You know that feeling when you merge onto the freeway during rush hour and suddenly wish you’d taken the alternate route your GPS suggested?
The chaos—every lane backed up, drivers making questionable last-minute decisions, and no clear path forward—sound familiar?
Disconnected data in your business works the same way. Sales, finance, and marketing all operate in their own lanes, often without a clear connection, creating bottlenecks and confusion that slow everything down.
Understanding how to integrate Business Central with Dataverse can help your business escape the gridlock.
By connecting Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central with Microsoft Dataverse, you can create an express lane for your data, clearing congestion—like a minty blast for your business—and enabling seamless collaboration and smarter, faster decision-making across teams.
Executive teams often worry that ERP customizations might complicate future upgrades, increasing costs and downtime. But integrating Business Central with Dataverse significantly reduces these risks.
Dataverse is a low-code platform that centralizes and standardizes data across Dynamics 365 and Power Platform applications.
It ensures customizations remain compatible and seamlessly integrated into new system versions, so businesses have the flexibility to scale and adapt without sacrificing stability.
Why Learn How to Integrate Business Central with Dataverse?
Integration is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s the backbone of running a smarter business.
For organizations using Business Central, Microsoft Dataverse integration can be a game-changer, creating a seamless flow of business data that empowers teams to work smarter, not harder.
Consistent Data Across Systems:
Disconnected systems can lead to chaos—duplicate records, outdated information, and misinformed decisions.
Business data integration ensures consistency of information across all departments for a unified, accurate view of operations.
Streamlined Processes
When your systems speak the same language, workflows become more efficient.
Automating repetitive tasks and synchronizing data eliminates manual errors, freeing up your team to focus on strategic initiatives.
With Microsoft Dataverse integration, your business can reduce inefficiencies and ensure smoother operations across departments.
Think of a supply chain running seamlessly because inventory and sales data are always in sync—that’s the power of effective Dataverse Integration.
Enhanced Collaboration
Data silos prevent teams from working together effectively. By connecting Business Central and Dataverse, you’re creating a bridge between your departments—sales, marketing, and finance—so they can access shared, up-to-date information.
This unified approach not only streamlines internal processes but also enhances customer engagement and operational efficiency.
Alignment like this is critical – in fact, McKinsey research found that data-driven organizations are significantly more competitive, being 23 times more likely to acquire customers and 19 times more likely to drive profitability.
When Customization Is Needed
Off-the-Shelf Limitations
Out-of-the-box integrations between Business Central and Dataverse can handle standard business processes. But not every business operates in the “standard” lane.
Unique workflows, industry-specific requirements, or niche use cases often call for more tailored solutions to align systems with how your business operates.
Specialized Workflows
This is where customization flexes its muscles. Off-the-shelf integrations can feel like using universal remote—it works fine… until it doesn’t. Customization ensures your integration works - without the glitches and gaps that undermine peak efficiency.
A few examples:
Supply Chain Inventory Management: Tracking inventory levels and demand spikes with workflows customized to fit client contracts or seasonal fluctuations.
Project Billing for Service Firms: Tailored billing workflows accommodate complex contracts, like milestone-based invoicing or recurring services.
Tailored Reporting in Warehouse Management: Customized dashboards reflect KPIs specific to your distribution partners or operational goals.
With specialized workflows in place, your business has the flexibility to address its unique challenges without sacrificing operational efficiency.
How Developers Make Customization Possible
Developers play a critical role in how to integrate Business Central with Dataverse, ensuring the solution meets unique business needs.
When off-the-shelf solutions fall short, they step in to work their magic, crafting tailored business solutions that make Business Central and Dataverse function seamlessly together:
Tools of the Trade
APIs for data connections: Developers use APIs like data flow wizards to create pathways for Business Central and Dataverse to communicate effortlessly.
Power Automate for automation: With a few clever workflows, they automate repetitive tasks like syncing inventory or alerting teams about overdue invoices. Your previously tedious processes are now effortless.
