An ERP for logistics companies: Dynamics 365 Business Central

Give your logistics business one connected ERP system for finance, warehouse, transport and customer service. Dynamics 365 Business Central brings together stock, orders, routes and billing so you can control costs, improve service levels and grow with confidence.

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Why logistics companies need Dynamics 365 Business Central

Logistics operations become hard to control when every team uses different systems and spreadsheets. Dynamics 365 Business Central connects your data, people and processes so you can manage stock, deliveries and margins from one place.

Dynamics 365 Business Central is a comprehensive ERP system for logistics companies. It gives you a single, connected platform to manage finance, purchasing, inventory, warehousing, transport planning, sales and customer service.

With Business Central, you can replace multiple disconnected tools with one ERP that is easy to use and built to work with the wider Microsoft stack, such as Microsoft 365 and Power BI. If you want to see what a logistics‑ready ERP can do for your organisation, this page will walk you through the benefits, key features and real use cases.

Meet Business Central, an ERP for logistics companies

An ERP system that is designed for logistics can change how your business runs every day. Here is how Dynamics 365 Business Central helps.

Connected operations across the logistics chain

Business Central connects finance, sales, purchasing, warehouse and transport in one system. This means your teams see the same real‑time information on stock, orders and deliveries, rather than working from separate spreadsheets and systems. With everything in one place, you reduce manual handovers, speed up decision making and cut the risk of errors that lead to missed deliveries or incorrect invoicing.

Real‑time visibility of stock, orders and deliveries

Logistics businesses rely on accurate data. Business Central gives you up to date views of inventory levels, order status and shipment progress. You can see what is in each warehouse, what has been picked and packed, and what is out for delivery. This helps operations and customer service teams give clear answers to customers, avoid stockouts and manage expectations when delays occur.

Better cost control and profitability

Small changes in cost can have a big impact on margin in logistics. Business Central helps you track costs by customer, route, service type or warehouse location. You can see the true profitability of each contract or lane, rather than relying on averages. With clearer cost and revenue data, finance and commercial teams can price more accurately, review unprofitable services and focus on the work that delivers the best return.

Scalability as your logistics business grows

As your logistics company grows, you may add new depots, services and regions. Business Central scales with you. It supports multiple locations, companies and currencies, and can be extended with additional Microsoft applications or specialist logistics solutions from partners. You can start with the capabilities you need today and add more as your operation evolves, without replacing your core ERP.

Security and compliance built on Microsoft technology

Running your logistics ERP on Microsoft cloud technology gives you strong security and compliance features built in. Business Central benefits from role‑based access, audit trails and regular updates from Microsoft. This helps you protect sensitive customer and financial data, support compliance with standards and regulations, and reduce the burden on your internal IT team.

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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 logistics businesses

Logistics companies face constant pressure on price, service levels and capacity. You need to manage warehouses, vehicles, partners and contracts while keeping a close eye on cash flow. Dynamics 365 Business Central is designed to support these demands with tools that simplify daily work for operations, finance and customer service teams.

Stronger financial control for logistics finance teams

Business Central includes a full finance system that is integrated with your operational data. Finance teams can see the impact of daily logistics activity on revenue, costs and cash flow without waiting for manual updates. You can automate sales invoicing, match purchase orders to supplier invoices and report on profitability by customer, contract, route or depot. This gives finance leaders confidence in the numbers and supports better decisions on investment and pricing.

Smarter warehouse and transport planning

For warehouse and transport teams, Business Central provides practical tools to manage stock, picking, packing and shipment planning. You can organise inventory by location, set reorder points and track item movements. Transport planners can see which orders are ready, group shipments, and feed confirmed details into downstream systems. This joined up approach helps you reduce double handling, make better use of vehicles and staff, and keep customers informed.

End to end visibility for logistics managers

Business Central brings together information from across your logistics operation so managers can see the full picture. From one system you can review order volumes, warehouse workload, delivery performance and financial results. Instead of chasing updates by email or phone, leaders can work from shared dashboards and reports, which makes it easier to plan capacity, manage peak periods and respond to issues before they escalate.

Why logistics companies choose Dynamics 365 Business Central

Warehouse management with clear stock control

Business Central helps warehouse teams keep control of stock across single or multiple locations. You can set up bins and zones, track item quantities and manage movements such as receipts, picks and transfers. With better stock accuracy, you reduce write‑offs, prevent overselling and give customers reliable delivery dates.

Transport planning and scheduling

Efficient transport planning is vital for logistics companies. Business Central gives planners access to confirmed orders, stock availability and customer requirements in one view. You can plan shipments based on what is ready to go and pass confirmed details to drivers, carriers or external transport systems. This reduces last minute changes and helps you keep to agreed collection and delivery windows.

