Troubleshooting Universal Code Issues in Dynamics 365 Business Central

The blog post by Stefano Demiliani [MVP] discusses an issue that has emerged with Dynamics 365 Business Central's Universal Code initiative post-license upgrades. The Universal Code initiative, initiated in October 2022, encourages the implementation of a contemporary architectural strategy in customer applications. It necessitates new or transitioning customers of the Business Central on-premises solution to use a "cloud-optimized extensions" structure (Universal Code) or purchase licensable components that enable traditional customization functionality.

Practically speaking, this means extensions that you are granted must evade having target = onPrem in the app.json file. Else, you must integrate one or both of the following components in your client's license:

• "Implemented code is not in extensions" module: This needs licensing if the applied partner code includes base app alterations.
• "Implemented code is not cloud-optimized" module: This requires licensing if the applied extensions have target = OnPrem.

However, the main issue at hand is that this error appears in a customer's environment where no custom apps are installed, or all those installed are cloud-optimized extensions. It appears mainly if you have an on-premises customer executing a business central version of at most 21.5 and have updated the license (server restart). The error can be attributed to the expiration of a code-signing certificate.

Fixing this issue needs a technical upgrade. Provided is a summary of updates that should be applied to solve the problem:

• Version 19: Minimum CU – 19.18, Fixed Platform - 54863
• Version 20: Minimum CU – 20.12, Fixed Platform - 54861
• Version 21: Minimum CU – 21.6, Fixed Platform - 54757
• Version 22: Minimum CU – 22.0, Fixed Platform - 55180

Remember, only a technical upgrade is necessitated, and there is no need to upgrade the application. However, a standard full upgrade is still the most recommended solution. More information on Dynamics 365 is found here.

More on the Topic

The principle behind Microsoft Business Central's Universal Code can be seen as an effort to shift towards a more modern, cloud-based approach in managing enterprise resources. It's a move that aligns with the broader trend of digital transformation that many businesses are undergoing.

This involves adopting more agile, scalable, and cost-effective cloud solutions instead of traditionally held on-premise systems. While such shifts are necessary with changing business landscapes, they may pose challenges related to compatibility and system updates, as highlighted in the discussed blog post.

Read the full article Dynamics 365 Business Central: Universal Code and Microsoft’s apps problems.

Learn about Dynamics 365 Business Central: Universal Code and Microsoft’s apps problems.

The Business Central version of Microsoft's Dynamics 365 has recently experienced challenges due to a change in their license terms. Following a licensing upgrade, many users reported a specific error that has caught the attention of several partners. This seems to be a prevalent issue as an influx of problem reports regarding this error has been observed.

Upon user login, the error manifests itself. Commencing in October 2022, a rule was enforced requiring all applications within a Business Central environment to adhere to the Universal Code initiative. This initiative was launched with the objective of promoting a modern, forward-thinking architecture in all client implementations of Business Central.

New on-premises deployments of Business Central, as well as existing on-premises customers transitioning to Business Central, must adapt to a 'cloud-optimized extensions' layout, also referred to as Universal Code. Alternatively, they could opt for modules that unlock traditional customization behavior.

The practical implications of this are that any extension must avoid on-prem listing in the app.json file. Otherwise, it becomes necessary to add one or both of the modules above to your client's license. First, 'Implemented code is not in extensions'. If partner code modifications include base application changes, this module is required to be licensed.

Second, 'Implemented code is not cloud-optimized': when the implemented extensions have on-prem set as their target, licensing this module becomes necessary. Intriguingly, the error seems to be popping up in environments devoid of any custom applications, or where all installed applications are extensions that comply with cloud rules. So, what is the solution to this error?

This problem only seems to be affecting on-premises customers who are using a Business Central version lesser than or equal to 21.5 and have updated their licenses which necessitates a server restart. This is attributed mainly to the expiration of a code-signing certificate.

To rectify this issue, a technical upgrade is stipulated. Here is a brief outline of the updates required to resolve the problem:

• For version 19, the minimum CU to fix the problem is 19.18 and the fixed platform is 54863.
• For version 20, the minimum CU to fix the problem is 20.12 and the fixed platform is 54861.
• For version 21, the minimum CU to fix the problem is 21.6 and the fixed platform is 54757.
• For version 22, the minimum CU to fix the problem is 22.0 and the fixed platform is 55180.

It's important to note that ONLY a technical upgrade is needed, with no update to the application required. However, a standard full upgrade is generally recommended as the more preferable solution.

More links on about Dynamics 365 Business Central: Universal Code and Microsoft’s apps problems.

Dynamics 365 Business Central: Universal Code and ...

May 15, 2023 — The problem here is that the above error appears on customer's environment where no custom apps are installed or where all installed apps are ...

Universal Code and Microsoft's apps problems.

May 15, 2023 — The error appears after the user's login and it's something like the following: Starting from October 2022, all apps in a Dynamics 365 Business ...

Dynamics 365 Business Central: Universal Code and ...

May 15, 2023 — The error appears after the user's login and it's something like the following: Starting from October 2022, all apps in a Dynamics 365 Business ...

Keywords

Dynamics 365 Business Central, Universal Code, Microsoft apps problems, Microsoft Dynamics 365 issues, Business Central Universal Code, Dynamics 365 troubleshooting, Dynamics 365 apps, Dynamics 365 code, Microsoft Business Central problems, Business Central app issues.