Extensions
Business Central Extensions provide additional functionality. But without compromising your flexibility and independence.
No more expensive customizations
We always recommend our customers to go with the standard version because it gives you the greatest independence and flexibility. But at the same time, we also know that the world and everyday life often looks different and that in the past, solutions often had to be adapted to fit the real world. This usually caused a lot of challenges with updates and often resulted in customers staying on the old systems/versions.
To avoid customizations blocking updates, customizations in Business Central are replaced by Extensions. Extensions are essentially customizations isolated from the standard product itself. This means that they are not affected by the continuous updates that Microsoft sends out to the standard product. The updates can therefore be run continuously – and you will still be working in the latest versions even if you have a number of extensions connected to your solution.
Extra functionality with Extensions
Extensions are “extra functionality” you can add to your Business Central solution – without compromising your flexibility and independence.
Extensions are placed outside the Business Central core itself, which means that even if you have added Extensions to your solution, you can still run Microsoft’s continuous updates – and thereby be sure that you can work on the latest version of Business Central.
Business Central contains a number of extensions by default, which you are free to choose to use.
The different Business Central Extensions all add new functionality to your solution. Some extensions are simple, perhaps just adding one or more fields to an existing page, others are more complicated with completely new pages and features that require some form of configuration.
Get the right solutions from the start
We recommend that you consult with one of our consultants if you think you need extra functionality.
Our consultants have extensive experience with Business Central and the various Extensions. They will be able to advise you so that you get the right Extensions from the start – and don’t end up trying blindly.
Some Extensions are from Microsoft, while other Extensions are supplied by other companies. However, all Extensions are tested before they become available.
Frequently Asked Questions about Extensions in Business Central
When you start working with extensions in Business Central, a number of questions naturally arise: What is the difference between extensions and traditional customizations? How do they affect updates? And which extensions provide the most value for our solution?
Here, we have compiled answers to some of the questions we most frequently encounter in conversations with clients.
1. Why do you recommend Extensions instead of traditional customizations?
Traditional customizations were previously added directly into the standard code. This made companies heavily dependent on bespoke development and often caused issues when Microsoft released updates. Many businesses ended up staying on older versions for years to avoid conflicts.
Extensions work differently: they exist outside the core of Business Central, so updates do not overwrite them. This means you can get exactly the functionality you need—without compromising flexibility, stability, or the ability to receive ongoing automatic updates.
2. What can Extensions be used for—and what additional functionality do they provide?
Extensions can range from small to large enhancements. Some simply add individual fields or minor features to existing pages, while others introduce entirely new screens, processes, integrations, or modules.
Business Central already includes a number of standard extensions that you can activate freely. In addition, many are developed by external providers. What they all have in common is that they help you tailor the system precisely to your daily operations—without modifying the standard product itself.
3. Can we be confident that Extensions won’t cause issues during updates?
Yes. That is the whole point of Extensions. They are isolated from the standard product, which means Microsoft can update Business Central continuously—and your solution will still function even if you have many Extensions installed.
Where you previously risked updates breaking old customizations, Extensions ensure that you can continue working on the latest version without interruptions and without complex adjustments after each update.
4. What types of Extensions are available—and how do we know which ones suit our needs?
There is a wide range of Extensions, both from Microsoft and from other providers. All are tested before release to ensure they work seamlessly with Business Central. They range from simple additions to complex modules that require configuration.
To ensure you select the right ones from the start, we always recommend advisory support. Our consultants are familiar with both standard functionality, various apps, and the many Extensions on the market, and can help you choose precisely the enhancements that support your processes—without adding unnecessary features.
5. Should we choose Extensions ourselves—or do you assist with assessment and implementation?
Although you can activate Extensions on your own, we do not recommend doing so without guidance. Most companies find it difficult to determine whether their needs can be met by standard functionality, an extension, an app—or something else entirely.
We often start with a review of your current workflows and identify where there is a genuine need for additional functionality. This approach prevents “trial and error” and avoids unnecessary or overlapping solutions. The goal is to ensure simplicity, operational reliability, and flexibility.
6. How do Extensions impact our flexibility, future-proofing, and independence?
Extensions make your solution significantly more future-proof compared to traditional customizations. Because they exist outside the core of Business Central, the system can be updated continuously without downtime, hassle, or risk of errors.
This means you can:
- Apply updates continuously and always stay on the latest version
- Retain your customizations without compromising stability
- Avoid dependency on bespoke code
- Add new functionality as needed without affecting the standard product
In other words, Extensions provide exactly the combination that many companies seek: additional functionality with full flexibility.
Are you wondering if extensions are a solution for you?
Then talk to our Business Central Experts.
We can help you get an overview of your options.
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