In today’s fast-paced business environment, managing finances across multiple legal entities is more complex than ever. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC) may seem like a logical next step from QuickBooks or legacy systems, but many companies soon discover that it isn't built for native multi-entity management. Instead, users rely on workarounds, third-party add-ons, and expensive customizations that introduce friction, delays, and higher costs.
Why businesses look beyond Dynamics 365 Business Central
Common challenges with Business Central:
- Third-party tools required for consolidation and intercompany automation
- Complex interface designed for enterprise-level operations
- High implementation and maintenance costs
- Slower onboarding and steeper learning curves
Business Central originates from a platform (Dynamics NAV) built for large enterprises. As a result, it often overwhelms small to mid-sized companies with features they don't need and complexity they can’t manage. Instead of simplifying operations, it adds unnecessary layers.
Before you invest in a solution that might require patching from day one, consider a smarter path forward.
Gravity Software for multi-entity growth
Gravity Software is purpose-built for small to mid-sized companies that need native multi-entity capabilities—without the heavy baggage of enterprise ERP systems. Natively built on the Microsoft Power Platform, Gravity connects seamlessly with tools like Power BI, Excel, Teams, and Outlook to streamline workflows and enhance productivity across your organization.
Key multi-entity benefits:
- Manage unlimited entities from a single database
- Automate intercompany transactions and eliminations
- Centralize reporting with real-time consolidated financials
- Apply entity-level controls while sharing a standardized chart of accounts
Whether you manage 5 legal entities or 50 operating units across regions, Gravity helps you centralize and scale without sacrificing visibility. Teams working in multiple locations can collaborate in real time using a secure, cloud-first platform.
Companies managing 20 or more entities often face significant consolidation challenges with traditional ERP systems. Gravity customers in similar situations have reported reducing their month-end close time by 50% and reclaiming 15+ hours per week through built-in automation and real-time reporting.
Gravity Software vs. Dynamics 365 Business Central
Intercompany management
- Gravity: Natively supports intercompany automation across multi-le entities.
- Business Central: Requires configuration or third-party add-ons to handle basic intercompany needs.
Consolidated reporting
- Gravity: Real-time consolidated financials, built-in, no exports or spreadsheets needed.
- Business Central: May require Power BI consultants, data warehouses, or external tools.
Platform integration
- Gravity: Built on Microsoft Power Platform, integrating naturally with O365 apps.
- Business Central: Part of Microsoft ecosystem ,but more rigid and not as Power Platform native.
Learning curve
- Gravity: Simple, intuitive UI designed for finance and operations professionals.
- Business Central: Complex navigation often requires outside training and longer onboarding.
Cost structure
- Gravity: Transparent pricing with built-in multi-entity capabilities.
- Business Central: Base license plus costly add-ons and customizations increase TCO.
What makes Gravity different
Built for real growth
Gravity is built with the scalability and flexibility to grow as your organization does—whether you manage 5 entities or 50+. As needs evolve, features like consolidated budgeting, dimensional reporting, and user-specific access roles ensure your system adapts to you.
Clients often start small and grow fast. Gravity accommodates that pace with flexible licensing, entity management tools, and a chart of accounts structure that’s easy to replicate across companies while preserving control.
AP Automation with AI
Save time and reduce labor costs with Gravity's built-in Accounts Payable Automation. AI-driven tools read invoice data, match vendor records, and apply rules for faster approvals. You’ll eliminate duplicate entry, avoid costly errors, and simplify audit trails.
For example, a multi-location healthcare provider reduced invoice processing time by 60% using Gravity’s AP Automation. Manual processes were replaced with intelligent workflows that saved hours every week.
A unified experience on Microsoft Power Platform
Because Gravity is built on the Microsoft Power Platform, your team benefits from a unified experience across Power BI, Dataverse, Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, and Microsoft Copilot. No middleware. No manual syncing. Just one connected ecosystem.
With Microsoft Copilot, users can generate reports, summarize conversations, draft financial narratives, or query financial data using natural language—right from the tools they already use.
Note: Access to Copilot features requires a separate Microsoft Copilot license, available as an add-on to Microsoft 365. You can explore Microsoft Copilot pricing here.
Gravity works especially well for organizations already using Microsoft 365, but it's also a strong fit for businesses using Gmail and other tools. Its flexibility, cloud-native architecture, and open integration capabilities make it a powerful choice regardless of your email platform.
Why switch from Business Central?
Many organizations evaluating Gravity Software are also considering Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. While it's common for companies to compare the two, most Gravity customers are not switching directly from Business Central—instead, they are replacing older, inflexible systems or avoiding the complexity and cost of implementing Business Central altogether.
A great example of how Gravity transforms multi-entity accounting comes from Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care. As a healthcare company operating across 10 entities and 24 locations, they evaluated both Gravity Software and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central while searching for a modern, flexible accounting solution. Ultimately, they chose Gravity due to its native multi-entity capabilities, ease of use, and affordability.
Previously using an outdated Sage 100 system, Dr. Tavel faced inefficiencies, including a month-end close process that took more than 30 days. After implementing Gravity Software, they cut their close time in half—down to 10–15 days—and significantly reduced the manual effort required for intercompany entries, triple-net lease reporting, and reconciliations. With bank transactions and payables updated in real time, their accounting team now spends more time on strategic financial analysis and budgeting.
"With all the time we’re saving on bank reconciliation, month-end close, and other routine tasks, we can do more financial analysis, budgeting, and providing valuable feedback to the company on strategic direction," said Tera Carpenter, Vice President of Finance & HR at Dr. Tavel.
If you're using or evaluating Business Central, ask yourself:
- Do you need native multi-entity support?
- Do you want to consolidate financials without external tools?
- Are you tired of complicated customizations and consulting fees?
- Do you prefer a flexible, scalable solution that grows with your business?
Gravity Software is designed to answer “yes” to all those questions. It was built from the ground up to support multi-entity accounting in a way that is scalable, user-friendly, and aligned with the needs of growing companies.
Many organizations that choose Gravity—especially those evaluating it alongside Business Central—cite improved accuracy, better team collaboration, and faster close cycles as immediate benefits. Whether they're moving from QuickBooks, Sage, or considering BC but wanting something simpler and more intuitive, Gravity provides a purpose-built alternative that’s easier to implement and scale. With shorter implementation times and a modern UI, your team can hit the ground running and stay focused on strategic tasks.
Take the next step
Join the growing number of businesses moving from overbuilt, inflexible ERP systems to Gravity Software.
Schedule your demo today and discover a better way to manage multi-entity accounting—natively, intelligently, and affordably.
Gravity Software
Better. Smarter. Accounting.
