SSMS Versions

July 7th, 2025 by Stephen Jones No comments »

In SQL Server 2016, SSMS became a standalone application,  so it’s important to select the version that supports the user’s SQL Server version. The current version is 21.0.1,  released this year.

Different versions of SSMS can be installed on the same machine.

Beginning with version 21, Microsoft uses the Visual Studio Installer to download and to install SSMS, and creating a standalone offline installer

Create an Offline Installation of SQL Server Management Studio | Microsoft Learn

Business Central updates -ask Synergy Software Systems

June 26th, 2025 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Business Central online is a service that consists of a Microsoft-maintained platform and business functionality. Microsoft partners provide extra business functionality, to address specific industry or localization needs. Both business functionality and service components are monitored continuously and updated as appropriate.

New capabilities roll out in release waves that consist of a major update and monthly minor updates. Most capabilities are made available in major updates, but some become available in minor updates.

Critical fixes roll out as soon as possible after they pass tests and are verified in Microsoft’s protected staging environment. Refer to the release plan for an overview of new and upcoming functionality. 

All updates that Microsoft applies to Business Central online are also shipped with the subsequent cumulative update for Business Central on-premises.

Microsoft releases two major updates per year—typically in April (Wave 1) and October (Wave 2)—plus monthly minor updates.

 Each major release introduces new functionality and enhancements based on user feedback and Microsoft’s roadmap for continuous improvement.

Administrators can set a maintenance window for each environment that determines when Microsoft is allowed to update that environment. F

Unlike traditional on-premises systems, updates cannot be skipped or indefinitely delayed in Business Central’s cloud environment. Microsoft gives you a grace period if you request it, but eventually, your environment will be updated automatically.

That means:

  • Customizations or extensions may break if they’re not compatible with Microsoft’s code changes
  • Key processes could be disrupted
  • Integrations might fail
  • Your team has a tight window to test and adapt before the update goes live

Preview period

The preview period allows for testing of the new functionality before the version is made available as update to your environment. Administrators can create a Sandbox environment from the Business Central administration centre on the new version, for example to try out new functionality or test compatibility of extensions in a cloud environment. This period typically starts a month before the release of the new major version, that is, every March and September

What can go wrong if you ignore updates?

Many organizations underestimate the complexity of Business Central updates—until something breaks. Here are just a few of the issues we’ve seen:

  • Custom reports no longer pull the correct data
  • Integrations with Power BI, Shopify, or CRMs stop syncing
  • Custom apps or extensions become incompatible
  • Users are locked out, or their permissions change unexpectedly
  • Month-end close is delayed due to unexpected system behavior

These disruptions affect more than just IT—they delay invoicing, reporting, inventory planning, and other critical business functions.

How the update process should work

To minimize risk, companies need a structured approach to Business Central updates. Here’s best-practice update process overview :

1. Review the release notes

Before proceeding, your team should carefully review the upcoming release’s changes. Microsoft publishes detailed documentation outlining new features but does not include deprecated code, functionality, or compatibility changes.

2. Deploy to a sandbox

Next, create a sandbox environment and apply the new version. This gives your team a safe place to:

  • Restore a copy of your production environment
  • Test standard workflows and reports
  • Check third-party extensions and integrations
  • Identify and resolve issues early

3. Run Regression and User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

Involve users from accounting, sales, operations, and IT to test core business processes. Regression testing ensures that existing processes still work, while UAT confirms that end-users can do their jobs without surprises.

4. Plan for go-live and support

After successful testing, plan your rollout. Make sure users know what’s changing and when. Post-update monitoring is also critical to catch any lingering issues quickly.

Why so many teams struggle with updates

The challenge isn’t just about knowledge—it’s capacity. Most internal IT and finance teams are already stretched thin and don’t have a stand by test and update team. Testing update gets pushed to the back burner—until it’s too late.

Common problems include:

  • Lack of a sandbox
  • No time to review or understand release notes
  • No  time to create a test plan
  • In-house customizations that are undocumented, or  break with new or deprecated code
  • Inconsistent documentation of business processes
  • Managing downtime during busy periods (like month-end, audits  or year-end)

What to do next

If your team hasn’t started preparing for the next update, now’s the time. Here are three steps you can take today:

Consider Is your team ready for the next Business Central update? Have they read the Microsoft release notes?

Talk to our experts: Its more cost effective to avoid an issue than to correct it.

Synergy Software Business Central release management services.

