Microsoft offers several enterprise resource planning (ERP) options for customers to choose from. With so many features, businesses have to consider their scale, complexity and growth plans. Are you looking for limited customization, or do you need detailed production control?
Organizations achieved a 106% return on investment over three years after migrating to Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP. Let’s compare Dynamics 365 Business Central (Business Central) and Microsoft’s Finance & Operations solutions — Dynamics 365 Finance (Finance) and Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management (SCM).
The primary difference between Finance and Business Central lies in their scope and scale. Business Central is Microsoft’s all-in-one ERP designed for small to midsized businesses. If your goal is to connect financials, sales, services and operations, Business Central does it in a single, streamlined platform. It’s simple and deploys quickly so that you can grow beyond entry-level systems.
Finance and SCM are now two separate solutions designed to work together if needed. They’re built for large, global companies managing high-volume transactions and complex operations. They each have access to Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem, but with more configurability and scalability than Business Central. They were split from Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations to provide customers with options, allowing them to choose whether they only needed financial or operational support.
Growing organizations often find themselves held back by manual data entry and fragmented systems. Business Central is the stepping stone to expanding your capabilities. Organizations gain a more efficient and unified way to manage their entire business without the complexity of enterprise-level systems.
Business Central is ideal for small to midsized manufacturers, distributors and professional service firms that need better data consistency and faster processes. It features a modular design and intuitive interface, making deployment faster and the total cost of ownership lower. Business Central offers:
When your business grows to multiple plants or continents, Finance and SCM are the next step. They’re distinct but integrated solutions designed to keep large operations connected, even at scale. They are:
Together, these applications create Microsoft’s ERP ecosystem. It’s engineered for high transaction volumes and complex supply networks. If you need end-to-end visibility, deep customization and automated processes, combining these solutions can make global business management easier.
Manufacturers need ERP for more than just financial control. ERP is the backbone that connects all your production, inventory and delivery. Choosing between Dynamics 365 Finance and SCM vs. Business Central depends on how complex your needs are. Industries like metals, manufacturing and distribution benefit most when ERP aligns with production and supply chain demands.
Finance and SCM support discrete, batch and process manufacturing. It’s ideal for multiplant operations and custom product workflows. Use Finance and SCM for access to features like:
Business Central is designed to streamline production planning for more assembly-style manufacturing. It provides basic job and resource management, without the detailed configurability required for specialized or complex operations.
Finance and SCM offer predictive demand planning, vendor collaboration portals and multitier inventory tracking. If your company has distributed suppliers and global fulfillment, this is the ERP you should be looking for.
Business Central has solid supply chain capabilities for midsized distributors. Think operations handling standard procurement and warehouse management. It lacks the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven forecasting or advanced operations automation available in Finance and SCM.
Finance and SCM are built for international operations. It can help handle tax configuration, localization and compliance in over 40 countries. Use Finance to manage intercompany transactions and consolidate reporting across subsidiaries.
Business Central is best suited for domestic or regional businesses that want simplicity and faster deployment. It provides operations with better cost savings compared to multinational capabilities.
Choosing between Dynamics 365 Business Central vs. Finance and SCM comes down to what works best for your company. You need to look beyond features to really break down your needs and goals. Just because Finance and SCM have more complex features doesn’t mean your business needs them right now. Here’s a summary breakdown:
Even once you’ve chosen between Dynamics Business Central vs. Finance and SCM, you still have to implement and upgrade properly. Manufacturers and distributors modernizing their systems need careful support to ensure everything goes smoothly.
A successful rollout begins far before you go live. Winfosoft works closely with executive teams to define goals and map workflows. We’ll identify which processes to automate or redesign. Then, our experts help your organization choose between configuration and customization. Each system will align with existing operations while supporting adaptability.
Managing upgrades is equally important. If you can’t keep pace with expanding demand, even the best ERP won’t help. Whether you’re moving from on-premises systems or legacy ERPs, Winfosoft ensures a seamless transition to the cloud. Our implementation framework minimizes downtime and secures historical data, so your integration and upgrades go as smoothly as possible.
Selecting the right ERP is just the first step. You also have to ensure a successful deployment, integration and user adoption. That’s where Winfosoft comes in. We’re a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner with the experience to help you make the best choice for your business. We combine deep technical expertise with decades of hands-on experience in the manufacturing and distribution industries.
For over 30 years, Winfosoft has helped enterprises modernize their operations with customized implementations and long-term ERP support. Our team is here to ensure your Dynamics 365 solution performs to its full potential. Reach out to us today to find the Dynamics 365 solution that best fits your business!
