Marco Schoch Finance
Zurich,
Processes
Connecting an online store to Business Central: Benefits, overview, and integration options for SMEs
Microsoft’s Business Central ERP system already helps many companies make their processes more efficient and bring different systems together on one platform. That means you do not have to keep switching between your accounting program, warehouse management software, and CRM system. E-commerce SMEs can also benefit from connecting their online store to the system.
This article explains why online store integration matters, outlines its benefits, and provides an overview of different e-commerce platforms. We also explain how to integrate an online store and share a few tips.
Highlights
- Connecting an online store to BC increases efficiency and data quality, reduces errors, and enables automation
- Visibility and real-time data help optimize processes and increase revenue
- Common e-commerce platforms include Shopware, Shopify, WooCommerce, and Wix
- Integration options range from standard connectors to middleware platforms
- Cost, IT infrastructure, and flexibility are key factors when choosing an online store and integration method
Marco Schoch Finance
Zurich,
More clarity in day-to-day operations
Why is online store integration with Dynamics Business Central relevant for Swiss SMEs?
The Swiss Retail Federation found that online sales continue to rise. In 2024, consumers bought around CHF 14.9 billion worth of products online. CHF 12.3 billion went to companies in Switzerland, with the remainder going to imports. As a result, more and more retailers are operating online stores.
Many SMEs have already recognized that Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC) can help reduce costs and increase efficiency. By contrast, a separate ERP system and online store can lead to inefficient processes. Data silos, delayed data, and duplicate steps are just some of the possible consequences.
Connecting the online store to Dynamics 365 BC instead offers numerous benefits and can help increase revenue.
What challenges do SMEs face without connecting their online store to BC?
If you do not connect your online store to Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, you may face the following challenges:
- Standalone solutions: Multiple incompatible systems are in use, each requiring you to maintain different data records, which takes time.
- Poor data quality: Because the systems do not communicate with one another, duplicate records, conflicting information, and errors can occur.
- Higher costs: Manual reconciliation ties up resources and time and can drive costs up.
- Lack of visibility: The company lacks visibility, which can lead to incorrect assessments or overselling. Optimization is also impossible without analytics and reports.
- Lost sales: A lack of visibility means you miss out on revenue potential. Customer satisfaction can also decline if processes do not work together or take too long because they are not automated.
What benefits does connecting an online store to Microsoft Business Central offer?
Connecting your online store to BC can offer benefits such as:
- Fewer errors: You no longer need to transfer data manually because integration automatically synchronizes it with Business Central. This can reduce the error rate.
- Automation: You can automate processes and workflows, reducing manual effort.
- Resource savings: Eliminating manual data transfers saves time. Saving time and using resources more efficiently can, in turn, lower company costs.
- High data quality: You manage all data on one platform, avoiding duplicate records and inconsistencies. You can maintain both product master data and customer data in the system.
- Better visibility: Connecting an online store to BC gives you access to real-time data, analytics, and reports. This gives you a transparent overview of inventory and sales figures at all times. You can also share product availability information with your customers.
- Scalability: Connecting your e-commerce system to Microsoft Dynamics Business Central gives you a solution that can grow with your company. You can even expand into international markets by integrating online stores in other countries.
- Increased efficiency: Improve your workflows and processes. For example, you can get the most out of warehouse management, optimize your supply chain, automate operations, and make the best use of resources. Taken together, these steps can significantly increase efficiency.
- Improved customer management: You get delivery information faster and can optimize order confirmations, invoicing, and returns management. This can also improve customer service.
- Increased revenue: Access to master data and order history lets you run analytics, target customers more effectively, and identify revenue opportunities.
The benefits of connecting an e-commerce system to Dynamics Business Central speak for themselves. But which online store platforms are suitable for Swiss SMEs?
Find the right platform
Overview: 5 common e-commerce platforms for SMEs
Many e-commerce platforms can be seamlessly connected to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Below is an overview of five of the most common systems.
The most common e-commerce platforms for SMEs
Shopware
Shopware is a modern e-commerce platform that lets you design and manage your own online store to suit your needs. It was launched in Germany in 2004 and is known for its flexibility and ease of use. It is available as a free open-source version as well as professional editions with advanced features, so it can grow with your business.
You can host Shopware yourself or use it as a SaaS solution.
Advantages
- GDPR-compliant
- Integrations with around 50 service providers
- Free basic version
- Marketing tools (Professional Edition)
Disadvantages
- Support only available with a paid edition
- Limited selection of plugins
Shopify
Shopify lets you create and manage your own online store without any technical expertise. Because Shopify is cloud-based, you do not need to worry about hosting or updates. The e-commerce platform was launched in Canada in 2006.
