Business Central integration connects your ERP to the software your teams rely on every day—from CRM and ecommerce to finance, reporting, and operations. When systems don’t talk to each other, people end up firefighting: retyping data, reconciling mismatched reports, and chasing down the “real” numbers. Work slows, confidence drops, and decision‑making stalls. With thoughtful integration around Dynamics 365 Business Central, those challenges fade. Data moves cleanly, processes stay consistent, and everyone works from the same, trusted source of truth.
This guide explains how integration works for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, what systems it can connect to, and how to reduce risk while building a connected environment—keeping the original structure and points intact, in a human, practical tone.
What is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central?
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a cloud ERP designed for small and midsize organizations that want better control across finance, sales, purchasing, inventory, projects, and customer data—all in one place. Instead of juggling disconnected tools, teams manage daily work from a single platform with shared data and standard processes. That unified foundation makes integration more reliable because each connection taps into the same clean, governed dataset.
Think of Business Central as your operational system of record. It tracks financial transactions, manages orders, monitors inventory levels, and supports project delivery end‑to‑end. Because everything runs through a central platform, reporting becomes more accurate, audit trails stay intact, and handoffs between departments are smoother. When you integrate other applications with Dynamics 365 Business Central, you extend that clarity across your ecosystem without multiplying data silos or duplicating effort.
What does integration mean in ERP?
Integration is about connecting systems so data and processes flow automatically rather than being managed in isolation. With effective Business Central integration, information moves between platforms—securely and on schedule—so teams stop entering the same record in multiple places. That reduces errors, speeds up routine tasks, and gives the business a consistent view of operations.
Every integrated landscape also needs a system of record—the source that “owns” the final version of specific data. For many organizations, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is the system of record for financial and operational information, while other systems publish to or subscribe from it. When ownership is clear and roles are defined, integrations deliver trustworthy reporting, fewer conflicts, and stronger control over master data.
Business Central integration benefits
Without integration, systems work in silos. People re‑enter data, reconcile reports manually, and make decisions with incomplete information. Over time, errors creep into spreadsheets, processes slow down, and visibility across departments breaks apart. Reliable integration around Dynamics 365 Business Central flips that script—moving teams from reactive problem‑solving to controlled, transparent operations.
Key benefits include:
- Reduced manual data entry: Information flows automatically between systems instead of being retyped line by line.
- Fewer errors: Automation removes duplicate records and human typos, improving data quality across the board.
- Faster financial close: Transactions post correctly the first time, cutting reconciliation and rework.
- Improved order accuracy: Sales, inventory, fulfillment, and billing stay in sync across platforms.
- Better customer experience: Teams see complete, current customer data in one place, from quotes to invoices.
- Stronger reporting and analytics: Reports pull from governed data rather than cobbled‑together spreadsheets.
- Reduced data duplication: Systems share the same master records instead of maintaining conflicting copies.
- Faster approvals and workflows: Automated handoffs replace email chains and manual status checks.
These gains compound. When Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is integrated well, teams spend more time moving work forward and less time reconciling the past.
What can Business Central integrate with?
Business Central integration allows your ERP to connect with almost every platform your business uses. Instead of managing data across separate tools, integration builds a connected environment where information flows automatically. Finance, operations, sales, and service then work from the same data set—improving accuracy, reducing delays, and creating a clear view of the business.
- Microsoft ecosystem: Dynamics 365 apps, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Azure services
- CRM and customer platforms: D365 Sales, HubSpot, and custom CRM solutions
- Ecommerce and EDI: Shopify, online marketplaces, and EDI platforms
- Financial and payments: Banks, payment gateways, tax engines, and expense tools
- Supply chain and logistics: WMS, shipping systems, 3PL providers, and manufacturing tools
- Data and analytics: Power BI, Jet Reports, data warehouses, and reporting platforms
- HR and payroll: Payroll systems, HR platforms, and benefits management
- Project and time management: D365 Project Operations, project tracking, and time entry tools
- Marketing automation: D365 Customer Insights, campaign tools, and marketing platforms
- Productivity tools: Outlook, Teams, and document management systems
Whether you’re connecting an out‑of‑the‑box app or a bespoke system, Dynamics 365 Business Central offers multiple integration paths to meet different speed, volume, and governance needs.
Types of Business Central integration approaches
Integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central can be delivered in several ways depending on system complexity, data volume, and how quickly information needs to move. Some connections use realtime web services. Others rely on middleware or scheduled file exchanges. Microsoft provides a few prebuilt integrations (for example, Business Central and Shopify), but many scenarios still benefit from API or middleware design. The “right” approach depends on how critical the data is, how frequently it changes, and how tightly systems must stay aligned.
