Key takeaways_

• A Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner should support the full journey, from solution design and implementation to adoption, support and optimisation.
• Location matters less than expertise, methodology, sector experience and the ability to deliver the right mix of remote and on-site support.
• The strongest partners act as long-term advisors, helping you get ongoing value from Dynamics 365, Business Central and the wider Microsoft ecosystem.

 Choosing the right Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner can have a bigger impact on the success of your project than the software itself.

Whether you’re investing in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, a customer relationship management (CRM) platform, or a wider business transformation programme, your partner will shape everything from implementation speed and user adoption to long-term business value.

But what should you actually look for?

In this guide, we’ll explore the key criteria for evaluating Microsoft Dynamics 365 partners in the UK, including Microsoft credentials, sector expertise, implementation methodology, remote delivery capability and ongoing support. We’ll also explain what successful Dynamics 365 and Business Central projects have in common, helping you make a more informed decision before you invest.

What does a Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner actually do?

A Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner does far more than install software. The right partner helps you evaluate your requirements, design a solution that fits your organisation and support you through every stage of the journey, from planning and implementation to optimisation and future growth.

Most Microsoft Dynamics 365 partners provide support across the following areas:

Solution design_

Before any technology is deployed, a partner should take time to understand how your organisation operates today and where you want to be in the future. This includes reviewing existing processes, identifying pain points and designing a solution that supports your goals without adding unnecessary complexity.

Licensing advice_

Microsoft offers a wide range of Dynamics 365 and Business Central licences. A good partner will help you understand what you need, avoid paying for what you don’t and build a licensing strategy that can scale as your business grows.

Implementation and configuration_

This is the stage most people associate with a Dynamics partner. It includes configuring the platform, setting up users, tailoring functionality to your requirements and ensuring the solution is ready for day-to-day use.

Data migration_

Moving data from legacy systems is often one of the most critical parts of a project. A Dynamics partner should help cleanse, validate and migrate your data so that you can trust the information in your new system from day one.

Integrations_

Modern businesses rely on multiple systems working together. Your partner should be able to connect Dynamics 365 or Business Central with other technologies across your organisation, whether that’s finance software, customer portals, reporting tools or the wider Microsoft ecosystem.

Training and adoption_

Even the best technology delivers little value if people don’t use it. Effective partners invest in user training, change management and adoption activities to help teams embrace new ways of working and realise benefits more quickly.

Ongoing support and optimisation_

Go-live is not the finish line. As your business evolves, your Dynamics platform should evolve with it. The best partners provide ongoing support, proactive optimisation and strategic guidance to help you continue improving long after the initial implementation is complete.

Do you need a local Dynamics partner?

Many organisations begin their search by looking for London Dynamics consultants, South East Dynamics partners or a Dynamics partner based nearby. It’s understandable – when you’re investing in a business-critical platform, it can feel reassuring to have a partner close at hand.

Historically, location was an important factor. Consultants spent more time on-site, workshops were largely conducted face-to-face and support relied on in-person visits. If your implementation partner was hundreds of miles away, that could introduce delays and additional costs.

Today, things look very different. Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Business Central are cloud-based platforms, and the way successful projects are delivered has evolved alongside them. Discovery workshops can be run remotely, training can be delivered virtually and ongoing support is often provided through digital channels. For many organisations, this means they can choose from a wider pool of expertise rather than limiting themselves to partners within a particular postcode.

As a result, location is no longer one of the most important partner selection criteria. Factors such as industry experience, implementation methodology, Microsoft expertise and long-term support capabilities will usually have a much greater impact on project success.

When local presence still matters_

There are situations where having access to on-site support and face-to-face engagement can add significant value, particularly for organisations undertaking complex transformation programmes.

For example, local presence can be beneficial when:

• Supporting organisations with multiple sites or locations
• Running executive stakeholder workshops and strategy sessions
• Driving change management and user adoption activities

The key is to strike a balance. Rather than asking whether a partner is local, ask whether they can provide on-site support when it matters to your organisation.

7 criteria for choosing a Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner_

Not all Microsoft Dynamics 365 partners offer the same experience, expertise or level of support. Some focus primarily on implementation, while others act as long-term strategic partners who help organisations realise ongoing value from their investment.

Here are seven criteria worth considering when comparing potential partners.

1. Microsoft credentials and recognition_

Microsoft accreditations won’t guarantee project success, but they are a useful indicator of capability, expertise and commitment to the platform.

When evaluating Microsoft Dynamics 365 partners, look for credentials such as:

• Microsoft Solutions Partner designations
• Advanced Specialisations
• Microsoft Inner Circle membership
• Microsoft Partner of the Year awards
• Microsoft FastTrack experience

These accreditations demonstrate that a partner has invested heavily in developing Microsoft expertise and delivering successful customer outcomes. They can also provide access to Microsoft’s latest guidance, product teams and roadmap insights. Partners with strong Microsoft relationships are often better positioned to help clients adopt new capabilities as they become available.

2. Experience with your industry_

Industry expertise can significantly reduce project risk. A Dynamics 365 implementation for a manufacturer looks very different from one for a housing organisation. While the technology may be similar, the processes, compliance requirements and operational challenges often are not.

A partner that already understands your sector can spend less time learning your business and more time helping you achieve outcomes.

