An ERP for the professional‑services industry: Dynamics 365 Business Central

Run projects, people and profitability on one connected system. Dynamics 365 Business Central helps professional‑services firms improve utilisation, financial control and project delivery with clear, reliable data. 

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Why professional‑services firms need Dynamics 365 Business Central

Professional‑services organisations depend on accurate project tracking, predictable billing, effective resource planning and strong client communication. When time entries, expenses, schedules, project plans and financials sit in separate systems, it becomes harder to deliver work profitably and consistently.

Dynamics 365 Business Central helps firms replace disconnected tools with a unified platform that improves visibility, strengthens decision making and supports growth. Consultancy, IT services, engineering, creative and advisory firms all benefit from ERP tools that offer real‑time insight into utilisation, project performance and billing accuracy. Professional‑services ERPs unify project accounting, billing and resource management to improve visibility, utilisation and profitability. Business Central supports daily operational needs such as time entry, expense management and internal approvals while ensuring accurate reporting.

Meet Business Central: an ERP designed for service‑led organisations 

Professional‑services firms need a system that provides operational clarity, improves productivity and supports project‑based financial control. 

Unified business operations 

Business Central connects finance, project management, sales, CRM, resource planning and billing in one environment. Teams work from a single source of data, which reduces duplication and strengthens collaboration. Integrated CRM and sales tools help firms manage clients and streamline sales‑to‑delivery workflows.  

Better decision making 

Firms gain instant visibility over utilisation rates, project margins, time‑to‑invoice cycles and outstanding work. Clear dashboards help leaders adjust resourcing, manage risk and prevent budget drift. ERP systems for professional services provide real‑time visibility and support predictable profitability.

Scalable for growing practices  

Whether you run a boutique consultancy or a multi‑office professional‑services firm, Business Central scales with your structure. It supports multi‑entity operations, cross‑office resource sharing and consolidated reporting. Industry‑specific extensions are available to accelerate growth and streamline project workflows.  

Cost efficiency 

Automation across approvals, billing cycles, project updates and reporting reduces admin effort and operational overhead. This improves billable‑to‑non‑billable ratios and protects margins. ERP systems designed for services firms improve operational efficiency and strengthen long‑term growth. 

Compliance and audit‑readiness 

Professional‑services firms must maintain accurate financials, clear audit trails, GDPR‑aligned processes and secure handling of client information. Business Central provides structured workflows, secure data and consistent documentation across all business areas. 

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Discover how Microsoft Dynamics 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 around projects, people and performance 

Professional‑services firms need accurate forecasting, controlled delivery and dependable financial processes. Business Central provides the tools to manage the complete lifecycle of a project. 

Project management and delivery  

Set up projects with budgets, tasks, resource assignments and milestones. Track progress, monitor costs and ensure teams deliver work on time and within scope. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central supports streamlined project workflows and improved collaboration.  

Time and expense management   

Capture time entries and expenses in a structured way that automatically feeds project budgets and billing cycles. This reduces revenue leakage and improves billing accuracy. Purpose‑built apps extend Business Central to support day‑to‑day time entry and expense workflows.  

Resource planning and utilisation 

Assign the right people to the right work based on availability, skills and forecasted workloads with Business Central . Utilisation dashboards help leaders balance capacity and prevent burnout. Professional‑services ERPs put utilisation at the centre of operational decisions.  

Billing and revenue management 

Automate billing cycles including fixed‑fee, retainer, milestone‑based or time‑and‑materials billing. Business Central helps finance teams review unbilled work, reconcile project costs and invoice accurately. Unified project accounting and billing helps firms achieve predictable profitability.  

Client and engagement management 

With integrated CRM, firms can manage proposals, track pipelines, monitor client communications and improve handovers between sales and delivery. CRM tools for services organisations support improved client management and streamlined sales processes.  

Why firms choose Dynamics 365 Business Central

Improve project profitability 

Monitor actual versus planned costs in real time and take corrective action early. Business Central provides visibility that enhances profitability and operational control.  

Increase billable utilisation 

Use dashboards to track capacity and improve planning. This helps firms increase billable hours without increasing headcount. ERP platforms designed for services place utilisation at the heart of forecasting and staffing.  

Reduce administrative overhead 

Automation across time entry, approvals, invoicing and reporting frees up operational teams and reduces manual errors. Solutions built for services reduce admin while supporting accurate project reporting.  

Strengthen client relationships 

Integrated CRM features help teams manage proposals, communications and follow‑ups, improving client satisfaction and retention. Business Central enhances communication and strengthens client relationships.  

Support multi‑entity and multi‑office operations 

Consolidate accounts, coordinate resources and manage cross‑location delivery. Business Central empowers multi‑office professional‑services firms with integrated operations.  

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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.

the-dynamics-of-success-report-download-1

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.

the-dynamics-of-success-report-download-1

Strengthen your physician practice with an ERP built for healthcare operations Strengthen your professional‑services operations with an ERP built for project‑driven teams 

Professional‑services organisations depend on visibility, accuracy and reliable project delivery. 
Business Central unifies projects, financials, billing, resources and reporting so you can streamline operations and improve profitability. 

To learn more about Business Central for professional services — or to book an assessment — get in touch using the short form below.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for professional services?

It is an ERP system that unifies finance, project management, billing, resource planning and CRM for service‑led organisations.

Can Business Central manage projects and time tracking?

Yes. Business Central supports project workflows, time entry, expense management and accurate reporting.

How does Business Central improve billing accuracy?

It links time, expenses and project data to billing rules, ensuring invoices are complete and consistent.

Is it suitable for multi‑office professional‑services firms?

Yes. Business Central supports multi‑entity operations, resource sharing and consolidated group reporting.

Can Business Central improve client relationship management?

Yes. Integrated CRM helps firms manage pipelines, proposals and client communication.

Does Business Central help with utilisation and capacity planning?

Yes. Firms can track utilisation rates and allocate resources effectively to maximise billable hours.

Does it integrate with PSA (Professional Services Automation) tools?

Yes. Business Central can integrate with PSA systems for advanced scheduling, forecasting or project governance.

How does it support financial reporting?

Business Central centralises accounts, budgets and project costs to improve reporting accuracy.

Is Business Central cloud‑based and secure?

Yes. It is delivered via Microsoft’s secure cloud platform, designed for sensitive business data.

How soon do firms see value?

Firms often benefit once project, billing and financial data are centralised, reducing admin and improving profitability.