Dynamics 365 (D365) Business Central vs. Finance and Operations

A common question for companies evaluating ERP solutions is what’s the difference between Dynamics 365 (D365) Business Central vs. Finance and Operations? While both applications have a lot in common—on-premises or cloud deployment, a huge library of add-on applications, seamless integrations, SaaS subscription licensing, connected insight across the business, and more—there are important differences you should know before making a decision (including Payroll!). Our article highlights some of the key differentiators and comparisons between these popular Microsoft ERP applications.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance (formerly Finance & Operations)

Dynamics 365 Finance is a transition from Dynamics AX and is the most advanced ERP solution in the Microsoft Dynamics ERP suite. While AX users will enjoy much of the functionality they had, Dynamics 365 Finance is packed with feature enhancements and sophisticated tools such as AI and machine learning. Companies looking for maximum power and flexibility will appreciate Dynamics 365 Finance’s modular application design. You can start with your core financial management base and then choose the extra functionality you need. While it is perfectly scalable to many businesses, it is ideal for medium to large enterprises, global companies, and businesses with particularly complex operations such as manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain management. Dynamics 365 Finance applications available:

• Supply Chain Management
• Sales
• Customer Service
• Field Service
• Human Resources
• Commerce
• Project Operations
• Project Service Automation
• Marketing

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Dynamics 365 Business Central is a transition from Dynamics NAV and includes all your core functionality in one, integrated system. You can choose between two versions—Essentials or Premium—and there are flexible licensing options. Business Central is ideal for small to medium businesses who prefer an all-in-one ERP solution and don’t require the advanced functionality of D365 Finance. Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials includes:

• Financial Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Customer Relationship Management
• Human Resource Management
• Project Management
• Warehouse Management

Dynamics 365 Business Central Premium includes: Everything in Essentials PLUS:

• Service Management
• Manufacturing

D365 Business Central vs. Finance: Key Differences

First, what about Dynamics 365 Payroll? Integrity Data has been the leading provider and partner for Microsoft Dynamics payroll and HR solutions for more than 20 years. Of course, payroll is big priority for us and we know it is a priority for many of you as well. Simply put, Dynamics 365 Finance includes a Payroll module, Dynamics 365 Business Central does not. The great news is that Integrity Data solved this with Payroll NOW , the complete payroll solution for D365 Business Central. You can run your payroll, file taxes, and manage ACA compliance all inside Business Central. Contact us to learn more about Payroll NOW for Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Other Important Differences

We have listed some of the key areas below where there are distinct differences between systems. For example, the minimum number of users for Business Central is only 1, while for Finance it is 20. The number of tax regions also comes into play, as well as the number of transactions your company processes. It is recommended to work with a reputable Microsoft partner to fully assess your requirements and select the right ERP application for your business.

• Minimum Number of Users Company Size
• Number of Employees
• Languages and Currencies
• Global Operations
• Tax Locations
• Number of Transactions
• Traceability
• Manufacturing & Supply Chain Operations
• Deployment Costs
• Licensing Subscription Costs
• Reporting and Business Intelligence

Questions about Payroll, HR and ACA solutions for Dynamics 365? Integrity Data is passionate about helping people create efficient processes and stress-free results. Our team is here to answer your questions, listen to your challenges, and provide the solutions and services you need to get your time back. Reach out today. Written by Integrity Data