b2b Store for Business Central: What Matters When Choosing a Platform

What is Business Central e-commerce integration?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is the ERP system many mid-sized companies use for accounting, purchasing, warehousing, and sales. When you connect a b2b web store to Business Central, you create a direct link between your online sales channel and your ERP processes.
Products, prices, inventory levels, and customer data no longer need to be maintained twice. Instead, all information flows automatically back and forth between the web store and ERP. That saves time, reduces errors, and makes sure your business customers always see up-to-date data.

This is especially important in b2b. Your customers expect individual pricing, tailored assortments, and fast ordering processes. Without ERP integration, your team would have to reconcile this data manually. With a well-integrated e-commerce platform, it happens automatically.
 

Why do mid-sized companies need an integrated b2b platform?

In b2b, ordering processes are often more complex than in consumer sales. Business customers order regularly, have framework agreements, and need access to their order history. If these processes are not connected to the ERP, gaps between systems appear.

Your sales team ends up spending time transferring data from the web store into the ERP. Errors creep in, delivery times get longer. An integrated b2b e-commerce platform solves this problem at the root.
Orders are created directly in Business Central. Invoices and delivery notes are generated automatically. Your customers can view their documents in the portal without anyone needing to step in manually.
 

Typical challenges without ERP integration

Many companies know the scenario: the web store shows an item as available, but it has long been out of stock in the warehouse. Or a customer sees the standard price even though they actually have special terms. Situations like this happen when systems do not communicate with each other.
In the worst case, this leads to unhappy customers and extra work for your team. The solution is a platform that syncs data in real time or at least at short intervals. That keeps prices, inventory, and customer data up to date at all times. 
 

What selection criteria matter for b2b e-commerce platforms?

Not every e-commerce platform is the right fit for every company. Before making a decision, you should clearly define your requirements. The following criteria will help guide your choice. 
 

Depth of integration with Business Central

The question is not just whether a platform can connect to Business Central. What really matters is how deep that connection goes. Some solutions offer a simple interface that transfers orders. Others directly use your ERP's pricing logic, tax calculations, and inventory logic.

The deeper the integration, the fewer customizations you need in the web store. Platforms like dynamic commerce by dc AG were built specifically for Business Central. That means pricing, availability, and order processing work directly with the ERP. 
 

b2b functionality

A b2b store needs different features than a B2C store. Customer-specific pricing, assortment permissions, quick ordering, and blanket orders are standard. On top of that, you may need features like quote requests, approval workflows, and different user roles within each customer account.

Check which of these features the platform offers out of the box. Every custom development takes time and money. A solution that supports b2b requirements natively will save you effort in the long run. 
 

Scalability and performance

Your business grows, and your e-commerce platform needs to keep up. Ask yourself: how many orders can the system handle per day? How does it perform when your catalog grows to thousands of products?
Cloud-based solutions often have an advantage here. They scale with your business without requiring you to invest in your own servers. Also pay attention to how fast the web store loads. Slow load times cost you customers. 
 

How does the selection process for a Business Central e-commerce platform work?

Choosing the right platform is a project you should approach in a structured way. A clear process helps you find the solution that fits your requirements. 
 

Step 1: Define requirements

Before comparing vendors, list your requirements. Which features are must-haves? Which ones are nice to have? How many users will use the system? Which other systems need to be connected?
Make sure to involve all relevant departments: sales, IT, logistics, and finance. Each department has its own requirements for the system. A workshop with everyone involved brings those perspectives together. 
 

Step 2: Get a market overview

The market for Business Central e-commerce solutions is diverse. There are specialized providers like dc AG with dynamic commerce, as well as general shop systems with Business Central integration. Each category comes with pros and cons.
Specialized solutions often offer deeper integration and require less customization. General shop systems stand out with large communities and lots of extensions. The right choice depends on your priorities. 
 

Step 3: Request demos and compare

Have the platforms demonstrated to you. A demo gives you a realistic impression of how the system works. Prepare specific scenarios that reflect your day-to-day business. What does the ordering process look like? How are customer-specific prices displayed?
Also pay attention to usability. A system your team does not like using will become a problem in daily operations. The interface should be intuitive and make common tasks possible in just a few clicks.
 

Step 4: Check references

Ask for reference customers from your industry. A provider that has already delivered similar projects understands the typical requirements and pitfalls. For example, dc AG has delivered more than 250 e-commerce projects for mid-sized companies and brings the right experience to the table.
If possible, talk directly to reference customers. They can tell you firsthand how the project went and how satisfied they are with the solution. 
 

What integration options does Business Central offer?

Business Central is an open system that supports different integration approaches. Depending on the platform and your requirements, different options come into play. 

• Native integration

Some e-commerce platforms were built from the ground up for Business Central. dynamic commerce is one example. The software directly uses the ERP's business logic. Pricing, taxes, availability, and order processing run natively in Business Central.
The advantage: you do not need to configure or maintain an interface. The systems work together as one unit. Changes in Business Central are reflected in the web store immediately. 

• Standard connectors

Standard connectors are available for popular shop systems like Shopify. They transfer orders, customers, and products between systems. Shopify integration with Business Central is one example of this approach.
Standard connectors are quick to set up and cover basic requirements. But for complex b2b scenarios with custom pricing and tailored assortments, they can hit their limits. 

• Middleware and connectors

If no standard connector exists, middleware solutions come into play. They act as a bridge between the shop system and ERP. dynamic connect is one such middleware that connects different shop systems like Shopware or Magento to Business Central.
Middleware offers flexibility, but it requires more configuration effort. The data mapping logic needs to be defined and maintained. For companies with existing shop systems, this is often the pragmatic path. 
 

