When evaluating enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions for your business, it can be difficult to make the right choice. Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers two popular ERP solutions — Business Central and Finance. But, how do you know which one is right for you? In this article, we'll explore the features and benefits of both solutions and their cloud security capabilities to help you make an informed decision. We'll also help you evaluate pricing, scalability, customer service, and support so you can choose the ERP solution that best fits your business needs.
Editor's Note: This article used to compare business central vs finance and operations. However, Microsoft decided to split Finance and Operations into two standalone solutions: Dynamics 365 Finance and Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management.
Understanding Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP Solutions
Microsoft Dynamics offers two popular ERP solutions — Business Central and Finance — which both offer unique features and capabilities.
Dynamics 365 Business Central is a comprehensive cloud-based business management solution designed for small to mid-size businesses. It provides a range of integrated features such as financial management, supply chain, customer engagement, customer service, project management, field service automation, and more. With Business Central, you can connect your teams with customer data so they can make informed decisions quickly. The platform is designed to be scalable so that as your business grows and business process changes, you won't have to worry about switching systems.
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Dynamics 365 Finance is Microsoft's flagship enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution designed for larger organizations. It offers a range of integrated features including supply chain management, human resources planning, field services automation tools, and more. The platform also supports Power BI analytics, which enables users to create dashboards and reports for quick insights into their operations. Dynamics 365 Finance boasts powerful features and cloud computing for secure data storage, with built-in backup systems for maximum security. This guarantees no unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Finance and Business Central are versatile solutions that businesses can use differently depending on how big and complicated their operations are. By understanding the features offered by each option, you'll be able to determine which one best meets the needs of your organization.
Exploring the benefits of Dynamics 365 Finance
As one of the leading cloud-based ERP solutions, Dynamics 365 Finance offers businesses a range of features and scalability. Its deployment time and cost of ownership make it an attractive choice for medium-to-large size organizations. It includes various modules such as financial accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management. It also features embedded analytics, making it easier to analyze financial data and make informed decisions.
Additionally, Dynamics 365 Finance offers customizable dashboards and reports, making it simple to view the financial performance of your business. It integrates easily with other Microsoft Dynamics applications, such as Power BI, so companies can expand functionality when needed. Furthermore, its security capabilities provide peace of mind that data is secure without compromising performance or user experience. Businesses can choose from different pricing plans to get the best value for money. Just like BC, D365 Finance is updated regularly with new features and enhancements to keep businesses safe and productive.
Exploring the Benefits of Dynamics 365 Business Central
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides the perfect platform for small and medium-sized businesses to manage their operations. The system is feature-rich and scalable. You can go from small operation to enterprise without needing to change much. D365 Business Central's automated workflows and technology provide users with smarter decisions, while its machine learning and AI technology provide predictive insights.
Furthermore, Business Central integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Power BI for real-time analytics and insights into business performance. With its security features, such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and audit logging, it's a safe bet that data is secure.
Overall, Dynamics Business Central is the ideal solution for organizations looking for streamlined processes, flexibility, and security all in one package. It's user-friendly interface makes it easy to use for everyone, from beginners to experienced professionals. This makes it a great choice for businesses of all sizes who want to keep up with today's ever-changing market conditions.
Understanding cloud security with Dynamics 365 ERP solutions
Cloud security is an important consideration when evaluating any ERP solution, and Dynamics 365 ERP solutions are no exception. Microsoft's cloud-based infrastructure provides robust security capabilities to keep customer data safe and secure. Understanding the features of cloud security can help businesses make informed decisions about their choice of ERP.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP solutions use Azure Active Directory (AAD) for identity and access management. This allows users to securely log in with a single sign-on using any device or browser. It also helps protect against malicious threats by authenticating users and authorizing access to authorized-only resources. AAD also provides detailed logging for enhanced visibility into user activity.
Dynamics 365 ERP solutions also offer encryption capabilities that make sure data is kept secure while in transit or at rest. Also, role-based permissions let administrators control user access to sensitive data, so only those with the right clearance can see it. Data protection features such as multi-factor authentication and backup/restore add further layers of security.
Businesses should have security best practices, like overseeing security operations and checking system logs for suspicious activity or unauthorized changes. These measures help keep customer data safe from malicious threats while using Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions' scalability capability.
Making an informed decision: Choosing the right Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP
Think about the business's size, complexity, and goals before choosing a platform. Businesses should look at cloud security features, scalability, price, customer service, and support.
It's crucial to think about the cost and benefit of each platform to make sure they give you the most bang for your buck. Organizations should check out any extra costs that might come up from customization or changes needed for particular processes or departments.
Organizations should check if both platforms (or their Microsoft partner) provide customer service options. This includes checking if the platform has good response times and availability of online resources. Also, organizations should check the training materials and complexity of each platform to make sure users are comfortable using the system before going live.
Finally, businesses must consider scalability when choosing between Business Central & Finance solutions. Scalability refers to how easily a system can be adapted for future needs or demands without significantly increasing costs or impacting performance negatively. If businesses plan to expand rapidly or into new markets, their software needs to be able to handle changes well.
Review all factors, such as pricing plans, scalability, customer service options & support materials, to make an informed decision. This will guarantee you are choosing the best fit for your needs now and into the future.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking to make a change to your ERP and aren't sure where to start, we have a self-evaluation guide to help. We also have an e-book that highlights ten key criteria to keep in mind when selecting your new erp software. Gestisoft has more than 25 years of experience making sure you get the best solution for your business. Don't hesitate to contact us, we're always here to help!
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August 07, 2023 by Frédéric Charest by Frédéric Charest VP of Marketing
Data-driven Growth Marketer with a Passion for SEO - Driving Results through Analytics and Optimization