3. A proven implementation methodology_

The best Dynamics 365 partners follow a structured implementation methodology that helps reduce risk and keep projects aligned to business objectives. At a minimum, this should include:

• Clear governance and decision-making
• Defined scope and success criteria
• Stakeholder engagement
• Data migration planning
• User training and adoption activities
• Post-go-live support

Strong methodologies also place equal emphasis on people, processes and technology. A project that delivers on time but fails to achieve adoption is unlikely to produce the outcomes originally promised.

4. Remote capabilities_

For many organisations, remote delivery is now the standard rather than the exception. If this is the case for you, ensure your partner can offer:

• Remote discovery workshops
• Virtual training sessions
• Online support services
• Microsoft Teams collaboration
• Cloud-based project delivery

Effective remote Dynamics support can provide significant advantages, including access to a wider pool of expertise, faster project mobilisation, lower travel costs and greater flexibility for your teams. But also check that they can offer in-person support when it is required.

5. Long-term support and managed services_

Many organisations spend months evaluating implementation partners and only think about support once the system goes live. That can be a costly mistake.

A successful Dynamics 365 implementation is only the beginning. User requirements evolve, business processes change and Microsoft continuously introduces new functionality. Without ongoing support and optimisation, it’s easy for organisations to miss opportunities to improve efficiency and increase return on investment.

Before selecting a partner, ask:

• What support packages are available?
• What service level agreements (SLAs) are offered?
• Can support scale as we grow?
• Is optimisation included after go-live?

The strongest partners view implementation as the start of a relationship rather than the end of a project. They help clients continually improve technology, processes and adoption over time.

6. Breadth of Microsoft expertise_

While you may be investing in Dynamics 365 or Business Central today, future requirements often involve integrating other Microsoft technologies to create a more connected organisation.

Many businesses now want to bring together their tools, including Microsoft 365, Copilot, Fabric and more.

A partner with expertise across the wider Microsoft ecosystem can help you avoid future integration challenges and maximise the value of your existing technology investments. Rather than treating each platform as a separate project, they can help build a connected foundation for productivity, automation, analytics and AI.

For growing organisations in particular, this broader perspective can make the difference between solving a short-term problem and creating long-term business value.

7. Evidence they practise what they preach_

One of the most revealing questions you can ask a potential partner is simple: “Do you use these technologies yourselves?”.

Partners that run their own business on Dynamics 365, Business Central and the wider Microsoft ecosystem can provide a level of practical insight that goes beyond technical knowledge.

There’s a significant difference between understanding a platform and running a business on it. Partners that actively use the technologies they recommend have often faced the same data, process and adoption challenges as their clients.

Questions to ask_

By the time you’ve narrowed down your shortlist, the next challenge is working out which partner is genuinely equipped to support your organisation. Beyond sales presentations and Microsoft badges, the best way to compare potential partners is to ask the right questions.

These are the questions to ask during vendor evaluations, discovery calls and proposal reviews:

• How many Dynamics 365 projects have you delivered? Look for evidence of successful deployments, particularly those that reflect the size and complexity of your organisation.
• Do you have experience in our sector? Industry knowledge can help accelerate implementation, reduce risk and ensure the solution aligns more closely with your operational requirements.
• Can I speak to existing customers? Case studies are useful, but customer references can provide a more candid view of the partner’s delivery approach, communication style and long-term support.
• How is support delivered? Understand what happens after go-live, including service levels, support channels, escalation processes and ongoing optimisation services.
• What is your implementation methodology? A structured, proven methodology can make the difference between a successful project and one that overruns on time and budget.
• How do you approach user adoption? Technology only delivers value when people use it. Ask how the partner supports training, change management and user engagement throughout the project.
• How do you support AI and Copilot readiness? As organisations increasingly look to adopt AI, it’s worth understanding how your Dynamics platform, data and wider Microsoft estate can support future innovation.
• What Microsoft accreditations do you hold? Microsoft designations, specialisations and awards can provide an indication of technical expertise, customer success and investment in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Final thoughts: choose a partner, not just a provider_

The best Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner won’t necessarily be the biggest, closest or cheapest.

What matters is whether they can help you achieve the outcomes you’re looking for, whether that’s improving operational efficiency, increasing visibility, supporting growth or creating a stronger foundation for AI and automation.

As you evaluate potential Microsoft Dynamics 365 partners, look for a combination of:

• Proven Microsoft expertise
• Relevant industry experience
• A structured implementation methodology
• Effective remote delivery capabilities
• Long-term support and optimisation services
• A genuine commitment to helping you realise ongoing value

Most importantly, look beyond the implementation itself. Dynamics 365 and Business Central are designed to evolve alongside your organisation, and the partner you choose should be able to support that journey. The strongest partners act as an extension of your team, helping you navigate new opportunities, adopt innovation and continue improving long after go-live.

Looking for a Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner?

Choosing a Dynamics 365 partner isn’t just about finding someone who can deploy the technology. It’s about finding a team that understands your goals, challenges and long-term ambitions.

At Infinity Group, we combine award-winning Microsoft expertise, deep Business Central and Dynamics 365 experience, proven delivery methodologies and real-world Customer Zero experience. As a Microsoft Partner of the Year for Business Central and a Microsoft Inner Circle member, we’ve helped organisations across the UK modernise operations, improve visibility and create stronger foundations for growth, data and AI.

If you’d like to understand what makes a successful Dynamics 365 implementation, and what separates strategic partners from software providers, our implementation guide is a great place to start.