Business Central has become the go-to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software for growing businesses, and its flexibility is a big part of why, but in all honesty, no single ERP does everything out of the box. That’s where third party integrations come in, filling functionality gaps and making sure processes flow the way you need them to. The tricky part? Not all integration options are created equal.
You don’t want to be the company that spends time and money on an integration that turns out to be half-baked, unmaintainable, or just plain wrong for your business. So, how do you make sure you’re picking the right one? Here are four key things to look for:
1. Is It Listed on AppSource?
Microsoft’s AppSource is more than just a marketplace. It’s a stamp of approval. Apps listed here are built specifically for Business Central, meaning they align with Microsoft’s standards and best practices. That leads to faster, smoother implementations and easier adoption by your team.
Another big plus? AppSource apps must be regularly updated to stay compatible with the latest Business Central versions. Microsoft releases two main versions of Business Central every year, typically in April and October, with monthly cumulative updates in between. If an integration isn’t on AppSource, you’ll soon risk compatibility problems from it not getting updated regularly.
2. Is It Configurable?
Your business isn’t cookie-cutter, so why should your integrations be? A solid third party integration should be configurable enough to adapt to your workflows. If an integration isn’t flexible, you’ll either need to tweak your processes to fit the software (which is never ideal) or pay for expensive customizations to bridge the gaps. Either way, you’re creating unnecessary work (read: costs) that could have been avoided by choosing a more adaptable solution in the first place.
On the flip side, you also need to be careful not to over-customize. Over-customizing integrations were identified as one of the top five common mistakes when integrating third-party systems, potentially increasing costs and complicating future updates. Finding that perfect balance requires expertise and experience, which leads us to our next point…
3. How Many Times Have They Done This?
We’ve seen ISVs claim they’ve integrated with Business Central, only to find out they’ve done it once or twice… ever. That’s a major red flag. If a vendor has only built their integration for a handful of customers, chances are it’s tailored to those specific setups, which means extra work (and extra dollars) to get it working for you. Look for vendors with a proven track record across a larger number of businesses. More installs mean a more refined, battle-tested integration.
4. Is the Integration Actually Built and Usable?
Some third-party vendors say they can integrate with Business Central, but that doesn’t mean they have. We’ve run into situations where an integration still needs to be built, or worse, the vendor expects us (or you) to build it for them. On the flip side, some vendors have a rigid “one-size-fits-all” integration that can’t be adjusted for your needs. The best integrations are already developed, tested, and successfully running in other businesses like yours, with enough flexibility to make them a natural fit.
Partner Participation
If your Microsoft partner has been working with Business Central long enough, then they should have recommendations for the more common integration needs. They should also know who to reach out to and be able to help you evaluate more unique integrations that you might need. If they don’t have recommendations or aren’t overly helpful when it comes to discussing integrations, this is definitely a red flag. If you’re in the process of evaluating partners for a Business Central implementation that will need integrations, make sure your partner has the skill set to help with these.
Making the Right Choice for YOU
Picking the right third party integration for Business Central isn’t just about finding A solution. It’s about finding the right solution. Stick to integrations that are listed on AppSource, flexible enough to work with your processes, backed by a solid history of installs, and fully built before they land in your system. Do that, and you’ll save yourself a ton of time, money, and frustration.
There are also other considerations to think about that we haven’t touched on, like security. Third party data breaches are surging, with a reported 49% year-on-year increase. A poorly secured integration can expose your sensitive business data to risks, leading to compliance issues and potential financial losses. Always check that the ISV follows best security practices, including data encryption, regular security audits, and compliance with industry standards.
Need help navigating the world of integrations? We are here to help. Reach out to us with any questions or to find the best solutions tailored to your business needs.
