Switching from DATEV to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

DATEV Mid-Market Faktura is the DATEV-cooperative's mid-market ERP-and-bookkeeping platform, deeply integrated with the German tax-advisor ecosystem. As mid-market organisations grow beyond Mid-Market Faktura's functional boundaries, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central becomes a common migration target. The switch raises specific questions about preserving DATEV-based Steuerberater integration while gaining Business Central's broader operational capabilities.

Migration drivers

Three patterns drive DATEV-to-Business-Central migrations. (1) Operational scope expansion: Mid-Market Faktura is strong on accounting and basic operations but limited for advanced manufacturing, warehouse management, project business and internationalisation. Growing operations outgrow it. (2) International or multi-entity needs: DATEV is German-domestic-focused; mid-market expansion into Austria, Switzerland, EU broader markets benefits from Business Central's native multi-country capabilities. (3) Modern cloud-and-mobile requirements: Business Central's cloud-native architecture, mobile apps and Power Platform extensibility outpace DATEV's evolution. When not yet: stable German operations with strong Steuerberater relationship, no significant expansion pressure. DATEV Mid-Market Faktura serves these well at lower TCO.

Steuerberater integration

The central question for German organisations is preserving the Steuerberater relationship. Business Central provides credible DATEV integration through several paths. (1) DATEV-CSV export: Business Central exports postings in DATEV-format CSV for import to the Steuerberater's DATEV Kanzlei-Rechnungswesen pro. Robust and mature. (2) DATEVconnect online API: modern REST-based bidirectional integration. Microsoft Dynamics 365 partners offer pre-built connectors. (3) DATEV Unternehmen online integration: for AP-invoice flow with Steuerberater oversight. (4) Direct Steuerberater access: Steuerberater receives Business-Central access for ongoing bookkeeping. The right approach depends on how active the Steuerberater is in daily operations. Many DACH mid-market organisations operate with Business Central in-house for daily operations and structured DATEV exports to the Steuerberater for review and tax-relevant submissions.

Migration methodology

Typical DATEV-to-Business-Central project. (1) Process design: map DATEV-Mid-Market processes to Business Central standard. Identify gaps and configure or extend. (2) Chart-of-accounts redesign: SKR 03 or SKR 04 in Business Central, mapped from DATEV chart. Most German Business Central deployments use SKR 03 or SKR 04 from initial setup. (3) Master-data migration: customers, suppliers, materials, fixed assets exported from DATEV and imported into Business Central with cleansing. (4) Open-transaction migration: open AP, open AR, inventory balances, open POs. (5) Steuerberater coordination: agree the new DATEV-integration approach, test the data flow, schedule the cutover with the Steuerberater's involvement. (6) User training: substantial retraining given the different UX. Implementation duration: 6-12 months typical for SMB and lower mid-market. Cost: 100,000-500,000 EUR for typical 20-80 user migration.

Implementation-partner landscape

The DACH Business Central partner landscape is dense, with hundreds of Microsoft partners offering implementation services. Larger partners: Bechtle, COSMO CONSULT, To-Increase, NTT DATA Business Solutions, ASYS, Anveo. Mid-size specialists: 1stMOVE, Helbling Business Advisors, Cosmo Consult, Heinrich & Reuter Solutions, Sycor. SMB-focused: ARC IT, AKQUINET, partner-listed firms via Microsoft directory. Selection criteria: DATEV-integration depth (essential for German operations), industry experience, geographic proximity, team CVs for the proposed key roles. Multiple partners should be evaluated before commitment.

Related Topics

• DATEV Interface
• ERP migration
• E-invoicing