Your business is presumably experiencing a number of growing pains, as most businesses do. With the manufacturing industry undergoing one of the biggest digital transformations in history, these pains will more than likely increase. To remain competitive, manufacturers need to embrace innovation with cutting-edge technologies, such as a Microsoft Dynamics ERP system.

Technology has increased the demand for flexible production processes that can be adjusted in response to the ever-changing market conditions and the needs of the customer. Manufacturers are adopting modern technology to gain insight into their customers’ challenges, and are using this knowledge to strategically plan and build lean business processes.

These manufacturers will be more competitive, even in tough economic environments. Their costs will reduce, their efficiencies will improve and the increase in customer satisfaction will ultimately drive more profits into the business.

Why an ERP System is Critical for your Manufacturing Business

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software can put you ahead of your competitors. ERP technology brings all your business processes together to create one fluid system. ERP’s provide a variety of benefits including, improved supply chain management, improved planning, costing and storing. This helps your business reduce waste, operate more efficiently and increase profitability.

Microsoft Dynamics ERP’s for Manufacturing

Microsoft has created a number of ERP systems that provide organizations with the flexibility to adopt technology to improve their business processes. These ERP solutions support all industry-specific production processes from procurement, quality control, recipe management and optimization, through to optimum scheduling and capacity planning.

Microsoft Dynamics ERP’s for Manufacturing

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations (formerly AX)
• Microsoft Dynamics Business Central (formerly NAV)
• Microsoft Dynamics GP

Data Integrations

Nearly all businesses have ERP and CRM systems in place, but they often lack integrated information management. These systems operate in isolation, which brings about a number of disadvantages such as data inaccuracy, duplication, delayed information, and increased administrative costs. To keep up with advances in digital transformation, manufacturers are integrating their information systems to improve business efficiency all around.

Commercient SYNC, the #1 data integration platform for sales, can integrate your ERP data with your CRM data with a one-way or two-way SYNC? This will give you a 360-degree view of your business processes in real-time. Your sales team will have access to important data such as customer information, terms, invoicing, bill to and ship to addresses, serial numbers, inventory and more.

With a two-way integration, new and updated customers and orders will be SYNC’d from CRM back to your Dynamics ERP. This eliminates double-entry and possible mistakes, saving your business time and money.

Microsoft Dynamics ERP’s integrate with the following CRM (Customer Relationship Management):

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM
• Salesforce
• Zoho CRM

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations is cloud-based and comes with an industry specific module for process manufacturers which takes the standard manufacturing, stock, bills of material and routing functions and gives them a process manufacturing slant.

However, users of the process manufacturing industry solution are still able to benefit from the same functionality that discrete manufacturers enjoy. Modules such as finance management, human resource management, sales and purchase order processing, shop floor data collection, quality management, customer relationship management, and planning and scheduling are all still available.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations Features

• Financial management
• Human resource management
• Manufacturing management
• Inventory management
• Purchasing management
• Quality management
• Sales management
• Product technology
• Multiple currencies and languages

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations (AX)

Designed for mid-size to larger companies, Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations (formerly AX) is an on-premise, multilingual and multicurrency enterprise resource planning (ERP) software with core strengths in manufacturing. It also provides powerful functionality for the service and wholesale industries.

With complete end-to-end scalability and flexibility, Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations enables multinational companies to take control of their operations and promote growth.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Operations Features

• Resource management
• Job scheduling and sequencing
• Product configuration
• Shop floor management
• Inventory management
• Compliance management
• Financial management
• Distribution planning
• Quality management
• Project cost control
• Sales management

Microsoft Dynamics Business Central (NAV)

Microsoft Dynamics Business Central (formerly NAV) is an easily adaptable enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution. It helps small and medium-sized businesses automate and connect their sales, purchasing, operations, accounting and inventory management.

Business Central provides the required platform to help manufacturing businesses empower their employees, optimize operations and reduce inefficiencies.

Microsoft Dynamics Business Central Features

• Financial management
• Business intelligence and reporting
• Human resources management
• Supply chain management
• Multiple currencies and languages
• Production orders
• Version management
• Agile manufacturing
• Demand forecasting
• Order management

Microsoft Dynamics GP

Microsoft Dynamics GP provides growing and mid-sized organizations with complete financial and operational solutions. With its easy-to-use features, Microsoft Dynamics GP helps companies gain greater control over financials, better manage operations and inventory, and make informed decisions to support business growth.

Microsoft Dynamics GP Features

• Financial management
• Business intelligence and reporting
• Human resources management
• Supply chain management
• Multiple currencies and languages
• Production orders
• Version management
• Agile manufacturing
• Demand forecasting
• Order management

Transform your manufacturing business with a Microsoft Dynamics ERP solution that is optimized for your needs. It will give you the leverage to move your manufacturing business into the future, while efficiently addressing today’s challenges. For more information, please visit our partner, Edgeware.

If you’d like to learn more about Commercient SYNC, and how it can help your manufacturing business become more streamlined, contact us today.

About the Author

Anna Kinnear is a Sage Financials Consultant at Edgeware, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Science from the University of South Africa. She has always had a passion for reading and writing.