Master Data Synchronization Across Companies
Wow! You know, I’ve been asked how we can accomplish this in the past. Even having to create a tool to make this possible. And now, it’s built-in after Business Central 2023 Wave 1 (Version 22) out of the box. This may not be for every organization but it is certainly helpful for those who has to maintain multiple companies.
A few things to note, I would suggest to use this functionality on production companies. I would not recommend using this just to maintain your test company. I am not aware of implications of performance when it synchronizes master data.
So let’s start how you can set this up within Business Central. Before we start, make sure you identify which company is your source and which company or companies you are synchronizing your master data to. In my example, I have “Another Company” in my Business Central environment that is empty. No setups or data. And I am going to use the Master Data Management tool to do the work for me, rather than have to use configuration packages.
Now go ahead and navigate to Data Management Setup by searching for it via Tell Me More.
Business Central 2023 Wave 1 - Master Data Management Setup
As I noted above, identify your source company and enable the synchronization. It will provide you a pop up message of what you can do after enabling the Data Management synchronization.
Business Central 2023 Wave 1 - Data Management Setup
The next thing I need to do now is review the Synchronization Tables. This allows you to choose which tables you want to synchronize. You may not want to synchronize all the tables, just specific ones. Please note that it will set default tables.
Let’s review some of the action bar and columns. One of the things we will look into is the Fields that I want to synchronize. Notice the columns as well.
Status: Identifies if the table is enabled for synchronization
Table: The table that you are synchronizing
Overwrite Local Change: Specifies if you want to overwrite the Local changes since your last synchronization
Synchronize Changes Since: Modified On
Table Filter: Specify integration table which records can be synchronized
Business Central 2023 Wave 1 - Master Data Management Synchronization Tables
In our example, I will use the Customer table to synchronize across companies. I want to specify fields as well as specific record. In my example below, I don’t need to synchronize Territory Code, so I will disable this.
Business Central 2023 Wave 1 - Data Management Setup: Synchronization Fields
Next, I will need to specify what customers I want to only synchronize. Navigate Back to the Integration Table and click on the Table Filter.
Business Central 2023 Wave 1 - Data Management Setup: Table Filter
I would like to filter out and not synchronize over customers who are blocked and click OK.
Business Central 2023 Wave 1 - Data Management Setup: Table Filter Page
Once you have your fields and filters set, you are now ready to synchronize data. There are two options: If it is your first time synchronizing, I would suggest you perform the “Run Full Synchronization” to ensure that all other tables are being synchronized. The second option is to “Synchronize Modified Records” if you are just adjusting the integration tables or modified records.
In my case, I will go ahead and Run Full Synchronization. The synchronization creates multiple Job Queue Entries. Depending on how much data you are synchronizing, it can take some time. At this point, you are set! I suggest you confirm those records as you are synchronizing data.
Business Central 2023 Wave 1 - Data Management Setup: Run Full Synchronization
