A Dynamics 365 alternative for service businesses

Start with your priorities

Before comparing features, agree on three things with the people who will use the system every day:

1. What must work on day one?The processes you cannot run without, starting with the one that hurts most.
2. Where do hand-offs break?The places where data is re-typed between tools or teams today.
3. Who will look after the setup?Who adds fields, changes layouts and onboards new people.

What is Dynamics 365?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a family of business applications, including Business Central, Finance, Sales and Project Operations, usually implemented with a Microsoft partner.

Why service businesses look for an alternative to Dynamics 365

Every business is different, but these are common reasons service businesses look at other options:

• They want one product rather than choosing and combining several applications
• They want to make changes themselves rather than through a partner
• They want an intranet, documentation sites and client portal included
• They want a platform designed specifically for service businesses

How Perspectiv is different

• Built for service businesses: people, skills and time are built in from the start
• Clients, contracts, projects, time, purchasing and accounting share one record, with no integrations to build between them
• Your administrators add fields, page layouts and wording themselves, without developers or consultants
• Knowledge hub for your intranet and published documentation, plus client and vendor portals, in the same platform
• A Power BI connection for teams that already report in Power BI
• Single sign-on with SAML or OpenID Connect is included in every plan

When Dynamics 365 may be the better choice

If your organization is standardized on Microsoft, needs accounting today and has a Microsoft partner it trusts, Dynamics 365 may suit you better. Perspectiv’s Finance area is planned.

Moving from Dynamics 365

Perspectiv imports from spreadsheets, matching your columns to its fields as you go, so data exported from Dynamics 365 or any other tool can be brought in. Start with the area that hurts most, run both side by side for a short period, then switch. Our guide on switching in stages applies here too.

1. Map your dataMatch the columns you export to Perspectiv’s fields.
2. Test a small sampleImport a few records and check them with the people who use them.
3. Review, then switchRun both side by side for a short period, then move over. Ask a question if you are unsure.

Dynamics 365 is a trademark of its owner. Perspectiv is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dynamics 365. Descriptions are based on public information as of October 2026; check with each vendor for current details.

Where it lives in Perspectiv

Labels show what opens first in the private beta (Q2 2027), what is being built now, and what is on the roadmap.

• General ledger & accountingPlanned

  Chart of accounts, journals, multi-entity accounting, intercompany, revenue recognition and period close.

• Project managementComing soon

  Projects, programs and portfolios, with budgets, change orders, WIP, profitability and forecasts.

• CRMBeta Q2 2027

  Accounts, contacts, leads and opportunities, with every activity on the client’s timeline and opportunity forecasting.

• Reporting & analyticsPlanned

  Operational and financial reports, dashboards and KPIs across every area, with drill-down to the records.

• Application configuration (Admin)Beta Q2 2027

  Your own fields, form layouts, views, navigation, forms and portal set-up, without code.