New release model for Business Central
Microsoft changes the release model for Business Central
Microsoft is changing how businesses will be able to follow new features and updates for Dynamics 365 Business Central going forward.
On August 25, 2026, Microsoft announced that the existing release model with two annual Release Wave cycles for Dynamics 365 and Power Platform is being retired. This means there will be no traditional Dynamics 365 2026 Release Wave 2 with a consolidated list of new features and capabilities across the apps that make up the two platforms.
Instead, Microsoft will continuously publish new features and product improvements on the new AI at Work roadmap.
What is Microsoft AI at Work?
Microsoft AI at Work is primarily the name of Microsoft's new, unified roadmap for new features and product innovations – it is not a new product or a new AI system.
Microsoft uses the AI at Work roadmap to provide information about upcoming features, when they are expected to become available, and how they will be rolled out. The roadmap covers Microsoft's work-related products, including Microsoft 365, Copilot, AI agents, and now also Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Dataverse.
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New roadmap model
AI at Work does not mean that Business Central is getting a new AI version or becoming part of a new product called 'AI at Work'. Only the roadmap model is changing. |
What does this mean for Business Central?
For businesses using Business Central, the change primarily means that it will become more important to follow Microsoft's roadmap on an ongoing basis.
Previously, Release Wave 1 and Release Wave 2 were fixed points when Microsoft published plans for upcoming features in Business Central. Going forward, new features will be announced as they become ready to be added to the roadmap.
The new roadmap makes it possible to:
- Filter by Business Central and other relevant Microsoft products
- View upcoming features and their expected timelines
- Export roadmap data to CSV
- Subscribe to RSS updates
- Share a filtered roadmap view
At the same time, Microsoft Message Center will continue to be the place for tenant-specific notifications, while Microsoft Learn will remain the platform for documentation.
What does the change mean for your ERP Strategy?
The new model reflects Microsoft's faster pace of development, with new features for Business Central, Copilot, and AI being released continuously rather than grouped into two annual waves.
For Business Central customers, this means it is important to keep an eye on new capabilities and regularly assess how they can be used within the business.
At Active Business Solutions, we help businesses keep Business Central up to date and make the most of new features, integrations, and AI capabilities.
Would you like to know more about what Microsoft's new release model means for your Business Central solution. Contact us for an informal, no-obligation discussion.
How to prepare for the transition
The transition will take place over the coming months, and there are already a few simple steps you can take to be well prepared.
Explore the new AI at work roadmap
Spend a few minutes reviewing the AI at Work roadmap and setting filters for the products and cloud environments your organization uses. This makes it easier to focus on the updates and new features that are relevant to your business.
Subscribe to updates
See the AI at Work roadmap guide for more information about how to use RSS to follow filtered roadmap views. You can also continue to use Message Center to keep track of changes that are specific to your tenant.
Update your planning references
If your teams use links to release plans, bookmarks, or internal documentation about Microsoft's roadmap, you should start updating these references so that they point to the AI at Work roadmap.
Transition guidance will be available throughout the migration period.
Establish a regular review rhythm
Release Wave 1 (April) and Release Wave 2 (October) gave businesses a fixed point twice a year to gather relevant stakeholders and plan for the period ahead.
We therefore recommend establishing a recurring review – for example, monthly or quarterly, depending on how quickly your organization adopts new features and capabilities.
A regular review can be based on a saved filter in the AI at Work roadmap combined with an RSS subscription. This gives you an ongoing overview of relevant changes without relying on the previous twice-yearly release plans.
Frequently asked questions about the transition to the AI at Work roadmap
Will there be a Release Wave 2 announcement or release plan in September 2026?
No. Microsoft will no longer group new features and capabilities into a twice-yearly Release Wave announcement. Instead, new features will be published on the AI at Work roadmap as they become ready to be announced and committed to Microsoft's development plans.
Will all existing roadmap content from Dynamics 365 and Power Platform move to the AI at Work roadmap?
Roadmap content with a planned Public Preview or General Availability date of June 1, 2026 or later will transition to the AI at Work roadmap.
Content with earlier dates will remain available in the existing release plans on Microsoft Learn for historical reference.
What will happen to the release plans on Microsoft Learn?
Starting in September 2026, Microsoft will no longer publish new release plans on Microsoft Learn.
Existing release plans will remain available for historical reference. Microsoft Learn will continue to serve as Microsoft's platform for documentation and technical information.
Can I still export roadmap information?
Yes. You can continue to export roadmap information. The AI at Work roadmap allows you to export both complete and filtered roadmap views to CSV.
Organizations can also use the Release Communications MCP Server to integrate roadmap data into their own AI tools and workflows.
Will my saved views in My Release Plans carry over?
No. Personalized saved views will no longer be available when Release Planner is retired. There will also be no option to create personalized saved views on the AI at Work roadmap.
How can I see what has changed since I last visited the roadmap?
The AI at Work roadmap highlights new and updated features and capabilities, making it easier to keep track of changes and developments.
You can also use RSS and Message Center to receive notifications when changes occur.