ERP Cost Guide

How to choose a Business Central partner

Start from Business Central's official directory, then shortlist 3 partners and compare written quotes against the same SOW. Microsoft's partner finder does not show a verifiable US Business Central count.

Updated 2026-09-23 · 4 sources · By the ERP Cost Guide team

Independence and disclosure. ERP Cost Guide is independent and is not a partner, reseller or affiliate of any ERP vendor. Buyers pay nothing. If we introduce you to an implementation partner, that partner may pay us a referral fee - see how we make money.

At a glance

Program
Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program / Cloud Solution Provider
Official directory
Microsoft Dynamics 365 find-a-partner
Typical rates
$960-$1,330/day onshore; $650-$1,000/day
Verified
2026-09-23

How the Business Central partner channel works

Business Central is bought through a Microsoft partner - Microsoft’s pricing page says to “contact a partner to purchase” (Microsoft, 2026-09-23). Partners resell subscriptions under CSP and deliver implementation; some are services-only.

Official partner directory: Microsoft Dynamics 365 find-a-partner. Microsoft’s partner finder does not show a verifiable US Business Central count.

Business Central-specific questions to ask

  1. Do you hold our CSP subscription, or only implement?
  2. Which ISV apps (EDI, WMS, industry) do you recommend, and what do they cost monthly?
  3. Is your package fixed-fee? List what is excluded.
  4. How many Business Central go-lives in our industry last year?
  5. How do you handle Microsoft's twice-yearly updates for our extensions?

Rates and engagement models

Rates: $960-$1,330/day onshore; $650-$1,000/day blended (AlphaVima, Jul 2026).

Engagement models: fixed-fee packages for standard scope, capped T&M for complex builds, and monthly retainers for post-go-live support. See Business Central implementation cost for cited totals.

Red flags

  1. No named consultants in the proposal - just the firm's logo slide
  2. T&M with no not-to-exceed cap
  3. Data migration described as "standard" with no object list or years of history
  4. Integrations listed without the connector, owner or post-go-live support
  5. Pressure to sign the license before the SOW is agreed
  6. No references in your industry and size band

Switching partners

CSP subscriptions can be transferred between partners in Microsoft Partner Center without re-licensing (Microsoft Learn, 2026-09-23).

Get 3 Business Central partner quotes

Tell us once. We match you with up to 3 independent implementation partners (they can span vendors) who send written quotes. We are onboarding partners now: nothing is shared until you tick the consent box, and we confirm by email before any introduction.

Free to buyers. Partners may pay us a referral fee; we are not a partner or reseller of any vendor. Details: /how-we-make-money/ and /privacy/.

Got it. We will email you to confirm scope before any partner sees your request.

Partner profiles coming. We list partners on an opt-in basis only. Business Central partners: request a listing.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the official Business Central partner directory?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 find-a-partner.

Is ERP Cost Guide a Business Central partner?

No. We are independent. Partners may pay us a referral fee when we introduce a buyer, which we disclose on every form.

Sources

  1. Microsoft - Find a Dynamics 365 partner (accessed 2026-09-23) - Source date: 2026-09-23
  2. Microsoft - Business Central pricing (accessed 2026-09-23) - Source date: 2026-09-23
  3. Microsoft Learn - Transfer new-commerce subscriptions between CSP partners (accessed 2026-09-23) - Source date: 2026-09-23
  4. AlphaVima - Business Central implementation cost (accessed 2026-09-23) - Source date: 2026-07-15
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