What is Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365 BC) is an all-in-one solution for Wholesale and Distribution industries. It is available on-premise, on the cloud or a Hybrid cloud. D365 BC allows companies to streamline operations, enhances productivity, and enables informed decision-making. With integrated applications for inventory management, order processing, financials, and CRM, Business Central simplifies supply chain activities while providing real-time visibility into key performance indicators. Its adaptability and scalability empower wholesalers and distributors to meet customer demands efficiently in a competitive market landscape.

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Why Wholesale and Distribution Industries are Transitioning from
Microsoft GP to Microsoft Business Central

Support

Your Dynamics GP Solution is governed by a Fixed Lifecycle therefore Mainstream and Extended Support for Dynamics GP is Ending. For an example, companies using Dynamics GP 2018 and GP 2018 R2, Mainstream support ended January 10, 2023 and Extended Support ends January 11, 2028 .

Outdated Technology

Embrace modern AI, ML, automation, and data analytics with the Business Central’s platform.

Scalability Constraints and Limited Mobility

Seamlessly scale operations without compromising performance or functionality. Access critical information anytime, anywhere through mobile apps.

Complex Reporting & Analytics

Leverage Power BI integration for advanced reporting and actionable insights.

Integration Capabilities

Connect seamlessly with other applications/platforms within the Microsoft ecosystem or third-party providers.

Inventory Management Optimization

Utilize advanced features such as demand forecasting, automated replenishment suggestions, warehouse bin tracking, lot/serial number management – enhancing supply chain processes effectively.

Dynamics GP vs Microsoft Dynamics 365BC

Functionality

Microsoft GP

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Vendor Collaboration

Limited vendor collaboration capabilities

Collaborative features allow real-time communication, document sharing and collaboration with vendors for efficient procurement processes and better supplier relationships

Business Process Automation

Limited workflow automation options requiring manual intervention in many cases

Workflow automation tools streamline repetitive tasks such as purchasing approvals

Advanced Supply Chain Management

Basic supply chain management functions w/o advanced automation or optimization

Streamlined supply chain management with featured like advanced demand forecasting

E-Commerce Integration

Manual synchronization of e-commerce orders into GP may be required without native integration support

Native integration with e-commerce platforms allowing streamlined order processing from web stores or marketplaces within the ERP system

Integrated Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Integration with external WMS systems may require custom development or manual data entry

Seamless integration with third-party WMS solutions, like MetaWMS, for efficient warehouse operations including pick-pack-ship processes, real-time inventory visibility, and barcode scanning support

Demand Planning & Forecasting

Lacks advanced demand planning capabilities requiring manual forecasting and potentially inaccurate results

Advanced tools analyze historical sales data and market trends to generate accurate forecasts, facilitating proactive purchasing decisions

Advanced Pricing & Promotions

Limited flexibility in defining custom pricing structures or managing promotions

Flexible pricing options supporting customer-specific or volume-based structures. Enables complex promotional campaigns like BOGO offers or bundle discounts

Business Intelligence & Analytics

Basic reporting features without advanced analytics capabilities

Power BI integration provides real-time dashboards, customizable reports, and data-driven insights for informed decision-making within the wholesale and distribution sector

Expand Functionality by Leveraging Dynamics 365 Business Central Extensions Developed By MetaOption

MetaWMS

Advanced Warehouse Management System

Bin
License Plating
1D/2D Barcode and Label Printing
Put Away and Pick
Cycle Counting
Warehouse Receipt and Shipping
Shipping with Integration to Multiple Carriers

MetaShip

Shipping Management Platform

Order Processing
Shipment Tracking
Carrier Integration
Shipping Label Generation
Multi-Carrier Support
Rate Shopping
Address Validation
Return Management
Warehouse Integration
Reporting and Analytics

MetaPro

Professional
Services

Project estimation
Project status tracking
Prospect identification
Complete project cost visibility
Resource allocation

MetaDocs

Document Management System

Drag & Drop documents from Outlook
Document Storage
Document Search
Document Accessibility
Seamless integrations
Document Sharing
Disaster Recovery

MetaOCR

Advanced Optical Character Recognization

High Accuracy
Multi-Language Support
Handwriting Recognition
Table Extraction
Data Export Options
Image Preprocessing
PDF and Image File Support
Customizable Recognition Settings
Batch Processing
Integration Capabilities

Vendor Portal

Vendor Platform System for Buyers and Suppliers

Order and Invoice Management
Real-Time Communication
Product Catalog and Pricing
Payment Status and History
Document Uploads
Performance Metrics
Automated Alerts

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is MetaOption LLC?

MetaOption is a prominent Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, offering specialized technology services, strategic consulting, and innovative solutions for mid-market and enterprise clients. With expertise in business applications and cloud solutions, we address challenges through cutting-edge technologies and industry-specific approaches.

How long does it typically take to implement and configure Business Central for a company like ours?

The timeline for Business Central implementation varies, spanning weeks to months based on factors like company size, process complexity, and customization needs.

How seamless is the transition process?

Analyze Dynamics GP setup, including databases, customizations, integrations, and add-ons to define the migration scope for Business Central.

Cleanse and validate Dynamics GP data for accuracy and consistency.

Evaluate existing Dynamics GP customizations for possible replication or redevelopment in Business Central.

Implement required customizations and configurations in Business Central to match Dynamics GP functionality.

Extract, transform, and load data from Dynamics GP to Business Central.

Access Dynamics GP integrations and third-party add-ons. Plan for similar integrations or develop new ones for Business Central if necessary.

Perform final Data Migration, If any

Conduct comprehensive testing of Business Central’s functionality and data accuracy.

Involve end-users in UAT to gather feedback and ensure Business Central meets their needs.