Close-up of a laptop screen with red error code lines and a notification dialog, illustrating a job queue failure alert.

Setup notification when Job Queue fails, with BC or Power Automate

3 min read

With the 2024 Release Wave 2 of Business Central, users now have the ability to receive notifications about issues with job queues, making it easier to respond quickly to any interruptions. This post will guide you through the setup of job queue notifications and explore the new in-product notifications and external business event notifications features.
 

Setting Up Job Queue Notifications

To get started with job queue notifications, navigate to the Assisted Setup page in Business Central. There, you will find the option to set up job queue notifications. This setup is crucial for keeping users informed about the status of background tasks.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Open the Assisted Setup guide and select Set Up Job Queue Notifications.

The Assisted Setup list with Set up Job Queue Notifications about to be opened

The first step of the Job Queue notification wizard, explaining what it sets up

2. Choose who should receive notifications when background tasks fail or stop. There are two Booleans also where you can choose to notify the user who initiated the task or include job queue notification to administrators.

The wizard step choosing who to notify, with the notification administrators list

3. Decide on the notification method: in-product notifications or external notifications using business events.

The wizard step choosing between in-product notifications and business event notifications

4. Set the frequency of notifications. You can opt for immediate alerts or specify a threshold to reduce notification noise.

The wizard step setting notification timing, immediately or after a low and high threshold

By following these steps, you can ensure that the right people are notified about job queue issues, allowing for a quick response to any problems that arise.

The final wizard step confirming the Job Queue notification setup is complete


In-Product Notifications

In-product notifications provide real-time updates directly within Business Central. When users log in, they will see a notification strip if any background processing tasks have failed. This feature enhances user experience by keeping everyone informed without needing to leave the application.

An in-product notification reporting that three scheduled jobs are experiencing an issue

Here’s how in-product notifications work:

  • When a task fails, users can click on the notification to see more details about the job queue entries that encountered issues.
  • Users have the option to restart failed jobs directly from the notification.
  • Notifications can be customized; users can choose to turn them off if they are not relevant to their work.

My Settings, with the link that opens the personal notification list

The My Notifications list with Job Queue Failed Notification enabled

Additionally, the role center displays three new cues that summarize the status of job queue entries:

  • Tasks Failed: Shows the number of failed job queue entries.
  • Tasks In Process: Indicates how many job queue entries are currently being processed.
  • Tasks in Queue: Displays the number of job queue entries waiting to be executed.

The Job Queue Tasks cues showing three failed, none in process and three queued

Cue Setup defining the thresholds and styles behind the job queue cues


External Business Events Notifications

For users who may not frequently log into Business Central, external notifications are vital. This feature allows notifications to be sent through external channels like email or Teams, ensuring that administrators and other stakeholders are kept informed about job queue status even when they are not actively using the platform.

Setting up external notifications involves using Power Automate to create flows that respond to job queue events:

1. Access Power Automate and search for Business Central Job Queue template

Power Automate templates filtered to job queue, offering the Microsoft Outlook notification template

The template page for notifying in Outlook when a Business Central job queue fails

or with Access the Job Queue Entries section and select the option to create an automated flow.

The Job Queue Entries page, creating an automated flow straight from the Power Automate action

The Create a flow dialog inside Business Central, filtered to the job queue template

2. Utilize the available Power Automate templates designed for job queue notifications.

3. Set up connections to Business Central and Outlook (or other desired applications) to facilitate notifications.

Trough BC:

The template setup step, with the CC email addresses for the flow

Trough Power Automate:

The same setup in Power Automate, where the Business Central environment is chosen too


When editing in advanced mode:

The generated flow in advanced mode: the failed event trigger, three lookups and the email step

If needed or you want to include or exclude information in email sent, you can change last step:

The Send an email notification step, with the subject and body built from the job queue fields

Additionally, you could add also message to be sent in addition:\

The flow extended with a Post message in a chat or channel step after the email

or just a message on Teams is enough without email:

The same flow with only the Teams message, no email step

For example, if a job queue fails, an email will be sent to the designated recipients, providing them with the necessary details to take action. This feature is particularly useful for administrators who manage multiple business processes and need to stay updated without constant monitoring of Business Central.


Why Notifications Matter

Being proactive about job queue issues can significantly improve operational efficiency. Here are a few reasons why setting up these notifications is beneficial:

  • Quick Response: Timely notifications allow teams to react quickly to failures or delays in background processes, minimizing disruptions.
  • Improved Accountability: By notifying relevant parties, teams can ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities regarding job queue management.
  • Enhanced Productivity: Users can focus on their tasks without constantly checking the status of background processes, as they will receive alerts when necessary.

I encourage you to explore these new features and see how they can benefit your organization. 🎉

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