Most managed service providers (MSPs) don’t think of ERP as a natural next step. It sounds too big, too technical, too far removed from the day-to-day client needs they’re used to solving. Thanks to Microsoft 365 and Business Central integration, this isn’t traditional ERP—it’s a connected system designed for how modern businesses actually run.
Dynamics 365 Business Central goes beyond traditional accounting software. Designed for the way modern businesses run, it brings together finance, sales, inventory and projects into one system that connects seamlessly with Microsoft 365. Think of it like a connected operational hub—bringing finance, sales, inventory and project data into one place. With Copilot embedded, it also supports smarter decisions and helps automate routine tasks, so businesses spend less time managing tools and more time moving forward.
This isn’t about adding complexity to your stack. It’s about helping clients reduce theirs. For MSPs, it’s also a chance to step more fully into the role of trusted business advisor—someone who identifies operational pain points, recommends the right-fit solution and ensures the client has the support they need through every stage of adoption. With Business Central, that means partnering strategically, not delivering hands-on ERP work, but guiding the client experience with confidence.
Rethinking Business Central: From ERP to operational visibility
Most SMBs still run on a patchwork of tools. Finance lives in one app. Inventory in another. Reporting in spreadsheets that lag behind. What Business Central offers is the ability to unify those systems and create operational clarity that updates in real time.
Business Central isn’t legacy ERP with bolt-ons. It’s a centralized system of record that brings together finance, sales, inventory, purchasing and project management, while also serving as a digital hub that connects to a broad ecosystem of industry-specific solutions. Whether a client uses Shopify for ecommerce, ADP for payroll or Insights Works for manufacturing, Business Central can support those integrations through pre-built connectors or native extensions. That flexibility helps businesses future-proof their operations while keeping Microsoft at the core. For MSPs, it’s a compelling value proposition: a platform that consolidates the tools clients rely on today and makes it easier to scale tomorrow.
It gives clients a centralized, real-time view of their operations, without disrupting how they already work. And for MSPs, it’s a clear path to becoming a trusted business advisor, not just a tech provider—delivering strategic value that directly impacts productivity, profitability and long-term growth.
Microsoft 365 and Business Central integration: Context without complexity
With Microsoft 365 and Business Central integration, your clients gain real-time visibility without switching tools, so they can stay focused and collaborative.
Business Central’s real strength isn’t just in what it tracks—it’s in how seamlessly it fits into the Microsoft tools your clients already use every day. Outlook, Teams, Excel, and Power BI don’t sit on the sidelines—they’re actively connected to real-time data from Business Central, making information more actionable and collaboration more fluid.
This integration reduces the constant toggling between apps that slows teams down. According to Harvard Business Review, the average user switches between applications 1,200 times a day, losing five full workweeks each year just reorienting themselves. That’s a pain point MSPs can help solve—by showing clients how Business Central keeps data flowing directly into familiar tools.
With Microsoft 365 and Business Central, your clients can:
- Work in Outlook with embedded insights like customer payment status or overdue invoices, right in the inbox.
- View real-time data in Teams, enabling operational collaboration without needing Business Central licenses.
- Analyze and edit live records in Excel, then sync updates back to Business Central with a click.
- See unified dashboards in Power BI that reflect the same data clients already interact with in their workflows.
This isn’t just a nicer interface. It’s a connected system that cuts down on manual tasks, boosts productivity, and makes AI tools like Microsoft Copilot more powerful—because the right data is already in the right place.
For MSPs, it’s a chance to modernize operations without disrupting client behavior. No retraining, no app sprawl—just smarter use of what’s already in place. And by showing clients how these connections translate to real business value, you strengthen your role as a trusted business advisor, not just a support resource.
Copilot: Embedded AI that anticipates the next step
AI doesn’t have to mean complexity. With Copilot in Business Central, it means clarity, speed and smarter decisions, right where work happens.
Copilot is built into the platforms end clients already use, helping them act faster, collaborate better, and make data-backed decisions without jumping between systems. It surfaces insights and suggestions in real time, based on live business activity with no extra tools, no disruptive learning curve.
That translates into real-world value for your clients:
- Faster onboarding and easier navigation with natural language prompts that guide users to what they need.
- Smarter planning and analysis through AI-assisted views that help identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Simplified automation with Copilot drafting common workflows and tasks so teams can focus on outcomes, not busywork.
- Stronger client engagement by enabling sales and service teams to stay proactive and informed inside familiar apps.
For MSPs, that means fewer barriers to adoption, stronger client retention, and a clear path to delivering business value—not just IT support.
What this means for MSPs
MSPs don’t need to become ERP specialists to offer Business Central effectively. What matters more is understanding how clients manage their operations day to day and where that process breaks down. That’s where the opportunity lies.
With Microsoft 365 and Copilot in place, MSPs can:
- Deepen their client relationships by stepping into the role of strategic business advisor, not just IT support.
- Guide clients through operational pain points and inefficiencies with solutions that drive real impact.
- Launch higher-margin services tied to business outcomes.
- Stay embedded in the tools clients use every day.
You’re already selling Microsoft 365. Business Central builds on that investment, without asking your team to start from zero.
Sherweb helps you build what comes next
You don’t need to be an ERP expert to bring Business Central into your portfolio. Sherweb helps you:
- Identify clients who are ready to centralize operations.
- Navigate licensing, integrations, and implementation with confidence.
- Connect with ERP-specialized partners through our P2P network.
- Position Business Central as a service—not just a SKU.
You already help clients manage their tools. Business Central gives you a way to help them manage their business.
Explore how Microsoft 365 and Business Central integration unlocks new value for your clients—and new revenue opportunities for your MSP.
