An ERP for the engineering sector: Dynamics 365 Business Central

The ultimate ERP system for engineering firms. Manage complex projects, control fees and margins, and keep teams aligned on one connected platform.

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Why engineering firms need Dynamics 365 Business Central

Engineering projects become harder to control when data is scattered across spreadsheets, legacy systems and disconnected tools. Dynamics 365 Business Central brings your operations together so you can plan, deliver and bill work with confidence.

Dynamics 365 Business Central is a comprehensive ERP system for engineering businesses. It is an all-in-one platform that connects finances, projects, resource planning, purchasing and reporting in a single, easy-to-use system.

With it, you can replace multiple disconnected tools with one unified platform that is designed for small and medium-sized organisations. Business Central gives engineering leaders real-time visibility of project performance, cash flow and utilisation so you can make better decisions, faster. If you want to see what an ERP built around the needs of engineering firms can do, keep reading.

 

Meet Business Central: an ERP for engineering firms

An ERP system that understands engineering will change how your practice works day to day. Here is how Business Central helps leaders and project teams stay in control.

Connected project and finance data

Engineering firms often run projects from one system and finances from another, which makes it hard to see whether jobs are truly on track. Business Central connects project, finance and resource data in real time so you can understand profitability and risk at a glance.

Better margin and utilisation control

Profitability in an engineering consultancy depends on how well you manage fee structures, write-offs and staff utilisation. Business Central gives you clear views of planned versus actual effort and costs, which helps you protect margins and reduce revenue leakage.

Real-time visibility across offices and sites

As firms grow, it becomes harder to see how different offices, disciplines and project teams are performing. Business Central provides real-time dashboards, standardised reporting and a single version of the truth so leaders can compare performance and act quickly when issues appear.

Built-in governance and compliance

Engineering projects must meet strict standards, approvals and audit requirements. Business Central supports controlled workflows, approvals and audit trails that help your firm stay compliant with internal policies and external regulations, while reducing manual checks.

A platform that grows with your practice

Whether you are a specialist consultancy or a multi-disciplinary engineering firm, Business Central can scale as you add new services, teams and locations. Because it is part of the Microsoft cloud, it integrates naturally with tools like Microsoft 365, Power BI and Power Platform, so your ERP can evolve with your business.

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Discover how Microsoft Dynamic 365 Business Central works

Why your business needs an ERP

82%

of businesses are utilising an ERP

1 in 5

businesses are dissatisfied with their current ERP

96%

of businesses say using an ERP has contributed to achieving business outcomes

Data taken from a survey we commissioned in December 2024

ERP designed for engineering consultancies

Engineering firms face unique challenges, from managing long-running projects and frameworks to balancing fee pressure with growing delivery costs. Dynamics 365 Business Central is designed to address these challenges with tools that simplify project control, strengthen cash flow and give leaders better insight into how work is delivered.

Project and job management

Set up and manage projects with clear structures for phases, tasks and budgets. Business Central supports resource assignments, purchase orders and change control in one place, which helps project managers keep work on track and reduces unpleasant surprises at the end of a job.

Finance and WIP control

Keep a close handle on work in progress, billing plans and revenue recognition. Finance teams can see up-to-date information on fees, time, expenses and subcontractor costs so they can invoice accurately, reduce write-offs and improve cash collection.

Resource planning and utilisation

Match the right skills to the right projects while maintaining healthy utilisation levels. With visibility of pipeline, bookings and capacity, Business Central helps operations and discipline leads plan ahead, avoid bottlenecks and minimise bench time.

Why engineering firms choose Dynamics 365 Business Central

Project accounting and WIP management

Track budgets, committed costs and actuals in real time so you always know the financial position of each project. This makes it easier to manage work in progress, recognise revenue correctly and have confident conversations with clients about fees and variations.

Bid, quote and contract management

Build more accurate bids and proposals using standard templates and historical project data. Business Central helps you understand the true cost of delivering similar work so you can price competitively without eroding margins, then convert accepted bids into live projects with minimal rekeying.

Multidisciplinary resource scheduling

Coordinate specialists from different disciplines across multiple projects and locations. By giving you a clear view of availability and skills, Business Central makes it easier to plan project teams, respond to changes in scope and keep clients informed about resourcing.