- Web services (API‑based integrations)
Business Central supports integration through web services, including REST APIs and OData endpoints, with legacy SOAP services available for backward compatibility. These services let external systems read and write Business Central data in real time or on a schedule. Using Microsoft‑supported standards, organizations connect Business Central to cloud platforms, enterprise systems, and on‑premise applications securely and reliably.
For new projects, REST APIs are recommended because they’re designed for performance and scalability in modern architectures. API‑based integrations support full create, update, delete, and query operations across core business data—customers, vendors, invoices, inventory, journals, and more. To protect data integrity, Business Central enforces OAuth 2.0 authentication and role‑based permissions for all API access in cloud environments. That means you control exactly who can read or write which records, keeping governance tight as integrations expand.
2. Third-party integration tools (middleware)
If you prefer to avoid heavy custom development, middleware platforms offer a flexible bridge between Business Central and other software. These tools provide low‑code or no‑code configuration, transforming and routing data between systems without building everything from scratch. Many include drag‑and‑drop workflows, pre‑built connectors, and support for databases, APIs, and cloud services.
Middleware is especially helpful when multiple systems must connect, integration patterns are fairly standard, internal IT resources are limited, or speed of delivery is critical. Instead of writing and maintaining dozens of point‑to‑point integrations, you can centralize transformations and monitoring in one place. This keeps integrations more maintainable as your application landscape evolves—while still ensuring governed data flows into Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and out to surrounding systems.
3. File‑based import and export
File‑based integration is the simplest approach: one system exports a file (for example, CSV or Excel), and Dynamics 365 Business Central imports it. It’s a practical option when real‑time data isn’t required, when a source system lacks modern API support, or when a process runs on a predictable cadence.
Consider payroll: if it only runs twice a month, a scheduled export from your payroll solution and import into Business Central may be more than enough. File‑based integrations are quick to implement and inexpensive. The trade‑offs? They depend on manual oversight, don’t provide continuous synchronization, and are more error‑prone than automated options. They’re excellent for getting started or handling edge cases—but for high‑volume, time‑sensitive processes, APIs or middleware usually pay off.
4. Choosing the right approach
Selecting the right integration method is not just a technical decision; it affects data accuracy, daily operations, and how easily your systems scale. Some integrations must operate in real time to support billing, inventory visibility, or customer service. Others only need periodic updates. As business dependency on a data flow rises, so should the level of automation, monitoring, and validation.
Microsoft does offer pre‑built integrations (such as Business Central with Shopify), which can simplify setup and reduce development time. However, not every system has a ready‑made connector. Many platforms will still require API‑based integrations, middleware designs, or file exchanges to move data reliably. The best path depends on how many systems are involved, how often information changes, and whether your processes can follow standard patterns or demand customization. Whatever you choose, anchor the design around clear ownership, clean master data, and the role of Dynamics 365 Business Central as your system of record.
5. Integration costs and timelines
The cost and timeline for integrating Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central will depend on complexity, data frequency, and the level of customization required. Some integrations are primarily configuration; others demand custom development, rigorous testing, and ongoing monitoring. As complexity increases, effort, timelines, and long‑term support needs rise accordingly.
Even when a pre‑built connector exists, you still need setup, validation, and testing in both systems to ensure data flows correctly. File‑based integration is often the fastest and least expensive option, but it doesn’t deliver real‑time updates and relies on manual oversight. Custom API or middleware integrations require deeper planning and development, including requirements discovery, security design, end‑to‑end testing, documentation, and a maintenance plan to keep data accurate and systems stable over time.
What drives cost and timeline
Several factors influence where your project lands in these ranges:
- Number of systems: Each additional system adds configuration, testing, and monitoring.
- Data complexity: More fields, rules, and transformations require more design and validation.
- Real‑time requirements: Faster update cycles need stronger infrastructure and testing coverage.
- Customization level: Unique workflows and business logic increase development effort.
- Integration method: Native tools tend to cost less than fully custom API development.
- Data cleanup needs: Poor data quality adds time for remediation and rework.
- Security and compliance: Extra controls and auditing require additional setup and testing.
- Testing scope: End‑to‑end and user acceptance testing protect reliability but extend timelines.
- Ongoing maintenance: Updates, monitoring, and support contribute to total cost of ownership.
Next steps
Business Central integration directly impacts the reliability of your systems and the productivity of your teams. Poorly executed integration leads to inconsistent data and slower operations, while a well-structured approach ensures smooth information flow across the organization. For best results, Business Central integration should be planned, thoroughly tested, and maintained with long-term stability in mind. As more systems are connected, the need for proper data structure and controlled workflows becomes even more important. If you’d like support evaluating your environment or optimizing your current setup, reach out to Alletec to explore the right next step.
