Business Central Manufacturing: Enhancing Production with Insight Works Apps

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a powerful ERP solution for manufacturers, but no system is without its limitations. Many manufacturing businesses find that Business Central’s out-of-the-box capabilities for scheduling, production planning, inventory management, and shop floor control lack certain advanced capabilities.

This is where Insight Works steps in. With a suite of apps tailored for manufacturing, Business Central end-users can fill these gaps, optimize their workflows, and drive efficiency across production operations.

Unlocking the Full Potential of Business Central Manufacturing

Manufacturers using Business Central need more than just basic inventory and order management. They require tools that:

• Automate production scheduling and finite capacity planning.
• Enhance BOM (Bill of Materials) visibility and management.
• Optimize inventory forecasting and stock control.
• Improve shop floor data collection and real-time tracking.
• Provide cost visibility for production orders.

Insight Works offers a suite of apps that extend Business Central’s core manufacturing capabilities, making it a more comprehensive solution for production-heavy businesses.

Key Manufacturing Apps from Insight Works

1. MxAPS – Automated Production Scheduling

Business Central’s native scheduling tools require too much manual intervention. MxAPS eliminates this burden by automating production scheduling with:

• Automated finite capacity scheduling – Prevents overloading work centers and machines.
• Automated just-in-time production planning – Ensures materials and labor are optimally allocated.
• Automated sequencing – Reduces setup times and maximizes throughput.

With MxAPS, manufacturers move beyond spreadsheets and manual scheduling, shifting to a fully automated approach that optimizes efficiency and responsiveness.

Learn about MxAPS

2. Graphical Scheduler – A Visual Production Planner

If your production team struggles to visualize and adjust schedules, Graphical Scheduler adds a simple drag-and-drop scheduling tool within Business Central. Benefits include:

• Work center and machine center views for easy scheduling adjustments.
• Color-coded operations for quick identification of production stages.
• Capacity visibility to avoid bottlenecks.

This lightweight yet effective solution simplifies scheduling without requiring complex APS software.

Learn about Graphical Scheduler

3. Shop Floor Insight – Real-Time Shop Floor Data Collection

Shop Floor Insight enhances Business Central’s time tracking and production reporting by allowing workers to log:

• Production progress in real time.
• Downtime tracking for machine performance insights.
• Employee time and attendance data for accurate labor costing.

This app eliminates paper-based tracking, improves shop floor communication, and ensures real-time visibility into manufacturing operations.

Learn about Shop Floor Insight

4. Multi-Level BOM Viewer – Enhanced BOM Management

Business Central’s built-in BOM functionality can be restrictive when handling complex assemblies. The Multi-Level BOM Viewer provides:

• A hierarchical BOM visualization tool – Easily see component relationships.
• Supply-demand insights – Identify material shortages before they impact production.
• Editable BOM structures – Make real-time changes without complex navigation.

Manufacturers working with multi-level assemblies will benefit from the clarity and control this app provides.

Learn about Multi-Level BOM Viewer

5. Enhanced Forecasting Worksheet – Smarter Demand Planning

Inventory forecasting can be a challenge in Business Central. Enhanced Forecasting Worksheet brings AI-powered predictions and demand planning to the system:

• Azure AI-driven forecasting – Reduces stockouts and excess inventory.
• Custom reorder parameters – Optimizes safety stock and replenishment.
• Flexible filtering – Forecast by item, category, or location.

Manufacturers can avoid costly supply chain disruptions by predicting demand more accurately.

Learn about Enhanced Forecasting Worksheet

6. Production Order Analysis – Cost Tracking for Manufacturing

Many manufacturers struggle to track actual vs. expected production costs in Business Central. The Production Order Analysis app helps by:

• Providing real-time cost insights for material, labor, and subcontracting.
• Automatically calculating profit margins when linked to sales orders.
• Comparing cost trends across production orders to identify inefficiencies.

This app is essential for manufacturers looking to control production costs and improve profitability.

Learn about Production Order Analysis

The Advantage of Using a Single ISV for Manufacturing Solutions

Many Business Central users piece together solutions from multiple ISVs, but this approach comes with challenges:

1. Integration issues – Different ISV apps may not work seamlessly together, leading to compatibility problems.
2. Multiple support channels – Managing support from different vendors can create inefficiencies and delays.
3. Learning curve – Every ISV has its own way of doing things, making training more complex.
4. Scalability concerns – Solutions that don’t natively work together can create bottlenecks as business needs evolve.

By choosing Insight Works’ suite of apps, manufacturers benefit from:

• Seamless integration – Apps are designed to work together within Business Central.
• Consistent user experience – A unified interface reduces training time.
• One-stop support – A single point of contact simplifies troubleshooting.
• Faster implementation – No need to configure and test multiple third-party solutions.
• Future-proofing – A single ISV ensures updates and new features align with existing tools.

Working with a single ISV for manufacturing solutions means fewer headaches, better performance, and a more streamlined Business Central experience.

The Smarter Approach to Business Central Manufacturing

Business Central is a robust platform, but it requires enhancements when it comes to advanced manufacturing needs. Insight Works apps provide these enhancements, giving manufacturers the tools to:

• Improve scheduling and resource planning.
• Optimize inventory and material forecasting.
• Gain real-time shop floor visibility.
• Streamline BOM and production cost analysis.

Whether you’re a Business Central user aiming to improve your manufacturing operations or an IT manager looking to streamline ERP functionality, Insight Works apps help you get there—all while keeping everything under one ISV umbrella.

Want to see these apps in action?

Visit Insight Works to learn more about these solutions for Business Central Manufacturing.