DEV Community: Insight Works

Warehouse Management for Business Central—Without Breaking the Bank

Insight Works — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 08:24:00 +0000

Managing your warehouse with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. WMS Express brings barcode-driven efficiency to your operations—free, fast to deploy, and even more powerful thanks to recent upgrades.

Listen to the Podcast: Breaking the Barcode Barrier – WMS Express in Business Central

When it comes to warehouse management for Business Central, many companies assume they need to invest in expensive add-ons and high-end devices to barcode-enable their operations. But that’s not the case.

WMS Express changes the game by offering a fully integrated, cloud-ready warehouse management app that brings barcode scanning to your Business Central environment—without the hefty price tag.

With WMS Express, you can:

Receive and ship products quickly and accurately
Move and count inventory with ease
Reduce manual entry and improve data accuracy
Deploy the app in minutes and train staff just as fast

Plus, Insight Works offers affordable mobile device options—from rugged Android handhelds to cost-effective tablets—making it easier than ever to get started with scanning.

And Now—WMS Express Just Got Better

Thanks to the latest upgrades, WMS Express is now more powerful than ever:

Automatic Package IDs

Say goodbye to manual box numbering. WMS Express automatically generates a unique package ID when you create a package, saving time and reducing errors. There will be no more staff confusion or duplicate numbers—just scan, label, and go.

Packages-as-Containers

Manage packages like containers, making it easy to consolidate items, track orders, and manage partial shipments. This solution is perfect for e-commerce or any operation that needs to handle multiple items in a single shipment.

Smarter Barcode Parsing

WMS Express now handles a broader range of barcode formats, including GS1 labels and mixed lot/serial data, reducing scanning errors and speeding up processes. This results in fewer interruptions, happier staff, and faster warehouse operations.

Per-Device Options

Tailor the app experience for each device—turn off package features on simpler handhelds or enable advanced options for supervisors. Staff see only what they need, boosting productivity and reducing training time.

Speed and Polish

Menus load faster, searches are snappier, and the overall experience is more streamlined. Every second saved adds up—more scans, less waiting.

Ready to Supercharge Your Warehouse?

WMS Express delivers the essential barcode functionality your Business Central warehouse needs—quickly, easily, and affordably. With new features and affordable mobile device options from Insight Works, there’s never been a better time to barcode-enable your warehouse.

Fully integrated with Business Central
Free to deploy and easy to use
More powerful than ever—no extra costs

Get Started with WMS Express

MES Upgrade for Business Central: Insight Works Version 7.14

Insight Works — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 21:39:35 +0000

At Insight Works, we’re on a mission to make manufacturing and distribution easier, faster, and more accurate for every Dynamics 365 Business Central user. With thousands of production scans happening daily across the globe, Shop Floor Insight has become the go-to Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for SMBs looking to transform their operations. And now, with version 7.14, we’re taking productivity, user experience, and efficiency to the next level.

Listen to the podcast: Shop Floor Insight MES v7.14 – Efficiency and Usability Improvements for Business Central

A Quick Recap: Why Shop Floor Insight?

Shop Floor Insight integrates seamlessly with Business Central, letting you:

Streamline data capture with barcode scanning, touchscreens, and mobile devices.
Simplify time tracking for employees—no more manual logs or guesswork.
Automate payroll integration, ensuring accurate calculations for overtime and shift differentials.
Monitor quality and reduce rework costs through real-time inspections and root cause analysis.
Visualize production with drag-and-drop scheduling so you can focus on what matters most—getting products out the door.

With features like shift scheduling, rework tracking, and deep integration with Business Central, Shop Floor Insight is a powerhouse for manufacturers and distributors.

Track every minute with precision! Shop Floor Insight’s Time Card module lets you record production, jobs, and meetings in real time, giving you complete visibility into your operations at a glance.

What’s New in Version 7.14?

We’ve listened to user feedback and delivered enhancements that make Shop Floor Insight even more powerful and user-friendly:

Boost Productivity with Faster Data Performance: Optimized SQL queries ensure lightning-fast responsiveness, so your team spends less time waiting and more time making progress.
Clearer Error Reporting Saves Time: Business Central endpoint errors now display directly within the interface, giving users immediate visibility and simplifying troubleshooting.
Easier Installation with Guided Setup: Enhanced welcome instructions in the Shop Floor Insight installer streamline onboarding, making it easier to get started—no head-scratching required.
Effortless Client Launching: Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) links in the installer allow users to launch clients quickly and accurately, improving connectivity and reducing confusion.
Simplified Authentication Setup: Streamlined authentication configuration within the installer ensures a smoother connection to Business Central.
Quicker Credential Access: New buttons provide instant links to Credential Manager, simplifying credential management and speeding up the setup process.
Improved Service Order Integration: Time Card Lines automatically update if a user deletes the associated Service Line, saving time and ensuring data accuracy.
Consistent Terminology Improves User Experience: We’ve updated “Jobs” to “Projects” throughout the app, aligning with the latest Business Central terminology and reducing confusion.
Streamlined Installer Access: A new download link in the Shop Floor Setup Wizard keeps users up to date with the latest installer version—no more hunting for updates.

