Top 5 Manufacturing ERP Problems Solved Instantly by Business Central
Manufacturers today are under constant pressure to streamline production, control inventory, and gain real-time visibility—all while managing rising costs and supply chain disruptions. Yet, many companies still rely on outdated systems, disconnected tools, and spreadsheets that slow them down and introduce costly errors.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But the good news is: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central—a modern manufacturing ERP—is solving these problems for manufacturers like you every day.
In this article, we’ll show you five common manufacturing ERP problems and exactly how Business Central solves them—instantly and effectively.
Key Takeaways
How to solve top manufacturing ERP issues fast
How Business Central streamlines production, inventory, and finances
Real-world solutions for data silos, MRP issues, and reporting challenges
Access to a free demo and ERP assessment to explore Business Central
1. Disconnected Manufacturing Data and Systems
Problem: You’re running production in one system, inventory in another, and managing finances in spreadsheets—none of them communicate. This leads to errors, delays, and costly blind spots in your operations.
Solution: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central acts as a central hub that connects every part of your manufacturing operation—from the shop floor to accounting to sales—in one streamlined system. Instead of jumping between spreadsheets, standalone apps, and emails, you gain a single source of truth.
With Business Central, production orders automatically sync with inventory and purchasing, while finance tracks costs in real time—no more manual handoffs or data mismatches. This integrated approach enables your team to collaborate efficiently and make faster, data-driven decisions without the frustration of reconciling data from different sources.
Plus, since it’s cloud-based, your team can access real-time data anywhere, whether on the production floor, in the office, or working remotely.
Learn more about Business Central here: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Not sure if your systems are holding you back? Take this Free ERP Assessment
2. Inefficient Production Scheduling and Resource Planning
Problem: Struggling to manage production schedules, materials, and resources? Without real-time visibility, it’s difficult to predict demand, manage workloads, or avoid costly downtime.
Solution: Business Central’s Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) and scheduling tools help you move beyond guesswork. It automatically takes into account current demand, inventory levels, supplier lead times, and available machine capacity to generate realistic production schedules.
This means you can optimize production runs, reduce setup times, and prevent bottlenecks—all while meeting customer deadlines more consistently.
Instead of managing production on spreadsheets or whiteboards, Business Central allows you to adjust production plans in real-time as orders change or delays occur. You’ll also gain forecasting tools to anticipate future demand and plan resources accordingly, ensuring that materials and labor are ready when needed.
By connecting production scheduling to purchasing, sales, and inventory in real time, you avoid costly downtime and overproduction, while improving on-time delivery rates.
For an in-depth guide on Business Central’s manufacturing capabilities, visit this link.
For more insights on choosing between Jobs, Assembly, or Manufacturing modules in Business Central, watch this YouTube video:
To see Business Central in action, Request a Demo.
3. Inventory Chaos and Lack of Visibility
Problem: Constantly facing stockouts, overstock, and inaccurate inventory counts? Lack of real-time inventory data leads to delays, lost sales, and higher carrying costs.
Solution: Business Central gives you complete visibility over your inventory at every stage—from raw materials to finished goods—so you always know what’s available, what’s committed to orders, and what needs replenishment.
The system supports real-time tracking of inventory levels, including lot numbers, serial numbers, and expiration dates, which is crucial for manufacturers needing full traceability for compliance or quality control.
With automated replenishment rules, Business Central ensures you always have the right stock on hand, reducing both stockouts and overstock situations. For example, when inventory hits a predefined threshold, the system can trigger a purchase order or production order automatically, saving time and avoiding emergency orders that erode profit margins.
The result is leaner inventory management with less waste, better cash flow, and improved customer satisfaction because you can fulfill orders accurately and on time.
If you’re unsure whether your current software supports growth, read Audit Your Manufacturing Software for Growth.
4. Poor Financial and Production Reporting
Problem: Struggling to get accurate cost of goods sold (COGS), job costing, and production profitability reports? Without real-time insights, informed decisions become guesswork.
Solution: Business Central eliminates the need for manual report building and fragmented spreadsheets by providing built-in, real-time financial and operational reports tailored for manufacturers.
Whether you’re tracking COGS, job costs, or profit margins by product line, Business Central automatically collects and connects the data across production, purchasing, and sales to give you accurate insights.
For example, as production orders are completed, the system captures actual material and labor costs, giving you real-time job costing. You can compare actual costs vs. estimated costs to understand profitability and identify areas for improvement.
Additionally, financial leaders get access to real-time dashboards to monitor performance, track KPIs, and make faster strategic decisions. Instead of waiting for month-end reports, you’ll have up-to-the-minute visibility into the financial health of your manufacturing operation, enabling smarter decisions on pricing, production, and purchasing.
5. Manual, Time-Consuming Workflows
Problem: With Business Central, you can automate many of the manual, repetitive processes that slow down manufacturing operations—such as purchase order approvals, inventory replenishment, invoicing, and production order creation.
For instance, instead of waiting days for paper-based approvals on purchase requests, Business Central can route approval workflows automatically, sending notifications to the right people and tracking the status in real time.
The system also automatically calculates vendor lead times and adjusts procurement orders, so your buyers no longer need to manually check stock levels and supplier schedules.
By automating these workflows, you reduce human error, save time, and ensure that critical processes like procurement, production, and sales flow smoothly and quickly. Plus, with AI-driven insights, Business Central can even recommend actions like reordering materials or adjusting schedules based on demand trends.
The result is a more efficient, responsive manufacturing operation, allowing you to focus on value-added activities rather than paperwork and admin.
For a more profound look at Business Central’s manufacturing functionality, visit this official Microsoft guide.
Why Business Central Is the Right Manufacturing ERP
If your manufacturing operation struggles with disconnected data, scheduling issues, inventory chaos, poor reporting, and manual processes, it's time to explore a modern manufacturing ERP that addresses all these issues in one unified platform.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers a powerful, scalable solution built for manufacturers who want to grow efficiently and intelligently.
Want to chat more about how Business Central can solve your manufacturing challenges? Contact us here to start the conversation.
