Common Uses & Strengths
- End-to-end business platform: ERP and CRM workloads on a shared data model (Dataverse)
- Microsoft ecosystem alignment: native integration with Outlook, Teams, Excel, SharePoint, Azure, and Power BI
- Scalable ERP options: Business Central for SMBs, Finance & Supply Chain for complex enterprises
- Strong manufacturing and supply chain: planning, inventory, production, warehousing, and logistics
- Low-code extensibility: Power Apps and Power Automate enable rapid customization without heavy code
- Flexible deployment models: supports regulated or hybrid IT environments
Key Considerations
- Module selection matters: choosing Business Central vs Finance & Supply Chain has long-term implications
- Licensing complexity: per-user, per-app, and attach licensing requires careful planning
- Customization discipline: Power Platform sprawl without governance can create technical debt
- Partner quality variance: Implementation outcomes vary widely based on partner experience
- Data and reporting design: Dataverse and Power BI strategy should be defined early
Common Needs & Challenges
- Migrating from legacy Dynamics (NAV, GP, AX) to modern D365
- ERP and CRM living in silos instead of operating as a unified platform
- Over-customized environments that are difficult to upgrade or support
- Poor adoption outside of finance due to training gaps
- Complex integrations across ERP, CRM, ecommerce, WMS, and external systems
- Heavy reliance on partners with limited internal knowledge transfer
