Selecting an ERP platform is one of the most important technology decisions a manufacturer can make. The right solution should improve visibility across operations, support production planning, streamline financial management and provide the insights needed to drive growth.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Epicor are both well-established ERP platforms with strong manufacturing credentials. However, they are designed with different priorities in mind.

Epicor has traditionally focused on manufacturing-centric operations, while Business Central combines manufacturing functionality with wider business management capabilities and deep integration with the Microsoft ecosystem.

This guide compares Business Central vs Epicor to help manufacturers determine which platform aligns best with their operational requirements and long-term business goals.

Quick Verdict

Both Epicor and Business Central support manufacturing organisations with capabilities covering finance, supply chain, inventory management and production operations.

Epicor is often favoured by organisations seeking highly specialised manufacturing functionality and shop-floor capabilities. Business Central is frequently chosen by manufacturers looking to combine production management, financial control, reporting and collaboration tools within a single platform that integrates closely with Microsoft 365.

For many mid-sized manufacturers, Business Central offers a balance between manufacturing capability, usability, scalability and business-wide visibility.

Business Central vs Epicor: At A Glance

Source comparison based on published platform comparisons.

What Is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Business Central is Microsoft's cloud ERP platform for small and medium-sized organisations. Built on the foundations of Dynamics NAV, it combines financial management, supply chain management, manufacturing, inventory control, sales management and reporting within a single business application.

One of its key strengths is integration with Microsoft's wider technology stack, including:

• Microsoft 365
• Outlook
• Excel
• Teams
• Power BI
• Power Platform

This helps organisations reduce system silos and improve collaboration across departments.

What Is Epicor?

Epicor is an ERP platform with deep roots in manufacturing. Manufacturing functionality sits at the centre of the platform's product strategy, with capabilities designed to support production environments, supply chains and complex manufacturing operations.

Epicor includes functionality covering:

• Production management
• Quality management
• Supply chain management
• Scheduling
• Shop floor operations
• Inventory control
• Financial management

Its manufacturing-first approach has made it popular among organisations with highly specialised production requirements.

Business Central vs Epicor: Feature Comparison

Key to a review of these ERP platforms is what they can achieve for manufacturing operations. We've summarised key functionality below:

Financial Management

Both Business Central and Epicor provide robust financial management capabilities.

Business Central combines financial management with operational data, helping organisations connect finance teams with purchasing, inventory, production and sales processes. This can improve visibility across the entire organisation rather than treating finance as a standalone discipline.

Epicor also delivers comprehensive financial capabilities and is widely used by manufacturing organisations seeking detailed operational control alongside financial management.

For businesses already using Microsoft technologies, Business Central's integration with Excel, Power BI and Microsoft 365 can provide an additional advantage for reporting and analysis.

Manufacturing and Production Management

Manufacturing is where the comparison becomes most interesting.

Epicor is widely recognised for its manufacturing depth. Capabilities such as advanced scheduling, production management and shop-floor focused functionality are central to the platform. Manufacturing is not simply a module within Epicor; it forms part of the entire platform strategy.

Business Central also delivers strong manufacturing functionality, including:

• Bills of materials (BOM)
• Production orders
• Material requirements planning (MRP)
• Routing
• Capacity planning
• Inventory management

While some organisations may view Business Central as more of a general business platform than a specialist manufacturing system, many manufacturers find it provides the functionality they require while offering broader visibility across the business.

Supply Chain and Inventory Management

Manufacturers rely on inventory accuracy and supply chain visibility to control costs and meet customer expectations.

Business Central provides integrated inventory, purchasing and warehouse management capabilities, enabling teams to maintain visibility across stock movements, supplier relationships and production requirements.

Epicor similarly offers strong supply chain functionality and operational management features that support manufacturing environments.

For organisations seeking a single source of operational data spanning inventory, finance, purchasing and reporting, Business Central can be particularly attractive.

Reporting and Analytics

Better decision-making relies on access to accurate and timely information.

Business Central benefits from native integration with Microsoft Power BI, enabling organisations to build dashboards covering:

• Production efficiency
• Inventory performance
• Financial performance
• Sales activity
• Operational KPIs

These reporting capabilities help manufacturers move beyond spreadsheets and gain greater visibility into business performance.

Epicor also provides reporting and analytics capabilities, particularly for production environments, but many organisations already using Microsoft's reporting ecosystem find Business Central easier to adopt and extend.

Microsoft 365 Integration

This is often one of Business Central's biggest differentiators.

Because it is part of the Microsoft ecosystem, Business Central integrates directly with Outlook, Teams, Excel and other Microsoft applications. Users can access ERP data through familiar interfaces, helping improve adoption and reduce training requirements.

For organisations already standardised on Microsoft technology, this integration can deliver significant operational efficiencies.

Cost and Licensing Considerations

ERP investment should always be evaluated across:

• Software licensing
• Implementation costs
• Customisation
• Integrations
• Training
• Ongoing support

Business Central's modular approach enables organisations to select functionality based on current requirements while maintaining the ability to expand in the future.

The right choice should be based on operational fit and long-term value rather than software costs alone.

Why Organisations Move from Epicor to Business Central

Manufacturers evaluating alternatives to Epicor often cite a desire for:

• Greater integration with Microsoft technologies
• Improved reporting through Power BI
• Simpler user experiences
• Broader business management functionality
• Future automation and AI initiatives

Business Central is increasingly seen as a platform that combines manufacturing capability with digital transformation opportunities across the wider organisation.

Migration Considerations

Moving ERP platforms requires careful planning.

Manufacturers considering a migration from Epicor should typically evaluate:

• Historical production data
• Bills of materials
• Inventory records
• Reporting requirements
• User adoption plans
• Integration requirements

A successful ERP project should seek not only to replicate existing processes but also to identify opportunities for operational improvement and automation.

Our Recommendation

Epicor remains a strong ERP solution, particularly for organisations with highly specialised manufacturing requirements and deep production-focused processes.

However, for many growing manufacturers, Business Central offers a compelling alternative. It combines manufacturing, finance, supply chain management, reporting and collaboration within a single platform while providing seamless integration with Microsoft's wider technology ecosystem.

Organisations looking to improve visibility, modernise operations and build a stronger foundation for future growth will often find Business Central provides the broader business value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Business Central replace Epicor?

Many manufacturers successfully evaluate Business Central as an alternative to Epicor. Suitability depends on operational complexity, manufacturing requirements and future business objectives.

Does Business Central include manufacturing functionality?

Yes. Business Central includes production management, bills of materials, routing, inventory management and MRP capabilities.

Which ERP is better for Microsoft 365 users?

Business Central has a clear advantage for organisations already using Microsoft 365 because of its native integration with Outlook, Excel, Teams and Power BI.

Is Epicor only for manufacturers?

Epicor serves a range of industries, but manufacturing remains a core focus of the platform.

Which ERP is better for growing manufacturers?

The answer depends on business requirements. Epicor is often selected for manufacturing depth, while Business Central is frequently chosen by organisations seeking strong manufacturing functionality alongside wider business management and Microsoft integration.