How Dynamics 365 Business Central Licensing Works

Now that we know what Dynamics 365 Business Central is and the value it can deliver, how does the licensing model work?

Dynamics 365 Business Central licensing will include two different versions: Essentials and Premium. The Premium version contains all of the modules in D365BC. The Essentials version, on the other hand, gives the customer access to all modules except for Service Management and Manufacturing. In addition, Microsoft has also shared this new offering will have no impact on the traditional on-premises licensing model for now as it will remain the same.

User Types

After selecting the version, the customer must choose between two different types of user licenses: Full or Team Member.

The Full User has access to all functionality based upon the version selected (Premium or Essentials). A Full User applies to users who require the full functionality of the feature-rich business applications available. For example, customer service representatives, finance employees, and supply chain workers could require Full membership.

The Team Member User is more of a traditional light or limited user. Team Members will most likely consist of the bulk of an organization. Team members have the following access and abilities in Dynamics 365 Business Central:

• Read anything within the software;
• Update existing data and entries within D365BC, which can include customer records, vendor records, or item records already created;
• Approve or reject tasks in all workflows assigned to a user;
• Create, edit, and delete a quote;
• Create, edit, and delete personal information;
• Enter a time sheet for Jobs; and
• Use PowerApps for Dynamics 365.

Typical Team Members are those who consume data or reports from business system lines, complete light tasks such as time or expense entries, or update HR records. Team Members can also be heavier users of the system who still don’t require Full User capabilities.

No matter which user type your business assigns to employees, the users are named users, and while you can select different user types, you cannot mix and match Essential and Premium Users.  In other words, you can’t purchase say Essentials for your Finance Users and Premium for your Manufacturing Users.  It must be all Essentials or all Premium.

Dynamics 365 Business Central Licensing with Sikich

We are offering 12-month contracts for Dynamics 365 Business Central with the ability to change with 30 days notice. Each subscription includes a Production Environment and a Sandbox Environment.  If your environment approach dictates the need for more than two environments, then you would need to add an additional subscription.  Those additional environments though may not require the same number of users as the production subscription since not all production users would need to access these environments at one time. In addition, your business will receive one free user for an outside accountant.  Your partner will also have a user account they can use to service your subscription without consuming one of your licenses.

Have more questions or are ready to start your D365BC subscription? Contact us today!