There are many different Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems out there and even more consultants. With Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central being one of the top ERPs, it’s no wonder why there are so many Business Central implementation partners.
In this video, Robert Jolliffe, President of Sabre Limited, walks through the best practices for choosing a Business Central implementation partner. At Sabre, we are experts in manufacturing implementations. However, Robert explains selecting a Business Central partner for any industry.
Generalist vs Specialist – Business Central Implementation Partners
There are two types of Microsoft Business Central Implementation Partners — generalists and specialists. The main difference here is that a generalist consultant will try to implement Dynamics 365 for just about any industry whereas a specialist usually has one or two verticals that they specialize in.
For example, at Sabre we are Business Central implementation partners specifically small to medium sized for manufacturing companies. We are experts in manufacturing and stick to that because that’s what we do best. We don’t implement Dynamics 365 for retail, finance, or wholesale distribution. It’s not that we can’t do it but we’re not specialists in those industries.
Although a specialist sticks to one or two verticals, they might specialize in offshoots of that industry. For instance, we are experts in manufacturing but we don’t stick to job shops or make-to-order manufacturers. We specialize in many different forms of manufacturing, including print manufacturing.
Generalist vs Specialist Comparison
| Generalist | Specialist |
|---|---|
| Great at creating project plans because they do them very often. | Has pre-created project plans that they can modify to better suit your business needs. |
| Spends a lot of time documenting because they might not be as familiar with your business or industry. | Focuses more time on the unique differences that you may have. |
| Will spend a lot of time learning about your industry. | Will spend more time learning about your business. |
| Counts on your team to know and understand the best practices for your industry. | Knows the best practices in your industry and knows how to fit them into your business. |
| Strong in all areas of the ERP. | Expert in the areas that apply to your business and industry. However, they might be weaker in some others. |
Is a Generalist or Specialist ERP Implementation Partner Better?
To answer this question, it does depend on the size of your business. A small to medium sized business (willing to spend $100,000 to $300,000 on an implementation) would be much better suited with a specialist or vertical focused partner.
Benefits of a Specialist Partner
- They typically charge less for Project Management, Discovery, and planning.
- They have expert experience where you need and are much less likely to run into time-consuming challenges.
- They can consult with you on the best way to use the ERP system for your business and vertical.
Now that you know more about how to pick the best Business Central implementation partners, you should check out our blog on the best Microsoft Dynamics manufacturing partners for the manufacturing sector.
Closing Thoughts
At Sabre Limited, we are experts in manufacturing. We stand among the best Business Central manufacturing implementation partners across North America. What sets us apart from our competitors is that we use fixed fees instead of time and material billing and we always put the customer first.
Our areas of expertise include:
- Production Manufacturing
- Job Shop Manufacturing
- Engineer-To-Order / Custom Manufacturing
- Project Manufacturing
- Architectural Manufacturing
- Industrial Equipment Manufacturing
If you’re interested in learning more about what Sabre Limited can offer, we’ve been dedicated to helping small to medium-sized manufacturers learn and adopt Business Central. Reach out, and let’s explore how we can contribute to the success of your manufacturing journey. Contact us at info@sabrelimited.com or call (519) 585-7524. We look forward to hearing from you.
