You’re Probably Not Using Business Central to Its Full Potential

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is packed with capability—but in many organizations, only a fraction of it is ever turned on. Teams rely on spreadsheets, manual workarounds, or third-party tools without realizing that Business Central already includes features designed to do exactly what they need.

At The BC Team, we see this all the time. Companies invest in Business Central, go live successfully, and then unknowingly leave value on the table. Below are some of the most commonly overlooked features that can make a real difference in day-to-day operations.

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Built-In Relationship Management (Without Buying a CRM)

Many people assume Business Central has no CRM functionality. In reality, it includes Contact Management, a flexible relationship-tracking tool that works for customers, vendors, prospects, and even contacts that aren’t yet tied to a transaction.

You can:

• Maintain company-level contacts with multiple people linked to each organization

• Classify contacts by role, interest, industry, or custom attributes

• Group and segment contacts for targeted communication

This structure allows you to run highly specific campaigns—without exporting lists or managing data elsewhere. For organizations that don’t need a full standalone CRM, this built-in functionality is often more than enough.

HR Tracking That Replaces Spreadsheets

Business Central’s Human Resources module is frequently misunderstood. While it’s not a payroll engine, it is a powerful system of record for employee information.

You can track:

• Employment details and contract codes

• Qualifications, certifications, and emergency contacts

• Company-issued equipment and assets

Instead of maintaining disconnected spreadsheets, you can keep all employee-related records in one secure place—making audits, handovers, and asset recovery far easier to manage.

Expense Claims Without Turning Employees Into Vendors

A common workaround we still see is setting employees up as vendors so they can be reimbursed through Business Central. That approach works—but it’s not required.

Business Central allows expense claims to be recorded directly against employees, while still using the same EFT-compliant payment process as vendors. This method:

• Simplifies setup

• Improves reporting clarity

• Enhances security by limiting who can view employee-related data

It’s a small configuration change that can deliver meaningful operational and compliance benefits.

Sales and Purchasing Analysis That Goes Far Beyond Financial Statements

Most users are familiar with Business Central’s financial reporting tools—but fewer realize that similar analysis capabilities exist for sales and purchasing data.

You can:

• Build custom reports for customer-item sales or vendor-item purchases

• Compare quantities, costs, prices, and margins

• Analyze current vs. prior periods

• Include dimensions for deeper insight

Reports are fully configurable, refresh in real time, and allow drill-down to underlying transactions—making them ideal for both operational and management reporting.

Smarter Inventory Planning (Without the Clipboard)

If inventory counts and replenishment decisions still rely on manual checks or gut feel, Business Central offers a better way.

The Requisition Worksheet, combined with item and SKU planning parameters, enables structured inventory replenishment based on recognized supply chain planning models. You can:

• Automatically calculate replenishment suggestions

• Balance demand, lead times, and safety stock

• Adjust recommendations before finalizing orders

The result is better stock availability, less excess inventory, and more confidence in planning decisions.

You’ve Already Paid for These Capabilities

These features aren’t add-ons. They’re already part of your Business Central license.

The real challenge isn’t access—it’s awareness. Without ongoing review, training, and optimization, even the best ERP system can become underutilized.

At The BC Team, we help clients move beyond “go-live” and into continuous improvement. Our support and advisory services are designed to uncover hidden value, streamline processes, and ensure Business Central evolves alongside your business.

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Get More From the System You Already Own

If your team is still relying on spreadsheets, manual processes, or external tools, it may be time to take a closer look at what Business Central can already do.

You’ve invested in the platform. Now let’s make sure it’s working as hard as you are.

Reach out to The BC Team to explore how we can help you unlock more value from Business Central—without unnecessary complexity or cost.