So, you’ve decided to move forward with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for your business – now what? Your next critical step is to find the right software implementation partner.
Selecting a Business Central partner isn’t just about technical qualifications; it’s about finding someone who truly understands your business needs and goals. And the partner you choose today can truly make or break your success tomorrow.
Even the simplest software implementation projects can become complicated when you factor in the resources needed, the planning required, the specific reports to build, the customizations to be tested, and all the integration necessary to run your business smoothly. The safest way to reach the finish line is with an experienced partner who knows the process and can help you avoid costly pitfalls and delays.
Teaming up with the right Business Central partner can enhance your business performance, streamline your operations, and help you achieve your desired outcomes. So, where do you start? Keep reading to learn more about the impact of a long-term technology partner and how to strategically evaluate and pick a Business Central partner to fit your implementation, customization, and support needs.
Why the Right Technology Partner Matters
Selecting a technology partner is a bigger decision than choosing an ERP system itself. Most ERP systems are comparable and yield similar outcomes. A strong partner, on the other hand, will understand your unique industry and functional challenges, tailor the solution to fit your business goals and people, and help you unlock the full potential of your ERP investment. They become trusted technology advisors, ensuring your system supports your long-term growth and operational efficiency.
It’s important to choose a partner who takes the time to understand your business inside and out, offers customized solutions, and provides expert guidance and unwavering support to ensure your Business Central implementation not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Why? Because committing to the wrong partner can lead to a series of risks and costly pitfalls. Poor training and support can leave your team struggling with technical issues and slow adoption rates. A lack of customization can result in a system that doesn’t align with your business processes, leading to inefficiencies and frustration. Worse yet, a misalignment between your business goals and your partner’s approach can derail your entire Business Central implementation, causing delays, budget overruns, and even project failure. Read more about it in this blog post:
From Cost to Customization: How to Evaluate a Business Central Partner
Selecting a suitable partner for your upcoming Business Central implementation starts with understanding your needs as an organization. Similar to how you carefully selected Business Central as your ERP system of choice, partnership selection is a critical step that can significantly impact your current and future success. Here are 8 key areas to consider before committing to a potential Business Central partner:
- Cost vs. Value
While it may be tempting to choose the cheapest option, this can often lead to expensive mistakes down the line. A partner offering a low rate may lack the necessary experience, leading to poor quality work, missed deadlines, and ongoing maintenance issues. It’s important to look beyond the initial price tag and evaluate the overall value a partner brings, including their expertise, reliability, and ability to deliver a solution tailored to your business needs. - Comprehensive Support Across the Technology Stack
Look for a partner who offers end-to-end support across all aspects of your business technology, including ERP, CRM, infrastructure, and automation services. A partner who provides comprehensive support as a single point of contact eliminates the need to juggle multiple vendors, reducing the risk of miscommunication and ensuring a cohesive, seamless implementation. - Flexibility in Engagement Models
Your business needs may evolve over time, and your partner should be able to adapt to these changes without disrupting your operations. A partner with a flexible co-sourcing model can integrate seamlessly with your internal teams, providing scalable support that can grow, or contract based on demand. This adaptability is crucial for businesses that require tailored solutions and support at every stage of their growth. - Industry Expertise
Choose a partner with deep industry-specific experience. This expertise enables them to foresee challenges unique to your sector and offer insights that streamline deployment and enhance user adoption. A partner who understands your industry can better align the ERP system with your business processes, ensuring the solution truly supports your operational goals.
- IT & Managed Services
Successful ERP implementation is only the beginning. Ongoing support and proactively managed IT services are crucial for continued success. A partner who provides maintenance, monitoring, and strategic long-term planning can help you keep your systems and infrastructure always running at peak performance. Look for a partner who offers services like IT consulting, IT security, data backup and disaster recovery, and regular system health checks. At Tigunia, we offer our clients right-fit business process analysis and advisory services to help better understand your IT environment, processes, technology, and people – ultimately identifying areas for improvement. - Quality Assurance and Documentation
A reliable Business Central partner should have a robust quality assurance (QA) process in place to minimize the risk of errors and ensure that all customizations and configurations meet your business requirements. Thorough documentation practices are also essential, providing you with a clear and detailed record of your system’s development. This level of detail ensures that every step of the implementation is well-managed and transparent, giving you confidence in the quality and stability of your solution. - Customization Capabilities
Every business has unique processes and requirements, so it’s essential to choose a partner capable of customizing Business Central to fit your specific needs. A skilled partner will take the time to understand your workflows and build customizations that improve efficiency and drive better results. This ensures that your ERP system becomes a true asset to your business rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. - Client Satisfaction and Proven Track Record
Client satisfaction is a key indicator of a partner’s reliability and commitment to delivering successful projects. A partner with a high client satisfaction rate demonstrates dedication to client success and ability to build long-term relationships based on trust and performance. Look for a partner who can provide not just references but a consistent track record of successful implementations and satisfied clients.