Advantages
- Supports multiple languages and currencies
- Easy to use
- Numerous design templates
- More than 6,000 apps available
Disadvantages
- GDPR compliance requires additional apps
- Additional costs for apps and themes
WooCommerce
Already using WordPress? WooCommerce gives you a free e-commerce plugin for your website. Thanks to numerous extensions, you can customize your online store to meet your needs. You can add features with additional plugins.
Advantages
- Free plugin
- More than 6,000 integrations
- Active developer community
- Highly flexible
Disadvantages
- You must handle hosting and maintenance yourself
- Only works with WordPress
- Greater complexity (technical expertise required)
Wix
Wix gives you complete design freedom to bring your vision to life with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor. You do not need any technical expertise to use the system. What makes the platform special? It is cloud-based and offers a wide selection of design templates that you can customize. The company was founded in Israel in 2006.
Advantages
- User-friendly and easy to use
- Additional apps and features
- Cloud-based solution
- You can create a website for free
Disadvantages
- Professional features require a paid subscription
- Changing templates requires rebuilding the site from scratch
Adobe Commerce (Magento)
Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) was developed specifically for companies looking to run complex, scalable online stores. The platform offers a robust solution with a wide range of tools for marketing, SEO, and product management. Its developers launched its predecessor, Magento, in 2008. Adobe acquired it in 2018 as part of Adobe Experience Cloud.
Advantages
- Available as a cloud-based or on-premises solution
- Highly scalable, flexible, and customizable
- Can be used internationally
- Integrates with Adobe products
Disadvantages
- Costs for licenses, development, and maintenance
- Technical expertise required
Other e-commerce platforms include OXID, OpenCart, Spryker, Weebly, and more.
Connect systems that fit
How can you connect an online store to Dynamics 365 Business Central?
As the saying goes, there is more than one way to do it. The same is true when connecting an online store to Microsoft Business Central. Depending on the online store, integration options include connectors, custom development, specialized platforms, and extensions.
Standard connector
For common systems, you can use standard connectors. These are prebuilt interfaces that make it possible to connect two different systems or applications seamlessly. This lets you exchange data automatically without needing a complex solution. You save time, reduce development effort, and make integration much easier.
For example, to connect Shopware to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, you can use the Tinx Connector. This makes integration straightforward and gets the solution up and running quickly. You also do not need to worry about maintaining and updating the interface.
Custom development
Unlike standard connectors, custom development lets you tailor the integration to your specific business requirements. APIs (application programming interfaces) act as interfaces that allow the online store to exchange data with Business Central. This gives you maximum flexibility and lets you implement complex processes that are often not possible with prebuilt solutions.
Although this type of solution costs more, you can make adjustments at any time and get a scalable solution. However, you should expect a longer development period and bear in mind that you are responsible for maintaining and updating the interface.
Middleware platform
Middleware platforms act as intermediaries between Microsoft Business Central and the online store, functioning like a hidden translation layer. Unlike a simple interface, these software solutions are highly flexible. You can therefore tailor and configure them to meet your specific business requirements.
This flexibility makes middleware platforms ideal for companies that want to connect different systems, such as online stores, ERP software, or logistics systems. However, setup is significantly more expensive and time-consuming and often requires greater technical expertise.
Out-of-the-box extensions
Out-of-the-box extensions are prebuilt software solutions that are ready to use without extensive customization. They are provided by external developers (third-party providers), not by the platform’s main provider. In addition to connecting an online store to Business Central, they can also provide extra features.
The advantages? A wide selection of software solutions and a relatively simple, fast implementation. The disadvantages often include ongoing costs, compatibility issues, and dependence on third-party providers.
Make an informed decision
Tips for choosing an online store integration for Microsoft Dynamics Business Central
You have many e-commerce platforms and integration options to choose from when connecting an online store to Microsoft Dynamics Business Central. Each comes with certain advantages and disadvantages. Carefully consider what actually fits your company and your vision.
Our tip? Consider these additional points when choosing:
- How user-friendly is the system?
- Which features are essential for you?
- Do the system and interface meet all legal requirements? (For example, GDPR)
- Do you want to host the online store yourself or use a cloud-based solution?
- What are the costs for online store integration, licenses, maintenance, and so on?
- How flexible and scalable should the solution be?
- Does your company have the technical expertise to make adjustments, or do you need a solution that requires minimal ongoing maintenance?
- Can the solution be adjusted later on?
If you are unsure, you should bring in an expert. An expert can help you reach your goal without unnecessary setbacks.
Put the plan into action together
Nexova Dynamics can help you connect an online store to Business Central successfully
Connecting an online store to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central helps companies overcome challenges such as data silos, inefficient processes, and a lack of visibility. Instead, you benefit from high data quality, automated processes, and the efficient use of resources.
Our experts at Nexova Dynamics can help you implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and successfully integrate your online store. With our experience, we can help you choose the right system or integration option and avoid common pitfalls.
Schedule a no-obligation consultation and take the next step toward greater efficiency and revenue growth.
FAQ
Answers, one click away
