Explore the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central modules

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365 BC) is a cloud-based ERP solution for small and mid-sized businesses. It combines multiple functional areas, or modules, for managing finances, operations, sales, and more in one place. As a cloud ERP, Business Central modules helps companies connect their departments, streamline processes, and make data-driven decisions in one system. In this blog, we will explore the modules included in Business Central and their capabilities.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution designed to help businesses manage finances, streamline operations, enhance customer relationships, and optimize their supply chains. It’s a scalable, cloud-based platform built for small to mid-sized businesses with built-in intelligence to support efficiency and growth.

Dynamics 365 Business Central includes ERP and CRM modules that automate critical functions like accounting, inventory control, project management, and reporting, all in one system. It also integrates with Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), Power BI, and other Dynamics 365 applications to create a fully connected and collaborative business environment.

Business Central is available in two editions, Essentials and Premium, and the edition you choose determines which modules are included. Both editions have core ERP capabilities like finance, sales, purchasing, inventory, and project management. Premium adds advanced modules for manufacturing and service order management, making it better suited for companies with more complex operational needs. BC is licensed on a subscription basis; Essentials is priced at $70 per user per month, and Premium at $100 per user per month, at the time of writing.

It’s important to note that Microsoft has announced a price adjustment for Dynamics 365 Business Central, effective October 1, 2025. Essentials licenses will increase to $80 per user per month, and Premium will increase to $110 per user per month. To lock in the lower price before the price increase, contact us today.

To learn more about the differences between the two editions, read our blog on Business Central Essentials vs Premium.

Below, we will explore each of these Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central modules.

Included in the Business Central ERP modules is finance management. This powerful module provides tools to streamline financial operations, from budgeting and forecasting to compliance and cash flow management. This module allows users to manage end-to-end financial processes, ensure regulatory compliance, and get real-time financial insights. Users can simplify complex financial tasks like handling multi-currency transactions, managing fixed assets, and consolidating financial data across multiple companies or locations.

• General ledger management
• Accounts receivable and payable management
• Bank account management and bank reconciliations
• Budgeting, financial reporting, and basic cash flow forecasting
• Fixed assets management
• Cash management
• Subscription billing

The sales & marketing module in Business Central provides tools to enhance your sales processes, optimize customer relationships, and drive marketing campaigns. From managing customer details and sales orders to handling complex pricing structures, this module helps businesses streamline sales operations and personalize customer interactions. With AI tools like Copilot, users can create and manage sales documents, implement targeted sales campaigns, and monitor opportunities. Additionally, the Shopify connector seamlessly integrates with Business Central, allowing businesses to synchronize eCommerce data, manage online orders, and improve inventory management, all from within the platform.

• Contact management and sales opportunity tracking
• Create quotes, orders, and invoices with flexible pricing and discounts

The purchasing and payables module streamlines procurement workflows and vendor management to help businesses keep accurate purchasing records, control spending, and ensure timely payments. This module allows users to manage vendor information, automate purchase order processing, apply invoice discounts, and handle returns and invoicing. Flexible pricing structures and multi-vendor support mean businesses can negotiate better terms and optimize purchasing costs.

• Vendor management
• Purchase order creation and tracking
• Purchasing invoicing
• Invoice and line discounts
• Receiving goods or services and handling returns

Inventory management gives businesses full control over stock levels, item tracking, and costing to ensure product availability while maintaining financial accuracy. Users can manage items across multiple locations, track inventory movements, define cost valuation methods, and improve planning with insights into inventory performance. This module supports physical and non-inventory items, integrates with purchasing and sales, and has analysis tools for strategic decision-making.

