Marco Schoch Finance
Zurich,
Comparisons
Atlanto vs. Business Central: Which accounting solution is right for your business?
Companies looking for efficient accounting software have two interesting options to choose from: Atlanto and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Atlanto stands out for its ease of use and quick implementation for smaller companies, while Business Central offers a scalable solution that keeps pace with growing requirements and provides extensive integration options.
The following comparison shows what features each solution offers and which software is best suited to different business needs.
Highlights
- Business Central scales with your business, while Atlanto is optimized for small teams
- Atlanto focuses on accounting, while Business Central offers more features
- Business Central offers numerous integration and extension options
- Atlanto is quick to get started with, while implementing Business Central takes longer
- Atlanto costs less, while Business Central delivers more value over the long term
Marco Schoch Finance
Zurich,
The Microsoft solution
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: The all-in-one ERP system
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central officially launched in 2018 as the successor to the Dynamics NAV ERP system. It is a cloud-first solution in the Dynamics 365 suite that covers nearly all core areas of a business, from financial accounting and inventory management to CRM and project management. Business Central is designed for Swiss SMEs with complex requirements that want to scale their business.
Advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft Business Central at a glance
Advantages
- Broad range of features covering accounting, inventory management, CRM, and project management.
- Highly scalable, making it ideal for growing companies.
- Seamless integration with Office 365 and other Microsoft products.
- Extension options through APIs and Microsoft’s Power Platform.
Disadvantages
- A longer implementation period compared with simpler solutions.
- Higher implementation and operating costs.
- Complex to use, which may require training.
The straightforward option
Atlanto: Accounting software for SMEs
Atlanto describes itself as “intuitive and easy-to-use accounting software.” It was developed for small and mid-sized businesses, primarily in Switzerland. It focuses on ease of use and quick onboarding. The platform offers all the essential accounting features, as well as integrated time and contact management tools. Atlanto is especially suited to service companies and organizations that need a straightforward, cost-efficient accounting solution.
Advantages and disadvantages of Atlanto
Advantages
- Intuitive to use and quick to implement.
- Particularly suited to small and mid-sized businesses (SMEs), especially in the service sector.
- Integrated time and contact management and business planning.
- Cost-effective, both to purchase and operate.
Disadvantages
- Limited scalability for larger companies or growing requirements.
- Limited feature set, especially for complex ERP requirements.
- Limited integration options with third-party solutions.
Side-by-side comparison
An overview of the features of Atlanto and Dynamics 365 Business Central
To better understand the differences between Atlanto and Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, let’s take a look at the features each offers. The following comparisons across key business areas show which solution is best suited to different business needs.
| Feature | Atlanto | Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central |
|---|---|---|
Financial accounting |
AtlantoOffers essential accounting features such as invoicing, receipt capture, and financial overviews. Ideal for small companies with basic accounting needs.
|
Business CentralOffers comprehensive financial management with features such as automatic VAT calculation, consolidation of financial statements, and extensive financial planning. The solution is designed to meet complex accounting requirements.
|
Inventory management and warehousing |
Atlanto:
No integrated inventory or warehouse management features, making it less suitable for trading companies.
|
Business Central:
Comprehensive warehouse management features, including inventory control, reordering, and management of multiple warehouse locations. Ideal for trading and manufacturing companies.
|
CRM capabilities |
Atlanto:
Basic CRM for contact and customer management, but no advanced sales features.
|
Business Central:
A full-fledged CRM system covering sales processes, lead management, and customer relationship management. Can be integrated seamlessly with Dynamics 365 Sales.
|
Project management |
Atlanto:
Basic project management tools for task tracking and time recording.
|
Business Central:
Detailed project management tools, including resource planning, budget monitoring, and project analytics. Especially useful for project-based companies.
|
Document management |
Atlanto:
Integrated document management for easy organization and collaboration.
|
Business Central:
Document management through integration with Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive, enabling seamless collaboration and centralized document storage.
|
Reporting and analytics |
Atlanto:
Standard reports and basic analytics features, sufficient for smaller companies.
|
Business Central:
Advanced reporting features with real-time analytics and Power BI integration. Provides in-depth insights into business data.
|
Comparing integration and compatibility
When it comes to integration and compatibility, Business Central clearly leads as a versatile ERP solution. The software stands out for its extensive integration options and is backed by a broad partner network. As part of the Microsoft ecosystem, Business Central connects seamlessly with Office 365. It is also integrated directly with Microsoft Teams for smooth, productive collaboration.
By comparison, Atlanto has limited interface options, mainly for basic integrations with third-party software. Its API features are minimal and allow only simple customizations. Companies that depend on deep integrations or need extensive customizations quickly reach Atlanto’s limits.
Scalability and adaptability
Microsoft Business Central gives its users a high degree of flexibility through various customization options. The software supports modular extensions, customizations, and integration with external tools. This allows companies to map their specific processes effectively and tailor the solution to their needs. More details:
- Full-featured API: Enables customizations and deep integrations.
- Extensive toolkit: Gives developers a versatile set of tools for tailored solutions.
- Microsoft AppSource catalog: Provides access to numerous partner solutions that extend the software’s functionality.
- Power Platform: Enables efficient process automation through Power BI, Power Apps, and Power Automate extensions.
Accounting software Atlanto, by contrast, has limited scalability and is designed to meet the needs of small teams. The app marketplace lets users connect the software with Mailchimp, SumUp, and LeanSync. However, it lacks the features needed to scale as requirements grow, such as integration with larger systems.
Implementation and operation of the accounting solutions
Atlanto is a cloud-only solution that can be set up quickly and used right away. This means companies have little implementation work to do. As the successor to Dynamics NAV, Business Central follows a cloud-first approach but can also be installed locally. A hybrid solution is also possible.
Unlike Atlanto, implementation takes more time and resources because Microsoft partners, such as Nexova Dynamics, customize the software to fit individual business processes. This typically takes several weeks. Employees also need training, which takes time. However, that effort pays off because companies receive a solution tailored to their needs.
Security and compliance
Atlanto relies on cloud storage with basic security features, while Microsoft Business Central stands out for comprehensive protective measures such as data encryption, multifactor authentication, and full compliance with the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Both systems, of course, also meet Swiss data protection and financial regulations, but Business Central goes a step further: With dedicated tools for monitoring and meeting compliance requirements, it helps companies efficiently manage even complex regulatory requirements.
Budget
Pricing for Business Central and Atlanto
Atlanto’s accounting costs are mid-range. The price difference between the two solutions is moderate, but the difference in features is not. Dynamics 365 Business Central offers a comparatively broad range of capabilities for a relatively low price. Companies that need more features for their business processes should therefore try Dynamics 365 Business Central. Its broad feature set and automation capabilities may even help companies save money over the long term.
Business Central
- License fees: From CHF 64.80 per user/month.
- Implementation costs: Start at CHF 7,900, but may be significantly higher for large projects.
- Additional costs: Vary for third-party solutions, interfaces, or custom development.
Atlanto
- Additional costs: Also low, as there are only a few third-party tools.
- License fees: Monthly subscriptions from CHF 39 per user/month
- Implementation costs: Low, as no complex implementation is required.
The bottom line
Nexova Dynamics sets up Business Central for your company quickly and efficiently
Atlanto is an excellent fit for smaller companies looking for an easy-to-use solution that can be implemented quickly for their accounting. Microsoft Business Central, by contrast, is ideal for companies with complex requirements that need scalable software with extensive features and deep integration. So if you’re looking to optimize more than just your accounting, Dynamics 365 Business Central could be the right choice.
Nexova Dynamics offers free advice on Business Central and supports you with software implementation.
