What is an ERP?
An ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is software offering a set of integrated features for managing a business. From entering quotes, taking orders, invoicing, inventory management, up to the accounting of entries.
In other words, integrated management software is software specifically designed to efficiently manage all internal management processes of a company.
ERP: comment faire le bon choix ?
The features and functionality of each ERP system may vary depending on its origin. While some companies choose to design their own custom software, this solution is extremely expensive. In addition, it can prove risky in the event of a loss of skills in the teams behind its development.
Other less expensive, but equally effective, solutions are standard ERP solutions. These solutions are adapted to the most common functions and offered by market publishers. Among them, you will find Microsoft, SAP, EBP, Cegid…
Some of these solutions even allow the addition of specific functionalities in order to comprehensively meet the needs of each company.
To make the right choice of solution, one step is essential, even absolutely essential: the functional analysis of needs.
This step will make it possible to identify all the needs covered by the standard functionalities of the planned solution. But above all, to identify the specific adaptations and developments necessary to cover the rest of the needs.
It is therefore very important that the solution chosen offers sufficient flexibility and openness to allow certain tailor-made adaptations, without altering the operation of the standard processes guaranteed by the publisher.
With this in mind, Smotly, a Microsoft certified partner, invites you to discover one of the best ERP systems on the market: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
From Microsoft Navision to Dynamics 365 Business Central
Microsoft, the world's leading software publisher, offers through its Dynamics 365 Business Central offering, an ERP offering a very extensive range of standard functionalities. In addition, the editor allows Apps to be developed to meet specific needs and integrated in a completely transparent manner for the end user.
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In addition, this system is developed by one of the most important companies in the world in this field: Microsoft. This offers a real advantage to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central compared to other alternatives on the market. Therefore, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central integrates naturally throughout the Microsoft universe: Office 365, Power BI, Teams, Power apps and much more.
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Formerly called Microsoft Navision (NAV), the management solution has since 2018 become Dynamics 365 Business Central. The solution is suitable for VSEs, SMEs but also large groups.
While the Microsoft NAV version offered a solution directly installed on site. Within your company's servers, the new version of the management software, Dynamics 365 Business Central, is located on the Cloud.
Completely reworked and redesigned, this major update offers more freedom but also fluidity to users of the solution.
The benefits of Dynamics 365 Business Central
An ERP that is easy to use and quick to configure
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a continuation of the products offered by the publisher. Simple use integrating with all other Microsoft applications: Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.), CRM, SharePoint, etc. This makes it easier to set up and, above all, to train your employees. The integration of different Microsoft software saves time for the users concerned and thus allows them to be more productive in the way they work.
ERP SaaS
Dynamics 365 Business Central is management software in SaaS mode. This allows you to take your data wherever you are. Computers, tablets or even mobile, the management software adapts to your desires and needs. Indeed, hosted on the Azure Cloud, the management platform is compatible with Windows, Android and also iOS.
In addition, the choice of the so-called SaaS solution allows the automatic updating of your software. Beyond minor updates, you benefit from two major updates per year, carried out directly by Microsoft, and associated new features.
Finally, choosing to host your ERP on the Azure Cloud allows you to protect all of your data, particularly in the event of theft, leak or even fire.
Low costs
Utilisateurs full
“Full Users” are users for whom complete access to the application’s functionalities is necessary in order to carry out their missions in the best conditions.
For example: salespeople, customer service, members of the financial department, etc. These users must be fully licensed with a subscription to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials or Premium.
- Essentials
The Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials license provides a feature set that meets the needs of many businesses of all sizes.
This management software allows you to manage your finances, sales and opportunity management via the integrated CRM, procurement and inventory management but also project management.
- Premium
Utilisateurs additionnels
- Team Members
Indeed, additional users, also called “Team Members” by Microsoft, are people who must consult data or reports directly extracted from the management software systems. This, without having to benefit from full access to sensitive data such as purchases, sales or even company finances.
As a result, the “Team Members” license will allow your employees free access to simple reading of certain data from your management system.
Features of Dynamics 365 Business Central
Finances
Business Central lets you fully manage your business finances. Indeed, ERP offers you the possibility of taking charge of your general accounting, customers or even suppliers. That's not all, your analytical accounting, the management of your fixed assets but also the management of your cash flow can be entirely managed within Business Central.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers you the ability to manage your payments, your bank reconciliations and even the costs of your projects. Integrated management software lets you take complete control of your finances and expand your business across the globe with support for multiple currencies, intercompany transactions, exchange rate updates, and more.
Gestion commerciale
Marketing & CRM
Business Central supports you both in your prospecting and retaining your existing customers, as well as in your effective marketing campaigns thanks to the integrated CRM and its functionalities.
Indeed, the CRM integrated into your Business Central solution will allow the management of these different aspects: contacts (prospects and customers), order history, campaigns and sales opportunities, etc.
Sales management
To begin with, you must not forget that the specific purpose of an ERP is above all to manage the management of your sales. Here, Business Central plays its role perfectly. Beyond managing your customer and prospect lists, the software will allow you to generate your commercial documents: quotes, orders, invoices or even credit notes.
In addition, the management of your product prices can be fully automated thanks to their personalization according to customer groups, quantities, or even validity dates. All combinations are possible.
Finally, you will be able to trigger actions throughout the workflows of your sales documents in order to automate and associate advanced functionalities: purchasing requests, triggering shipments, etc.
In summary, it is difficult not to respond to any need without talking, once again, about possible additional adaptations.
Purchasing management
As with sales, you will take full control of the purchasing processes. From creating orders, to sending them to your suppliers, including receipt notes but also recording your purchase invoices.
You will have the possibility of attaching several suppliers to a product with purchasing conditions specific to each of them. An approval circuit system can be set up as standard.
Of course, the ERP tool is in direct contact with your financial department. This will allow you to directly transfer your documents to the accounting department in order to reconcile the corresponding invoices upon receipt.
Inventory management
Integrated management software allows you to automate your supply chains. This ensures an always optimal stock level in order to reduce shortages and thus loss of sales. Several valuation methods are of course offered as standard and you will be able to freely manage locations and warehouses.
Service management
Business Central allows the management of service delivery items. The management tools put in place offer the possibility of managing your after-sales service with ease. Whether for a product replacement or a repair.
Your service orders also include labor costs, the price of spare parts or even the sending of loan products during the after-sales service. The service management tool allows you to manage your work orders to optimize staff management and workload.
Production
Managing your production is the second additional feature offered by the Premium license. Indeed, Business Central allows you to record and validate your productions. And this, while keeping an eye on your consumption of materials and time thanks to the creation of manufacturing orders.
Tailor-made adaptable solution
One of the advantages of Microsoft Business Central is that it allows you to integrate specific functionalities using applications developed by partners or your integrator.
These applications are integrated completely transparently for users. However, they remain dissociated from the standard proposed by the publisher. This architecture guarantees the maintenance and updates of the editor, while meeting very specific needs not covered by the standard solution.
Smotlink: the integration of BigCommerce with Business Central
Just like our BigCommerce solution, Microsoft Business Central has a completely open API. Which makes it easier to communicate with third-party applications.
Your e-commerce site and your ERP solution are thus synchronized to optimize your inventory management, your product prices and the tracking of orders for your customers.
The user experience is thus improved and your management more efficient.
Essayez Business Central
With Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Smotly can meet the needs of all types of businesses. SMEs, mid-market or larger companies wishing to implement an intelligent, simple and adaptable management solution.
The Smotly team, a member of the Microsoft Certified Partner Program, is an expert in integrating this solution.
Do not hesitate to contact us or request an interview to discuss your project to integrate your business management solution.