7 Reasons to Use a Customer Portal for Dynamics 365 Business Central

Customer experience is a top priority for businesses today. With Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central becoming a widely adopted ERP solution for managing finance, operations, and customer data, the addition of a customer portal offers opportunities to enhance customer service and business efficiency. Whether you're an IT professional looking to streamline operations, a small business owner aiming to stand out, or an accountant seeking better collaboration, a customer portal can be a game-changer.

Here are 7 compelling reasons why implementing a customer portal for Dynamics 365 Business Central is a smart decision for your business.

1. Enable Self-Service Capabilities

A customer portal empowers your customers to access information whenever they need it. From viewing invoices and orders to tracking shipment statuses, customers can manage their accounts without having to contact your team.

Example: If a customer wants to check whether their latest invoice has been paid, they can simply log in to the portal and find the information in seconds. For IT professionals, this reduces repetitive inquiries, saving your team both time and energy.

2. Improve Customer Satisfaction

Customers value convenience, and giving them anytime access to their data fosters loyalty. A portal greatly reduces response times to common queries and allows customers to resolve issues independently.

Data Point: A recent Zendesk customer experience trends report noted that 69% of consumers try to resolve a problem on their own before contacting support. A portal directly accommodates this preference.

Tip: Customize the portal with your company branding to create a seamless and professional experience that your clients will appreciate.

3. Automate Tasks and Free Up Staff

Time-consuming, manual tasks—like responding to invoice or order status emails—can be automated with a portal. Instead of draining human resources, your team can focus on higher-value tasks that help grow the business.

Example: An accountant managing multiple clients can direct them to a portal for all their records, cutting down on back-and-forth emails asking for PDFs of invoices or payment histories.

4. Ensure Data Accuracy and Transparency

With a Dynamics 365-integrated portal, customer data syncs in real-time, ensuring the information displayed is always accurate. This transparency builds trust with customers who can rely on what they see in the portal.

Tip: Make use of built-in role-based permissions within your customer portal to ensure your customers only access the information relevant to them.

5. Simplify Payments and Transactions

Portals with built-in payment options streamline the payment process. Customers can directly review outstanding invoices and submit payments securely through the platform without needing additional tools.

Example: A small business owner running an e-commerce shop can offer customers a portal where checking balances and making payments is user-friendly.

Data Point: A study by PYMNTS found that customer satisfaction with digital payments increases conversion rates by up to 30%.

6. Boost Efficiency for Accounting and Finance Teams

By providing customers direct access to their financial statements, invoices, and payment histories, accounting and finance teams reduce time spent responding to customer inquiries. This is especially useful for companies with growing customer bases.

Example: An accountant handling monthly financial reviews for small businesses can direct customers to their portal, allowing them to download reports in real time.

Tip: Pair your customer portal with automated reminders for bill payments or outstanding invoices to create a seamless workflow.

7. Stay Competitive in the Market

Customer portals are quickly becoming a standard for businesses that want to stay ahead. By implementing a portal integrated with Dynamics 365 Business Central, you provide a modern, tech-driven experience that puts you a step ahead of competitors relying on manual processes.

Data Point: Research by Salesforce shows that companies with highly automated customer experiences are 33% more likely to outperform their competition.

Tip: Be proactive! Continuously improve the portal experience based on user feedback to maintain your competitive edge.

Take the next step toward modernizing your business operations today. Implementing a customer portal could be the strategic boost your business has been waiting for. Reach out to learn more about how it can work for you!