What are typical b2b features of an integrated platform?

b2b e-commerce is fundamentally different from b2c business. The following features should be part of any platform designed for b2b use. 
 

Customer-specific prices and discounts

In b2b, almost every customer has different terms. Framework agreements, tiered pricing, and customer-specific discounts are standard. Your e-commerce platform needs to be able to reflect this pricing logic.
With deep Business Central integration, prices are pulled directly from the ERP. The customer sees exactly the same prices in the web store that your sales team sees. No discrepancies, no follow-up questions. 
 

Assortment permissions

Not every customer should be able to see or order every product. Some items are only approved for specific customer groups. A b2b platform needs to support these kinds of permissions.
Ideally, you manage these permissions centrally in Business Central. If you assign a customer to a new group, they automatically see the corresponding assortment in the web store. 
 

Quick order and reordering

b2b customers often order the same items at regular intervals. Features like quick order by item number or reordering from order history save time. The fewer clicks it takes to place an order, the better.
Some platforms also make it possible to upload order lists. The customer exports the order from their own system and imports it directly into the web store. 
 

Quote requests and approval workflows

In b2b, not every purchase is made directly. Often, the buyer first requests a quote. The platform should support that process and transfer requests directly into the ERP.
Approval workflows are also important. In some companies, not every employee is allowed to place orders. The platform should support configurable approval processes.
 

What does a typical platform implementation project look like?

Implementing a b2b e-commerce platform is a project with several phases. An experienced partner like dc AG guides you through every step. 

• Analysis phase

It starts with analyzing your processes and requirements. Which data needs to flow between ERP and web store? Which customer groups should use the store? Which integrations with other systems are required?
This phase results in the specification document and project plan. After that, you know exactly what will be implemented and how long it will take. 

• Concept and design

Based on the analysis, the concept for design and user experience is developed. What should the store look like? Which navigation makes sense for your customers? How should products be presented?
Good b2b design is different from b2c. Efficiency comes first. Your customers want to find what they need fast and place orders quickly. 

• Implementation and testing

During the implementation phase, the platform is set up and connected to Business Central. The integration is tested, data is migrated, and interfaces are configured.
Before go-live, there is a testing phase. Your team checks all processes: ordering, payment, shipping, returns. Errors are fixed before real customers start using the store. 

• Go-live and training

At go-live, the store is launched. At the same time, your team is trained. Everyone needs to know how to use the system and where to get help.
After go-live, ongoing operations begin. A good partner offers support and continuous development so your store can grow with your business. 
 

What advantages does dc AG offer for Business Central e-commerce projects?

dc AG has specialized in e-commerce and ERP integration for more than 15 years. More than 250 projects for mid-sized companies show that the team understands the requirements of mid-sized businesses.
 

Own e-commerce platform

With dynamic commerce, dc AG offers its own web store solution developed specifically for Business Central. The deep integration creates seamless processes without interface issues.
At the same time, dc AG stays flexible. If another platform is a better fit for your requirements, the team can also integrate Shopify, Shopware, or other systems into your ERP. 
 

Holistic approach

dc AG is more than a software provider. The team of more than 120 experts includes ERP consultants, developers, designers, and online marketing specialists. You get everything from one source: consulting, implementation, design, and ongoing support.
This approach saves you from coordinating multiple service providers. One point of contact knows your project and makes sure all the pieces fit together. 
 

What role does omnichannel play in b2b?

b2b e-commerce does not just happen in the web store. Your customers may also buy through field sales, by phone, or on marketplaces. A modern platform supports all of these channels.
 

Marketplace integration

Marketplaces are becoming more important in b2b as well. The integration of platforms like Amazon Business expands your reach. What matters is that orders from all channels come together in Business Central.
Centralized control means one inventory, one price list, one order process. No matter where the customer places the order, the process runs the same way. 
 

Field sales portals

Your field sales team needs mobile access to customer, product, and order data. With a field sales portal connected to Business Central, your team can capture orders on site and check availability.
Consulting becomes more efficient because all information is available in real time. Your field sales team works with the same data as your inside sales team. 
 

How do you measure the success of your b2b e-commerce platform?

After implementation, you should measure the platform's success. Define KPIs that match your goals. 
 

Typical metrics

How many orders are coming through the web store? How has the effort required for order entry changed? How satisfied are your customers with self-service?
Compare the numbers with the situation before implementation. That will show you the real value the platform delivers. 
 

Continuous optimization

E-commerce is not a one-time project. Regularly analyze where customers drop off and which features they use. Based on that data, you can keep optimizing the store over time.
A strong partner supports you with business intelligence and reporting. That helps you make decisions based on facts. 
 

Conclusion: How to choose the right Business Central b2b platform

Choosing the right e-commerce platform for Business Central is a strategic decision. Take the time to define your requirements and compare different solutions.

Pay special attention to depth of integration, b2b functionality, and the provider's experience in your industry. A platform like dynamic commerce, built natively for Business Central, offers clear advantages for complex b2b processes.

Get advice from experienced partners. dc AG has been supporting mid-sized companies with e-commerce projects for more than 15 years and knows the real-world requirements and challenges. 
 

Key takeaways: Business Central e-commerce platforms in b2b

• Deep ERP integration reduces manual data maintenance and significantly speeds up b2b ordering processes.
• Mid-sized companies benefit from centralized control of all sales channels directly from Business Central.
• With dynamic commerce, dc AG connects e-commerce and Business Central for seamless processes in the mid-market.
• Customer-specific prices, assortments, and permissions are critical requirements for b2b portals.
• The right platform depends on depth of integration, feature set, and industry requirements.