Our Commitment to You

At Insight Works, we’re committed to supporting manufacturers and distributors with continuous innovation. Every release of Shop Floor Insight is built on feedback from real-world users like you, ensuring our solution remains at the cutting edge of shop floor technology. Whether running a small operation or managing multiple production lines, we’re here to help you achieve more.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Discover how Shop Floor Insight v7.14 can transform your production management. Visit ShopFloorForDynamics.com for more details, or reach out to your Microsoft Partner to get started today!

Beyond the Basics: Smarter Planning in Business Central

Insight Works — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Beyond the Basics: Smarter Planning in Business Central

If planning feels messy or time-consuming, this on-demand demo shows a better way. It walks you through the Enhanced Planning Worksheet — a free app that helps you manage inventory, vendor terms, and purchasing in one place, right inside Business Central.

What you’ll learn in this demo about Planning in Business Central

How to streamline inventory and purchase planning inside Business Central
Managing multiple locations and vendor-specific thresholds
Visualizing supply and demand with built-in charts
Automating purchase and transfer order suggestions
Centralizing planning tasks for better visibility and control
How this free app fits into the Enhanced Planning Pack

Starts with the Enhanced Planning Worksheet

Let’s face it—inventory and purchasing workflows in Business Central can quickly become overwhelming. Between scattered vendor data, disconnected planning tools, and difficulty forecasting supply and demand, many manufacturers and distributors are left struggling with inefficiencies. The need for smarter, more connected planning is clear—and that’s exactly what the Enhanced Planning Worksheet delivers.

This free app is part of the Enhanced Planning Pack and was built to bring clarity and control to your planning process. Whether you're trying to prevent stockouts, reduce excess inventory, or align purchasing with vendor lead times, the Enhanced Planning Worksheet helps you act on real-time data—all without leaving Business Central.

Why it matters:

The Enhanced Planning Worksheet isn’t a stripped-down tool — it’s a feature-rich, no-cost solution built for manufacturers and distributors. You get integrated planning, actionable insights, and vendor coordination — all without leaving Business Central.

Learn more at: https://MRPforDynamics.com

Planning Worksheet in Business Central: MRP-Driven Inventory Optimization

Insight Works — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 08:01:00 +0000

Effective inventory and purchase planning is critical for businesses aiming to streamline operations and reduce costs. While Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides essential tools for managing supply and demand, its standard functionality may not meet the growing needs of complex businesses. The Enhanced Planning Worksheet app from Insight Works elevates inventory planning with advanced features, improved automation, and actionable insights.

Let’s explore how this app enhances the inventory and purchase planning process in Business Central.

Understanding Inventory Planning in Business Central

The MRP and inventory planning tools in Dynamics 365 Business Central enable businesses to manage stock levels by analyzing supply and demand and generating replenishment suggestions. These tools help maintain adequate stock levels while minimizing overstock and shortages.

However, companies with complex supply chains, multiple locations, or vendor-specific requirements often encounter limitations. The Enhanced Planning Worksheet bridges this gap by offering advanced functionality, enabling businesses to handle increasing operational demands with precision and efficiency.

What is the Enhanced Planning Worksheet?

The Enhanced Planning Worksheet is a robust app designed for Dynamics 365 Business Central users. This app consolidates inventory management, purchase planning, and vendor coordination into a single and intuitive interface.

Enhanced Planning Worksheet integrates seamlessly with Business Central, providing tools like visual supply and demand summaries, automated order triggers, and multi-location inventory control. These features enable businesses to optimize planning processes and streamline operations with precision and efficiency, all within a unified platform.

Why Use the Enhanced Planning Worksheet?

