Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

A Proven, Evolving Business Platform Trusted Worldwide

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a comprehensive, cloud-based business management solution designed to help small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) streamline their operations, improve financial visibility, and make data-driven decisions. It covers a wide range of business functions, including finance, sales, purchasing, inventory, warehousing, manufacturing, projects, and AI integration through Microsoft Copilot.

A Legacy of Innovation – From NAV to Business Central

The origins of Business Central date back to 1984 when a Danish company, PC&C A/S, developed an accounting software called PCPlus, which later evolved into Navision. Microsoft acquired Navision in 2002, and the solution became part of the Microsoft Dynamics family, known as Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

Over the years, Microsoft Dynamics NAV gained popularity as a flexible, customizable ERP platform for growing businesses. In 2018, Microsoft officially rebranded Dynamics NAV as Dynamics 365 Business Central, integrating it deeply with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and Azure Cloud to provide modern capabilities such as AI, machine learning, and seamless data integration.

Global Reach and Proven Success

Today, Dynamics 365 Business Central is trusted by over 220,000 businesses and more than 3.3 million users globally. It is deployed in over 100 countries and supports over 45 languages, making it a truly global solution.

Business Central continues to evolve with twice-yearly updates, ensuring customers receive the latest features, enhanced performance, and robust security. Its modular design allows businesses to start small and expand as they grow—adapting to changes in scale, complexity, and operational needs.

Built for Modern Business

Business Central stands out for its:

Unified experience across devices, enabling mobile, desktop, and web access anywhere, anytime.
Deep integration with Microsoft 365 (Excel, Outlook, Teams), Power Platform, and Azure services.
AI-powered productivity through Microsoft Copilot, which automates and enhances business tasks.
Customizability and extensibility, allowing businesses to tailor the system using extensions or build bespoke apps with Power Apps.

Whether you’re a manufacturer, distributor, project-driven firm, or service provider, Business Central delivers a scalable foundation that grows with your business—backed by decades of development, a vast partner ecosystem, and the strength of Microsoft innovation.

Comprehensive Business Management

Work smarter, adapt faster, and perform better with Business Central – named the best ERP system of 2024 by Forbes Advisor.

Achieve Financial Excellence with Real-Time Insights

Business Central’s finance module offers robust tools for managing your company’s financial health:

General Ledger:
Maintain a comprehensive record of all financial transactions.
Accounts Payable and Receivable:
Efficiently manage incoming and outgoing payments.
Budgeting and Forecasting:
Plan and monitor financial performance against budgets.
Cash Flow Management:
Track and predict cash inflows and outflows to ensure liquidity.
Fixed Asset Management:
Manage the lifecycle of fixed assets, from acquisition to disposal.
Bank Reconciliation:
Automate the reconciliation of bank statements with ledger entries.

These features provide a clear view of your financial position, enabling informed strategic decisions

Enhance Customer Relationships and Drive Revenue

The sales module streamlines the entire sales process, from lead generation to order fulfillment:

Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Track interactions and manage customer data.
Sales Quotes and Orders: Create and manage sales quotations and convert them into orders seamlessly.
Pricing and Discount Management: Set up flexible pricing structures and discounts.
Sales Invoicing: Generate accurate invoices promptly.
Sales Reporting: Gain insights into sales performance through detailed reports.

These tools help in building strong customer relationships and increasing sales efficiency.

Optimize Procurement Processes for Cost Savings

Business Central’s purchasing module facilitates efficient procurement operations:

Vendor Management: Maintain detailed records of suppliers and their performance.
Purchase Orders and Invoices: Create, manage, and track purchase orders and corresponding invoices.
Approval Workflows: Implement approval processes to control purchasing activities.
Cost Management: Monitor and control procurement costs effectively.
Vendor Performance Analysis: Evaluate supplier reliability and quality.

These features ensure timely procurement of quality goods and services at optimal costs.

Maintain Optimal Stock Levels and Reduce Carrying Costs

The inventory module offers comprehensive tools to manage stock efficiently:

Real-Time Inventory Tracking:
Monitor stock levels across multiple locations.
Item Categorization:
Organize inventory using categories and attributes.
Stock Replenishment:
Automate reordering based on predefined thresholds.
Inventory Valuation:
Assess inventory value using various costing methods.
Cycle Counting:
Conduct regular inventory audits to ensure accuracy.

Effective inventory management minimizes stockouts and overstock situations, leading to cost savings.

Streamline Warehouse Operations for Improved Efficiency

Business Central’s warehouse module enhances the management of warehouse activities:

Bin and Zone Management:
Organize warehouse space effectively.
Directed Put-Away and Pick:
Optimize the movement of goods within the warehouse.
Warehouse Receipts and Shipments:
Manage inbound and outbound logistics efficiently.
Inventory Movements:
Track the transfer of items between locations.
Warehouse Activity Planning:
Schedule and monitor warehouse tasks.

These capabilities lead to faster order fulfillment and reduced operational costs.

Enhance Production Processes with Integrated Tools

The manufacturing module supports various production strategies:

Production Orders:
Create and manage orders for manufacturing activities.
Bill of Materials (BOM):
Define the components and resources required for production.
Routing Management:
Plan the sequence of operations for manufacturing.
Capacity Planning:
Allocate resources effectively to meet production demands.
Shop Floor Control:
Monitor and control production activities in real-time.
Demand Forecasting:
Predict future production needs based on historical data.

These tools help in reducing lead times and improving product quality.

Deliver Projects On Time and Within Budget

Business Central’s project management module offers features to manage projects effectively:

Job Planning and Scheduling:
Define project tasks and timelines.
Resource Allocation:
Assign personnel and equipment to projects.
Budgeting and Cost Tracking:
Monitor project expenses against budgets.
Time and Expense Recording:
Capture labor and material costs accurately.
Project Reporting:
Analyze project performance through detailed reports.

These capabilities ensure projects are completed successfully, enhancing client satisfaction.

Leverage AI for Enhanced Productivity

Microsoft Copilot brings AI-powered assistance to Business Central:

Natural Language Processing:
Interact with the system using conversational language.
Automated Data Entry:
Reduce manual input by generating records based on prompts.
Intelligent Recommendations:
Receive suggestions for sales lines, inventory replenishment, and more.
Enhanced Decision-Making:
Access insights and summaries to support strategic choices.
Time Savings:
Automate routine tasks, allowing focus on high-value activities.

Copilot enhances user experience by simplifying complex processes and providing actionable insights.

Business Central Licensing Model

Flexible Plans to Match Your Business Needs

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers a subscription-based licensing model, designed to fit different roles and needs within your organization. Licenses are purchased per user, per month, and fall into two main categories: Essentials and Premium, with optional Team Member licenses for light users.

Essentials License

Key Modules Included:

• Financial Management (GL, AP, AR, Bank)
• Sales & Purchasing
• Inventory Management
• Project Management
• Fixed Assets
• Warehouse Management (basic)
• CRM capabilities (contacts, sales opportunities)
• Human Resources (basic)

Premium License

Additional Modules:

Team Member License

Permissions Include:

License Comparison Table

Feature / Module	Essentials	Premium	Team Member
Financial Management			View Only
Sales & Purchasing			View Only, except creation of sales quote.
Inventory			View Only
Project Management			View Only
Manufacturing			View Only
Service Management			View Only
Workflow Approval			Able to approve document.
Read Access (All Data)			View Only
Modify Own Records			View Only