Order management and fulfilment

From order capture to final invoice, Business Central supports each step of the fulfilment process. Sales and customer service teams can create orders, check stock and confirm prices in one system. Warehouse staff see which orders they need to pick and pack. Finance teams receive accurate data for billing once deliveries are completed. This joined up process reduces manual rekeying and speeds up order to cash.

3PL, carrier and subcontractor management

Many logistics companies work with third party logistics providers, subcontractors and carriers. Business Central helps you manage these relationships by tracking purchase orders, costs and performance in one place. You can record agreed rates, see what has been delivered and reconcile invoices against actual work completed. This makes it easier to control spend and maintain strong service levels across your extended network.

Performance reporting and continuous improvement

With Business Central, you can turn operational data into meaningful insight. Standard and custom reports help you track key metrics such as on time delivery, order accuracy, warehouse productivity and customer profitability. When you understand which services, routes or customers perform well and which do not, you can make informed changes that improve efficiency and support growth.

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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 logistics operations with an ERP built for your industry

In logistics, small gains in efficiency can deliver big improvements in margin and customer satisfaction. Dynamics 365 Business Central gives you an ERP system that unifies finance, warehouse, transport and customer service, so you can manage your operation and your growth with confidence.

To learn more about Business Central for logistics, or to see how an ERP designed for your industry works in practice, get in touch using this short form.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for logistics companies?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a modern ERP system that helps logistics companies manage finance, purchasing, inventory, warehousing, orders and billing in one connected platform. It replaces separate systems and spreadsheets with a single source of truth, which makes it easier to control costs and deliver dependable service to customers.

How does Business Central help with warehouse management for logistics?

Business Central gives warehouse teams tools to manage stock levels, locations and item movements in real time. You can track receipts, picks, put‑aways and transfers, and organise inventory using bins and zones. This improves stock accuracy, reduces time spent searching for items and supports faster, more reliable order fulfilment.

Can Business Central support transport and route planning for logistics providers?

Business Central provides the core data transport planners need, such as confirmed orders, delivery addresses, service levels and stock availability. You can use this information to plan loads and routes, and integrate Business Central with specialist transport management systems where required. This helps you create efficient plans and keep finance and customer service aligned with delivery activity.

Is Dynamics 365 Business Central suitable for small and mid sized logistics companies?

Yes, Business Central is well suited to small and mid sized logistics providers that have outgrown basic accounting software or spreadsheets. You can start with essential finance, inventory and order management, then add more capabilities as your organisation grows. The familiar Microsoft interface also makes it easier for teams to adopt the system.

How does Business Central integrate with other logistics systems such as TMS or WMS?

Business Central is designed to work alongside other systems. It can be integrated with transport management systems, specialist warehouse solutions, customer portals and carrier platforms through standard connectors or custom integrations delivered by partners. This approach allows you to keep Business Central as your financial and operational core while using specialist tools where they add value.

Can Business Central help improve on time delivery performance?

Business Central supports better delivery performance by giving you clearer visibility of orders, stock and workload. When warehouse and transport teams see the same information, they can plan picking and loading more effectively and avoid last minute surprises. Reporting on delivery performance also highlights recurring issues so you can address root causes and improve on time delivery over time.

Is Business Central cloud based and secure for logistics data?

Business Central is available as a cloud based ERP solution hosted on Microsoft infrastructure. This provides built in security, regular updates and compliance features, along with role based access controls and audit trails. For logistics companies, this means sensitive customer, pricing and financial data is protected while remaining accessible to authorised staff wherever they work.

How long does it take to implement Business Central in a logistics company?

Implementation timelines vary depending on the size of your organisation, the number of locations, the complexity of your processes and the systems you need to integrate. Many logistics companies begin with a focused scope, such as finance, inventory and order management, then extend the solution in phases. A Microsoft partner will work with you to define a realistic plan based on your goals and constraints.

What reports and KPIs can logistics managers get from Business Central?

Business Central includes standard reports and dashboards for finance, inventory and sales, and can be extended with custom views that matter to logistics managers. Common KPIs include stock accuracy, order lead times, on time delivery, warehouse productivity, customer profitability and aged debt. You can also connect Business Central to Power BI to create richer, role based analytics.

How much does Dynamics 365 Business Central cost for logistics companies?

The cost of Business Central for a logistics company depends on the number of users, the licence types required and the implementation scope. There are different licence options for full users and light users, which helps you align cost with how each person works in the system. A Microsoft partner can provide a clear estimate based on your user numbers, process requirements and integration needs.