Custom Logic for Complex Workflows: Not all fixes are quick ones. Developers can craft custom logic to tackle scenarios like project billing or tiered pricing.
Power Apps for (some) Custom Functionality: Some customizations do not need to live in an ERP. For example, a specialized sales configurator, a quality control application, custom engineering applications, or maintenance functionality may not be required in Business Central but can instead interact with Business Central data, along with other systems and the Dataverse. Of course, customizations in an ERP can make sense, but, in today’s world and technologies, may be better served outside of the ERP to cut down on licensing costs and expand functionality.
The Process
Mapping Data Points: Developers identify exactly how Business Central and Dataverse data should align, for smooth and accurate synchronization.
Building and Testing Workflows: Like a dress rehearsal, they design and fine-tune workflows to ensure everything flows perfectly.
Seamless Synchronization: Once their magic is complete, voila! Data flows in real time, without bottlenecks, and with every department connected.
With developers designing precise integrations, your data flows seamlessly—like that alternate route the GPS suggested but you didn’t take. Inventory updates, payment statuses, and customer details are always where they need to be—no chaos; no delays.
Key Benefits of a Tailored Dataverse Integration
A tailored Dataverse integration is more than just connecting systems — it’s a strategic investment that delivers measurable benefits across your organization.
It ensures seamless data flow, empowers teams with automation, and sets the stage for long-term efficiency and growth. Here’s what you can achieve:
Enhanced Reporting: Accurate, up-to-date reporting provides teams with the insights they need when they need them, for smarter, faster decisions.
Improved Accuracy: Automating data transfer eliminates manual entry errors, ensuring reliable, consistent information across systems.
Faster Workflows: Real-time updates and automation accelerate processes, freeing up your team to focus on high-value initiatives.
Better Decision-Making: Unified data creates a single source of truth, enabling leaders to make informed, confident decisions quickly.
Enhanced Collaboration: Connected systems ensure that all departments access and share consistent information, creating seamless collaboration and alignment.
Lower Lifetime Ownership Cost and Scalability: Migrating customizations outside of an ERP and onto the Power Platform can lower licensing and update costs while also increasing scalability more easily and efficiently.
According to Forbes, automation and integration also allow businesses to scale efficiently, keeping operations agile and adaptable in a fast-changing environment. By leveraging tailored solutions, your organization can eliminate inefficiencies, empower your teams, and maintain a competitive edge.
The Value of Planning for the Future
When you integrate Business Central with Dataverse you’re not just solving today’s issues—you’re building a system that grows with your business.
Here’s how thoughtful planning translates to lasting value:
Scalability: A custom integration evolves with your business, handling growing data and new needs while supporting remote teams – all while ensuring market agility.
Security: With Dataverse, your data is protected by enterprise-grade security and compliance features, reducing the risk of breaches or unauthorized access.
Flexibility: Change is constant in business. A tailored integration allows your systems to adapt to new tools, markets, or customer needs without starting from scratch.
Future-Proofing: Leveraging low-code tools ensures customizations stay compatible with upgrades, minimizing downtime and maintaining smooth operations as Microsoft introduces new features.
Integrating Business Central with Dataverse isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a shrewd investment in your company’s future. With scalability, security, and flexibility baked in, your integration can grow, adapt, and evolve with your business.
At Key Partner Solutions, we specialize in crafting customized integrations that align with your unique goals. From planning to implementation, our team ensures your systems work seamlessly together, delivering the operational efficiency and insights your business needs to thrive.
Don’t let disconnected data hold your business back. Contact us today to learn how to integrate Business Central with Dataverse and transform your business operations.
About Matt Keyes
Matt Keyes is a visionary leader, founder and CTO of Key Partner Solutions. With over two decades of experience in Microsoft Dynamics, he is passionate about driving digital transformation for businesses through innovative technology solutions.
His deep technical expertise, combined with a strategic approach to solving business challenges, makes him a sought-after thought leader in the industry.
Today, Matt is focused on empowering companies to unlock new levels of growth and efficiency through cutting-edge software development and consulting.
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn.
