The ERP system for smart companies
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a cloud-based ERP system that has been specially developed for small and medium-sized companies. It combines financial management, purchasing, sales, warehousing, production and project management in a centralised platform, replacing the classic combination of isolated solutions, spreadsheets and manual processes.
As part of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 ecosystem, Business Central integrates seamlessly with the tools that many companies already use on a daily basis: Outlook, Excel, Teams and Power BI. Data is captured once and is immediately available everywhere, across departments, in real time and without media disruptions.
209%
Return on investment
What sets Business Central apart from traditional ERP systems today is the deep integration of artificial intelligence. Microsoft Copilot is embedded directly into the platform, not as an add-on module, but as an integral part of daily work processes.
Whether automated payment processing, AI-supported cash flow forecasts or intelligent order processing: Business Central takes over routine tasks and gives teams the freedom to focus on the essentials.
According to a study commissioned by Microsoft Forrester study companies achieve an average return on investment of 209 per cent over three years with Business Central, with a payback period of just six months.
Business Central grows with the company. The platform is available in over 160 countries, supports more than 47 languages and fulfils international compliance requirements, from GDPR to industry-specific regulations. Updates are carried out automatically via the Microsoft Cloud, without complex IT projects or system failures.
Companies start exactly where they are: with the modules they need now and the option to expand the system at any time with industry-specific apps from the Microsoft AppSource or customised extensions.
An ERP implementation is not an IT project, it is a business project. As a certified Microsoft Solutions Partner, collana supports your company in the introduction and further development of Business Central: from process analysis to implementation and ongoing operation.
All financially relevant data from purchasing, sales, warehouse and personnel converge in one place in Business Central. Accounts receivable and payable, cost accounting, budgeting, asset management and cash flow planning are fully integrated, without manual transfers between systems. Microsoft Copilot provides active support: payment reconciliations, cash flow forecasts and exceptions are automatically recognised and processed so that finance teams can make decisions more quickly and noticeably speed up the month-end closing process.
Business Central covers the entire procurement process, from the automated determination of requirements based on stock levels and replenishment times to supplier management and invoice verification. Order proposals are generated by the system, quotations are compared directly in the system and orders are triggered automatically. This reduces manual intervention, minimises procurement risks and ensures end-to-end transparency along the supply chain.
Storage locations, storage bins, batch and serial number tracking: Business Central digitally maps the entire warehouse structure. Putaway, stock transfer and picking are controlled via barcode-supported processes, while AI-based stock forecasts help to recognise bottlenecks at an early stage. Seamless traceability makes the solution particularly suitable for regulated environments where batch accuracy is not an option, but a must.^
All sales processes run in one interface, from quotation creation to order processing and invoicing. Sales prices, discount structures and customer condition models can be stored flexibly. Direct integration with Outlook and Teams enables sales teams to process quotations and orders without having to switch systems. Business Central also offers native Shopify integration for e-commerce companies.
Relevant for: E-Commerce, Wholesale & Foreign Trade, Production & Manufacturing
Business Central supports manufacturing companies with detailed bills of materials, production orders, capacity planning and the management of complex production scenarios including assembly-to-order. The close integration with warehouse, purchasing and financial management ensures that material requirements, delivery times and production costs are transparent at all times. Agile and multi-stage production processes can also be mapped reliably.
Relevant for: Production & Manufacturing, process industry, Food industry
Projects can be planned, budgeted and controlled in a structured manner in Business Central, with a direct link to purchasing, warehouse and financial accounting. Employees book times and expenses directly in the system; services can be charged on a time and material or flat-rate basis. Integrated project controlling provides the current status of costs, capacity utilisation and profitability at all times.
Relevant for: NPOs & associations, Healthcare, process industry
Business Central provides role-based dashboards and real-time reports that can be connected directly to Power BI. Managers receive aggregated KPIs, specialist departments operational analyses, without IT detours. AI-supported analyses automatically recognise patterns, deviations and opportunities and enable them to take action. For companies that manage multiple locations or companies, the platform offers consolidated multi-company analyses in a single view.