To help you to stay current, secure, and focused on running your business, we can handle:

  • Review of  release notes
  • Testing in a sandbox
  • Regression testing of key workflows
  • Advising you of changes
  • Resolving compatibility issues
  • Guiding your team through go-live
  • Training end users and initial handholding support as the deal with new or changed featrures
  • Stay informed: Subscribe to our blog for updates, news, best practices, and Business Central tips.

SSMS – rename tabs in version 21.3.6

June 26th, 2025 by Stephen Jones No comments »

SSMS 21.3.6, brings several bug fixes and introduces a welcome new feature that has been a long-standing customer request: to be able to rename tabs! 

MSSQL Extension for VS Code version v1.33.0

June 26th, 2025 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Version v1.33.0, release brings us closer to the vision of a modern, developer-first SQL experience inside Visual Studio Code. These three capabilities simplify and modernize the way developers build applications using SQL Server in Visual Studio Code:

  • Local SQL Server Container (Public Preview) — Easily spin up and manage SQL Server containers directly from within the extension – without writing a single Docker command. This new capability is perfect for prototyping, developing, or testing workloads using the same engine available in production environments.
  • Connection Groups
  • If you manage multiple projects, clients, or environments, then  Connection Groups bring structure to your connection list by allowing you to group saved connections into folders — with custom colors for quick visual organization. This new feature improves navigation and makes it easier to keep development, staging, and production environments organized—all within the MSSQL extension.
  • GitHub Copilot Agent Mode (Public Preview) — A conversational, schema-aware assistant to help you to connect, to explore, to understand, and to optimize your database through natural language interactions.  contextual, action-driven chat experience into the MSSQL extension. This first release enables GitHub Copilot to interpret your intent and perform real tasks inside Visual Studio Code—to make it easier to interact with your database through natural language prompts.
    • Key highlights 
      • List servers – View all available SQL Server connections
      • Connect to server or database – Establish a new database connection
      • Disconnect from server or database – End the active connection
      • Show database schema – Display the schema for the connected database
      • Connection Groups — Organize your saved connections into folders with custom colours for improved clarity and control.

Microsoft Solutions Partner additional designations

June 26th, 2025 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Synergy Software system is a designated Solutions Partner with Microsoft for many years and has recently also been designated for Azure Data & AI; Azure Digital & App Innovation; Business Applications.

SSRS Goodbye – Hello PBIRS

June 26th, 2025 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Starting with SQL Server 2025, Microsoft is consolidating all on-premises reporting services under Power BI Report Server (PBIRS).

SSRS is a long-standing Microsoft reporting platform that enables the creation, deployment, and management of paginated reports using Report Definition Language (RDL). It was bundled with SQL Server since 2004, and is widely used for operational reporting.

No new versions of SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) will be released.

PBIRS becomes the default on-premises reporting solution for SQL Server. PBIRS is a modern, on-premises, reporting solution that supports both paginated (RDL) and interactive (PBIX) reports. It offers a bridge to the cloud with compatibility for Power BI,

By transitioning to PBIRS, customers can access advanced functionalities, including rich and interactive PBIX reports, which aren’t available in SSRS. Adopting PBIRS enables customers to seamlessly move to their reporting capabilities to the cloud when they’re ready.

PBIRS will be available for all paid editions of SQL Server.  ustomers who purchase a qualifying SQL Server 2025 license can use the same key to install and use PBIRS.

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) 2022 will continue to receive security updates and support through January 11, 2033. However, no new versions will be released beyond SSRS 2022. Customers can also continue to use SSRS 2022 with later versions of the SQL Server Database Engine to host the reporting catalog. For previous versions , access to PBIRS is limited to customers with SQL Server Enterprise edition and Software Assurance (SA), who can use a PBIRS key provided by Microsoft.

Existing RDL reports are fully compatible with PBIRS, and customers can use the SSRS to PBIRS migration guide to support the transition

Expect more information about specific editions when SQL Server 2025 is in General Availability (GA).

We are back!

June 26th, 2025 by Stephen Jones No comments »

There has been a break in posts due to some hosting issues.

Normal service is now resumed.

Huge success for Dynamics Pact 2023 CEO Conference in Dubai with Synergy Software Systems

November 14th, 2023 by Stephen Jones No comments »

A very well attended conference by the leading global Microsoft Dynamics Finance and SCM partners enjoyed a packed day heavily focused on the impact and opportunities of AI both within the application and for the operation of partner practices and services.

Several Microsoft representatives attended and there were 3 separate Microsoft presentations

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Synergy Software Systems Welcomes Dynamics Pact partners to their Annual Conference 2023

November 13th, 2023 by Stephen Jones No comments »

Happy Diwali 2023 at Synergy Software Systems

November 13th, 2023 by Stephen Jones No comments »