Do you use SAP Business ByDesign as your business management solution? Did you know that it has reached the end of its Product Lifecycle and will no longer be updated? If you are a SAP Business ByDesign user, you should be considering what your next steps should be. Here’s seven reasons why you should consider a move to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (the ERP that Forbes Advisor recognises as the best overall alternative to SAP for 2024).
1. Business Central is regularly updated with new features
Unlike SAP Business ByDesign, Business Central is a modern, regularly updated ERP system that Microsoft continues to invest in. Updates for Business Central are applied automatically bi-annually by Microsoft, and patches or hot fixes are applied monthly. This means users will always have access to the latest features and enhancements without the need for costly manual updates.
2. Business Central’s seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem
Microsoft Business Central seamlessly integrates with other widely used Microsoft applications like Office 365 and Dynamics 365. This synergy empowers users with a familiar interface, promoting ease of use and reducing the learning curve. On the other hand, SAP Business ByDesign’s integration with Microsoft products does require additional effort with separate add-ons and APIs needed for Office 365, Microsoft Teams and any other Microsoft products you may use.
3. Flexibility and Customisation
Microsoft Business Central is renowned for its flexibility, allowing businesses to tailor the system to their specific needs. With a robust set of customisation tools, users can adapt the ERP to match unique workflows. SAP Business ByDesign, meanwhile, may be flexible but does not offer the same level of adaptability.
4. Scalability and Cost Efficiency
Microsoft Business Central caters to businesses of all sizes, offering scalability that aligns with growth. Its modular structure allows organisations to pay for the features they need, providing a cost-effective solution. Conversely, SAP Business ByDesign is a more rigid system, potentially leading to higher costs and complexities for scaling.
5. User-Friendly Interface
A user-friendly interface is crucial for efficient ERP utilisation. Microsoft Business Central’s interface is intuitive and designed with end-users in mind. This ease of use can lead to quicker adoption and increased productivity. SAP Business ByDesign, while functional, does have a steeper learning curve for users.
6. Community and Support
Microsoft boasts a vast community of users and developers, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. This rich ecosystem ensures that users can find support, resources, and solutions readily. SAP Business ByDesign, while having its community, does not match the depth and breadth of Microsoft’s network.
7. AI and Advanced Analytics
Microsoft Business Central integrates advanced analytics and AI capabilities, empowering businesses with data-driven insights. In addition, Microsoft introduced in early 2023 Microsoft Dynamics 365 Copilot as the world’s first AI copilot in both CRM and ERP. SAP Business ByDesign, in contrast, while offering analytics, is a legacy system and therefore does not provide the same level of sophistication in leveraging AI for business intelligence.
8. Pricing
Microsoft Business Central pricing is based on a subscription model with different pricing tiers depending on the number and type of licences you need. SAP Business ByDesign, meanwhile, has a perpetual licensing model with pricing based on user counts and modules required. As a result, BC pricing is more transparent.
Life after SAP Business ByDesign: what about a move to Business Central?
If reading this article makes you want to take a look at Business Central as your next step in your ERP journey, TVision Technology can help you with this.
We are one of the largest and most experienced providers of Business Central and NAV in the UK. Our team take real pleasure in working with our clients to develop, implement and support the best possible ERP implementation for their needs, and it’s this enthusiasm for our work which sees us keep our relationships with clients long after the initial implementation is complete.
If you want to know more about Microsoft Business Central and how TVision could help you, please feel free to contact us to arrange a demo to see how a move from SAP Business ByDesign to Business Central could be the right business move for you.
