AL Developers Wanted: Why Business Central Coding Is the New Gold

The world of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is changing fast and with it, the skills companies need to thrive. At the heart of this transformation lies AL, the modern coding language replacing legacy C/AL. For tech professionals and businesses alike, the rise of AL isn’t just an upgrade – it’s a game changer.

From C/AL to AL: A New Era

For years, C/AL powered Microsoft Dynamics NAV. But as Microsoft moved toward a cloud-first, extensible model, AL became the new standard. Unlike C/AL, AL is built for Visual Studio Code, extensions, and continuous updates, aligning Business Central with modern software development practices. This shift means developers aren’t just maintaining ERP systems anymore, they’re actively shaping flexible, scalable platforms that can evolve with the business.

Why AL + VS Code + DevOps = Future-Proof ERP

The magic of AL lies in how seamlessly it integrates with today’s development ecosystem.

• VS Code offers a lightweight, powerful development environment with productivity-boosting extensions.
• AL language ensures upgrades and extensions are cleaner, easier to maintain, and future-ready.
• DevOps pipelines allow automated testing, CI/CD, and version control – finally bringing ERP coding in line with the agile methodologies driving the rest of tech.

This trio ensures companies can keep pace with change, avoid painful upgrades, and deliver faster innovation.

Skills That Matter: Beyond the Syntax

Being an AL developer isn’t just about knowing the language. The best candidates bring:

• Clean coding practices to ensure systems are maintainable and scalable.
• Event-driven thinking, leveraging Business Central’s extensibility model.
• Integration mindset, as AL developers often connect ERP with third-party apps, APIs, and cloud services.

These are the skills that transform “good enough” systems into business-critical platforms.

Career Paths for AL Developers

For developers, AL is more than a niche skill, it’s a launchpad for long-term careers in ERP. Roles range from AL Developer and Technical Consultant to Solution Architect or even Product Owner. As businesses double down on digital transformation, AL expertise puts professionals in a strong position to shape how finance, supply chain, and operations run on a global scale.

What Companies Look For (and struggle to find)

The demand for AL talent has exploded, but the supply hasn’t caught up. Companies hiring AL developers typically seek:

• Hands-on AL and extension development experience.
• Understanding of both technical coding and business process flows.
• Ability to bridge gaps between IT and operations teams.

The biggest challenge? Finding developers who combine strong technical skills with the ability to think strategically about business impact. That’s why AL developers with proven integration, customization, and problem-solving experience are commanding premium salaries and career opportunities.

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Final Word

For clients, AL developers are the key to unlocking a future-proof ERP. For candidates, AL is the golden ticket to a career at the intersection of coding and business transformation. Whether you’re looking to hire or be hired, now is the time: AL developers are the new gold standard.

💡 If you’re looking for a new opportunity in the Business Central space, or looking to expand your ERP team, reach out to Noa at noa.kornstaedt@oliverparks.com for more info on how OP Technology can assist with your search.