In this fast-paced eCommerce era, integration of your store and back office is no longer a nice to have but imperative. Shopify merchants who run Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central get to have natively available Shopify connector from Microsoft, and everything works just fine in harmonious synch without having to resort to third party solutions.
What makes the connector powerful isn’t always the functionality although that’s where it begins. It’s that it’s part of the One Microsoft Ecosystem.
The Power of the Microsoft Ecosystem
Microsoft’s success is in being able to offer an integrated ecosystem in which the tools interact well with one another. Business Central is already extremely integrated with other Microsoft offerings such as:
- Power BI for analytics
- Power Automate for workflow automation
- Microsoft Teams for collaboration
- Azure for scalability and security
With the native Shopify connector, it is not only integrating Shopify with your ERP, but also Shopify into the whole Microsoft ecosystem.
Advantages of Staying Native
1. Native Integration with Business Central Processes
Since it is homegrown in Business Central, the connector seamlessly fits into current ERP routines such as posting orders, finances, and inventory management. Third party bridges and global mappings against external data with a possibility of failing upon updates do not exist.
2. Single Point of Support and Maintenance
Because Microsoft has Business Central and the Shopify connector, you get timely maintenance, compatibility, and one point of contact. No more switching between vendors.
3. Low Total Cost of Ownership
There is additional licensing fees or usage fees with third party connectors. The Shopify connector natively in Business Central means your money is not spent and your tech stack is lean.
4. Better Security and Compliance
Security is completely paramount to eCommerce and ERP. Being within the Microsoft ecosystem with your integration implies you’re utilizing Azure enterprise security, security standards, and identity management (Azure Active Directory).
5. Future Proof Scalability
With Microsoft continuously releasing new Business Central capabilities on a regular schedule and within the network, the native connector is automatically the one that profits. With AI driven insights, more Power Platform integration, and more ERP capabilities, your Shopify integration will be up to date on your system.
Who Reaps the Most Benefits?
The native connector is particularly well worth it for:
- One Shopify store with simple workflows for small businesses.
- Businesses already committed to the Microsoft platform and wanting to maximize its value.
- Businesses that want streamlined operations without the weight of third party apps.
Final Thoughts
With Shopify connected to Business Central, no more syncing of products and orders housed in one, safe, and scalable Microsoft environment. For most businesses, it simply means less to move, less complexity, and greater future confidence.
With the native connector, you’re not merely integrating Shopify and Business Central, you’re placing your eCommerce in the entire potential of Microsoft’s cloud driven suite.
