Two voices, one goal: supporting companies in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central to take the next step in digitalization. Umut Celik and Luca Bongiorno from KUMAVISION Sales-Team in Switzerland talk about ERP implementations, Cloud, Microsoft ecosystems and why good advice can sometimes be uncomfortable.
1. What do you personally like about Business Central – and why did you choose ERP sales?
Hope: I'll be honest: At first, ERP seemed like a complex topic to me. But the more I got involved with it, the more I realized the enormous impact a suitable solution can have on a company. Business Central appeals to me because it's modern, flexible, and optimally integrated into the Microsoft environment. For me, ERP sales is the perfect interface between people, processes, and innovation.
Luke: What particularly appealed to me was the opportunity to work with people who want to make a difference – whether in digitalization, optimization, or simply in day-to-day business. ERP sales offers exactly that: We support our customers in strategic decisions and help them understand complexity. Business Central is a perfect fit for many medium-sized companies – and that's what makes our work so meaningful.
2. ERP projects often have a reputation for being complex and lengthy. What do you consider the key to success?
Luke: Speak plainly – and early.
Many projects fail not because of technology, but because of unclear expectations or a lack of focus. We provide our clients with a realistic picture early on, set clear priorities, and create transparency. Our SmartStart methodology supports precisely this: It ensures that we start in a structured and pragmatic manner – without overwhelming clients with complexity.
Hope: And what's often underestimated: It's not just about software, but also about change within the company. We involve the people, not just the processes. If everyone involved understands why the project is important and the approach is clear, then even an ERP project becomes a feasible task – step by step.
3. Software as a Service or on-premise? What's the reality for your customers—and where are they headed?
Hope: Even though many companies currently still operate their own servers, the direction has long been clear: CloudThe advantages are obvious – automatic updates, scalability, integration into the Microsoft ecosystem. But many customers are still in the on-premises world and need good support during the transition.
Luke: I often see that customers are more afraid of the Cloud than necessary. That's why we take the time to truly explain the benefits – including the security aspects. Once you've taken the step, you usually don't want to go back.
4. You talk to many companies that still use Dynamics NAV. Why is upgrading to Business Central SaaS worthwhile?
Luke: Many companies still use Dynamics NAV, but Microsoft has discontinued support – and many partners no longer offer full support. This makes NAV unsafe and expensive to operate in the long term.
👉 At this point, it is also worth taking a look at our blog article on the risk of outdated software: [The risk of outdated software – or what it really costs to do nothing]
Hope: Switching to Business Central SaaS is worthwhile because it provides companies with a modern, cloud-based solution with a significantly lower IT load. At the same time, the basic logic remains NAV-like, making the transition easier.
And what's important to remember: Business Central is ready for AI. Those who make the switch now will ensure their future viability – not only technically, but also strategically.
5. Business Central is part of the Microsoft platform. How exactly do customers benefit from it?
Hope: For me, this is a game changer. Business Central isn't isolated, but connected to the entire Microsoft ecosystem—with Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint. This creates new workflows and automations that were previously impossible to implement. Anyone who attended our last webinar knows how far we've come!
Luke: Many customers are surprised at how seamlessly everything works together. Sharing invoices directly in Teams, transferring data from BC to Power BI analyze or map routine processes with Power Automate – this saves time and creates transparency.
6. How do you address concerns about IT security and Cloudsolutions?
Luke: IT security is a key issue, and we address concerns by speaking openly and concretely. The reality is: In Switzerland, hundreds of companies are targeted by cyberattacks every day – often through simple methods such as phishing, outdated login credentials, or unprotected devices. Small and medium-sized businesses in particular often underestimate the real nature of the threat and its potential consequences.
Hope: Microsoft takes security very seriously. Every year billions – yes, billions – are invested in protecting Cloud This includes modern encryption, automatic threat detection, and numerous security measures in the data centers. In comparison, a dedicated server in the basement is often significantly less protected.
7. What is changing in your world as a result of AI – and what does that mean for your customers?
Hope: I often say it: Artificial intelligence has long been a part of our everyday lives. For example, you can automatically create product descriptions, be guided through the system, or generate report summaries. This saves time and makes daily work significantly easier.
Luke: AI in the professional world should be viewed as a personal assistant. It helps make tasks easier. You can start small here – with automation and analytics. We help our customers find suitable use cases and implement them effectively.
Conclusion: Two voices, one goal
Umut & Luca: We believe in the strength of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central – especially for medium-sized businesses. Those who think strategically today rely on integration, automation and CloudWe are here to help shape this path – as advisors, initiators, and partners on equal terms.
