A wave release is how Microsoft rolls new features into Business Central twice a year. This guide explains what a wave release is, how to see what is coming, and how to prepare your business so no update ever catches you off guard.
Every year, Business Central changes in two big steps. Microsoft calls each step a wave release, and each one brings fresh features and improvements. So if you use the product, it pays to understand how these updates work. In this guide, we explain the idea behind a wave release, show you where to find what is coming, and walk through the tools that help you prepare with confidence.
What a Wave Release Is
A wave release is a scheduled batch of new functionality for Business Central. Because the product is a living ERP solution, it has to keep changing. After all, governments, customers, and markets create new demands all the time. So Microsoft gathers new development, tests it, and ships it in organized waves rather than random drips.
Each wave also moves the version number forward. So one version steps up to the next, and that step marks the wave. As a result, you always know which set of features your system runs. In short, a wave release keeps the whole platform moving in a clear, predictable rhythm.
Consider a real example from a recent wave release. Copilot, the AI assistant, arrived on a set date and affected every user. So you could see in advance exactly when it would appear, and read the details before it did. That kind of visibility is the whole point of a published plan.
Why It Is Called a Wave
The name comes straight from the sea. Just as ocean waves roll in again and again, new features keep arriving. Then the water settles, and another wave builds behind it. So the cycle never truly stops.
This image fits Business Central perfectly. Because change is constant, a steady stream of waves makes sense. However, a wave can also feel overwhelming if you are not ready for it. So the goal is simple: ride the wave, rather than letting it knock you over.
Two Wave Cycles Every Year
Microsoft ships two waves a year, known as wave one and wave two. So twice annually, you can expect a meaningful set of new features. This regular schedule shows how seriously Microsoft takes the platform.
After all, countless companies rely on these products every day. Therefore Microsoft must stay on top of what businesses need. As a result, the twice-yearly rhythm gives everyone a dependable timeline to plan around. Meanwhile, you always know roughly when the next big update will land.
It also helps to mark these dates in your own calendar. Because the timing is fixed, you can schedule testing and training around it. So your team is ready on day one, rather than scrambling afterward. In practice, a little planning turns each wave release into a smooth, routine event.
Finding the Next Wave Release Online
Microsoft publishes a full plan for every wave on its website. So you can simply search for the Dynamics 365 release plan and open it. There, you will see everything that is coming, often months in advance. As a result, you are never surprised by what arrives.
At first, the sheer amount of content can feel intimidating. So take it one step at a time. The page lists each feature, along with the date it becomes available. Then you can search for the topics that matter to you, and follow a direct link into the detailed notes for each one.
Where Business Central Sits in the Plan
One small tip saves time here. Business Central lives under the SMB heading, which stands for Small and Medium Business. So look there first. Once you expand that section, you get a clear overview plus every planned feature for the wave. In short, that is your home base inside the release plan.
Previewing a Wave Release Before It Arrives
Business Central also lets you try features early. This happens through a tool called Feature Management. So some upcoming functionality appears ahead of its official launch, ready for you to explore. As a result, you can see exactly what a change means for your business before it goes live.
To find it, click the search icon and type feature management. Then the page opens with a list of features. Importantly, the column called Enabled For shows the current status. When it reads none, the feature is off, so nothing has changed for you yet.
Turning a Feature On in a Sandbox
The safest place to experiment is a sandbox. Because a sandbox is a copy, you cannot harm your live data. So feel free to switch features on and test them freely. If something breaks, you simply spin up a fresh sandbox and start again.
To enable a feature, click the drill-down and choose all users. Then Business Central may warn you that it needs to update some data. After that, you sign out and back in, and the new feature is ready to use. So you get a real feel for it well before it reaches production.
For instance, you might try the modern action bar, or a new way to handle sales prices. So you switch the feature on, sign back in, and explore it hands-on. Then you can decide whether it changes how your team works. As a result, there are no surprises when the feature finally goes live for everyone.
Building a Personalized Release Planner
You do not need to track every single feature. In fact, you probably care about only a handful. So Microsoft offers a more interactive option at experience.dynamics.com, where you can browse the roadmap and build a personalized plan.
This view lets you click, expand, and follow the features you choose. Then you can see when each one is released, and share your list with others. As a result, you focus only on what helps your business, and you skip the noise. In short, it turns a giant plan into a short, relevant shortlist.
This focus matters more than it first seems. The internet is full of information, both useful and not. So a single, trusted roadmap keeps you grounded. Then you spend your time learning the features you will actually use, instead of chasing every headline.
Sharing Ideas Through Microsoft Ideas
Sometimes you wish Business Central did something it does not. Helpfully, Microsoft listens. So you can suggest a new idea on the Microsoft Ideas site, right alongside the roadmap. There, you also see ideas from other users across the community.
Better still, you can vote for the ideas you like. Because popular ideas attract attention, Microsoft is more likely to act on them. So a request might appear as planned, under review, or, occasionally, declined. Either way, it is a direct line between everyday users and the people who build the product.
Voting is quick, yet it carries real weight. Because Microsoft reviews popular requests, your single vote can nudge the roadmap. So if a feature would help your business, it is well worth adding your voice. In short, the community helps shape where the product goes next.
When You Need a Custom Extension
Some needs are too specific for the standard product. In that case, Microsoft may suggest contacting your partner instead. So this is where a solution provider steps in to build exactly what you need.
These custom builds are called extensions, and they are safe by design. Because an extension sits on top of the Microsoft stack, it does not break future updates. Think of it like Lego blocks: you simply add more on top. So you gain tailored features without ever putting your upgrades at risk.
This is also where a good partner adds real value. We watch the upcoming features closely, so we can advise you early. For example, if a feature you want is already planned, there is no need to pay for a custom build. However, if it is time sensitive or very specific, a tailored extension still makes sense.
Wrapping Up: Staying Ahead of Each Wave Release
A wave release does not have to be stressful. First, learn the rhythm of two waves a year. Then, check the release plan to see what is coming. Next, preview the features that matter in a safe sandbox. Finally, use the roadmap and Ideas site to stay focused on what helps you.
Remember, a wave behaves like the sea. It starts, it rolls on, and it only ends when the next wave begins. So you always have time to prepare. With a little planning, and a good partner beside you, every wave release becomes an opportunity rather than a worry.
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