How to Choose Between an ISV and Custom Add-On for Business Central

UG Expert Suzanne Scanlan discusses how users can choose add-ons for Business Central and highlights key considerations before you buy.

Key Takeaways:

• Why consider an add-on: Users have always been able to customize Business Central. Any ERP might not cover every specific business need. You may need a particular workflow or industry-specific solution, for instance. Users can either create a custom solution, which is typically built by a partner, or use a third-party add-on, known as an ISV solution. Today, most ISV solutions are listed on AppSource.
• Custom vs. ISV solutions:
  • The speed of deployment with a custom solution depends on complexity. ISV add-ons are ready to deploy.
  • With cost, if it’s a complex, custom solution, then the cost could be higher, but if it’s being developed as a power app, it could be lower or about the same price, but you do own it. For standard licensing, the initial cost tends to be lower for an ISV add-on.
  • Because custom solutions are fully tailored to your specific needs, they’ll be more flexible than ISV add-ons.
  • With maintenance, buying from a vendor means they provide updates, while your partner who developed the custom solution would have to take care of that.
• AppSource: There are over 7,000 apps for Business Central alone on Microsoft AppSource. Make sure you do your research and understand the gist of an application as you select add-ons to extend Business Central.
• Key considerations: It’s important to evaluate the add-on and the company providing the ISV solution. Asking for a needs assessment can be helpful in ensuring the solution will meet your specific needs. There are some key questions to ask before embarking on the journey of determining what ISV solution you might need:
  • Do you really need this functionality?
  • What is the licensing model and total cost over time for maintenance?
  • Who provides support and training for this product? Do they offer certifications?
  • How are modifications and updates handled?
  • Does it work with other add-ons?
• Top tips: Throughout this process, include your partner in every step. Use AppSource to browse the over 7,000 applications for Business Central. Plan for the long-term costs, training, and scalability as your business grows.