Businesses looking to go beyond the limits of their basic accounting software can now take advantage of Dynamics 365 Business Central. This all-in-one business management solution helps connect different components of a business together, facilitating smarter decision-making. What is it? The new solution from Microsoft will be available on April 02^nd, and will be delivered by a range of partners offering both the stand-alone version of the software, as well as modified plug-ins that cater for specific verticals. Alysa Taylor, Microsoft’s general manager for Business Apps & Strategy, announced in a blog in March that Business Central is “a module-based ERP solution based on the existing Dynamics NAV product, but in the cloud”. Essentially, this makes it ideal for start-ups, small and medium sized businesses that are looking to align their existing cloud-based IT infrastructure with their accounting tools. As Alysa Taylor puts it: "Business Central offers businesses a single, end to end solution for managing finances, operations, sales and customer service, and an opportunity to easily upgrade from entry-level accounting software and legacy ERP systems". How does it work? Dynamics 365 Business Central is sold and implemented through a global network of Dynamics 365 partners with industry expertise. This means that businesses looking to try it out go direct to a partner, where they’ll be able to discuss requirements, and establish the package right for them. Starting from April 02^nd, businesses will be able to subscribe to one of two packs:

1. Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials (£52.79 per user/month)
2. Dynamics 365 Business Central Premium (£75.40 per user/month)

The main difference between the two variants is that the Essentials pack contains everything except the Service Management and Manufacturing modules. Everything else is standardized, including the cost of running on Azure as well as operating the solution.  Power BI to the Business Central connection is also included. What comes next? Alongside the release of Business Central, Microsoft are planning at least one major update to Dynamics 365 this year. This includes greater modularization through apps as well as enhancements around artificial intelligence and analytics. At Conspicuous, we see the move toward a fully cloud-based, on-premises ERP a step in the right direction. It’s one that will bring the accounting system of any small business into line with their ERP. In addition, if the company is running Office 365, including Outlook, then Dynamics 365 Business Central will now sit nicely with those services. For example, if somebody wants to preview a quote in Outlook from Business Central, they now can!