What it means for your business and how to stay ready for every update
If your organization runs Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, you’re likely already working within Microsoft’s managed update model known as One Version. This model defines how and when updates are delivered and ensures all F&O customers stay current with Microsoft’s latest features and security improvements.
This article focuses specifically on the One Version update lifecycle for Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. While Dynamics 365 Business Central follows a different update process, we will briefly outline its cadence for comparison — particularly as both platforms require disciplined testing strategies to stay ahead of change.
What Is the One Version Model?
Microsoft’s One Version model is a unified release approach designed to keep all Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations apps running on the latest version of the product.
Instead of delivering large version upgrades every few years, Microsoft now pushes regular quarterly service updates and twice-yearly feature updates that all customers must adopt. It is a shift to a cloud-first model where software evolves continuously, not in large jumps.
The goal is to keep every customer current, secure, and able to take advantage of the latest capabilities without major disruption.
How the One Version Update Schedule Works in Finance and Operations
Microsoft follows a predictable quarterly update schedule for Finance and Operations, helping organizations stay aligned with the latest features, performance improvements, and security enhancements.
Quarterly Releases: Updates are delivered in February, April, July, and October.
Update Requirements: Customers must take at least two updates per year and may pause one update at a time.
Each service update includes performance improvements, bug fixes, and new features that help your system stay secure, compliant, and aligned with Microsoft’s evolving roadmap.
Flexible Auto-Update Windows: Each release offers two auto-update windows, spaced four weeks apart. If no action is taken, Microsoft will apply the update automatically.
Organizations are strongly encouraged to validate updates in sandbox environments early using realistic data and real-world processes. This is the most effective way to identify and resolve issues before they affect your production systems.
Microsoft’s Targeted Release Schedule for Finance and Operations in 2025 and 2026. Dates subject to change. Photo source: Microsoft
What About Proactive Quality Updates?
As part of the One Version approach, Microsoft also releases Proactive Quality Updates, or PQUs. These monthly updates are automatically applied to all Dynamics 365 applications and are a required part of the platform’s lifecycle.
Unlike other updates, PQUs cannot be delayed or opted out of. Every organization using Dynamics 365 is automatically enrolled and receives these updates according to Microsoft’s published schedule.
To give teams time to prepare, Microsoft provides early access to each PQU in sandbox environments roughly one week before it is applied to production. This allows customers to run targeted tests and confirm that key processes still perform as expected.
While PQUs typically contain small fixes and stability improvements rather than new features, they can still affect workflows or integrations. Proactive testing remains important to avoid disruption.
Although not part of the One Version model, Dynamics 365 Business Central also follows a consistent update pattern that requires attention and preparation.
Wave Releases: Microsoft delivers two major updates per year, known as Wave 1 (April) and Wave 2 (October). These include significant functional, performance, and platform enhancements.
Monthly Updates: Between waves, monthly cumulative updates provide minor improvements, bug fixes, and regulatory changes.
Testing & Release Strategy: Customers are encouraged to deploy wave updates to sandbox environments immediately, then pause production updates for up to 60 days. This allows time to test for compatibility issues, especially with ISV solutions or customizations.
Even though Business Central is not governed by One Version, the need for proactive testing and planning remains just as critical.
Why Should I Test or Care About This?
Each update may introduce:
Changes to platform behavior
New features that interact with existing customizations
Modified APIs, integrations, or business logic
Even if a change seems small, a failed posting, missed approval, or integration error can lead to serious business disruption.
Without testing, you risk:
Financial discrepancies in reporting
Delayed shipments or purchases
User confusion and escalated support tickets
Broken integrations with upstream or downstream systems
The bottom line is this: you cannot afford to skip testing, even for updates labeled as minor.
How Can I Stay Ahead and Ensure a Smooth Update Process?
Smart teams follow a simple formula:
Know the release schedule Monitor Microsoft’s targeted release calendar.
Test early in sandbox Use realistic test data and simulate key business flows.
Automate what you can Manual testing is repetitive time-consuming and difficult to scale.
Stay informed and evolve your test library As your business changes, so should your tests.
