An SAP Business One alternative for e-commerce: a comparison of collana diva now

SAP Business One alternative

SAP Business One is SAP’s entry-level ERP system for small and medium-sized enterprises and is used across many sectors. Nevertheless, online retailers are left wondering whether it is the right fit for them. There are four reasons that come up time and again in our discussions with e-commerce companies:

  • SAP Business One is not primarily designed to meet e-commerce requirements.
  • Multichannel integrations are provided via partner connectors, add-ons or custom programming and incur an additional charge.
  • Long implementation times hamper agile growth.
  • Licence and customisation costs add up when the system needs to be adapted to trading processes.

 

Anyone wishing to avoid these implementation costs from the outset should choose a system that already includes trading functions. One such alternative is collana diva now, our cloud-native ERP solution for e-commerce, based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

A comparison of SAP Business One and collana diva now

A quick look at the categories shows where the systems differ.

Status of the settlement: November 2025

Feature

SAP Business One

collana diva now

E-commerce integration

About partner connectors, add-ons and in-house programming

Pre-configured interfaces and modules

Implementation time

Depending on the scope

8 to 12 weeks (depending on the project)

Costs according to publicly available information

Purchase licence from €1,140 per user (Starter, depending on the package); cloud subscription from €38 per user per month (Starter, teams of up to 5 people), from €91 per user per month (Professional). Costs for hosting, customisation, maintenance and support are additional. (Third-party information)

From €158 per user per month, plus additional modules (see the product page for available modules)

Updates and maintenance

Projects subject to a fee

Automatically and at no extra cost

Cloud-first

Added subsequently

Cloud-native from the ground up

API flexibility

Limited

Open REST APIs

All details regarding SAP Business One are based on publicly available information (as at October 2025) and are provided for general guidance only. SAP does not publish a binding price list; terms and conditions are set by certified partners. „SAP Business One“ and „SAP“ are registered trademarks of SAP SE. They are mentioned solely for comparison and information purposes.

E-commerce features

SAP Business One is designed for use across all sectors. collana diva now was developed for e-commerce, with integrated processes for purchasing, sales, stock management and accounting. An overview of the four areas.

Multichannel management

  • Centralised integration and management of online shops
  • Automatic, real-time stock synchronisation
  • Managing prices and offers by customer segment

Fulfillment automation

  • Dropshipping and just-in-time delivery available
  • Configurable order rules based on availability
  • Integration of parcel delivery providers via API and EDI, including dispatch and tracking data
  • Invoice processing

Returns management

  • Fast returns processing with credit notes in the system
  • Real-time restocking and stock updates

Purchasing and Sales

  • Automated replenishment planning and optimised stock levels
  • End-to-end document chains, product and customer histories
  • Planning of marketing initiatives, campaigns and terms and conditions

Business processes can also be automated and standardised. Thanks to the cloud, you can access your data at any time.

The Microsoft advantage as a foundation

The ‘Diva Now’ collection is based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Microsoft’s cloud-based ERP. This offers tangible benefits: a tried-and-tested system with future-proof development, direct integration with Microsoft 365 (Teams, Excel, Outlook), Power BI analytics, the Azure cloud infrastructure, support from Microsoft and a large community. If your business outgrows the scope of these features, you can rely on collana diva the next stage of development is ready, based on the same foundation.

Migration in four phases

The transition from SAP Business One to collana diva now follows a set process. You’ll be up and running in 8 to 12 weeks (depending on the project).

  1. Consultation and kick-off: During a no-obligation initial consultation, we’ll get to know your business and you’ll get to know our system. If you decide to go with collana diva now, we’ll draw up a roadmap.
  2. Analysis and mapping: We analyse your processes and data quality, and ensure that master data, as well as document and control logic, are accurately mapped to the new system.
  3. Customisation and data migration: Profiles, documents, price lists and configurable business rules are set up. We then migrate master data and selected open transactions.
  4. Training and go-live: Tests and training sessions for key users and teams pave the way. After that, your data goes live, and we’ll be right there to support you until everything is running smoothly.

 

If you’re still at the early stages of making your choice, our ERP orientation and selection workshop when making a decision. We have covered further systems in the articles on Xentral Alternative, to the weclapp alternative and to the Odoo alternative compared.

E-commerce integrations in collana diva now

With collana diva now, you can use all the necessary platforms within a single system, including:

  • E-commerce platforms and online shops (e.g. Shopify)
  • Payment providers (e.g. PayPal via Collana Pay)
  • Courier services (e.g. DHL)
  • CRM, Power BI and other applications

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about switching from SAP Business One

What happens to my SAP data when I switch?

Your data from SAP Business One will not be lost. We will transfer master data, open documents, balances and all other relevant data. We will make historical data available as required, either through the migration of selected time periods or via an audit-proof archive.

My staff are only familiar with SAP. How easy is it to switch?

The transition will be prepared through training sessions for key users and Teams in Phase 4. Added to this is the familiar Microsoft environment: anyone who works with Excel, Outlook and Teams will quickly find their way around the interface.

Could anything go wrong when switching ERP systems?

The structured, four-phase process reduces the risk. Before the go-live, we test all processes together, and our team supports the launch until the system is running smoothly.

Does collana diva now offer all the features that e-commerce businesses need?

Yes, the solution covers multi-channel management, fulfilment, returns, purchasing, sales, payment processing and accounts. The LabelPort dispatch module and the collana pay payment hub are integrated.

What size of business is collana diva now suitable for?

collana diva now is aimed at e-commerce businesses, start-ups and SMEs focused on growth. The modules and number of users grow in line with the business.

Which solution is right for your business?

SAP Business One is a well-established solution for medium-sized businesses looking to join the SAP ecosystem and with a budget set aside for customisation. For those growing in e-commerce who want a cloud-native system with pre-configured retail processes, an integrated payment hub and a predictable go-live within 8 to 12 weeks, collana diva now offers a strong alternative.

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