Smart Cost Estimation and Cost Management in Business Central
For many manufacturing companies, cost estimation remains a challenging task. Fluctuating raw material prices, complex bills of materials, varying lead times, and custom orders make it difficult to calculate cost prices reliably. When information is scattered across Excel spreadsheets, email inboxes, and disparate systems, uncertainty arises regarding margins, capacity, and delivery reliability. That lack of visibility leads to errors, variances, and lost revenue—a well-known pain point in the manufacturing industry.
That is why digitization is crucial. Companies that continue to rely on manual processes and limited access to data lack the speed and transparency that are essential today to remain competitive.
During "Think Tech, Speak Human" on May 28 in Ghent We'll show you how to regain control over calculations, margins, and decisions using Business Central and specialized add-ons.
The Main Challenges in the Manufacturing Industry
1. Insufficient insight into costs, margins, and delivery reliability
Without centralized data, it remains difficult to detect anomalies in a timely manner. Many manufacturing companies lack sufficient insight into available capacity, the reliability of deliveries, or how margins are changing
2. Complex bills of materials and inventory management
Discrete manufacturing requires a clear overview of BOMs, work centers, inventory, and quality requirements. When information is scattered, planning becomes inefficient and the risk of errors increases.
3. Manual processes that require time and precision
Many manufacturing companies still rely on manual calculations, Excel formulas, and manual process flows. This hinders scalability and increases the likelihood of errors. Automation through low-code and integrated ERP solutions offers significant benefits in this regard.
4. Uncertain supply chains
Fluctuating demand, logistical disruptions, and variable raw material prices are putting pressure on costs and lead times. AI, data analysis, and sensors help make supply chains more predictable.
5. The Shift Toward ‘Servitization’
Customers expect more than just a product: service, maintenance, uptime, and flexibility are becoming increasingly important in the business models of manufacturing companies.
Trends That Make a Difference Today
AI as a Catalyst
AI offers manufacturing companies enormous opportunities, from assembly and repairs to trend forecasting and cost optimization—though many companies are still struggling with its practical application.
Full digitization and automation
By integrating ERP, CRM, BI, and document management, a single, central source of truth is created where sales, production, and finance collaborate based on real-time data.
Sustainability and Efficiency
Digitization reduces waste, optimizes processes, and helps companies achieve their sustainability goals—which are becoming increasingly important in modern manufacturing.
The Session: From Complex Calculations to Actionable Insights
In From Complexity to Control features our Manufacturing Business Consultant – Sander Anckaert – how to structure, automate, and optimize calculations using Business Central, supplemented with specialized add-ons for cost models and production simulations.
Smart and Structured Cost Estimation
In this session, you'll get a concise but clear overview of how to cost-driven selling prices determines and how you feeds relevant production and cost data directly into quotes. Not a highly technical exercise, but a practical look at what is already possible today within Business Central.
Real-time insight into margins and production impact
With centralized data, you know exactly how an order, change, or quote affects margins, lead times, and capacity. This addresses the challenges surrounding visibility and transparency in the manufacturing industry perfectly.
Automation of Complex Calculations
This session demonstrates how to replace manual Excel workflows with automated calculations that are more reliable and faster—which is crucial for companies struggling with increasing complexity.
Bringing Sales, Production, and Finance Closer Together
When all teams work with the same data, discussions about margins, feasibility, and delivery times disappear. The result: greater predictability and better decisions.
Why You Shouldn't Miss This Session
This session is ideal for manufacturing companies that:
- We want to use AI and data to strengthen our supply chain and cost estimation processes
- want to get a handle on cost prices and margins
- want to move away from error-prone Excel calculations
- want to manage complex bills of materials and variable costs
- desire greater automation and insight into production and planning
Attend this session at Think Tech Speak Human
Would you like to see how to structure, automate, and optimize your calculations using Business Central, supplemented by specialized add-ons for cost models and production simulations? Then this session is a must-see at Think Tech, Speak Human.
