ERP Implementation Services: Get a Free Consultation

ERP implementation is often one of the most difficult parts of an ERP project. Gartner research predicts that more than 70% of recently implemented ERP initiatives will fail to fully meet their original business case goals by 2027, with as many as 25% expected to fail catastrophically. 

The problem is not always the ERP software. Data migration, unclear processes, poor user adoption and weak planning can all affect the outcome.

For a UK business, an ERP project might mean replacing older finance software, moving away from spreadsheets, connecting separate systems or preparing for growth. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics 365 Finance are two options, but the right choice depends on the business and its requirements.

Not sure where to start? Get a free consultation with Dynamics Square UK to discuss your current systems, ERP requirements and implementation options.

Key Takeaways

• ERP implementation involves much more than installing software.
• Dynamics 365 Business Central can support finance, sales and operations for many small and mid-sized businesses.
• Dynamics 365 Finance is suited to organisations with broader or more complex financial requirements.
• Data migration, integrations, testing and training should be planned early.
• A phased approach can make a larger ERP project easier to manage.
• The right ERP implementation consultant should understand both the software and the business.

What are ERP implementation services?

ERP implementation services cover the work needed to introduce an ERP system and get it ready for everyday use. ERP implementation consulting services can help businesses define their requirements before the technical work begins.

This can include reviewing business processes, configuring the system, moving existing data, connecting other applications, testing the setup, and training users.

The scope varies from one business to another. A company moving from spreadsheets may have a relatively simple project. A larger organisation may need several companies, currencies, integrations, historical data and more complex reporting.

Microsoft's current implementation guidance follows five broad stages: Discover, Initiate, Implement, Prepare and Operate. It also puts emphasis on data, testing, training and change management.

Why ERP Implementation Matters

An ERP can offer a lot of functionality, but that does not mean a business needs to use everything.

Consider a company that manages purchasing in Excel, sales in a CRM, and accounts in separate finance software. Simply moving these processes into an ERP will not automatically make them better.

The implementation is a chance to look at how work is done now and decide what should change.

Questions worth asking before ERP implementation include:

• Which processes take too long?
• Where is information entered more than once?
• Which reports are difficult to produce?
• What data needs to move?
• Which systems need to connect?
• What should the ERP handle, and what should stay elsewhere?

Microsoft also recommends matching standard Dynamics 365 functionality to business requirements and avoiding unnecessary customisation.

ERP Implementation for UK Businesses

UK businesses can have specific requirements around finance, reporting, tax, currencies and company structures.

A business operating from one UK entity may need a simpler setup than a group working across several countries. A growing company may also need to plan for additional entities, currencies or locations.

These requirements should be considered before the system is configured.

The aim is to build an ERP that works for the business today without creating unnecessary limitations as it grows.

Dynamics 365 ERP Implementation Services

Microsoft Dynamics 365 includes several business applications, so there is no single ERP setup for every organisation.

Business Central is aimed at small and mid-sized businesses and brings areas such as finance, sales, service and operations into one system. Microsoft currently offers Business Central Essentials at £61.50 per user/month and Premium at £84.60, paid yearly and excluding VAT.

For larger or more complex organisations, Dynamics 365 Finance provides broader financial management capabilities. Microsoft's current UK pricing lists Finance at £161.50 per user/month and Finance Premium at £230.70 per user/month, paid yearly and excluding VAT.

The implementation work can cover configuration, data migration, integrations, reporting, testing and user training.

Dynamics 365 Business Central Implementation

Business Central is often considered by growing businesses that have outgrown basic accounting software or a collection of spreadsheets.

An implementation may include:

• setting up companies and financial structures
• configuring finance and accounting
• setting up purchasing and sales processes
• importing customer, supplier and item data
• creating users and security roles
• connecting Microsoft 365 or other applications
• setting up workflows and reporting

Microsoft provides tools for importing data into Business Central, including data from Excel and other finance systems.

Current UK list pricing starts at £61.50 per user/month for Business Central Essentials and £84.60 for Premium, paid yearly and excluding VAT. These are software licence prices, not implementation fees. You can read more about Business Central pricing. 

Dynamics 365 Finance Implementation

Dynamics 365 Finance is aimed at organisations that need more advanced financial management and broader operational capabilities.

An implementation may cover:

• financial management
• accounts payable and receivable
• budgeting
• reporting
• tax requirements
• multiple legal entities
• currencies and international operations
• integrations with other Dynamics 365 applications

The project can become more involved when a business has several entities, complex financial processes or a large amount of historical data.

Microsoft's 2026 guidance also continues to focus on financial management, business performance and modernising finance operations.

Cloud ERP Implementation Services

Many businesses now choose a cloud ERP instead of running their main system on local servers.

With cloud ERP implementation services, the project still involves configuration, migration, integrations, testing and training. The difference is that the ERP runs as a cloud service and forms part of an environment that receives ongoing updates.

That matters after go-live too. Microsoft Dynamics 365 customers need to consider how updates, testing and ongoing system management will be handled.

What Does an ERP Implementation Involve?

Every project is different, but these areas usually need attention.

Understand the Current Business

Start with how finance, sales, purchasing, stock and operations work today.

Perhaps purchase orders are approved through email. Maybe stock figures are updated manually. Or finance spends too much time reconciling information from different systems.

These problems can help define what the ERP needs to improve.

Plan the Solution

Decide what the ERP should handle and what should remain in other systems.

This includes users, processes, reports, integrations, security, and data requirements. It is also the right time to decide whether standard functionality is enough or whether custom development is genuinely needed.

Prepare and Move the Data

Data migration can be one of the more difficult parts of an ERP project.

