Build a custom connection or go with a standard solution—what’s the smartest choice?
If you are responsible for the e-commerce platform, application landscape, or IT environment of your organization, you will face quite a few challenges. Besides worrying about protecting customer data and complying with laws and regulations, every aspect of the online business must seamlessly connect with backend systems. This means optimizing processes and achieving effective integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. In this process, you do not want errors, duplicate data, or a lot of manual work. Those looking to bridge the gap between the online store and back office will eventually face a choice: whether to build a connection yourself or opt for a ready-made solution? Erica Hoekerd, CEO of Tinx-IT, discusses important considerations for this decision in this blog.
The Challenge of Growth
Every entrepreneur dreams of growth. But with growth come challenges, especially when it comes to efficiently managing your online store. Keeping product data, stocks, and customer information up-to-date daily can feel like an endless struggle. It requires not just a significant investment of time but also resources. And every time you think the system is running flawlessly, a new problem emerges. A scalable e-commerce environment requires seamless integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. When you start looking for solutions, you quickly face the choice between building one yourself or opting for a ready-made solution.
The Disadvantages of Standard Solutions
Many companies hesitate to choose a standard solution. Understandably, how can a one-size-fits-all solution be flexible enough to meet your unique business needs? This inevitably leads to compromises, in functionality, performance, or – worse – both. And customizing a standard solution? That undoubtedly takes a lot of time and requires a significant investment.
The Pitfalls of Building It Yourself
Building it yourself then? That also has its disadvantages. Yes, you have full control, but do you have the technical expertise to do it yourself? Or will you hire someone? How do you ensure that the party you hire has enough knowledge and experience with developing connections? Do they have a track record? What’s the development timeline? What are the costs? And do not be mistaken! With updates from Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or the custom connection itself, compatibility issues may arise. This can result in interruptions of business processes and potentially loss of data integrity. Moreover, it creates extra work to get everything running smoothly again. A never-ending story…
The Solution Is Closer Than You Think
For those wondering where I got this wisdom from… I have built a whole series of such connections myself. As I wrote in my previous blog, after the umpteenth connection: what a hassle! Why can’t organizations choose an out-of-the-box solution to connect their webshop to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central? Thus, the modern Tinx-IT was born. It all started with the Magento Connector, but we have since developed connectors for all leading e-commerce platforms, such as WooCommerce, Shopify, Shopware, BigCommerce, and more.
The Best of Both Worlds
Our standard solutions for webshop integration with Business Central feature a flexible user interface. Thus, they offer the best of both worlds: the flexibility and adaptability of custom work and the simplicity and cost-efficiency of a ready-made solution. This ensures a flawless data flow between your webshop and Business Central. This results in better customer service, more efficient inventory management, and an overall boost for your online business. And not to forget: a better night’s sleep.
Want to Know More?
Do you want to take your online business to the next level and excel in e-commerce? Tinx’s e-commerce connectors can also seamlessly integrate your webshop, marketplace, or cash register with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Curious? Feel free to contact us. We are ready to help you further!
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