This is Microsoft’s strategy regarding Business Applications.

We regularly receive questions from customers asking why certain desired features are not included by default in Microsoft Business Applications. In most cases, we understand this question very well. However, it has everything to do with the strategy Microsoft employs. This week, we would like to provide you with more information about Microsoft’s strategy so you understand the consequences for you as an end customer and why certain choices are being made regarding Business Applications.

Globally deployable Microsoft Business Applications

When discussing Microsoft’s strategy, it is important to note that Microsoft develops solutions that can be deployed globally. All standard processes must be supported, and the package must comply with local legislation in the country where the software can be implemented. In this regard, Microsoft focuses primarily on improving the application’s performance and is less concerned with optimizing country-specific requirements, such as integration with payroll software or local banks, electronic invoicing, and scan and recognition software.

Microsoft Business Applications optimization by local Microsoft Partners

As you may have already gathered, Microsoft works exclusively with partners who implement business applications such as Business Central. The optimizations Microsoft performs to meet country-specific requirements yield insufficient returns compared to the energy invested in the entire application. After all, you can surely imagine that an adjustment for the Netherlands is far less important than an adjustment that benefits the entire world. Microsoft’s strategy is therefore to have local Microsoft Partners perfect the functionalities for the local market. In a number of countries, Microsoft does not even modify any functionalities at all, instead outsourcing this entirely to its partners.

Microsoft Partners are responsible for specific functionalities.

As we just mentioned, Microsoft Partners are responsible for optimizing local functionality in Microsoft Business Applications, and this certainly applies to industry-specific functionality as well. The Dynamics 365 platform is extremely suitable for wholesalers who purchase goods, add value, and then resell them. As soon as legislation and regulations apply to, for example, food or chemicals, or specific processes come into play within an organization, a Microsoft Partner is needed for support. It is, of course, desirable that this partner understands your processes and preferably already has solutions in place to address them, so that it does not all become custom work.

Microsoft’s strategy

In summary, Microsoft supports the platform, ensures its security, and enriches it with general processes desirable for everyone. Your Microsoft Partner then provides the specific functionalities desired in your industry and handles your processes regarding, for example, laws and regulations and interactions with other parties.