What is a custom ERP?

As the name suggests, a custom ERP is built for a business based on its specific requirements. It offers specific functionality to the business and can support integrations such as Dynamics 365 Amazon integration.

What is Business Central?

Business Central is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP solution that offers standard workflows, secure integrations, and regular updates to meet industry needs. It is designed to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

How do you compare Business Central and custom ERP?

Both are distinct: a custom ERP offers tailored logic that can be costly to build and maintain, whereas Business Central provides a rich set of standard features that scale more easily and predictably.

Why is there a fear of risk in custom ERP?

Custom ERP is often risky to maintain because, over time, new functions, regulatory requirements, and integrations are needed, which require additional investment, dedicated developer support, and ongoing compliance work.

How is Business Central flexible?

Business Central is a flexible solution that supports customization through safe extensions and integrations that are designed not to break during updates. The platform is also built to handle increased transactional load as the business grows.

Is Business Central customizable?

Yes. Business Central is customizable using safe, Microsoft-supported extensions and configuration, allowing partners and customers to adapt the solution to their processes without compromising the core application.

Are there any hidden costs associated with a custom ERP?

Yes. Hidden costs that businesses often overlook with custom ERP include upgrades, integration work, ongoing bug fixes, security updates, and developer or vendor retainer fees.

How does a developer influence the custom ERP?

In many custom ERP projects, the developer or vendor holds most of the technical knowledge. This creates dependency, as the business typically does not fully understand the codebase, architecture, or implications of changes.

Is Business Central capable of integrating with other systems and tools?

Absolutely. Business Central can integrate with CRM systems, ecommerce platforms, Power BI, and communication or collaboration tools through APIs, connectors, and standard integration patterns.

Is it costly to maintain integrations in custom ERPs?

Yes. Integrations in custom ERPs are usually expensive to build and maintain because they rely on custom code, which must be updated whenever either system changes or new requirements arise.

Does Business Central offer reporting and analytics?

Yes. Business Central integrates with Power BI and other analytics tools to provide advanced reporting, dashboards, and data visualization for better decision-making.

Which is safer of the two for SMEs today?

For most small and medium-sized enterprises, Business Central is generally safer than a custom ERP because it provides enterprise-grade security, compliance, and scalability at a predictable and affordable cost.

What is the role of AI in ERP selection?

Today, businesses cannot afford to neglect AI when selecting an ERP. Modern ERP platforms should offer embedded AI capabilities for forecasting, automation, and insights to support a smarter, data-driven strategy.