Extend Your ERP with Microsoft Power Platform (Without Breaking It)

Your ERP system might not need replacing. It needs extending. Microsoft Power Platform lets you add mobile apps, workflow automation and custom dashboards to Business Central, Sage 200, Sage Intacct, or Pegasus Opera 3 without modifying core code, but successful implementation requires the right expertise.

Your ERP Probably Works Better Than You Think

Most finance operations run on disconnected tools. Your ERP handles core accounting, but sales teams work in their CRM, operations manage inventory through separate platforms, and critical business data ends up in spreadsheets that nobody trusts. When systems don't integrate, you lose visibility. Decisions get delayed because nobody has complete information, and your team burns hours reconciling data manually.

The risks multiply when business-critical information lives in multiple places without proper oversight. Add escalating maintenance costs, expensive upgrade cycles, and limited flexibility when your business needs change, and you've got infrastructure that's working against you rather than for you.

The natural reaction is to think about replacing your ERP entirely. But if you've invested in a newer ERP system, there's often a better approach: extend it with Microsoft Power Platform rather than replacing it. This works whether you're running Microsoft systems, Sage, or Pegasus.

What Stops Businesses From Extending Their ERP?

"Won't this disrupt operations?"

Not if you start small. Begin with one workflow (expense approvals, leave requests, basic reporting). Test it, refine it, then expand. You're not ripping out systems; you're layering capabilities on top. Operations continue as normal.

"We'll just need to replace our ERP eventually anyway."

Maybe. But extending your current system buys you time to make that decision properly rather than under pressure. You'll understand your requirements better, train your team gradually, and avoid costly mistakes that come from rushed decisions.

"What about vendor support?"

That's exactly why you don't modify core code. Power Platform connects through standard APIs and connectors. Your ERP vendor doesn't care what you build on top. Your support agreements stay intact. This is the safe way to innovate.

"Our team can't manage this without constant IT support."

The truth is more nuanced. About 10% of finance teams (typically those with advanced Excel skills) become self-sufficient after initial setup. Most teams benefit from expert implementation to establish proper foundations, then require occasional guidance rather than constant support. Simple workflows like approval routing become manageable after training, whilst complex integrations need specialist input. It's about getting the right level of support for your team's capabilities, not permanent dependency.

What is Microsoft Power Platform?

Microsoft Power Platform uses connectors that act like digital bridges between your existing ERP and modern capabilities. Microsoft offers over 1,000 pre-built connectors for integrating business systems without custom development. The platform includes:

• Power Apps for building custom applications
• Power Automate for workflow automation
• Power BI for data analytics
• Copilot Studio for creating AI-powered agents

Add Features Whilst Protecting Your Investment

Power Platform lets you layer mobile apps, automated workflows and AI insights on top of your existing ERP foundation. Gartner's research on low-code platforms shows these tools speed up application delivery through pre-built components and reduce the need for deep coding skills. They help modernise legacy systems and improve governance, though they won't eliminate all project risks. Proper implementation still matters.

By keeping the ERP's core intact, you preserve stability and maintain vendor support guarantees. Whether you're using Business Central, Sage Intacct, or Sage 200, you get flexibility to tailor tools to your team's needs whilst maintaining compliance and security.

Compatible ERPs: Business Central, Sage Intacct, Sage 200, Pegasus Opera 3

Power Platform connectors work with popular ERP systems including:

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
• Sage 200
• Sage Intacct
• Pegasus Opera 3

Each platform has its strengths, and Power Platform unlocks additional value by adding automation, mobile access, and custom interfaces.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Business Central integrates naturally with Microsoft 365, Teams, and Power BI. If you're already in the Microsoft ecosystem, this fits well with your existing infrastructure. Teams can automate approvals, build mobile apps for field reporting, and create dashboards that pull live data from Business Central.

When implemented properly, the Microsoft-to-Microsoft integration reduces friction and speeds deployment.

Sage 200

Sage 200 is trusted by UK SMEs in manufacturing, distribution, and finance. Power Platform enhances Sage 200 by enabling mobile interfaces, automating manual tasks, and connecting it to other systems for smoother data flow.

Manufacturing businesses particularly benefit from mobile shop floor apps that connect directly to Sage 200 without custom development work.

Sage Intacct

Sage Intacct is purpose-built for finance teams and excels in multi-entity reporting and compliance. Power Platform connectors let users automate invoice processing, build custom workflows, and integrate with tools like Salesforce.

For finance teams managing multiple entities, this can cut hours from monthly close processes.

Pegasus Opera 3

Pegasus Opera 3 is a long-established UK-developed ERP covering finance, payroll, sales, and service management. It stands out for deep customisation capabilities and strong fit for SMEs in manufacturing and service sectors.

With the Pegasus Data Connector, Opera 3 SE integrates well with Power BI, Excel, and SharePoint, enabling dashboards, automated alerts, and AI-driven decision-making. Businesses can extend Opera 3 with mobile accessibility, email-triggered workflows, and bespoke API integrations.

For UK businesses that have built their operations around Opera 3, Power Platform provides modernisation without migration risk.

Real example: Labfacility, a UK manufacturer, faced unreliable connections between their Sheffield and Bognor Regis sites. When their Pegasus server went down, it affected both locations. Rather than replacing Pegasus, TSG migrated it to Microsoft Azure and integrated Qlik analytics for advanced reporting. The result? Enhanced reliability, transformed reporting capabilities, and what Scott Jefferies from Labfacility calls "the most significant operational change in 20 years." The existing Pegasus system stayed intact whilst gaining modern capabilities. Read the full case study.

