We all clock in then clock out after a day of work, but how much time do we actually spend working? For many, most hours we spend at work aren’t spent working—switching from system to system, app to app is not only mentally draining, but also a major timewaster. Finding a way to slash downtime might sound too good to be true –but in reality, it isn’t that far out of reach. Although they perform vastly different functions, integrating your ERP and CRM systems can optimize workflows in ways you didn’t even know were possible.

Business Central for Manufacturing

As Microsoft’s premier mid-market ERP solution, users of Business Central enjoy it’s customizable and reliable end-to-end service for everything from forecasting to supply chain management and order processing. On top of that, Business Central includes a robust manufacturing module and a vast amount of industry specific capabilities. Business Central’s pre-loaded financial management tools like the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, and cash management keep crucial business data in check, while supply chain features, demand planning, sales and purchase orders, and stock keeping are useful tools to keep manufacturing processes on track as well. The best part it, manufacturing capabilities in Business Central are highly customizable for specific needs and functions, allowing you to modify or add new processes as necessary—with plenty of low or no-code options to make customization as painless and possible. That way, you can count on streamlined, up-to-date date across the entire organization. 

Although easy to overlook in the manufacturing industry, having a good CRM system is truly a second-to-none advantage that can streamline lead and opportunity management, tracking sales activities, organizing accounts and contacts, and so much more. Dynamics 365 Sales is a recognized industry leader as far as sales-based CRM goes, loaded with features to help you meet prospects where they are so you can continue to build and cultivate relationships beyond that first point of contact. Built-in intelligence features and automation capabilities are not only customer relationship game changers but can extend into your manufacturing processes to make business operations a breeze.  

Integrating Business Central and Dynamics 365 Sales

Oftentimes, salespeople are the most outward-facing team members and rarely have any involvement in the back-end business, but giving sellers access to crucial business data through Business Central can empower them to have all the information they need to take customer relationships to the next level.  

Integrating Business Central with Dynamics 365 Sales unlocks a powerful range of abilities that lets you access Sales data in Business Central and the other way around as well. If you use Dynamics 365 Sales for customer engagement, you can enjoy seamless integration in the lead-to-cash process by using Business Central for backend activities such as processing orders, managing inventory, and doing your finances. 

Integration means you can effortlessly synchronize data like customers, contacts, and sales information—and since data is kept up to date, you can reliably work with it at any time in either platform. One way to use this synched-up data is by pulling in Business Central price list information when creating sales quotes and orders in Dynamics 365 Sales, and the item inventory level will auto-update in accordance with the new sales order, too. Or, process orders in Business Central that have been automatically transferred over from Dynamics 365 Sales, and create and post sales order lines for items that were entered in Dynamics 365 Sales as write-ins. Automating sales orders and quotes is one of the most helpful functions that you can implement, and there’s no better way to take advantage of it than through integrating your ERP with your CRM solution. 

Business Central is a full-featured ERP solution for manufacturing, and its output can be increased monumentally when paired with a compatible CRM like Dynamics 365 Sales. With a plethora of pre-built and customizable features, you’ll be wowed with just how much more you can achieve after integrating these two systems together. 

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Integrating business systems like an ERP and CRM comes with many benefits, but it’s no small task—and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Fill out the form below and our consulting team will be in touch to help you find the right integration plan for your business needs.