Many businesses currently using legacy or on-premise solutions like Pegasus Opera 3 find that Business Central provides a more modern, connected, and intelligent platform for managing financials, operations, and customer relationships.
With the rise of remote work, data-driven decision-making, and real-time reporting, traditional ERP systems are struggling to keep up. This blog compares Business Central vs Pegasus Opera 3, helping businesses make an informed decision.
Overview of Pegasus Opera 3
Pegasus Opera 3 is an established modular ERP solution designed primarily for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It provides core financial management, payroll, stock control, and supply chain functionality. Opera 3 can be deployed on-premise or through cloud-hosted options, offering businesses flexibility in how they manage their ERP infrastructure.
Its modular approach allows businesses to select only the features they need, keeping costs lower while maintaining customisation. However, integration with modern productivity and analytics tools (such as Microsoft Power BI, Office 365, and automation services) is more limited compared to newer cloud-native solutions.
Key Features of Pegasus Opera 3
- Modular ERP system for finance, payroll, CRM, and stock control
- On-premise and hosted cloud deployment options
- Some integration with Excel and third-party applications
- Traditional user interface that requires training
- Good for companies seeking an on-premise ERP with legacy system familiarity
Overview of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a modern, cloud-first ERP system designed for growing and mid-sized businesses. As part of the Microsoft ecosystem, it seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 (Office 365), Teams, Power BI, Power Automate, and SharePoint to enhance productivity, automation, and analytics.
Business Central provides an end-to-end solution for managing finance, operations, sales, supply chain, and reporting in one unified system. Unlike traditional on-premise ERPs, Business Central is cloud-based, meaning automatic updates, real-time data access, and accessibility from any device.
Key Features of Business Central:
- Finance, CRM, warehousing, manufacturing, inventory, project management and more
- Fully cloud-based with automatic updates
- Seamless integration with Office 365, Teams, Power BI, and SharePoint
- Built-in automation for invoices, reporting, and approvals
- Modern, intuitive interface designed for ease of use
- Scales with business growth, supporting multiple locations and global operations
Feature Comparison: Business Central vs Pegasus Opera 3
Below is a feature-by-feature comparison to highlight the differences between the two ERP systems:
Feature |
Pegasus Opera 3 |
Dynamics 365 Business Central |
| Cloud-Based | Available via hosting | ✔ Fully cloud-based |
| Remote Access from Any Device | X | ✔ Yes |
| Microsoft 365 Integration | Partial (Excel only) | ✔ Full integration |
| Inbuilt Cashflow Reporting | X | ✔ Yes |
| Automated Expense Management | X | ✔ Yes |
| Recurring Invoicing | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Approval Workflows | Requires third-party add-on | ✔ Yes |
| Multi-Company Consolidation | X | ✔ Yes |
| Built-in Power BI Analytics | SE edition only | ✔ Yes |
| Manufacturing Module | X | ✔ Yes |
| Automatic System Updates | X | ✔ Yes |
Deployment and Scalability
- Pegasus Opera 3: Designed mainly for SMBs, Opera 3 offers on-premise deployment with some cloud hosting options. Its modular nature makes it flexible, but it lacks native scalability for businesses with multi-location operations.
- Business Central: Built as a cloud-first solution, Business Central automates updates and scales effortlessly. It’s ideal for businesses planning for growth, multi-location operations, and remote access needs.
Which ERP Should You Choose?
Choose Pegasus Opera 3 if:
✔ Your business prefers an on-premise ERP with a modular structure
✔ You need basic accounting and payroll without modern cloud-based features
✔ Your team is already experienced with Opera 3 and prefers a traditional interface
Choose Business Central if:
✔ You need a cloud-first, modern ERP with automated updates and real-time access
✔ You want seamless integration with Microsoft tools (Excel, Outlook, Teams, Power BI)
✔ You require scalability, automation, and advanced reporting for business growth
Business Central vs Pegasus Opera: Final Thoughts
While Pegasus Opera 3 has been a trusted solution for SMBs, it lacks the cloud-native advantages, automation, and deep integrations of modern ERP systems. Business Central stands out as the future-proof option for businesses looking to scale, automate processes, and gain deeper financial and operational insights.
For businesses still using Pegasus Opera 3, it may be time to evaluate a transition to Business Central to keep up with modern demands. With seamless migration tools and expert implementation partners, upgrading to Business Central can be a strategic move for long-term efficiency and profitability.
If you’re considering switching to Business Central, Akita can help assess your business needs and develop a tailored migration strategy:
