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Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP is a powerful platform that can run your entire business. But ERP projects are complex and challenging, whether you’re optimizing your configurations, integrating a new system, or starting from scratch with a new implementation.
ERP consulting services can help. Here’s everything you need to know to get the most out of Dynamics ERP consulting.
Key takeaways:
You can host Microsoft Dynamics ERP in the cloud or on premises. This article mostly talks about the cloud version, Dynamics 365 ERP.
A Dynamics 365 ERP consultancy can help with the entire project, from initial planning to support after launch.
A good consultant will use a well-defined ETL process to migrate data to Dynamics 365 ERP.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP (D365 ERP) is a cloud-based ERP system that centralizes business data and processes across functions like operations, finance, supply chain management, sales, and order fulfillment. Dynamics 365 ERP is usually hosted in Microsoft Azure, which makes it easy to integrate with other Microsoft applications and environments. All in all, D365 ERP is one of the leading platforms on the market.
It’s worth clarifying the naming. What many people call “Dynamics 365 ERP” is actually delivered through a suite of applications—most notably Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. Microsoft has since split the original Finance and Operations app into two products: Dynamics 365 Finance (financial management, budgeting, and reporting) and Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management (manufacturing, inventory, warehousing, and order fulfillment). Many organizations still refer to the combined platform as Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, and a good consultant can help you decide which modules your business actually needs.
What is the difference between cloud-based and on-premises Dynamics ERP?
Cloud-based Dynamics ERP is usually hosted in Microsoft Azure. On-premises Dynamics ERP is hosted with the server or hosting services of your choice.
Here’s how the two hosting models compare in detail.
Feature
Cloud-based Dynamics ERP
On-Premises Dynamics ERP
Deployment
Hosted on Microsoft Azure; accessed via internet
Installed on local servers within organization
Cost Structure
Subscription-based (OpEx)
Upfront license + hardware costs (CapEx)
Maintenance
Managed by Microsoft (automatic updates) and internal IT team or MSP
Managed by internal IT team or MSP
Scalability
Highly scalable; resources can be adjusted easily
Limited by on-prem hardware capacity
Accessibility
Accessible from anywhere with internet connection
Limited to internal network unless VPN enabled
Security
Receives Microsoft-managed security & compliance; also requires security management by internal IT or MSP
Organization’s internal IT or MSP entirely responsible for security measures
Customization
Limited deep customizations; extensions via cloud
Full control over customizations
Disaster Recovery
Built-in redundancy and backup in Azure
Requires separate DR infrastructure and plan
What does a Microsoft Dynamics ERP consultant do?
A Microsoft Dynamics ERP consultant helps an organization improve business outcomes through proper implementation, configuration, and integration of Microsoft Dynamics ERP. Consulting can help with every stage of the journey, from initial discovery to ongoing support.
ERP consulting services span every stage of the journey, from initial strategy to post-launch support. Here are the specific services provided by a Dynamics ERP consultancy.
Initial discovery and auditing. A consultancy can help you build a full picture of your business processes, data environment, and current ERP solution, if you have one. This is essential to decide what specific actions are required to implement, reconfigure, or integrate an ERP system to meet your goals.
Requirements gathering. A consultancy can look at your current state, where you want to go, and help determine what your ERP requirements are.
Platform review and selection. A consultancy can take your requirements and align them with the strengths of various platforms, helping you develop a short list to choose from. They can also help you make the final decision.
ERP implementation. Most Dynamics consultancies can implement your ERP as well. This covers configuration, customization, and integration with other systems.
ERP support after launch. If your consultancy covers implementation, they should offer support after launch as well. This provides continuity between the team that built your ERP solution and the team that supports your ERP every day.
ERP user training. Users typically require training to understand a new ERP system and get the most out of it. A good Dynamics consultancy should provide comprehensive training for your end users as well as implementation and support.
Does a Dynamics ERP consultancy help with implementation, or just advisory services?
Most Dynamics ERP consultancies will cover implementation as well as advisory services. This ensures that you get continuity from a single team who manages the project from start to finish.
