Mastering Manufacturing with Business Central: Scaling MRP with Order Tracking and Action Messages

Implementing MRP in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a game-changer for manufacturers looking to automate, streamline, and scale their production planning. But once you move beyond basic configuration, how do you handle hundreds—or even thousands—of items with confidence?

This blog explores how Business Central empowers planners to work at scale by using action messages, order tracking, and filtering strategies to stay focused, stay efficient, and stay in control.

Reference Video:
Make to Order vs. Make to Stock in Business Central (WebSan Solutions)

From Manual Planning to Scalable MRP

Before MRP, many production planners rely on manual tools—Excel sheets, emails, and paper-based systems—to manage inventory and production schedules. But manual planning has limits. A planner might be able to manage 300 items manually, but scaling beyond that becomes a challenge.

With Business Central's MRP engine properly configured, that same planner can manage ten times the number of items using automation and exception-based workflows.

Action Messages: Your Daily To-Do List

One of the most powerful features in Business Central's planning engine is the use of action messages. These are system-generated recommendations that tell you exactly what to do—whether that's to create, change, cancel, or expedite a production or purchase order.

The system analyzes every item's supply and demand situation and produces a set of suggestions organized by urgency:

• Emergency: Action needed now to avoid stockouts or missed shipments.
• Attention: Orders that are borderline or need review.
• New: Recommendations to place new orders.

Using these filters, planners can focus on what matters most without being overwhelmed by data. Instead of reacting to everything, you work through a prioritized list of tasks, allowing you to move faster with more confidence.

Order Tracking: Understanding the Why Behind Every Recommendation

While MRP is designed to automate planning, it's not a black box. Business Central gives users full visibility into the "why" behind each suggestion through the Order Tracking function.

When you open a planned production or purchase order, you can view the exact sales order, forecast, or safety stock parameter that triggered it. This is especially helpful during onboarding or training when users are still learning to trust the system's logic.

This transparency not only builds trust in MRP—it also supports faster troubleshooting and improved internal communication between teams.

Filtering for Efficiency

Another overlooked but critical feature in Business Central is the ability to filter the Planning Worksheet by item category, planner code, location, or urgency level. This allows multiple planners to focus on their assigned areas, and enables large businesses to divide and conquer their workload.

Whether you're filtering by product family, production line, or warehouse, Business Central helps you reduce noise and zero in on exactly what needs your attention today.

Setting Your Team Up for Success

Scaling MRP isn't just about enabling more features—it's about enabling your team. When action messages, order tracking, and filtered views are used together, planners can manage thousands of SKUs with clarity and precision.

But the real key to success lies in accurate setup:

• Reordering policies must match your business model.
• Lead times and safety stock levels must reflect reality.
• Reservation and tracking settings must be clearly defined.

Once these foundational settings are aligned, Business Central becomes an extension of your planning team—an intelligent assistant that never misses a calculation or deadline.

Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Plan

With the right setup, Business Central's MRP engine becomes more than just a planning tool—it becomes a scalable system that grows with your business. From Make to Order to Make to Stock, and everything in between, it gives manufacturers the tools to move faster, reduce inventory waste, and keep production running smoothly.

Ready to Scale Your Planning Process?

If you're struggling with manual planning or outgrowing your current process, we can help. WebSan Solutions has guided manufacturers of all sizes through successful MRP implementations in Business Central.

Contact WebSan Solutions today to book a personalized consultation and take the next step in scaling your planning strategy.