Choosing Microsoft ERP: Start with strategy, not software

Business Central or Finance and Supply Chain Management? Start with strategy

Too often, companies begin the ERP selection process by asking: “Should we choose Business Central or Finance and Supply Chain Management?” While this is a valid question, it skips a crucial first step.

Before evaluating platforms, we need to understand your strategic goals, core processes, and operational ambitions. Only then can we identify the Microsoft Dynamics 365 solution that truly fits.

From system-first to strategy-first ERP selection

ERP was once a toolbox: you picked a system and customized it to fit. Today, out-of-the-box solutions like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Finance and Supply Chain Management are modular, scalable, and continuously updated.

The challenge? Adapting these tools to support your business model—without rebuilding them from scratch.

At BE-terna, we reverse the process. We start by asking: “Where do you want your business to be in five years?” Then, we help you define the capabilities, workflows, and tools required to get there.

Your first step: Strategic value assessment

To support this business-first ERP approach, we begin with a strategic value assessment that takes a deep dive into your organization’s goals, processes, and readiness for change.

As part of this initial phase, we:

• Clarify your strategic vision: What’s driving transformation—growth, compliance, customer demands? How is your market evolving?
• Map your key business processes: We analyze workflows across finance, supply chain, operations, and more to identify improvement areas.
• Identify functional and organizational needs: Do you operate in multiple countries or complex structures? Are localization, compliance, or intercompany capabilities needed?
• Evaluate scalability and innovation readiness: We assess your IT maturity and explore your potential for AI, automation, or Microsoft Power Platform integration.

By the end, you’ll have a clear, objective roadmap to guide your Microsoft ERP decision—built on business goals, not product assumptions.

Business Central or Finance & Supply Chain Management? It depends

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to Microsoft ERP solutions.

Business Central is ideal for growing businesses: cost-effective, agile, and rich in functionality.

Finance and Supply Chain Management is better suited for organizations that:

• Run complex international operations
• Operate in heavily regulated industries
• Require enterprise-level scalability and deep process integration

Our recommendations are always based on your business goals—not on product familiarity or licensing incentives.

From decision to delivery: A transparent, phased approach

Once the direction is clear, we don’t just implement a system—we co-create a roadmap tailored to your needs. Our approach is:

• Focused on realistic, value-driven go-lives
• Flexible through phased rollouts and country-specific extensions
• Governed by Microsoft’s Success by Design framework to monitor KPIs and mitigate risk

Why it matters: Trust over transactions

We build partnerships based on trust—not product pitches. Our customers value that we don’t sell software licenses; we provide strategic ERP services that deliver long-term value.

This approach has enabled smoother implementations, faster user adoption, and better ROI across industries and geographies.

Final thought: Start with the why

Whether you’re using AX, NAV, or another ERP system, your next step shouldn’t be: “Which Microsoft product should we choose?”

It should begin with a conversation about your business.