Business Central – Microsoft Dynamics 365
Smart, scalable ERP for growing businesses in the
built environment.
Business Central – Microsoft Dynamics 365
Smart, scalable ERP for growing businesses in the built environment.
What is Business Central (BC)?
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is an all-in-one cloud ERP designed for small and mid-sized businesses. It connects finance, sales, service, and operations in a single solution, helping organizations improve visibility, automate processes, and support growth.
While primarily built for SMBs, larger organizations also adopt Business Central for subsidiaries, regional operations, or when their business processes are relatively straightforward.
Why Business Central for the built environment?
The majority of firms in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) ecosystem are small to mid-sized. Many start out using tools like QuickBooks or Sage, but as soon as projects grow more complex or they need to track profitability, manage inventory, or integrate operations, those tools quickly reach their limits.
Track
budgets
Track budgets, resource allocation, and profitability across multiple construction sites and engineering projects.
Inventory & Light
Manufacturing
Manage materials, fabrication, and stock to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
Financial
Management
Handle accounting, AR/AP, cash flow, and budgeting tailored to construction and engineering workflows
Sales & Service
Management
Manage quotes, orders, client invoicing, and service work specific to AEC operations.
Reporting, Analytics &
Microsoft 365 Integration
Gain actionable insights with dashboards and Power BI, while connecting seamlessly with Outlook, Teams, and Excel for project collaboration.
Scalability
Supports companies from 25 to 500 employees, as well as larger organizations with straightforward operations.
Introducing the Metam pack and project module add-on
Business Central is a powerful foundation, but in the built environment, industry-specific requirements benefit from specialized functionality. That’s where Metam’s Business Central Accelerators come in.
Our Metam Pack and Project Module Add-On extend Business Central with functionality designed for architecture, engineering, and construction and manufacturing organizations.
Metam Pack
Pre-configured templates, dashboards, and workflows built around AEC best practices.
Streamlined financial and project reporting aligned with industry metrics like WIP, margin forecasting, and project profitability.
Ready-made connectors for Microsoft 365, Power BI, and Operate to improve collaboration and decision-making.
Project Module Add-On
Enhanced project costing, resource allocation, and billing management tailored to project-driven operations.
Custom approval workflows, progress tracking, and cost-to-complete insights.
Optional integrations with timesheets, subcontractor management, and equipment tracking tools.
When to consider upgrading to Business Central
You may be ready to consider upgrading from tools like QuickBooks and SAGE to
Business Central if you need:
Full Project Visibility
Full project profitability and job costing, not just basic financials.
Integrated Reporting & KPIs
Gain a clear overview of performance across all departments with unified reporting and key metrics.
Compliance & Cost Control
The ability to manage inventory, purchasing, or fabrication.
Scalable System
From 25 employees to several hundred, or even larger if operations remain straightforward.
Business Central licensing costs
Business Central offers flexible licensing options tailored to your company’s needs. Prices listed are effective as of 1st October 2025.
License Type
Monthly Cost (USD)
License Type
License Type
Essentials
$80
user/month
Companies needing core ERP without service or manufacturing; suitable for SMBs or larger firms with straightforward operations
Finance, Sales, Purchasing, Inventory, Warehouse, Project Management
Premium
$110
user/month
Firms needing service or manufacturing capabilities
Operations, procurement, and logistics staff managing inventory, sourcing, and fulfilment
Team Member
$8
user/month
Firms needing service or manufacturing capabilities
Project managers and service teams planning, tracking, and delivering project-based work
How Business Central compares to other ERPs
Lower Licensing
Costs
Business Central offers more affordable licensing compared with ERPs like NetSuite or Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations.
Stable
Pricing
Pricing remains predictable; for example, there were no increases in the five years leading up to October 2025.
Integration
Flexibility
Easily connect with industry-specific tools, such as Metam’s Operate platform, to extend functionality for the built environment.
Fit for SMBs and
Enterprises
Delivers full ERP functionality without unnecessary complexity.
Lower licensing costs
Business Central offers more affordable licensing compared with ERPs like NetSuite or Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations.
Stable pricing
Pricing remains predictable; for example, there were no increases in the five years leading up to October 2025.
Integration Flexibility
Easily connect with industry-specific tools, such as Metam’s Operate platform, to extend functionality for the built environment.
Fit for SMBs and Enterprises
Delivers full ERP functionality without unnecessary complexity.
Choose Metam as your Business Central partner
Unlike generalist providers, Metam specializes in the built environment. Our consultants have lived and worked in AEC and understand the realities of project delivery, margins, and supply chains.
With Metam, you get:
Industry-specific expertise
We know where standard Business Central works out of the box and where it needs to be extended.
Integration with Operate
Our proprietary platform bridges gaps for AEC firms in areas such as health & safety, bidding, and equipment management, creating a more complete solution.
Proven Microsoft
Dynamics knowledge
Whether Finance & Operations, or Business Central, we help you find the right fit for your stage of growth.
Ready to scale?
If your current system can’t keep up with your growth, it may be time to look at Business Central. Whether you’re moving beyond QuickBooks or seeking a leaner ERP option for a larger enterprise, Business Central could be the right fit.