An ERP for research organisations: Dynamics 365 Business Central

Manage grants, projects, compliance, finance and multi‑entity research activity on one connected platform. Dynamics 365 Business Central helps research institutes improve oversight, streamline administration and focus more time on innovation. 

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Why research organisations need Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Research organisations operate in highly regulated, data‑intensive environments. They must manage grants, multi‑year research projects, laboratory resources, complex procurement, multi‑entity financials and compliance reporting — often while working across distributed teams and partnerships. When these processes rely on spreadsheets or fragmented systems, oversight becomes difficult and research administration slows down. 

Dynamics 365 Business Central offers a modern, cloud‑based ERP platform that centralises financial and operational data. It is widely used across mission‑driven organisations, including research foundations and institutes, to simplify management processes and improve transparency.  

Many research bodies also rely on grant‑funding models. Business Central provides the structure to track funding, manage budgets, streamline expenditure approvals and support transparent reporting. It has been used by organisations such as Alzheimer’s Research UK to improve efficiency and replace outdated finance tools. Additionally, research‑specific ERP solutions built on Business Central centralise financial operations across multiple projects and entities, offering real‑time insights and strong accountability.

 

Meet Business Central: an ERP designed for scientific, academic and mission‑driven research  

Research environments demand accuracy, compliance and operational clarity. Business Central supports these needs through integrated financials, project tracking, procurement workflows and multi‑entity management. 

Unified research operations 

Business Central connects finance, purchasing, grant management, project delivery, HR records, compliance documentation and reporting in one system. Solutions built on Business Central deliver full transparency, accountability and efficiency for mission‑driven organisations.  

Better decision making 

With real‑time dashboards, research leaders can monitor project progress, spending against grants, utilisation of staff or lab resources, and upcoming commitments. Centralised ERP platforms help institutes track budgets and generate real‑time financial insights across their research portfolios.  

Scalable for institutes, labs and multi‑entity organisations 

Business Central supports local research groups, multi‑department institutes and even global networks with multi‑entity structures. It is designed to work across multiple organisations and funding models with consistent processes and secure access. 

Cost efficiency

Automation reduces administrative effort across purchasing, approvals, timesheets, expense processing, asset tracking and financial reporting. Grants and expenditure processes can be streamlined using Business Central’s structured workflows.  

Compliance and audit‑readiness 

Research organisations must meet strict regulatory, ethical and financial compliance requirements. Business Central supports compliance with clear audit trails, controlled permissions and documented financial and project histories.

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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 for labs, research centres and funding‑driven institutions     

With Business Central, research organisations can manage both the scientific and administrative sides of their work more efficiently.

Grant and funding management    

Track grants from application to award, through drawdowns, spending and closeout. Monitor budgets, allocations and restrictions in real time. Business Central supports grant‑management processes and helps users manage complex funding responsibilities.  

Research project management 

Set up research projects with tasks, budgets, milestones and assigned staff. Capture costs and track progress for internal and external reporting. Business Central can be enhanced to support detailed R&D cost modelling and project tracking.  

Procurement, purchasing and supply management    

Research often depends on specialist equipment, lab consumables and controlled procurement processes. Business Central standardises purchasing workflows, approval chains and vendor management, ensuring compliance with funding requirements. 

Financial management and multi‑entity control 

Business Central centralises financials, eliminating the complexity of multiple systems or spreadsheets. Research institutes can manage accounts, track budgets and generate real‑time financial reports across multiple projects and entities.  

Resource and asset tracking  

Manage lab equipment, depreciation, calibration schedules and consumables. Track usage costs, availability and lifecycle data to support planning and audits. 

Why research organisations choose Business Central

Improve grant‑funding accuracy and reporting 

Business Central ensures grant rules and restrictions are applied consistently, helping organisations avoid overspending and ensuring transparent reporting. ERP‑based grant management supports accurate lifetime expenditure tracking.  

Reduce administrative overhead 

Automated workflows minimise manual data entry and reduce delays in approvals, purchasing and reporting. ERP platforms designed for mission‑driven organisations remove bottlenecks and simplify operations.  

Strengthen collaboration across research teams 

Shared data allows finance, administration and research teams to coordinate better across projects, institutes or departments. Centralised ERP helps teams track budgets and generate real‑time reports.

Enhance project and R&D cost monitoring 

Detailed tracking of R&D activity, including formulas, experiments, materials and effort, helps organisations improve planning and resource allocation. Business Central can support R&D cost modelling and detailed project management.  

Support digital transformation 

As research organisations modernise, Business Central provides a secure, cloud‑based ERP foundation that integrates with Microsoft 365, Power BI and external research tools. It is sold via Microsoft’s global partner network and benefits from continuous evolution and support.

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The Dynamics of Success

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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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Strengthen your research operations with an ERP built for scientific and mission‑driven work  

Research organisations need clear visibility, structured workflows and dependable financial management to deliver meaningful outcomes. Business Central unifies grants, projects, procurement, financials and reporting so teams can work more efficiently and focus more time on research itself. 

To learn more about Business Central for research organisations — 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 research organisations?

It is an ERP system that centralises grants, projects, procurement, financials and compliance processes for institutes and scientific organisations.

Can Business Central manage grants and restricted funding?

Yes. It supports grant budgeting, expenditure tracking, restrictions and reporting.

Does it support multi‑entity research structures?

Yes. Business Central handles multiple research units, departments or institutes with consolidated reporting.

Can Business Central support R&D project tracking?

Yes. It supports detailed R&D cost modelling and project planning with enhancements.

Does it integrate with lab systems and Microsoft 365 tools?

Yes. Business Central integrates with Microsoft 365, Power Platform tools and third‑party systems.

How does Business Central help reduce admin work?

Automation reduces manual tasks in financials, procurement, approvals and reporting.

Can Business Central track equipment and consumables?

Yes. It supports asset tracking and lifecycle management for research equipment.

Is Business Central cloud‑based and secure?

Yes. It is a secure cloud‑based platform supported by Microsoft’s global partner network.

Is Business Central suitable for grant‑funded scientific organisations?

Yes. It is used by research bodies including Alzheimer’s Research UK to modernise operations.

How soon do organisations see value?

Many benefit once grants, projects and financials are centralised into one system with consistent data.