Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a powerful ERP platform, but no system covers every niche requirement out of the box. For SMBs, the challenge is filling those gaps without resorting to costly customisation that complicates upgrades. The good news is that Microsoft’s commercial marketplace – Azure Marketplace – offers hundreds of certified extensions that integrate seamlessly with Business Central.
This blog curates 10 essential add-ons that solve common gaps for finance, operations and compliance. These solutions are proven, supported and designed to keep your system evergreen.
Why Azure Marketplace matters for SMBs
Extensions from Azure Marketplace are built using Microsoft’s AL language and follow the same upgrade model as Business Central. This means they update automatically with new releases, avoiding the technical debt of bespoke code. According to Microsoft, businesses that adopt marketplace solutions reduce implementation time by up to 30% compared to custom development.
Categories covered include payroll, advanced warehousing, EDI, quality management, fixed assets and document capture – areas where many SMBs need extra functionality.
1. Payroll integration
Business Central does not include native UK payroll. Add-ons like BrightPay Connector or PayCaptain Integration bridge this gap by syncing payroll journals directly into Business Central. This eliminates manual entry and ensures compliance with HMRC requirements.
2. Advanced warehouse management
For businesses with complex logistics, Tasklet Factory Mobile WMS adds barcode scanning, bin management and real-time inventory updates. It works offline for warehouse teams and integrates fully with Business Central’s warehouse module.
3. EDI for trading partners
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is essential for suppliers working with large retailers. Solutions like Lanham EDI automate order and invoice exchange, reducing errors and speeding up processing. This is a must-have for businesses scaling into retail or distribution networks.
4. Quality management
Manufacturers and distributors often need quality checks embedded in workflows. Add-ons such as Quality Management by Insight Works allow you to record inspections, manage non-conformance and link results to production orders. This supports ISO compliance and customer requirements.
5. Fixed asset management
Business Central includes basic fixed asset functionality, but extensions like Fixed Assets Plus add advanced features such as component tracking, asset splitting and enhanced depreciation methods. This is ideal for businesses with complex asset structures.
6. Document capture and OCR
Manual invoice entry is time-consuming and error-prone. Continia Document Capture uses OCR to scan, interpret and post purchase invoices directly into Business Central. It supports approval workflows and integrates with existing vendor records, saving hours of admin time.
7. Expense management
Employee expenses can be messy without automation. Expense Management by Continia lets staff submit expenses via mobile, with automatic posting to Business Central. It supports mileage calculations and credit card imports for complete visibility.
8. Advanced budgeting and forecasting
For finance teams that need more than standard budgets, Jet Reports and Jet Budgets provide advanced planning tools integrated with Business Central. They enable collaborative budgeting and real-time variance analysis without exporting to Excel.
9. Shipping and carrier integration
Businesses shipping goods need accurate rates and tracking. ShipIT by Insight Works connects Business Central to major carriers like UPS and DHL, automating label printing and shipment updates. This reduces manual steps and improves customer communication.
10. Credit management
Managing credit risk is critical for cash flow. Credit Management extensions add automated credit checks, scoring and alerts to Business Central. This helps finance teams enforce credit policies and reduce bad debt exposure.
Practical tips for choosing Azure Marketplace add-ons
• Start with gaps that impact efficiency or compliance most – payroll and document capture are common priorities.
• Check vendor credentials and support models. Microsoft-certified partners ensure compatibility and updates.
• Avoid overlapping functionality. Too many extensions can create complexity and conflicts.
• Test in a sandbox before deploying live. Validate workflows and performance under real conditions.
• Review annually. As Business Central evolves, some features may become native, reducing the need for add-ons.
The payoff: functionality without friction
By leveraging Azure Marketplace, SMBs can achieve:
• Faster implementations and upgrades thanks to certified extensions.
• Lower cost compared to bespoke development.
• Evergreen ERP with automatic updates and minimal technical debt.
• Access to specialised functionality that scales with business growth.
As Microsoft states, “Azure Marketplace empowers organisations to extend Business Central with solutions that meet industry-specific needs while maintaining upgradeability.” For SMBs, this means filling gaps without compromising agility.
Ready to explore Azure Marketplace?
If you are planning a Business Central implementation or looking to enhance your current setup, start with these 10 essentials. They deliver immediate value and keep your ERP future-proof.