Most businesses rely on several systems to manage their daily operations, sales, finances, and customer relationships. The challenge comes when these systems don’t communicate effectively — creating data gaps, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities.
Microsoft addresses this by offering a seamless connection between Dynamics 365 Business Central (ERP) and Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (CRM). Together, they create a unified environment where front-office and back-office functions work in harmony, giving teams real-time visibility across customer data, finances, and operations.
At SBS, we help organizations bring this integration to life — ensuring data flows smoothly, processes stay aligned, and teams can focus on what matters most: delivering better business outcomes.
What Is Dynamics 365 Business Central Integration with Customer Engagement?
Dynamics 365 Business Central is a comprehensive ERP solution designed to manage finance, inventory, and supply chain operations. On the other hand, Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (CE) encompasses applications like Sales, Customer Service, Field Service, and Marketing, focusing on customer interactions and relationship management.
When integrated, these two systems form a unified ecosystem that bridges the gap between sales, customer service, and finance. The integration ensures that customer, product, and transaction data flow effortlessly between both platforms, eliminating manual data entry and enhancing accuracy.
This connection is powered by Microsoft Dataverse or Dual-write technology, enabling real-time data synchronization and ensuring both systems reflect the same information at all times.
How Dynamics 365 Business Central Integration Works?
The integration between Business Central and Customer Engagement allows seamless data exchange through a shared data platform. Here’s how it typically works:
- Customer Data Synchronization – Customer accounts and contact details created in CE automatically appear in Business Central, maintaining a single source of truth.
- Sales-to-Invoice Workflow – Sales quotes and opportunities generated in CE are converted into sales orders and invoices in Business Central.
- Inventory and Product Sync – Product catalogs, pricing lists, and stock availability are consistently updated between both systems.
- Financial Insights in CRM – Sales teams can view invoice status, credit limits, and payment details directly in CE without accessing ERP.
Example: A sales representative creates a quote in Dynamics 365 Sales. Once the customer confirms, that quote becomes a Sales Order in Business Central, allowing the finance and operations teams to handle billing, inventory, and shipping — all without re-entering data.
What are the key Benefits of Integrating Business Central and Customer Engagement?
1. Unified Customer and Financial Data
Integration ensures customer and financial data are centralized, eliminating duplication. Both sales and finance teams can access consistent information, improving transparency across departments.
2. Streamlined Sales-to-Cash Cycle
Sales orders flow seamlessly from CRM to ERP, reducing manual work and accelerating the order-to-cash process. This minimizes delays and helps improve cash flow efficiency.
3. Enhanced Customer Experience
Customer service and sales teams gain real-time access to order history, payment status, and inventory levels — enabling faster, more informed responses and improved client satisfaction.
4. Increased Operational Efficiency
Automation between the two systems minimizes human error and repetitive administrative tasks, allowing teams to focus on higher-value activities.
5. Accurate and Real-Time Reporting
With synchronized data across ERP and CRM, decision-makers gain comprehensive, real-time business insights. This enhances forecasting, performance tracking, and strategic planning.
Common Integration Scenarios and Use Cases
Every business uses Dynamics 365 differently — which means the value of integrating Business Central and Customer Engagement often depends on specific operational needs. Whether it’s aligning sales with production, connecting customer service to billing, or ensuring real-time stock visibility, this integration supports a wide range of business scenarios. Below are some of the most common use cases across different industries where this connected approach delivers measurable results.
Manufacturing Integration
Manufacturers can connect sales orders from CE directly to production and inventory in Business Central, ensuring accurate stock management and timely fulfillment.
Retail and Distribution Integration
For retailers and distributors, syncing invoices, customer accounts, and pricing data ensures consistent billing and smooth omnichannel operations.
Professional Services Integration
Service providers can link CRM opportunities and contracts with project billing in ERP, improving revenue tracking and project profitability.
Healthcare and Education Integration
Institutions can unify service requests, patient or student accounts, and financial transactions under one integrated platform for improved accountability and operational transparency.
Dynamics 365 Business Central Integration Tools and Methods
Microsoft provides multiple methods to achieve this integration, allowing flexibility depending on business needs. Each option can be tailored depending on the data volume, real-time requirements, and customization needs.
| Integration Method | Purpose | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-write | Real-time, bidirectional synchronization between CE and BC | Businesses needing live data flow |
| Microsoft Dataverse | Centralized data model across Microsoft apps | Organizations using multiple Dynamics modules |
| Power Automate | Automating workflows and approvals | Custom or conditional process automation |
| Data Integrator Templates | Prebuilt mapping templates for standard entities | Fast, out-of-the-box integration |
| Third-party Connectors (e.g., KingswaySoft) | Advanced or industry-specific integrations | Complex or customized use cases |
What are the Dynamics 365 Business Central Challenges and Best Practices?
Dynamics 365 Business Central Common Challenges
- Data Mapping Errors: Misalignment of fields between systems can lead to incorrect or missing information.
- Security and Access: Managing user permissions consistently across both platforms.
- Change Management: Ensuring teams adapt to new workflows and integrated systems.
Dynamics 365 Business Central Best Practices
- Clean and standardize data before integration.
- Clearly define integration scope and business rules.
- Test data synchronization thoroughly before going live.
- Engage a certified Microsoft partner (like SBS) for setup, customization, and ongoing support.
Dynamics 365 Business Central Integration FAQs
1. Can I integrate older versions of Business Central with Dynamics 365 CE?
Integration works best with the latest cloud versions of both applications, which support Dataverse and Dual-write features.
2. Is Dual-write available in all Dynamics 365 plans?
Dual-write is available for cloud deployments of Dynamics 365 Finance, Supply Chain Management, and Business Central, depending on licensing.
3. How long does integration take to implement?
Typically, a standard integration can take a few weeks, depending on data complexity and customization requirements.
4. Do I need Power Automate for integration?
While Power Automate enhances workflows, the core data sync between BC and CE can run natively through Dual-write or Dataverse.
5. How does integration impact licensing?
Integration may require additional Dataverse or API call capacity, depending on your usage volume and environment setup.
Why Choose SBS as Your Dynamics 365 Integration Partner?
At SBS, we specialize in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Customer Engagement implementations across industries. Our consultants bring deep expertise in ERP-CRM integration, data migration, and automation — helping organizations achieve real-time visibility and operational excellence.
We take a consultative approach, ensuring that every integration aligns with your business objectives, data security standards, and growth roadmap.
Conclusion
Integrating Dynamics 365 Business Central with Customer Engagement transforms how businesses operate — uniting finance, sales, and customer service into a single, connected experience. The result is faster decision-making, improved efficiency, and stronger customer relationships.
Partnering with SBS ensures a smooth, secure, and tailored integration journey.
Connect with SBS today to learn how we can help you unify your Dynamics 365 environment and drive smarter, more connected business performance.