The Enhanced Planning Worksheet offers substantial advantages over standard Business Central tools:

Streamlined Planning Processes: Consolidating multiple planning functions into one platform enhances workflow efficiency.
Improved Vendor Coordination: The app tracks vendor-specific thresholds and purchase histories, enhancing communication and cost management.
Customizable Planning Parameters: Tailors planning settings to align with specific business strategies.
Time Savings: Automates routine tasks like purchase order creation, reducing manual workloads and freeing up resources for strategic planning.
Accurate Inventory Management: Multi-location inventory coordination and real-time data ensure stock levels align with demand.

These features empower businesses to make better decisions, reduce operational costs, and enhance supplier relationships.

How the Enhanced Planning Worksheet Elevates Your Planning

The Enhanced Planning Worksheet transforms traditional inventory planning with advanced capabilities that support proactive decision-making:

Real-Time Data Utilization: Access up-to-date insights to quickly respond to changes in supply and demand.
Automation of Routine Tasks: Save time with automated purchase order creation and inventory transfer planning.
Seamless Integration: Operates natively within Business Central, ensuring a consistent user experience.
Scalability for Growth: Handles increasing complexity as businesses expand, supporting diverse inventories and supply chain structures.

Optimize Your Planning with the Enhanced Planning Worksheet

The Enhanced Planning Worksheet offers a comprehensive solution to MRP, inventory, and purchase planning challenges for businesses using Dynamics 365 Business Central. The app enables data-driven decisions and streamlined operations by combining advanced features like vendor-specific management, automated workflows, and multi-location coordination.

To learn more about how this app enhances planning processes in Business Central, visit PlanningForDynamics.com or contact your Microsoft Partner today.

Real-World Forecasting in Business Central

Insight Works — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 08:05:00 +0000

If forecasting inventory feels like you’re always reacting instead of planning ahead, you’re not alone. Many businesses struggle to balance supply and demand when they’re stuck relying on outdated reports or manual spreadsheets. That’s why the Enhanced Forecasting Worksheet was created — to give you a clearer picture of what’s coming and the tools to act on it.

Whether you’re trying to avoid stockouts, reduce carrying costs, or just make better planning decisions, this free app brings forecasting into focus with help from Microsoft Azure AI and historical insights — right inside Business Central.

What you’ll learn in this demo:

How to forecast inventory needs using Microsoft Azure AI
Ways to fine-tune historical data for more accurate results
Filtering forecasts by item, location, or category
Choosing the right forecasting algorithm for your needs
Automating reorder point and max inventory calculations
How this free app fits into the Enhanced Planning Pack

Why it matters:

The Enhanced Forecasting Worksheet is not just powerful — it’s completely free. Built for inventory managers, supply chain planners, and Business Central users who want to optimize stock levels, streamline planning, and reduce costs — without paying extra for a standalone forecasting tool.

This app doesn’t just forecast demand — it helps create a consistent, repeatable planning rhythm across your business. With flexible filters for items, categories, and locations, and support for AI-enhanced and historical methods, the Enhanced Forecasting Worksheet fits into real-world supply chains where every decision counts. For Business Central users looking to improve forecasting accuracy without extra overhead, it’s a practical, time-saving solution.

Learn more at: https://ForecastingForDynamics.com

Beyond the Basics: Smarter Planning in Business Central

Insight Works — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:53:42 +0000

What you’ll learn in this demo about Planning in Business Central

How to streamline inventory and purchase planning inside Business Central
Managing multiple locations and vendor-specific thresholds
Visualizing supply and demand with built-in charts
Automating purchase and transfer order suggestions
Centralizing planning tasks for better visibility and control
How this free app fits into the Enhanced Planning Pack

Starts with the Enhanced Planning Worksheet

Why it matters:

Learn more at: https://MRPforDynamics.com

The Hidden Costs of Warehouse Inefficiencies in Business Central—And How to Fix Them

Insight Works — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 20:04:47 +0000

Warehouses aren’t just storage spaces—they’re critical hubs in your supply chain. However, they’re also often where profits quietly disappear. Manual data entry, mispicks, lost inventory, and outdated processes may seem like minor issues on a day-to-day basis. Over time, though, they add up to serious operational costs.

The fix? Improve warehouse accuracy and boost efficiency with mobile device and barcode integration—an innovative, scalable solution that Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central users are implementing with the Warehouse Insight app from Insight Works.

Let’s break down where the real money drains occur—and how Warehouse Insight helps stop them.

Where Inefficiencies Bleed Your Bottom Line

1. Inventory Inaccuracy

Imagine sending someone to pick a product from Bin A, only for them to waste 15 minutes searching for it—or worse, picking the wrong item entirely, which can happen when inventory records don’t accurately reflect what’s actually in the warehouse. It leads to delays, incorrect shipments, and costly rework.

