At a Glance

Business Central add-ons extend the ERP’s standard functionality to address gaps such as advanced reporting, compliance, warehousing, and automation. They are deployed as secure extensions that integrate with core Business Central, remain compatible with updates, and should be selected based on clear business needs, vendor credibility, cost, and long-term scalability. If you need help in choosing the right add-on for Business Central, contact Brookland Solutions.

What Are Business Central Add-Ons and How Do They Work?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is an ERP designed with capabilities to meet the needs of a wide range of businesses. While it’s a robust and powerful system in itself, there are times when your business may need an additional piece of software rather than a simple configuration change. 

These additions are called Business Central add-ons and extensions, which enhance the ERP’s functionality and address specific challenges. This flexibility is another key advantage BC offers its users.

Add-ons for Business Central, also known as extensions or apps, extend the ERP’s core capabilities without requiring custom code. With extensions, you can configure Business Central to fit operations rather than changing processes to fit the software. But before you decide to add extensions for Business Central, it’s important to understand if you really need them, and if so, which ones?

Let’s explore these further in this guide.

4 Signs You Might Need a Business Central Add-On

Here are some clear signs that adding a Business Central extension is the right next step for you.

1. Unsupported Processes

If the standard Business Central capabilities are not met in common areas such as managing payroll, advanced warehousing processes, document automation, and e-commerce management, you may want to consider an add-on. 

2. Spreadsheet Reliability

Using an extension or add-on can lower manual effort and errors if your data is often exported to Excel for tracking, reporting, or reconciling.

3. Workarounds

Your ERP may need an extension if your users are creating workarounds by manually re-entering data or using duplicate systems.

4. Growing Compliance Requirements

If your organisation needs to meet certain UK-specific regulatory criteria, such as MTD or payroll reporting, you may need to support them with specialist extensions.

How can Business Central extensions help your business? Contact our team to learn how an add-on can address the gaps in existing functionalities or specific business challenges.

How to Evaluate If an Extension Is Right for You

Before installing an add on, it’s important to keep the following aspects in mind:

Understand Business Need

First, define the problem you need to solve and the outcome you want.

Check Compatibility

You need to check if the extension follows Microsoft’s extension model and is supported to remain compatible with future BC updates.

Assess Vendor Credibility

Check the vendor’s credentials thoroughly. Prioritise vendors who are Microsoft certified, have extensive market understanding and experience, and provide ongoing support.

Check Total Cost of Ownership

Look beyond licensing fees. Also consider the complete cycle of implementation, training, support, and long-term benefits.

Test Before Committing

Check and validate the add-on’s performance and compatibility with existing BC extensions in sandbox environments.

Add-ons can be sourced from either Microsoft Partners or Independent Software Vendors (ISV). An ISV offers ready-made solutions, which may or may not fit your requirements. A Microsoft Partner like Brookland Solutions can customise and develop an extension to your unique needs.

Common Add-Ons Used by UK Business Central Customers

Business Central add-ons are built using Microsoft’s AL extension framework. They sit alongside the core ERP without changing its main system. Extensions and add ons in Business Central can add new screens, automate workflows, improve reporting, and integrate with other third-party systems, while staying compatible with Microsoft’s updates.

Install these extensions or add-ons either from the Microsoft AppSource or through a certified Microsoft Partner like Brookland Solutions. Moreover, they are designed to continue to perform even as Microsoft releases regular updates to Business Central.

Some of the common Business Central add-ons we support include:

  • Jet Reports: This analytics add-on works effortlessly with Excel Desktop and Excel Online to access and analyse data in real time, and to quickly and accurately process reports and insights.
  • Power BI: An in-depth analytics solution helping you visualise your business data from various sources, including Excel, the cloud, Google Analytics, social networks, and IoT devices.
  • Making Tax Digital and Group Making Tax Digital: It can be integrated with your accounting system and help you comply with VAT and HMRC digital submission requirements.
  • Mobile WMS: A barcode scanning solution to manage warehouse operations on mobile devices. Your team can do more in less time using real-time data in the palm of their hands.
  • Continia Document Solutions: Manage everything, from automating document reports and distribution (Document Output 365) to recording travel activities (Expense Management 365)

Use these add-ons and extensions to fill any functionality gaps or address specific requirements not covered by out-of-the-box Business Central. Contact our team to learn how these Business Central extensions can fit into your business’ daily operations.

Brookland’s Approach to Business Central Add-Ons

At Brookland Solutions, we see Business Central add-ons as solutions to problems rather than just software to sell. Our approach involves reviewing your existing processes first and identifying gaps in standard BC functionalities. Post a complete assessment, we make recommendations only when they make clear business sense.

With us as your Business Central partner, expect:

  • Add-ons that are safe, validated, and compatible
  • Correct implementation and configuration
  • User training to encourage adoption
  • Support as business scales

If you’re unsure whether an extension is right for your business, seek an assessment to make the right choice.

Schedule a consultation with our team today to learn how the right extensions can align with your business objectives.