This blog will guide you through some of the most compelling reasons to reskill as a Dynamics 365 Business Central Developer, and how to get started.
Next-generation business software like Dynamics 365 Business Central is revolutionizing the way businesses handle their operations. But making this leap to smarter, more efficient ways of working simply isn’t possible without the expertise of tech professionals like programmers and developers—which is why now is such a great time to kick–start your journey as a Business Central Developer!
Use the links below to jump to the section you’re most interested in:
- The growing need for Business Central Developers
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: The basics
- What does a Business Central Developer do day-to-day?
- What skills does a Business Central Developer need?
- Overview of Business Central certifications
- What is a typical Business Central Developer salary?
- How to get started as a Business Central Developer
The growing need for Business Central Developers
Modern businesses are multifaceted, with even the most modest of organizations requiring a stack of digital systems to run smoothly in today’s highly connected, online-first world. To meet this growing need for intelligent, cohesive operations management, many companies utilize ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software to handle essential behind-the-scenes functions like finance, HR, e-commerce, supply chains, manufacturing, and inventory management.
Business Central is one such product, and one that’s leading the way on the intelligent ERP front.
But even the most comprehensive ERP solution isn’t going to fit every individual business to a tee. To make sure their ERP system meets their specific business needs and has all the functionality they want, many businesses will customize their solutions and build in extra features. This kind of work is usually done by a pivotal member of the Dynamics 365 ecosystem: the Business Central Developer.
A Business Central Developer is tasked with designing, customizing, and implementing Business Central solutions that are tailored to particular business needs. They enhance system functionality, ensure seamless integration, and provide technical support, enabling businesses to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and gain actionable insights for better decision-making and growth.
Think life as a Business Central Developer could be for you? Let’s take a look at what a Business Central Developer does day-to-day, how much they earn, and how you can start a career in this growing field.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: The basics
What is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central? And why is it a great technology to build a career in?
We’ve answered all these questions and more in our Microsoft Dynamics 365 careers guide. But to give you the crib notes, Business Central is an ERP software product that’s part of Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 suite of business management apps. It’s designed to help small-to-medium businesses run their back-end operations (like finance, HR, inventory, etc.) more efficiently.
It’s a hugely popular option for businesses across many industries, and demand for it is only growing: Dynamics 365 revenue spiked by 27% in 2023. This spike in demand, coupled with Microsoft’s enduring popularity and the continuing drive for businesses to digitally overhaul their operations, make the Dynamics 365 ecosystem a great choice for any budding tech professional.
What does a Business Central Developer do day-to-day?
A Business Central Developer’s job is to customize, deploy, and maintain the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central app to help organizations achieve their operational goals.
Business Central Developers most commonly work for Microsoft partners. These companies are independent, Microsoft-approved organization that supply Microsoft products and services to customers. If a business wants to implement Dynamics 365, they’ll often go to a Microsoft partner for support in customizing and developing the product to fit their unique requirements.
In this role, a Developer will work with multiple clients, helping them modify or build out their Business Central solution to meet their needs before moving on to another project.
Throughout this process, a Business Central Developer will work closely with the client and other stakeholders to understand their technical needs and translate those needs into a tailored Business Central solution. The client outlines their requirements, and the Developer works out the best way to achieve those objectives using Business Central’s capabilities.
Then the Developer will write code, create extensions, and integrate various additional modules so that the system performs exactly as the client wants it to (or as close to that as technically possible).
Once the customizations have been designed and developed, the Developer will often support the client throughout the implementation of Business Central, offering advice and using their knowledge of the client’s requirements to guide configuration and set-up, data migration, and integration with other systems.
They’ll also ensure the solution is thoroughly tested and that everything is on the right track before going live.
Here’s a basic run-through of what a Business Central Developer might do on a typical project:
- Collaborate with stakeholders to gather detailed technical requirements
- Analyze the client’s current systems and processes to identify how Business Central can be customized to improve efficiency
- Design and develop custom modules, extensions, and integrations within Business Central
- Write code in AL language to implement customizations
- Test customizations and integrations to ensure they work correctly and efficiently
- Migrate data from legacy systems to Business Central, ensuring data integrity and consistency
- Integrate Business Central with other applications and services using APIs and web services
- Provide technical support during and after go-live, addressing any issues that arise
- Conduct user training sessions and create technical documentation for the customized solutions
- Continuously improve and update the system based on user feedback and evolving business needs
What skills does a Business Central Developer need?
A skilled Business Central Developer translates client requirements into customized Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central solutions, taking technical needs and transforming them into useful and efficient ERP features.
A mixture of art (that is, the art of dealing with clients) and science, excelling in this role requires both hard technical expertise and crucial soft skills like problem-solving and communication. With this magic blend of talents, you’ll be able to both develop effective customizations and ensure seamless integration with the client’s existing processes.