Business Central is not a platform that will be retrofitted with AI at some point. It is designed for this from the ground up. Microsoft Copilot is firmly embedded in everyday working life: it processes incoming orders by email, automatically reconciles payments, creates cash flow forecasts and recognises deviations in real time. In addition, Business Central forms the data foundation that makes AI applications powerful, clearly structured, fully integrated and available in real time. Those who rely on Business Central today will be building AI agents tomorrow on a platform that was made for it.
Not a bit better. Fundamentally more efficient. Those who introduce Business Central do not gain new software, but rather a new way of managing their company. Automation where previously there was manual labour. Decisions based on data where previously gut instinct ruled. The following companies have taken this step and show what is possible.
An ERP system is only as good as the implementation behind it. Technology alone does not change processes, it needs people who really understand companies and know how change works. This is exactly what collana has been doing for years to support companies in the introduction and further development of Microsoft Business Central.
collana is a certified Microsoft Solutions Partner and fulfils the requirements in several areas of expertise: Business Applications, Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation, Infrastructure, Security and Modern Work. These certifications are not an end in themselves. They prove that collana not only knows the Microsoft platform, but has mastered it at enterprise level and is continuously developing it further.
What sets collana apart from a pure technology service provider is its deep understanding of its customers' industries. Whether e-commerce, the food industry, wholesale and foreign trade, production or the Swiss healthcare sector: collana knows the regulatory requirements, the typical process structures and the points at which standard solutions reach their limits. This knowledge is incorporated into every implementation right from the start.
collana not only supports companies right up to the go-live. The aim is a long-term partnership: from the initial process analysis and implementation through to ongoing operation and continuous further development of the solution. More than 1,000 customers in Germany, Switzerland and other European markets rely on this collaboration for projects of all sizes and complexities.
Not every company needs a complete ERP implementation right away. collana offers targeted introductory formats that quickly create clarity and deliver concrete added value without a great deal of upfront commitment. Those who are still in the orientation phase will find the ERP orientation workshop a structured first step. Those who are ready can start directly with the implementation.
Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Business Central
Microsoft Business Central is billed as a monthly subscription per user. There are two main licences: Essentials for the core areas of finance, purchasing, sales, warehouse and project management, and Premium, which also covers production and service management. There are also costs for implementation, customisation and ongoing support, which vary depending on the scope of the project. A reliable cost estimate is best obtained during a structured initial consultation, as the licence model and project scope always depend on the specific company.
That depends on the scope. Companies that start with just a few modules and rely on proven best practice processes can have Business Central up and running in just a few weeks. More complex projects with individual customisations, data migration from legacy systems and multiple locations take longer. Proper preparation is crucial: the clearer the processes and requirements are defined before the start of the project, the smoother the implementation will run.
Both are ERP systems, but appeal to different target groups. SAP is traditionally geared towards large companies with highly complex processes and is correspondingly expensive to implement, operate and licence. Business Central was developed for small and medium-sized companies: faster implementation, lower overall costs and much closer integration into the Microsoft ecosystem that many companies already use. In most cases, Business Central is the functionally more complete and economically more sensible choice for SMEs.
Yes, Business Central has modern API interfaces and can be connected to a wide range of external systems, from shop systems such as Shopify to EDI platforms and industry-specific solutions. Hundreds of certified extensions are also available via the Microsoft AppSource. Where standard interfaces are not sufficient, collana develops customised integrations that are precisely tailored to the existing system landscape.
Yes, Business Central fulfils international compliance requirements and is regularly updated to reflect regulatory changes. For regulated environments such as the food industry, the process industry or the Swiss healthcare sector, the platform offers seamless batch tracking, audit-proof accounting and role-based access controls. Industry-specific requirements that go beyond the standard can be mapped via certified add-ons or customised development.
Switching to Business Central is the natural next step. Master data, charts of accounts and core processes can be migrated in a structured way so that proven knowledge is not lost. At the same time, the migration offers the opportunity to clean up established structures and rethink processes. As Microsoft support for older NAV versions is gradually being phased out, now is the right time to migrate, not when support ends and the pressure increases.