In a One Version world, automated testing is no longer optional. It is the only sustainable way to reduce risk, move quickly, and keep your systems stable.
Automated testing helps organizations:
Reduce the risk of defects by validating changes before they reach production
Shorten testing cycles from weeks to hours, making it possible to test every update thoroughly
Increase confidence in each release by consistently verifying that business-critical processes still work as expected
Lower the risk of downtime or disruption, even during back-to-back update cycles
At TheTestMart, we have built our testing platform specifically for Microsoft Dynamics 365 environments, including both Finance and Operations and Business Central. We help organizations move fast without breaking things by delivering:
A prebuilt test library across core modules like Finance, Supply Chain, and Warehouse Management
Test maintenance with every Microsoft update so your tests do not break when the platform changes
A no-code builder so analysts, not developers, can manage testing
Auto-generated documentation to support audit and training efforts
TheTestMart supports both the One Version update model for Finance and Operations and the wave-based release cycle of Business Central — with tailored testing strategies for each.
Highlights from the newest Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2025 Release Wave 1 Update
Microsoft has officially rolled out Update 26.2 for Dynamics 365 Business Central, part of the 2025 Release Wave 1. This is a minor update following the major platform and application improvements introduced in April with Version 26.0. Update 26.2 is available as of June 2025 and includes key platform stability, performance, and compliance enhancements to keep environments secure and current.
At TheTestMart, we’re closely tracking each update cycle to help teams validate, test, and deploy changes with confidence. Here’s what you need to know about this latest release.
Update 26.2: What’s Included
According to Microsoft’s official release notes, this update contains:
Application Build: 26.2.34832
Platform Build: 26.0.34736
While no major new features were introduced, this release continues Microsoft’s emphasis on incremental improvement. You’ll find updates focused on:
Minor bug fixes across finance, warehouse, and configuration
Localization improvements for regulatory compliance
Performance optimizations in batch processing and page loading
These refinements are essential for maintaining reliability between major update waves.
Understanding the Business Central Release Cadence
Microsoft delivers two major Business Central updates per year, typically in April and October. These major updates introduce new features, architecture improvements, and usability upgrades. Each major update is followed by monthly minor updates like 26.1 and 26.2, which deliver bug fixes and optimizations without introducing breaking changes.
Recent Business Central update schedule showing application and platform builds for Release Wave 1 in 2025, including Update 26.2 released in June.
Why These “Minor” Updates Still Deserve Testing Attention
Even when no new features are introduced, minor updates can still affect core business processes. That’s why TheTestMart recommends validating every release—especially in areas like:
Workflows across finance, supply chain, or sales
Role-based permissions and user training
While preview environments are only provided for major updates, organizations can still use sandbox environments to test the impact of monthly updates like 26.2. This is especially important for customers with custom extensions or integrations.
You can manage your update timing and configuration settings in the Business Central Admin Center, where Microsoft provides controls for update deferral, scheduling, and environment setup.
TheTestMart Can Help
Whether you’re preparing for a minor patch or a full-wave upgrade, TheTestMart helps teams ensure updates don’t introduce risk. Our no-code platform automates validation and testing across Dynamics 365 environments, helping you catch issues before they impact users.
Want to talk about how we can simplify your update cycles? Contact us here to set up a quick call.
A guide for manufacturers, distributors, and ERP-driven teams running on D365
Implementing or upgrading Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a major undertaking. Whether you are a food distributor managing inventory and compliance or a manufacturer coordinating production across sites.
But no matter how much you invest in licenses, consultants, or change management, one overlooked element continues to derail go-lives and slow down digital transformation. Testing.
At TheTestMart, we have worked with dozens of teams across industries like manufacturing, logistics, and retail who struggled with quality assurance during D365 projects. Many made the same avoidable mistakes.
If your organization is using Dynamics 365 Finance, Supply Chain, or Business Central, here are the top 10 ERP testing mistakes to avoid.
1. Treating Testing as a Final Phase Instead of an Ongoing Process
ERP testing should not start three weeks before go-live. In D365, where features are updated continuously and environments are often deployed iteratively, testing needs to begin early and run in parallel with development.
