GS514 – Managing Document Routing and Output Locations in Globalization Studio

After designing a document layout using Business Document Management (BDM) or Electronic Reporting (ER), the next question is:

“Where should the document go once it’s generated?”

Should it be:

  • Printed?
  • Emailed to the customer?
  • Stored in SharePoint or Azure?
  • Submitted to a tax authority?

This article answers those questions.

You’ll learn:

  • How to control document destinations
  • How to route documents based on country, customer, or document type
  • How routing is executed in Globalization Studio pipelines
  • What is and isn’t possible when it comes to calling external services

This builds on GS506 – Pipelines and GS513 – Layouts with BDM.


📦 What Is Document Routing?

Document routing controls where documents go after they are generated. Examples:

  • Send to customer via email
  • Store a PDF copy in SharePoint
  • Submit XML to a government platform
  • Print internally
image-114 GS514 – Managing Document Routing and Output Locations in Globalization Studio
image-115 GS514 – Managing Document Routing and Output Locations in Globalization Studio

In Dynamics 365, this can be done through:

  • Print Management (for static, legacy routing)
  • Globalization Studio Pipelines (for conditional, multi-step routing)

🔄 Routing Options in D365

MethodBest For
Print ManagementSimple, fixed output (e.g., always email invoices)
Globalization Studio PipelinesCountry-specific or dynamic routing with multiple steps

🧭 Example: Route Invoices by Country

Let’s say:

  • In the UK, invoices must be emailed to the customer

Please refer to the following community article for a detailed, step-by-step guide on configuring email and body content ER: How to use Organization email templates when emailing configurable business documents

  • In Italy, they must be submitted to the government portal (FACe)
image-116 GS514 – Managing Document Routing and Output Locations in Globalization Studio

🇬🇧 UK Route – Static

  • Use BDM to design PDF invoice
  • Configure Print Management:
    • Destination = Email
    • Use %Email% token for the recipient address
  • ✅ Done – email is sent when invoice is posted

🇮🇹 Italy Route – Automated

  • Use Globalization Studio feature
  • In the processing pipeline:
    1. Generate XML using ER
    2. Digitally sign the file
    3. Integrate with FACe using a hardcoded action
    4. Store copy in Azure Blob

This automation works because Microsoft provides a built-in action like Integrate with Edicom or Call Italian SDI service.


⚠️ Can I Call My Own Web Service?

No ,  not out-of-the-box.

In the current product:

  • The pipeline step dropdown only shows hardcoded service actions (e.g., Call SEFAZ, Integrate with ZATCA, etc.)
  • There is no generic “Submit” or “Send to web service” action available

To call a custom API/web service, you must:

  • 🔧 Extend the Electronic Invoicing Add-in
  • Write a custom action handler in C#

⚙️ Routing Setup in Globalization Studio

If using a pipeline:

✅ Step 1: Add a Pipeline Step

  • Go to Feature > Setups > Processing Pipeline
  • Add action step like:
    • Generate
    • Store
    • Sign
    • Call government service (predefined)

There’s no generic “submit/send” step, only predefined ones.


✅ Step 2: Add Applicability Rules

Add conditions to route differently per scenario:

RuleAction
Legal entity = GB01Store to SharePoint
Country = ITCall FACe portal (via predefined action)
Customer group = B2GGenerate XML and sign
Document type = FreeTextInvoiceRoute to internal finance folder

✅ Step 3: Combine with Print Management (Optional)

Use both methods:

  • Print Management for simple print/email
  • Globalization Studio for complex logic, storage, and government submission

🔁 Can I Route to Multiple Places?

Yes ,  within one pipeline, you can:

  1. Generate document
  2. Digitally sign (optional)
  3. Email to customer
  4. Store in Azure or SharePoint
  5. Submit to authority (if supported)

Each step executes in order.


👀 Where to Monitor Output and Failures

Use these tools to troubleshoot:

ToolPurpose
Submission HistoryTrack success/failure of each routing step
ER Execution LogsView file contents, transformation, and errors
Print Management JournalLegacy method for email/print audit trail

💡 Tips for Output Management

TipWhy It Helps
Use Azure or SharePoint for storageCentral, secure, and scalable
Test email delivery using tokensAvoid issues like “email not found”
Use rules for country/legal entitySimplifies international rollout
Don’t rely on “Submit” for custom callsUse Power Automate or custom extensibility

🧭 Related Articles


📘 Coming Up Next

In GS515 – Digital Signatures and Key Vault Integration, we’ll explore:

  • Signing invoices and files
  • Connecting D365 to Azure Key Vault
  • Country-specific signing requirements

📖 [Continue to GS515 →]

🔍 View Full Article in PDF

GS514

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I am Yogeshkumar Patel, a Microsoft Certified Solution Architect and ERP Systems Manager with expertise in Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain, Power Platform, AI, and Azure solutions. With over six years of experience, I have successfully led enterprise-level ERP implementations, AI-driven automation projects, and cloud migrations to optimise business operations. Holding a Master’s degree from the University of Bedfordshire, I specialise in integrating AI with business processes, streamlining supply chains, and enhancing decision-making with Power BI and automation workflows. Passionate about knowledge sharing and innovation, I created AI-Powered365 to provide practical insights and solutions for businesses and professionals navigating digital transformation. 📩 Let’s Connect: LinkedIn | Email 🚀

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