Time, expenses and subcontractor control

Capture time and expenses quickly and accurately so you have a reliable view of project performance. Business Central supports structured approvals for staff, contractors and subcontractors, which helps you control costs and minimise delays to billing.

Management reporting and forecasting

Use out-of-the-box reports and visual dashboards to understand project, client and practice performance. With connected data, leaders can forecast revenue, utilisation and cash flow more reliably, then use those insights to shape hiring plans and investment decisions.

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The Dynamics of Success

Get a better understanding of the benefits of using a CRM system - allowing businesses like yours to overcome fragmented systems and disconnected workflows. Don't just read about them either, our report provides you with actionable insights and practical recommendations so that you can begin to make data-led decisions.

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Download our report

The Dynamics of Success

Get a better understanding of the benefits of using a CRM system - allowing businesses like yours to overcome fragmented systems and disconnected workflows. Don't just read about them either, our report provides you with actionable insights and practical recommendations so that you can begin to make data-led decisions.

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Supercharge your operations with an ERP made for engineering

In engineering, control and adaptability both matter. Business Central is an ideal ERP for engineering firms because it unifies and simplifies project, finance and resource processes, so your business can manage everything from small specialist jobs to complex, multi-year frameworks.

To learn more about Business Central, or to see what an ERP for engineering looks like in practice, get in touch via this short form.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for engineering firms?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a modern ERP and finance system that helps engineering firms manage projects, time, expenses, purchasing and reporting in one connected platform. It gives leaders, project managers and finance teams a shared view of performance so they can run a more predictable and profitable business.

How does Business Central help engineering project managers?

Business Central gives project managers clear visibility of budgets, scope, resourcing and progress in one place. They can track planned versus actual effort and costs, manage variations and approvals, and see how decisions will affect margins and deadlines before issues escalate.

Can Business Central handle time and expenses for engineers?

Yes. Business Central includes time and expense entry that links directly to projects and jobs, so you can see the true cost of delivering work. This helps firms bill more accurately, reduce revenue leakage and understand which projects, clients or services are most profitable.

Is Business Central suitable for small engineering consultancies?

Business Central is well suited to small and mid-sized engineering consultancies that have outgrown spreadsheets or entry-level accounting software. It offers the control and visibility of an enterprise ERP system in a solution that is scalable and manageable for growing firms.

How does Business Central integrate with Microsoft 365 and other tools used by engineers?

Because Business Central is part of the Microsoft cloud, it integrates closely with familiar tools such as Outlook, Excel, Teams and Power BI. This makes it easier for engineers and project teams to work with project data inside the tools they already use every day, and to extend the system with low-code apps if needed.

Does Business Central support stage-based project structures?

Yes. You can model projects in Business Central with phases, tasks and milestones that reflect the way your firm delivers work. This makes it easier to plan, track and report on performance at each stage of a project lifecycle.

How much does Business Central cost for an engineering firm?

Business Central is licensed on a per-user, per-month basis, with different licence types for full users and lighter users. Your total cost will depend on the number and type of users, any required add-ons and the scope of your implementation, so it is best to discuss pricing with a Microsoft partner that understands engineering firms.

How long does a Business Central implementation take for an engineering consultancy?

Implementation timelines vary depending on firm size, data complexity and how many processes you want to bring into the system from day one. Many engineering consultancies start with core finance and project accounting, then phase in more advanced capabilities over time, which helps manage risk and change.

Is Business Central secure enough for sensitive engineering project data?

Yes. Business Central runs in the Microsoft cloud and benefits from enterprise-grade security, compliance and data protection capabilities. Role-based access controls mean users only see the data they need, and you can work with your implementation partner to align the system with your security and governance policies.

What is the difference between Business Central and other Dynamics 365 applications for engineering firms?

Business Central is an all-in-one ERP solution that combines finance, project and operational capabilities in a single system, which makes it a strong fit for many small and mid-sized engineering firms. Larger or more complex organisations might also consider other Dynamics 365 applications, such as Dynamics 365 Finance or Dynamics 365 Project Operations, and a Microsoft partner can help you decide which option best fits your needs.