Configuring Multi-Level BOMs and Routings in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for Complex Manufacturing

Evolvous Delivers Expert Solutions for Manufacturers Navigating Complex Production Challenges

Manufacturing isn't getting any simpler. Products today have more components, more variations, and more quality requirements than ever before. A single finished product might contain dozens of subassemblies, each with its own set of parts and production steps. Managing this complexity without the right tools? That's a recipe for mistakes, delays, and unnecessary costs.

This is exactly why proper configuration of multi-level bills of materials (BOMs) and routings in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Manufacturing has become essential. And it's where Evolvous, a certified Microsoft Solution Partner, helps manufacturers get it right.

The Reality of Complex Manufacturing

According to Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises, Microsoft stands as a leader in the ERP space, with particular strength in Copilot-driven AI agents for process automation. But having powerful technology doesn't automatically solve production problems. The real challenge is configuring that technology to match how manufacturers actually work.

PwC's 2024 Digital Trends in Operations Survey revealed that 69% of respondents cited at least one reason why their operations technology investments haven't fully delivered expected results. Often, the issue isn't the software itself—it's how it's been set up.

Routings: The Roadmap for Production

While BOMs tell you what you need to build a product, routings tell you how to build it. They define the sequence of operations, the work centers involved, the time required at each step, and whether operations can run simultaneously or must happen in order.

When a Microsoft Business Central Consultant from Evolvous configures routings, they're essentially mapping your production process into the system. This includes setup times, run times per unit, and capacity definitions. This level of detail enables realistic production scheduling. Manufacturers can see where bottlenecks will occur before they happen.

Why Configuration Matters

Multi-level BOMs and routings connect to almost every other part of your ERP system. Inventory management needs to know what components are required and when. Purchasing needs to know what to order based on material requirements planning. Costing needs routing information to calculate accurate manufacturing overhead.

Microsoft has built Microsoft Dynamics 365 Manufacturing to handle these integrations, but they need proper configuration. A skilled Microsoft Business Central Consultant ensures that when production planners run MRP, the system calculates requirements accurately based on multi-level BOMs.

Evolvous has seen what happens when BOMs and routings aren't configured properly. Material shortages appear with no warning. Production schedules prove impossible to meet. Costs don't match expectations. And worst of all, nobody trusts the data anymore.

PwC research on digital transformation emphasizes that success comes from aligning technology with strategic business objectives. That alignment starts with proper system configuration that reflects actual operations.

The Evolvous Approach

As an experienced Microsoft Business Central Consultant, Evolvous takes a practical approach to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Manufacturing implementations. The team doesn't just configure software—they solve manufacturing problems. This means spending time on the shop floor, understanding how production really works, and then configuring Business Central to address those specific challenges.

For manufacturers looking to implement Business Central or improve their existing setup, proper BOM and routing configuration isn't something you figure out as you go. It requires expertise and experience.

Manufacturing will continue to get more complex. Having an ERP system that can handle that complexity through properly configured multi-level BOMs and routings isn't just helpful—it's essential for staying competitive.