The MENA is a land of opportunity, but can be risky for generic ERP rollouts. A standard Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation that works in Europe or the US may cause additional budget losses and serious delivery delays.
Regions like Middle East or Central Asia have a list of peculiarities that should be considered when making rollout or implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365. Localization for a certain country will be the most reliable solution – both to meet local requirements and corporate reporting standards.
MENA localization challenges
Awara IT has gathered a list of MENA region challenges when implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365.
The e-invoicing and VAT: Standard Dynamics 365 cannot handle this. Saudi Arabia's ZATCA (Fatoorah) requires real-time integration, cryptographic stamping, and specific QR codes. The UAE's FTA demands bilingual audit files and complex rules for designated zones.
- Multiple VAT rates and categories
- Bilingual (English/Arabic) reporting for authorities like the FTA
- Special handling for free zones and exempt sectors
Deep Localization (not just language): Your ERP must produce bilingual Arabic/English legal documents. More importantly, it needs mandatory GCC features absent in the standard build:
- HR: End-of-Service Benefit (EOSB) gratuity calculations.
- Payroll: Integration with the Wages Protection System (WPS).
- Finance: Dual Hijri/Gregorian calendars for legal reporting.
Local business culture: Processes must accommodate local negotiation styles, approval workflows, and relationship management practices. The most critical is the full lifecycle management of Post-Dated Cheques (PDCs), a primary financial instrument in the region. Local banking formats and government portal integration.
Awara IT recommendations on Microsoft Dynamics 365 peculiarities for MENA
We don't just implement Dynamics 365; we make it fluent in MENA compliance. Our methodology bridges the gap with pre-built packages for ZATCA e-invoicing, WPS integration, PDC management, and GCC-specific HR.
Ready Solution for UAE Businesses on AppSource
For companies targeting the UAE, we've streamlined this expertise into a rapid-deployment package:
Available on AppSource, this service provides a preconfigured, fully FTA-compliant system, significantly reducing your startup time.
Our solution contains:
- Pre-configured VAT and localization settings
- Current compliance knowledge of FTA and GAZT regulations
- Seamless integration with local banking and government systems
- This service ensures rapid deployment with full compliance to UAE VAT and legal requirements, including bilingual documentation and pre-configured settings.