Manual testing is not just time-consuming. It is unsustainable in a cloud-based environment. Dynamics 365 updates frequently, and without automation, your QA team cannot keep up with regression testing.
Impact: We have seen clients reduce test cycle time by up to 90 percent by automating core workflows.
3. Failing to Test Real-World Business Scenarios
Testing isolated modules like Accounts Payable or Sales Orders is not enough. You need full end-to-end tests for workflows like Order to Cash, Procure to Pay, or Pick Pack Ship. Especially when those workflows span multiple modules in D365.
D365 Example: Sales Order flows from D365 Commerce through to Finance and Operations. Test the entire chain, not just the forms.
4. Ignoring Integration Testing Across Systems
Most D365 deployments are not isolated. You have likely got integrations with WMS, CRM, EDI, Power Platform, or legacy systems. Not validating these connections leads to data sync issues and post-launch chaos.
Risk: A broken pricing sync or inventory integration can grind your operations to a halt.
5. Not Involving Business Users in the Testing Process
Your QA team can validate forms. But business users know what a successful workflow looks like in their department. Involving them helps catch misconfigurations and ensures usability.
Solution: TheTestMart makes it easy for business users to participate in testing. No code required.
6. Underestimating the Impact of Microsoft Updates
Microsoft pushes regular platform and service updates across D365. Without proactive regression testing, even minor changes can break customizations, workflows, or reporting logic.
Real-world example: One client’s invoice automation failed after a platform update because the updated field mapping was not caught.
7. Neglecting Data Quality in Test Environments
Testing with outdated or unrealistic data sets leads to false positives. D365 data structures are complex including ledger setups, inventory dimensions, and tax rules. They must reflect real business scenarios to test effectively.
Tip: Refresh test environments regularly and validate data inputs before running automated tests.
8. No Centralized Test Management or Documentation
Scattered Excel sheets and tribal knowledge slow everything down. Without a centralized, version-controlled test library, D365 testing becomes inconsistent and hard to scale.
Fix: Centralize your test library in a platform like TheTestMart that supports documentation, versioning, and collaboration.
9. Skipping Performance and Load Testing
D365 environments especially those supporting high-transaction volumes like retail or distribution can become unstable under load. Skipping performance testing means risking slow response times during peak operations.
Scenarios to test: Large order uploads, warehouse allocations, month-end financial posting.
10. Lacking an Automation Strategy Built for D365
Generic test automation tools often fail with D365’s UI complexity, security roles, and frequent updates. You need an ERP-specific platform that understands Dynamics objects and can evolve with Microsoft’s roadmap.
TheTestMart is purpose-built for automated Dynamics 365 testing. Fast to deploy, easy to scale, and used by manufacturers, distributors, and logistics leaders.
Final Thoughts
ERP testing is not just a technical step. It is a critical part of business readiness that directly impacts operations, compliance, and user confidence.
Avoiding these common mistakes leads to faster deployments, fewer disruptions, and a more resilient Dynamics 365 environment. Strong testing supports every department that relies on your system to function.
If your organization is working in Dynamics 365 and struggling to keep up with testing demands, TheTestMart provides automated solutions built for real-world ERP complexity. We help you reduce risk and move faster without compromising quality.
Have questions or want to explore a tailored solution? Contact TheTestMart and talk with our team.
If you are working with Microsoft Dynamics 365, you have probably asked yourself this question or heard it raised in planning meetings. Testing is always part of the process, but identifying when automated testing should become a core strategy is not always straightforward.
The Dynamics 365 environment is built around constant change. New features are released in public preview, platform upgrades are scheduled regularly, and monthly quality updates introduce improvements that require validation. For many teams, the challenge is not deciding whether automation will help, but recognizing the point at which waiting becomes the riskier path forward.
A Constant Stream of Change
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is designed for continuous evolution. Updates arrive on a fixed schedule, bringing feature enhancements, bug fixes, and performance improvements. These are valuable, but they also require organizations to consistently validate customizations, integrations, and business-critical workflows.