If a consultancy doesn’t cover implementation, they will typically pass you off to a partner company to build, launch, and integrate your Dynamics ERP solution.
Here at Corsica Technologies, we handle all phases of a Dynamics ERP project. From the initial planning to implementation and ongoing support, we’ve got you covered.
What does a Dynamics 365 ERP implementation involve?
A successful ERP implementation is far more than installing software. It’s a structured project that aligns the platform with how your business actually runs. Most Dynamics 365 ERP implementations follow a phased approach:
Discovery and planning. Map current processes, define requirements, and set the project scope and timeline.
Solution design. Translate requirements into a system blueprint—modules, configurations, workflows, and integrations.
Configuration and customization. Build out the environment, tailor it to your processes, and develop any custom extensions.
Data migration. Move clean, validated historical data into the new system (more on this below).
Testing. Validate functionality, integrations, and reports against real-world scenarios before go-live.
Go-live and support. Launch the system and provide intensive support during the critical early period.
The right ERP implementation partner manages all of these phases as one continuous engagement, so nothing falls through the cracks between strategy and execution.
How does a consultancy migrate data to Dynamics ERP?
Data is the foundation of any ERP migration. Whether you’re moving from an older Dynamics version, a legacy ERP, or a patchwork of spreadsheets and disconnected systems, the quality of your data migration largely determines whether go-live is smooth or painful. Here’s how a good consultancy approaches an ERP migration to Dynamics 365.
Microsoft recommends setting up a dedicated environment to store business data during the ERP implementation. A good Dynamics consultancy will create this environment, load historical business data into it, and keep it updated with new business data as your operations continue during the project. They will also make sure not to create any test data or transactions in this environment. This ensures that the data is clean and ready to go on launch day.
How does a consultancy actually load data to Dynamics ERP?
Typically, they use an ETL process (extract, transform, load).
Extract the data from the original system.
Transform the data to the required format for the new system.
Load the data into the new system.
Does a Dynamics ERP consultancy help with support and training after launch?
A Dynamics ERP consultancy should provide support and training after launch. This way, you get one integrated team guiding your organization through the entire process. Support after launch typically comes in the form of ERP managed services, in which the consultancy takes full responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of your Dynamics ERP solution.
How does ERP system integration work?
An ERP rarely operates in isolation. To get the full value of Dynamics 365 ERP, it usually needs to connect with the other systems that run your business—CRM, e-commerce platforms, EDI and supply chain partners, business intelligence tools, and industry-specific applications.
ERP system integration is the process of connecting these systems so data flows automatically between them, eliminating manual re-entry and keeping information consistent across your organization. A Dynamics consultancy can:
Identify which systems need to exchange data, and how often.
Build and maintain integrations using native connectors, APIs, or middleware.
Map data fields between systems so records stay accurate and synchronized.
Monitor integrations and resolve issues before they disrupt operations.
Because Dynamics 365 ERP is hosted in Microsoft Azure, it integrates especially well with other Microsoft applications—but a strong consultant can connect it to virtually any system in your environment.
The takeaway: Get the consulting you need for Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft’s cloud-based ERP platform is powerful—but it’s also complex. The right ERP consulting services help you get the most out of the platform while minimizing cost and risk. Here at Corsica Technologies, we’ve helped 1,000+ organizations solve their technology problems. Contact us today, and let’s get started on your Dynamics ERP project.
With over a decade of experience in IT, Garrett Wiesenberg brings deep technical expertise and a strong commitment to strategic problem-solving. For the past four years, he has focused on architecting and delivering advanced solutions for managed clients, consistently aligning technology with business outcomes. Garrett’s career has spanned a variety of roles—from service desk technician to senior network engineer—and now, as Vice President of Solution Consulting, he leads with a hands-on, business-focused approach. He holds several industry-recognized certifications, including CCNA Route & Switch, CCNA Security, CCNA Wireless, MCSA: Server 2012 R2, MCSA: O365 Administration, NSE 1–3, and CMNA.
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