Customer records, suppliers, products, opening balances and historical transactions may all need to be reviewed. Duplicate or incomplete records should be cleaned before migration where possible.

Microsoft treats data management as a core part of Dynamics 365 implementation planning.

Test With Real Scenarios

Testing should reflect normal business work.

For example, can someone create a purchase order, receive goods, process the invoice, and see the correct financial result?

Can a sales order move through the process without creating problems for finance?

Testing these workflows before launch can uncover issues while there is still time to fix them.

Train Users and Go Live

Different employees will use the ERP in different ways.

Finance users, sales staff, warehouse teams, and managers will not need the same training. The training should focus on the tasks each group actually performs.

Support after go-live can then help users deal with problems as they settle into the new system.

ERP Integration and Data Migration

An ERP rarely works completely on its own.

It may need to exchange information with a CRM, payroll platform, ecommerce system, warehouse software, banking service or reporting tool.

Data migration needs similar planning. The business should know what information is moving, where it comes from, and whether it is still accurate.

For Business Central, Microsoft provides migration tools and guidance for bringing data from Excel and other systems into the platform.

Getting these decisions right early can save considerable manual work later.

Common ERP Implementation Problems

ERP projects can run into problems even when the software is suitable. Here are some of the issues businesses commonly face:

Poor data is one common issue. If customer, supplier, or product records are outdated, duplicated, or incomplete, they should be cleaned up before moving them into the new ERP. 

Too much customisation can create another problem. A custom feature may solve an immediate requirement but add maintenance work later.

User adoption matters too. If employees find the new process difficult, they may create their own workarounds or return to spreadsheets.

A growing project can create another problem. New requirements may be added after the work has started, such as CRM, warehouse management, or reporting. This can increase the time and cost of the implementation.

Business alignment, stakeholder involvement, and user adoption can all affect the outcome of an ERP project.

How Much Does ERP Implementation Cost in the UK?

There is no fixed price for ERP implementation. The cost depends on the size of the business, number of users, data involved, integrations, customisation, and overall project scope.

As a rough UK guide, a straightforward ERP implementation may start around £15,000–£35,000. More involved projects with several integrations, complex data migration, or customisation can reach £35,000–£80,000 or more. Larger Dynamics 365 projects can cost considerably more.

The main costs can include:

• ERP consulting and implementation
• Data migration
• System integrations
• Customisation
• Testing
• User training
• Post-launch support

These figures are market estimates, not fixed Dynamics Square UK prices. The actual cost should be confirmed after reviewing the business requirements.

When comparing quotes, check what is included. Data migration, integrations, training, and ongoing support may be charged separately.

How to Choose an ERP Consultant

The ERP software is only part of the decision. The ERP consultant also matters.

Look for a partner that can explain:

• how they will review your current processes
• what will happen to your existing data
• which integrations are required
• how testing will work
• how users will be trained
• what support is available after launch

Industry experience is useful too. A manufacturer, a professional services firm, and a distributor may all use an ERP, but their implementation requirements can be very different.

ERP Total Implementation Services

Some businesses look for ERP total implementation services so they have one partner managing the project from planning through to go-live. 

That can include requirements gathering, solution design, configuration, data migration, integrations, testing, training, and go-live support.

Each stage should have a clear owner so problems can be dealt with quickly. That makes it easier to identify and resolve problems during the project.

How Dynamics Square UK Can Help

Dynamics Square UK helps businesses plan and implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics 365 Finance. The implementation can cover everything from system setup and data migration to integrations and user training.

For example, if you're replacing an older ERP, the team can help move your existing financial and business data into Dynamics 365. If your business uses several systems, they can also help connect them so information can move between the right applications.

Get a free consultation with Dynamics Square UK to discuss your current ERP, the problems you want to solve, and what your implementation may involve.

Final Thoughts

An ERP implementation should improve the way the business works, not simply replace one piece of software with another.

Start with the areas causing the most complications. It might be manual finance work, duplicate data, slow reporting, or disconnected systems.

Then look at what the ERP needs to solve and which processes should change.

For some businesses, Dynamics 365 Business Central may be the right fit. Others may need the broader capabilities of Dynamics 365 Finance.

The best implementation is one that people can use, finance can rely on, and the business can build on as it grows.

FAQS

What are ERP implementation services?

ERP implementation services cover planning, configuring, migrating, testing, launching and supporting an ERP system.

How long does an ERP implementation take?

It depends on the business size, data, integrations, customisation and project scope. A simple project can take less time than a multi-company implementation.

What does an ERP consultant do?

An ERP consultant helps understand business requirements, plan the solution and guide configuration, data migration, testing and training.

Is Dynamics 365 Business Central an ERP?

Yes. Dynamics 365 Business Central is Microsoft's ERP solution for small and mid-sized businesses. It supports areas such as finance, sales, purchasing and operations.

What is the difference between Business Central and Dynamics 365 Finance?

Business Central is generally suited to small and mid-sized businesses, while Dynamics 365 Finance is designed for organisations with more complex financial management needs.

Can Dynamics 365 integrate with other systems?

Yes. Dynamics 365 can connect with Microsoft applications and other business systems. The integration method depends on the systems and data involved.

How much does ERP implementation cost in the UK?

A straightforward ERP implementation may start around £15,000–£35,000. More complex projects can reach £35,000–£80,000+, depending on data, integrations, customisation and scope. These are market estimates, not fixed Dynamics Square UK prices.

Can Dynamics Square UK help with ERP implementation?

Yes. Dynamics Square UK can help with ERP consulting, implementation, data migration, integration, testing, training and support for Dynamics 365 solutions.