Contact Me App on Microsoft AppSource: Not a Paid App!

In the ever-evolving landscape of business applications, Microsoft AppSource stands out as a hub for discovering and acquiring apps that enhance the functionality of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. One intriguing aspect of AppSource is the presence of apps labeled with a “Contact Me” button instead of a price tag. This blog explores the implications of this feature and highlights some critical apps that are available for free use.

Microsoft Docs regarding “Contact Me” button:

App type, contact type, and customer leads – Business Central | Microsoft Learn

The “Contact Me” Button: What Does It Mean?

When you come across an app on Microsoft AppSource with a “Contact Me” button, it typically means that the app is not directly purchasable through the platform. Instead, you need to reach out to the publisher for more information. This could be for various reasons, such as custom pricing, additional services, licensing requirements, or the need of a guide for setup before you will be able to use it.

Downloading Apps Directly to Your Business Central Environment

Despite the “Contact Me” label, many of these apps can still be downloaded and installed directly into your Business Central environment. This is particularly useful for businesses looking to test the app’s functionality before committing to a purchase or a licensing agreement. However, this also raises some concerns regarding proper licensing and usage.

How to do that?

?aid= FIN&page=2503&filter=%27ID%27%20IS%20%27<App ID>%27&signInRedirected=1

<App ID> needs to be replaced with AppSource App ID.

How to get ID?

URL is the easiest method:

GUID which comes after APPID. is AppSource App ID which you would need.

Licensing Concerns

If an app does not have proper licensing mechanisms in place, it could potentially be downloaded and used by anyone without restrictions. This is a significant issue, especially for apps that provide critical functionalities. One such category is language apps

The Case of Language Apps

Language apps are essential for businesses operating in multilingual environments. They enable users to interact with Business Central in their preferred language, enhancing usability and efficiency. However, these apps are notoriously difficult to license properly. As a result, many language apps on AppSource are available for free use, even if they are labeled with a “Contact Me” button.

So, let’s go to Micrsoft App Source and test out by searching “language” for Business Central:

Let’s take any Contact Me language app, for example for Romanian language. Will skip the steps which previously explained how do install it.

Business Central before install:

After installing:

All things now translated with the app.

Conclusion

The presence of the “Contact Me” button on Microsoft AppSource apps does not necessarily mean that the app is out of reach. In many cases, these apps can be downloaded and used directly in your Business Central environment. However, it’s essential to be aware of the licensing implications.