Getting Started: Start Small, Think Big

Successful implementations begin with expert guidance to establish proper foundations. Teams typically start with:

• Power Automate for workflows
• Power Apps for custom interfaces
• Power BI for reporting

Built-in connectors help reduce technical complexity, but proper setup, security configuration, and governance frameworks require experienced implementation partners who understand both the technology and your business requirements.

The shift from "we need to modify our ERP" to "we can extend our ERP" changes everything. Instead of waiting months for custom development, businesses can address problems systematically with experienced partners managing technical complexity whilst your team focuses on business outcomes.

Quick wins that deliver measurable results: Automating expense approvals, creating leave request apps, and building inspection checklists that update the ERP automatically. These projects typically take 2-4 weeks with proper implementation support. Identify the business process, design the workflow with experienced consultants, test thoroughly, then deploy with training and ongoing guidance.

Real-World Applications That Deliver Results

Automated approval workflows: Purchase orders, expense claims, and budget approvals move from email chains into structured workflows designed with proper business logic and security controls. Approvers get notifications, approve from mobile devices, and the ERP updates automatically.

Mobile data capture: Warehouse staff doing stock counts, engineers completing service visits, sales teams logging customer interactions. All capture data on mobile devices with custom apps built to your exact requirements, ensuring data flows directly into your ERP with proper validation and security.

Custom dashboards: Power BI pulls live data from your ERP through properly configured connectors. CFOs see cash position, sales teams track pipeline, operations monitor stock levels. Updated continuously with the right data architecture behind them.

Exception alerts: Power Automate monitors your ERP for specific business conditions (large invoices pending approval, stock levels below reorder points, customers exceeding credit limits) configured with the right thresholds and escalation paths for your business.

Power Platform at Scale: BioPhorum Case Study

When BioPhorum needed to manage over 150 workstreams with thousands of biopharmaceutical experts across 12 collaborative networks, their Google-based systems couldn't handle the complexity. They needed better collaboration tools and a single source of truth for project management.

TSG designed Platform One using Microsoft Power Platform alongside Dynamics, SharePoint, and custom Azure apps. The integrated solution manages thousands of project team members through automated onboarding processes and comprehensive reporting.

The results:

• IT onboarding steps reduced by more than half through Power Automate workflows
• Coordination that used to take days now happens much faster using Power BI
• Project teams collaborate on documents instantly through SharePoint in a structured environment

"TSG supported BioPhorum on a multi-year journey to deliver a Microsoft platform solution which has met its first round of objectives and continues to provide a flexible platform for ongoing change within the business," says David Reinhardt, Head of IT and Platform One Project Manager.

The project shows what's possible when Power Platform tools work together at scale. Automation reduces manual work, better data improves decisions, and the platform adapts as business needs evolve. Read the full case study.

The Bottom Line: Teams That Move Faster Win

Power Platform enables finance and operations teams to work more effectively with properly implemented solutions. Custom interfaces through Power Apps, automation via Power Automate and live insights from Power BI work together when designed with the right architecture, security, and governance frameworks.

Ideas get tested and deployed faster with experienced partners managing technical complexity. Efficiency increases, engagement improves and your business moves faster than competitors, but success depends entirely on proper implementation, not just the technology itself.

Ready to extend your ERP without the risk? Whether you're running Business Central, Sage 200, Sage Intacct or Pegasus Opera 3, we can show you what's possible for your business. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner with six Solutions Partner designations, we've helped dozens of UK businesses unlock more value from their existing systems through expert implementation and ongoing support (without the cost and disruption of replacement).

Get in touch with our team to discuss how Power Platform can extend your ERP with proper planning, implementation, and support that delivers measurable results in weeks, not months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Power Platform extend non-Microsoft ERPs?

Yes. Power Platform works with Sage 200, Sage Intacct and Pegasus Opera 3 as well as Business Central. Connectors bridge the gap between your ERP and Power Platform regardless of who built your ERP. You're not locked into Microsoft systems to benefit from these tools.

Do I need developers to use Power Platform?

Most businesses benefit from working with experienced partners. The visual interfaces are designed for business users, but proper governance, security configuration, and integration design require specialist expertise. About 10% of finance teams (typically advanced Excel users) become truly self-sufficient. For everyone else, expert implementation delivers better results faster and avoids costly mistakes.

Which Power Platform tool should I start with?

Start with the tool that solves your most immediate pain point:

• Power Automate for manual approvals
• Power Apps for mobile ERP access
• Power BI for real-time reporting

Most teams find Power Automate delivers the quickest wins because workflow automation shows immediate time savings.

How long does it take to implement Power Platform with an ERP?

Implementation timeframes vary based on complexity. Simple workflows like expense approvals typically go live within 2-4 weeks. More complex integrations involving multiple systems or custom data transformations might take 6-8 weeks. The phased approach works best: start with one high-value use case, prove the concept, then expand. This reduces risk and builds internal confidence before tackling larger automation projects.

What are Copilot Agents and do I need them?

Copilot Studio lets you build AI-powered agents that answer common questions and handle routine tasks. For finance teams, this might mean an agent that answers employee questions about expense policies, checks invoice status, or guides users through approval processes. You don't need Copilot Studio to extend your ERP effectively. It's useful for reducing repetitive questions to your team, but start with Power Apps and Power Automate first unless you have a specific AI use case in mind.