Over time, the burden of testing every change manually becomes unsustainable. It is not just about confirming if something works in isolation. It is about ensuring it continues to work in combination with everything else already in place.
This is where automated testing becomes essential. At TheTestMart, we have seen teams succeed when they shift from a reactive approach to one that builds automation into their delivery rhythm.
The Early Signs It Is Time to Start
Most teams do not wait until testing breaks entirely. The shift tends to happen gradually. A regression bug surfaces late in the cycle. A last-minute fix pushes a deployment. QA capacity starts to feel thin with every new release. These are not failures, but they are signals.
Teams that respond to those signals early can start small. They focus on workflows that are high risk or frequently touched. Over time, they build a foundation that scales as the product matures.
TheTestMart has profiled organizations that did just that. By identifying repeatable test cases and introducing automation early, they gained efficiency without disrupting their delivery cadence.
Automated Testing Is Not a Project. It Is a Foundation.
There is often a misconception that automated testing must be fully scoped and deployed all at once. In practice, the most successful implementations begin incrementally. Teams may start by automating login processes, pricing rules, or approval paths, and then expand as the value becomes clearer.
The benefits show up quickly. Test time is reduced. Defects are caught earlier. Confidence increases across development and QA.
Automated testing becomes more than a tool. It becomes the way a team keeps pace with a platform that does not slow down.
Manual Testing Still Matters
As much as automation improves efficiency, manual testing continues to play a critical role in a complete quality strategy. There are scenarios where human input is essential. Exploratory testing, usability reviews, and domain-specific edge cases all benefit from the intuition and perspective of experienced testers.
The goal is not to eliminate manual testing. It is to make sure that manual effort is spent where it matters most. When automation covers the repetitive and the routine, manual testing becomes more focused, strategic, and impactful.
A blended approach gives teams both scale and insight.
Ready to Start? Here Is Where to Focus
If your team is already discussing testing bottlenecks, stretching QA resources, or bracing for the next update, it may be time to take a closer look at where automation fits. But knowing where to begin can be just as important as the decision to start.
Teams that succeed in high-change environments like Dynamics 365 are not the ones who try to automate everything. They are the ones who start early, scale gradually, and invest in a process that grows with their platform.
Take the Next Step
If you are ready to explore what automated testing could look like for your team, get in touch with us or schedule a quick consultation. We are here to help you move from interest to action with a practical, tailored approach.
We are excited to announce a new partnership between TheTestMart and Cittros, a Microsoft-accredited consultancy specializing in solution architecture, delivery, and optimization for Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365 F&O).
Why Cittros?
Cittros is known for its ability to guide organizations through the full D365 F&O delivery lifecycle. From requirement definition and solution design to implementation, rollout, and ongoing enhancement, they support enterprise and mid-sized businesses across industries including manufacturing, retail, and professional services. Their focus is on creating ERP systems that align with how businesses actually operate, built for both today’s needs and tomorrow’s changes.
Their work results in scalable, maintainable platforms that are ready for continuous improvement and built with a strong foundation in governance and execution.
Dan Diefendorf, CEO of The TestMart, underscores the strategic value of this partnership:
“Partnering with Cittros means D365 F&O customers no longer have to choose between speed and quality—together, we’re delivering both.”
Where TheTestMart Fits In
TheTestMart does not implement D365 F&O. We ensure it is implemented correctly. Our platform helps delivery teams test faster, uncover issues earlier, and go live with more confidence.
Through our automated, no-code testing platform, we’ll be supporting Cittros projects by:
Reducing Testing Burden Customers can validate business-critical processes without placing the load on internal teams.
Keeping Pace with Microsoft’s Update Cadence Microsoft releases four updates for D365 F&O each year. While only two are mandatory, each update brings change. Our library of version-aligned automated tests helps teams stay ready without the last-minute scramble.
Minimizing Business Disruption By shifting testing from manual to automated, teams reduce release-week stress and avoid late-stage defects.
Accelerating ROI With faster and safer releases, customers benefit sooner from new functionality and more stable systems.
A Stronger Delivery Model for D365 F&O Teams
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping customers adopt and evolve D365 F&O with fewer roadblocks. By pairing Cittros’ delivery expertise with TheTestMart’s automated testing capabilities, clients gain an integrated approach to implementation and quality assurance.
