An ERP for shipbuilders: Dynamics 365 Business Central

Unify engineering, procurement, project management, production and compliance. Dynamics 365 Business Central helps shipbuilders manage complex builds, control costs and improve operational visibility from design to delivery.

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Why shipbuilders need Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Shipbuilding requires precise coordination across engineering teams, procurement, fabrication, subcontractors, compliance, inspections and financial oversight. Projects span months or years and involve thousands of components, strict safety standards and detailed documentation. When these processes sit across disconnected systems, shipbuilders face delays, cost overruns and quality risks. 

Dynamics 365 Business Central provides a modern, cloud‑based operational backbone that connects shipbuilding, marine manufacturing and supply‑chain processes. Specialist solutions for boat, yacht and marine‑equipment manufacturing built on Business Central demonstrate how industry‑specific needs can be supported through extensions and integrations. 

Modern ERP platforms unify project management, production workflows, supply chain activity and cost tracking for maritime and shipbuilding organisations. ERP systems offer centralised visibility into timelines, resources and project budgets to support on‑time, on‑budget delivery of maritime builds. Shipbuilding ERP solutions integrate procurement, production and financial processes to reduce costs and improve efficiency.  

 

Meet Business Central: an ERP designed for complex maritime projects 

Shipbuilders need an ERP that supports engineering complexity, long‑cycle builds, multi‑phase projects and strict regulatory requirements. Business Central provides the foundation to achieve this. 

Unified shipyard operations 

Business Central centralises project data, BOMs, production orders, procurement, inventory, quality, finance and reporting. Marine manufacturers benefit from specialist tools and integrations on top of Business Central to support complex production needs. 

Better decision making 

Project managers gain real‑time visibility over job costs, timelines, resource utilisation, subcontractor performance and material availability. ERP systems for shipbuilding deliver centralised project visibility to support accurate planning and execution.

Scalable for yards of all sizes

Whether building yachts, commercial vessels, naval ships or modular floating structures, Business Central scales across projects, departments and physical facilities. Industry solutions show that integrations and custom workflows help Business Central adapt to the unique needs of maritime manufacturers.

Cost efficiency

Automation reduces the administrative load across procurement, production reporting, quality checks, scheduling and financial management. Shipbuilding ERP systems help organisations streamline project management, supply chain and compliance to reduce cost and effort.

Compliance and documentation

Shipbuilders must maintain auditable records for inspections, certifications, safety standards, environmental regulations and customer requirements. ERP solutions support documentation, traceability and regulatory oversight across the build lifecycle.

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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 engineering, fabrication, fit‑out and commissioning    

Business Central connects processes across the entire vessel‑construction lifecycle.

Project and engineering management    

Manage vessel projects with budgets, milestones, engineering changes and progress tracking. ERP for shipbuilding integrates project management, production and financial processes to improve overall efficiency.  

Procurement and supplier coordination 

ERP tools help standardise procurement workflows, supplier relationships and material traceability. Marine manufacturers benefit from specialist procurement and supply‑chain integrations built on Business Central. 

Production planning and shop‑floor control   

Plan fabrication, welding, assembly, hull construction, outfitting, testing and sea trials. Allocate resources, monitor job progress and manage work orders. ERP platforms offer centralised visibility into scheduling and resource allocation for maritime production.  

Inventory and materials management  

Track materials across warehouses, lay‑down yards, fabrication areas and subcontractor sites with Business Central. Shipbuilding ERP solutions provide one database for material traceability and accurate stock visibility.  

Asset and maintenance management  

Shipyards operate heavy equipment, cranes, forklifts, tools and fabrication machinery. Enterprise asset‑management capabilities help extend asset lifespan, reduce downtime and support maintenance planning.  

Quality, inspections and compliance   

Record inspections, test results, certifications, quality checks and non‑conformances throughout the build. Business Central shipbuilding solutions emphasise compliance and documentation for safety‑critical environments. 

Why shipbuilders choose Business Central

Improve project profitability and cost transparency 

Business Central tracks actual vs planned costs, labour, materials and subcontractor invoices in real time. Shipbuilding ERP comparisons show the importance of cost tracking to support accurate decision making.  

Streamline procurement and supply‑chain coordination 

Standardised procurement processes reduce delays and ensure the right materials arrive at the right time. Marine industry solutions help shipbuilders streamline supply‑chain operations.  

Enhance production efficiency 

ERP workflows improve visibility across fabrication, assembly and outfitting stages, helping shipyards stay on schedule. Integrated maritime ERP systems reduce bottlenecks and increase operational efficiency.  

Maintain compliance and documentation standards 

ERP solutions help shipbuilders manage certifications, inspections, and regulatory compliance throughout the build. Digital‑shipyard research highlights the need for embedded asset‑management and maintenance capabilities.  

Support digital transformation of shipyards 

Cloud‑based ERP provides a modern foundation for digital shipyard initiatives, integrations and automation. ERP helps maritime organisations centralise operations and pursue digital transformation.

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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.

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

Strengthen your shipyard operations with an ERP built for maritime manufacturing    

Shipbuilders need dependable systems that support complex construction projects, resource‑heavy production and strict compliance. Business Central unifies engineering, procurement, production, finance and reporting so your teams can deliver vessels more efficiently and confidently. 

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

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Frequently asked questions

What is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for shipbuilders?

It is an ERP that unifies project management, procurement, production, finance and compliance for shipyards and maritime manufacturers.

Does Business Central support complex shipbuilding projects?

Yes. It provides visibility into project costs, timelines, resources and subcontractors.

Can Business Central integrate with marine engineering and CAD systems?

Yes. Business Central can integrate with specialised tools through connectors or partner extensions.

How does Business Central help with procurement?

It standardises purchasing workflows, supplier tracking and material planning for shipbuilding.

Can it manage large bill‑of‑materials (BOMs)?

Yes. Business Central is designed to support complex manufacturing structures typical in maritime builds.

Does it support compliance and inspections?

Yes. ERP systems provide documentation, inspection records and regulatory tracking.

Can Business Central help manage shipyard assets?

Yes. Integrated asset‑management tools support maintenance and asset lifecycle optimisation.

Does it scale for small shipyards and large builders?

Yes. Business Central scales across varying project sizes and organisational structures.

Is Business Central cloud‑based and secure?

Yes. It is a secure cloud ERP supported by Microsoft’s global partner network.

How soon do shipbuilders see value?

Many see improvements once procurement, production, finance and project workflows are centralised.