a busy February of Business Central consulting and development Show Notes: Video Transcript Summary (March 04, 2025) Topics Discussed: 1. Intro & Audio Check 2. Weekly Recap 3. Family Adventures 4. The "Geekend" 5. Tech Updates 6. Work Projects 7. Business Central Insights 8. Cybersecurity & News 9. Upcoming Events 10. Team Dynamics 11. Quantum Computing Tease Q&A Wrap-Up: Closing:

Brew a cup of your best coffee and ease into the weekend with Steve as he shares his busy week of Business Central learning

Join Steve as he nurses a latte and a new cold, and shares his recent trip to El Salvador and current BC happenings

Grind. Brew. Pour. Then sip that delicious coffee and join Steve as he wraps up the last week of Business Central excitement in January 2025!

Drink some coffee with Steve as he tries to figure out where the entire week went, and his Business Central learning adventures!

Join Steve as he sips a juicy cup of Salvadoran PACA Honey roast and recounts a funtastic week of Business Central learning!