Special thanks to Thomas Meede and Thomas Jensen of Cittros for their leadership and collaboration in bringing this partnership to life.
Together, we are enabling delivery teams to move faster without compromising on quality. As organizations continue to modernize and rely on D365 F&O, this partnership ensures that stability, scalability, and confidence are built into every stage of the ERP lifecycle.
Automated testing is becoming essential for businesses using Microsoft Dynamics 365. But with growing interest comes a lot of misinformation. Misconceptions about cost, complexity, and who can use it often hold teams back from realizing the true value of test automation.
In this blog post, we address nine common myths about automated testing and explain what the reality looks like for modern ERP environments like Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Myth 1: Automated Testing Costs Too Much
Reality: While there is an upfront investment, the long-term savings are significant. According to Forbes, IT downtime can cost as much as $9,000 dollars per minute. Avoiding even a single outage can quickly justify the cost of automation.
Automated testing helps teams catch issues early, reduce risk, and increase test coverage over time. The return on investment grows as more processes are automated and less time is spent pulling business users away from their roles to manually assist with testing efforts.
Myth 2: Automated Tests Do Not Require Maintenance
Reality: Test automation is not a one-time setup. As Dynamics 365 continues to evolve, your test scripts need to evolve with it.
TheTestMart handles platform-level changes by automatically updating your scripts after each Microsoft release. For your custom workflows, once they are scripted they will continue to be tested, but if those workflows change between releases the scripts will need to be updated so the automation reflects the new process accurately.
Myth 3: If You Automate Testing You Do Not Need Manual Testing
Reality: Automated and manual testing both have important roles to play. Automation is great for repetitive tasks and regression testing, while manual testing is essential for exploratory scenarios and usability evaluation.
A complete test strategy combines both approaches to ensure high-quality releases.
Myth 4: Automated Testing Is Only for Developers
Reality: You do not need to be a developer to use automated testing. Low-code and no-code platforms make it easy for business users, analysts, and QA professionals to contribute to testing without writing complex scripts.
Collaboration across technical and non-technical teams leads to more accurate and useful test coverage.
Myth 5: You Must Automate Everything From the Start
Reality: The best approach is to start small and scale gradually. Begin with repeatable and high-impact test cases like login flows or core financial processes.
Over time, expand your automation to cover more complex workflows, prioritizing areas with the highest business risk and return.
Myth 6: Only Large Enterprises Can Use Test Automation
Reality: Test automation is accessible to businesses of all sizes. Small and medium-sized teams can benefit just as much, especially when using no-code solutions that reduce the need for specialized staff.
By focusing on the right areas, even small teams can improve quality and efficiency while saving time.
Myth 7: Test Automation Is Too Rigid to Handle Change
Reality: With modern tools, automated testing is flexible and designed to keep pace with change. Updating test scripts is faster and more reliable than redoing manual test cycles.
Platforms like TheTestMart make it easy to adapt tests as your D365 environment grows and changes.
Myth 8: Manual Testing Is Good Enough for Dynamics 365
Reality: Monthly updates from Microsoft and the need for speed make manual testing alone insufficient. It is slow, prone to errors, and hard to scale.
Automated testing provides the most scalable and reliable way to maintain coverage and confidence in fast-moving ERP environments.
Myth 9: Automation Replaces the QA Team
Reality: Automation does not replace QA professionals. It frees them from repetitive tasks so they can focus on more strategic work like risk analysis and exploratory testing.
With automation in place, QA teams have more time and headspace to add real value throughout the testing lifecycle.
Final Thoughts
Getting the most out of automated testing starts with understanding what it is and what it is not. By moving past these nine myths, your team can build a smarter, more sustainable approach to testing in Dynamics 365.
Whether you are just getting started or expanding your test automation strategy, TheTestMart is here to help you reduce risk, boost efficiency, and scale with confidence.
Get in touch today to learn more about how TheTestMart can transform your Dynamics 365 testing and help you gain confidence in every release through smarter automation.