Here’s a breakdown of the basic skills you’ll need to cultivate to become a Business Central Developer. (And if this seems daunting, check out the ReSKILL program for Business Central which enables you to earn while you learn.)
Technical skills for Business Central Developers
- Knowledge of Business Central
Obviously, you’ll need a robust understanding of the architecture, capabilities, and limitations of Business Central, as well as how to customize and extend the system to meet specific business needs. - Programming skills
Business Central uses the AL language, so proficiency in this is crucial for writing extensions and customizations. Familiarity with C/AL will also come in handy when working with older versions of the app (called Dynamics NAV), and C#, .NET, and JavaScript can also be useful.
- Database management
Knowledge of SQL Server and database structures will help when it comes to managing and manipulating data within Business Central. - Data migration
Data is the lifeblood of any good ERP, so you’ll need an understanding of data migration techniques and best practices for when you’re tasked with transferring data from legacy systems to Business Central.
- System integration
Business Central integrates with many other systems and services, such as Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Power BI, and other Dynamics 365 apps, so knowing how these connections are made and how to optimize them is essential to providing clients with the most comprehensive solutions. - Testing and debugging
Get your rubber ducky at the ready, because strong skills in testing and debugging are needed to make sure customizations and integrations work as you intended and don’t introduce any new issues into the environment.
Soft skills for Business Central Developers
- Analytical thinking
You’ll be faced with complex (and sometimes conflicting) business requirements, and you’ll need to be able to analyze them, break down any challenges, and find efficient, innovative ways to address them.
- Attention to detail
Precision is everything when developing software, so a sharp eye is needed to ensure your customizations run correctly and efficiently.
- Communication
As a Developer, you’ll be working with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients, end users, and other team members. All of these people will have varying levels of technical knowledge, so you’ll need to be able to clearly explain technical concepts in a way that everyone can understand.
- Requirements gathering
Developing accurate and effective customizations begins with gathering and interpreting detailed requirements from clients; a skill that will make your life as a Developer much easier.
- Collaboration
They say it takes a village, and that’s certainly true when deploying business solutions. Working well within a team, including other developers, Functional Consultants, and Project Managers, is a top factor in the delivery of successful projects.
- Time management
Software projects involve a lot of moving parts, so being able to manage your time effectively is essential to make sure that milestones are hit and projects are completed on schedule.
- Documentation
Maintaining clear and thorough documentation of customizations, configurations, and integration processes is super important for not only you, but your client and your team to be able to conduct future maintenance and troubleshooting smoothly.
- Adaptability
Clients are humans, and as a result, they’ll sometimes change their minds. Being able to adapt to these evolving requirements and moving goalposts will help you get to the finish line with your sanity intact.
Overview of Business Central Certifications
If you’re looking to build your skills or showcase your proficiency to a potential employer, then earning a certification is a great way to go about it. Microsoft offers a number of Dynamics 365 certifications, with many focusing on specific products.
What is a typical Business Central Developer salary?
Software development can be a rewarding career, with starting salaries for Business Central Developers in the US averaging $95,750 and climbing to around $150,500 for senior roles, according to Nigel Frank’s Careers and Hiring Guide, the most comprehensive hiring and salary resource in the Microsoft ecosystem.
In the UK, junior Business Central Developers can expect to earn around £44,250 per year, rising to an average of £75,250 for experienced professionals.
How to get started as a Business Central Developer
Considering a career as a Business Central Developer? There are numerous paths you can take to get started. Let’s explore a few of them.
1. Start learning the basics
The ideal way to begin your journey is by diving in and learning about Business Central first-hand. Luckily, there’s a wealth of free learning resources available to help you understand the product, from Microsoft Learn courses to certification prep courses and study guides.
2. Gain some practical experience
Gaining practical experience is crucial when getting to grips with Dynamics 365, so it’s worth signing up for a free trial of Business Central. This hands-on experience will enable you to explore its features and get familiar with its functionalities.
3. Earn while you learn
Prefer learning on the job while receiving a full-time salary? We can help. If you want to jump-start your career journey, get robust learning support, and earn a salary at the same time, why not join our innovative ReSKILL program?
Designed through a partnership between Microsoft and its collaborators, the ReSKILL program pairs you up with a Microsoft Partner, where you’ll be employed full-time from day one while you train to become a fully-fledged Business Central Developer.
Alongside your day-to-day work, you’ll complete self-paced training, earn an official Microsoft certification, and receive expert coaching and mentorship to help you excel in your new role.
Plus, you’ll be connected with the broader #BCTalent community so you can catch up with and learn from your peers. In these regular sessions, you’ll get to know other ReSKILL participants and hear from prominent speakers on exciting topics like AI and the future of Business Central.
The best part is that prior experience with Dynamics 365 or Business Central is not required. All you need is a background in Programming (with at least 1+ years of experience) and a passion for learning a new technology!