• Inventory control: Set up and manage item data, including units of measure, cost, price, and inventory posting groups.
• Inventory costing: Choose from FIFO, LIFO, average, specific, or standard costing methods to determine unit costs and reconcile with the general ledger.
• Item tracking: Track serial numbers, lot numbers, expiration dates, and warranty details to manage recalls and ensure product quality.
• Multiple locations & transfers: Manage inventory across warehouses, stores, and service vehicles, and track transfers and in-transit values.
• Cycle counting: Maintain inventory accuracy with scheduled cycle counts and adjust quantities using journals.
• Inventory analysis & reporting: Use customizable reports and Excel integration to analyze inventory trends, performance, and budgeting.

The supply chain planning module in Business Central helps organizations optimize inventory availability and streamline procurement by automating material planning, forecasting demand, and improving order accuracy. It uses real-time data and intelligent suggestions to generate replenishment plans to keep the right stock levels while reducing excess inventory. With features like order promising and flexible planning methods, teams can manage supply and demand with confidence.

Key features include:

• Automated supply planning: Generate optimal replenishment suggestions based on demand, availability, and planning parameters.
• Demand forecasting: Input and manage forecasts by item, variant, or location using daily, monthly, or quarterly views.
• Sales and inventory forecasting: Use AI-powered tools to predict sales trends and prevent stock-outs.

The project management module (previously called jobs) is for businesses that plan and track projects for customers. You can create projects with tasks and budgets, assign resources to those tasks, and monitor project costs and progress. Because it’s integrated with your financials, you can also track project expenses, billing, and profitability in real time.

• Create jobs with tasks, deadlines, and budgets
• Cost and pricing management
• Resource and capacity management
• Monitor project budgets vs. actual costs and analyze profitability

The warehouse management module in Business Central provides the tools to manage inbound, outbound, and internal warehouse activities efficiently. With customizable workflows, flexible bin management, and task automation, this module ensures smooth and accurate warehouse operations across multiple locations. Whether you’re working with simple shelves or advanced pick-and-put-away systems, BC adapts to your operational needs.

• Set up warehouse locations and bins
• Manage inventory picks and put-aways
• Warehouse receipts and shipments
• Advanced templates and optimization

Service management is an additional module only available in the Premium edition of Business Central. It’s for companies that provide services to customers, such as maintenance or repair work. This module allows you to manage service agreements and warranties, service work orders, and schedule technicians so that after-sales service activities are tracked and billed efficiently.

• Service order management
• Planning and dispatching
• Service contract management
• Service item management
• Service pricing management

The manufacturing module in D365 BC offers powerful tools to plan, execute, and optimize production activities. It supports everything from simple assembly to complex multi-stage manufacturing with advanced routing, capacity planning, and subcontracting. Businesses can manage production orders, materials, scrap, and work centers while ensuring accurate cost tracking and on-time delivery.

• Assembly management: Create assembly BOMs for kits or sellable items and generate orders directly from sales lines
• Bills of Material (BOM): List the components required to build a product
• Production orders: Create and manage work orders for manufacturing
• Capacity planning: Manage work orders and machine centers with routings, load balancing, and finite scheduling
• Production planning: Plan materials and capacity to meet production demand

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central brings together critical business functions like finance, sales, purchasing, inventory, and project management into one flexible, modular ERP solution. To fully realize the value of BC, partnering with an experienced advisor is key. Rand Group is a Business Central partner that helps organizations implement, customize, and optimize Business Central to match their goals, processes, and industry requirements.

Rand Group’s BC services include:

• Implementation & customization: Full-service implementation, including system setup, Business Central customization, and custom extensions to match your business workflows.
• Integration services: Seamlessly integrate Business Central with third-party systems, Power Platform tools, and legacy applications for a unified technology stack.
• Optimization & process automation: Improve efficiency with automated workflows, AI-driven insights, and advanced reporting through tools like Power BI.
• Ongoing support & managed services: Ensure long-term success with our support and continuous system monitoring, updates, troubleshooting, and user training.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central includes ERP and CRM modules that offer flexibility and functionality growing businesses need to manage their operations in one integrated system. By understanding the available modules and how they support different areas of your organization, you can better evaluate which edition and capabilities are right for you. Contact Rand Group today to learn more.