3 Challenges of Managing Business Central (+ 3 Partners Who Can Help)

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central has emerged as a leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution for small and midsized organisations. Implementation marks only the starting point, however. As operations expand, managing Business Central effectively becomes increasingly complex due to new integrations, security demands, reporting requirements and ongoing Microsoft updates. Without strategic expertise, organisations risk underutilising their ERP investment and missing the operational gains they anticipated.

The Modern ERP Landscape

ERP systems have become essential for organisations seeking to streamline operations, improve decision-making and connect departments through unified business data. Cloud-based solutions like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central help companies increase efficiency and automate workflows. They also provide real-time visibility across operations as digital transformation accelerates throughout industries.

Market indicators reflect this shift. In fact, the global ERP software market reached $77.1 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $157.1 billion by 2033. These figures underscore both the opportunity and the complexity facing business leaders as they navigate this landscape today. Overcoming common challenges and pitfalls positions leaders well to continue growing with the market.

Challenge 1: Overcoming Complex System Integration

Integrating Business Central into existing IT ecosystems presents significant hurdles for organisations at every stage of growth. Companies often need to connect solutions to legacy customer relationship management (CRM) systems and proprietary warehouse management software. They must also link third-party logistics applications, specialised financial tools and various other systems their teams use daily. Each integration point introduces potential compatibility challenges and data mapping complexities.

Failure to achieve seamless integration creates data silos that force employees into time-consuming manual workarounds. Operational efficiency suffers significantly when information cannot flow freely between systems, while decision-makers lose confidence in the data guiding their strategies.

Challenge 2: Driving Effective User Adoption

Technology delivers value only when employees use it consistently. Business Central deployments typically involve substantial process changes. Users must adopt new workflows, learn unfamiliar interfaces and abandon habits developed over years with legacy systems.

This is why resistance to change remains a primary reason ERP projects struggle to meet expectations and deliver anticipated return on investment (ROI). Employees may hesitate to embrace new technology without sufficient preparation. They need a clear understanding of how the system supports their daily responsibilities and makes their work easier.

Industry analysis shows that between 30% and 40% of deployments face poor user adoption. This directly undermines ROI and can lead to costly workarounds that diminish the investment’s value.

Challenge 3: Managing Customisations and Scalability

Business Central’s flexibility represents both a competitive strength and a potential risk for growing companies. Tailoring the solution to specific operational needs and industry requirements offers clear advantages. However, excessive modifications can complicate future updates, increase long-term maintenance costs and create scalability bottlenecks as the business expands into new markets or product lines.

Businesses often add extensions and custom functionality to address immediate needs, where subsequent Microsoft updates may then require additional testing cycles. This can also require redevelopment of custom code or compatibility adjustments, consuming IT resources and delaying deployments.

Additionally, companies can develop dependence on add-ons, introducing licensing fees, maintenance responsibilities and potential support complications across multiple vendor relationships. Successful Business Central environments carefully choose customisations, deploying only those that deliver measurable value and address critical operational gaps.

How to Choose the Right Business Central Partner

Navigating these challenges effectively requires collaboration with an experienced partner who understands both the technical solution and the business context driving deployment. Below are among the best in the industry.

1. ArcherPoint

ArcherPoint is a Microsoft Gold-certified partner with 11 Microsoft competencies. The firm specialises in ERP deployments, integrations, development and 24/7 support for mid-market and large companies across North America and Europe with more than two decades of proven experience delivering solutions at scale. It provides end-to-end Business Central services, including ERP consulting, implementation, cloud migration, system integration, custom development, upgrades, user training, managed IT and ongoing technical support.

What sets ArcherPoint apart is its strong focus on long-term Business Central management rather than implementation alone. The company offers flexible support plans, 24/7/365 expert assistance, dedicated support representatives and one of the largest Business Central upgrade teams in North America. ArcherPoint also emphasises business process improvement, seamless integration with the Microsoft ecosystem and proactive guidance to help organisations stay current with new Business Central features while maximising scalability and long-term ROI.

2. Sikich

Sikich is a technology consulting and professional services firm that helps organisations implement, optimise and support Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and other ERP solutions. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, the company provides end-to-end services including ERP strategy, cloud migration, implementation, system integration, customisations, user training and managed support.

It is known for combining ERP consulting with broader business advisory services, allowing clients to align technology investments with operational and financial goals. Its Business Central practice emphasises process optimisation, scalable cloud solutions and industry-specific expertise in sectors such as manufacturing, distribution, construction, professional services and nonprofit organisations.

3. Velosio

Velosio is a Microsoft Solutions Partner specialising in business applications, cloud solutions and managed IT services. The company helps organisations implement, migrate, customise and support Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, offering services such as ERP consulting, system integration, cloud migration, application development, user training and ongoing managed support. Its goal is to help businesses streamline operations and improve productivity through Microsoft’s business technology ecosystem.

The company also offers proprietary tools and accelerators designed to simplify implementations and migrations, helping reduce deployment time and project risk. In addition to Business Central, Velosio integrates ERP with Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Dynamics 365 CRM and Azure, enabling organisations to build scalable, connected business systems that support long-term growth.

Maximising the Investment in Business Central

Successfully managing Business Central requires more than technical implementation. Organisations must address system integration challenges, drive consistent user adoption across departments and balance customisation with long-term scalability. As such, partnerships with experienced advisors enable companies to transform their ERP platform into a foundation for sustained digital transformation and competitive advantage.