“Tigunia took a hands-on approach to the entire Business Central implementation. They were able to connect with the people in the office, understand where we needed improvements, and continually provide support and guidance.”
Brian Goniu, Director of Operations
Olympic Supply Company – Read More
Critical Questions to Ask Your Potential Business Central Partner
Determining the right partnership is a crucial decision for your business. It involves mitigating risk by ensuring that the partner you select is not only experienced and resourceful but also committed to a transparent and well-documented process that aligns with your business objectives. This requires thoroughly vetting potential partners with critical questions, which is your best safeguard against project failures, budget overruns, and unmet expectations.
A successful partnership goes beyond technical expertise; it is built on effective communication, a well-defined process, and a team structure that matches your business goals. By asking the right questions during the selection process, you can ensure that your implementation will be executed smoothly and your business will be supported well beyond the initial deployment.
By thoroughly vetting potential Business Central partners with these critical questions, you can ensure that your chosen provider not only has the necessary experience and resources but is also committed to a transparent, well-documented process that aligns with your business objectives. This diligence is your best safeguard against project failures, budget overruns, and unmet expectations.
Here are some critical questions to guide your evaluation:
Experience and Track Record:
- How many years have you been working with Dynamics 365 Business Central?
- Can you provide examples of similar projects you have completed in my industry?
- What is your client retention rate?
- How do you measure the success of your projects, and can you share client testimonials or case studies?
- How many successful projects have you completed? What were the project sizes and scopes?
- Have you ever had a project that didn’t go as planned? If so, how did you handle it?
Team Structure:
- How many people will be dedicated to my implementation, and what are their roles?
- What level of experience do team members have with Dynamics 365 Business Central and the specific needs of my industry?
- Will I have a dedicated project manager, and what is their background in similar implementations?
- How often do team members rotate between projects? Will I have a consistent team throughout the project?
- What additional resources will be available to support my implementation if needed?
Communication and Accessibility:
- What is your preferred method of communication, and how often will we have project meetings?
- Is there a single point of contact for my project, and who is their backup if they are unavailable?
- How do you handle urgent issues outside of normal business hours?
- Will we have access to project management tools to track progress and updates?
- How do you ensure that all stakeholders are kept informed and engaged throughout the project?
Workload Assessment:
- How many projects are you currently managing? How do you prioritize new projects?
- What is your average project load for each team member?
- Are there any upcoming projects or commitments that might impact the attention given to my implementation?
- How do you ensure that resource allocation aligns with the critical phases of my project?
- If unexpected challenges arise, how will you manage them without disrupting other projects?
Quality Assurance and Documentation:
- What is your QA process during and after implementation?
- How do you ensure that customizations and configurations meet our business requirements?
- Can you provide a sample of the documentation we can expect, such as technical scopes, transition plans, and training materials?
- How do you manage scope changes and ensure that any modifications are thoroughly tested and documented?
- What is your rework process if issues arise after the initial deployment?
Get the Microsoft Business Central Partner You Deserve
Taking the time to select the right Business Central partner is important for a seamless, effective ERP implementation that aligns with your business objectives. Look for a partner with happy customers, flexible engagement models, extensive industry expertise, and a commitment to providing ongoing support and customization that fits your specific requirements.
At Tigunia, we go beyond just delivering software solutions. As a trusted Microsoft Solutions partner, our highly trained team offers a suite of solutions and services across the entire technology stack, focused on supporting and optimizing your Business Central platform. From Microsoft Dynamics ERP, CRM, Power Platform, and Modern Workplace to targeted add-ons, automation, analytics, and infrastructure, we can connect your entire technology stack and optimize your business systems.
Our “one hand to hold” approach means you have a single point of contact for all your technology needs, ensuring seamless integration and proactive support throughout your journey. With a flexible co-sourcing model, we become an extension of your team, adapting our services to your evolving business demands. Our 100% client satisfaction rate reflects our dedication to delivering the right solutions without overselling or leaving gaps.
Whether you’re starting your Business Central journey or looking to optimize your existing system, Tigunia is here to help you scale your business, boost profitability, and achieve your performance objectives. With our focus on collaboration, innovation, and customer success, we are the technology partner you can trust to drive your business forward through technology. Contact us today to learn how we can support your success.