Warehouse Insight addresses this by requiring users to scan and verify every movement. This process keeps Business Central perfectly aligned with what’s happening on the warehouse floor, ensuring your digital inventory matches the physical reality.

2. Manual Processes

Relying on paper pick lists or entering data into Business Central at the end of a shift slows everything down. Worse, it delays key decision-making and opens the door to human error.

The Warehouse Insight app eliminates this by capturing real-time, on-floor data using barcode scanners and mobile devices. There’s no lag—everything updates in Business Central the moment it happens.

3. Slow Put-Away and Picking

The time it takes to process incoming shipments and fulfill orders is often longer than it should be—predominantly when processes aren’t guided or standardized.

With Warehouse Insight, receiving and put-away tasks are streamlined. Users scan a PO, confirm receipt, and move items to staging bins or final locations—all from their devices.

4. Lack of Customization for Unique Workflows

Every warehouse is different. Generic solutions force your team to work around software limitations, which creates inefficiencies and training challenges. Warehouse Insight addresses this need with its built-in Application Designer, a no-code tool that enables you to build, modify, and extend mobile workflows directly within Business Central. You define exactly how users interact with warehouse processes—whether that’s customizing menus, setting scan behaviors, or inserting logic for specific tasks such as quality checks or special handling. To simplify app creation even further, the Create Application Wizard walks you through the setup process step by step. In just minutes, you generate a fully functional scanning app tailored to your business needs—without writing a single line of code.

5. Device Configuration Overhead

Managing multiple devices across different locations can become a headache—especially when settings are inconsistent or difficult to update.

Warehouse Insight simplifies this with centralized Device Configuration tied to Business Central. Each mobile device can be connected, tracked, and managed through a clean interface.

The Fix: A Real-Time, Barcode-Enabled WMS for Business Central

Warehouse Insight is purpose-built for Dynamics 365 Business Central users. This app doesn’t just sit alongside Business Central—Warehouse Insight integrates seamlessly, ensuring data flows cleanly from the warehouse floor to your back office.

Real-time inventory accuracy
Faster receiving, picking, and shipping
Fewer errors and returns
Support for 1D, 2D, and RFID scanning
Custom apps to match your warehouse operations
Compatibility with leading rugged and mobile devices

And it’s not just a technical upgrade—it’s a cultural one. When your warehouse team has tools that make their job easier and more accurate, everyone wins.

Final Thoughts

If your warehouse still runs on outdated processes, every hour you delay is another cost you’re silently absorbing. The good news? Fixing it doesn’t require overhauling your entire system or retraining your entire staff.

With Warehouse Insight, modernize your operations from inside Business Central—faster, more intelligent, and with minimal disruption.

Take control of your inventory accuracy today with Warehouse Insight—visit https://WMSforDynamics.com or connect with your Microsoft Partner to learn more.

Get Started with Warehouse Insight

How to Improve Warehouse Accuracy with Barcode Scanning in Business Central

Insight Works — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 18:56:11 +0000

Inaccurate inventory data doesn’t just cost money—it wrecks trust. Incorrect picks, delayed shipments, or mismatched inventory counts can ripple through your supply chain and negatively impact customer satisfaction. However, if you’re using Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, a straightforward solution is available: barcode scanning powered by the Warehouse Insight app from Insight Works.

Let’s break down how barcode scanning works with Business Central, explore how Warehouse Insight improves warehouse accuracy and boosts efficiency with mobile device and barcode integration, and see this app in action.

Listen to the podcast: Cracking the Code on Warehouse Inefficiencies: Real-Time Solutions for Business Central Users

Why Barcode Scanning Matters

Traditional warehouse processes rely on manual entry, visual verification, or even printed spreadsheets. Every step introduces the potential for human error—such as typing the wrong item number, skipping a bin, or shipping the wrong lot.

Item, bin, and quantity are correct before posting
Lot and serial numbers are properly recorded and traceable
Labels, documents, and tracking are aligned with what’s physically scanned

Warehouse Insight integrates these validations directly into your Business Central workflows in real time.

Error-Proof Picking and Packing

When warehouse workers use barcode scanners with Warehouse Insight, the system guides them through each pick or shipment step by step. The app tells them what to pick, where to pick it from, and how much to pick—and it validates every scan.

If they scan the wrong item or bin, the system flags the mistake immediately. That means no more re-picks or reverse shipments caused by packing errors.

The Warehouse Insight app presents a user-friendly mobile interface, offering quick access to essential warehouse functions such as item inquiry, bin inquiry, and inventory counting, supporting on-the-go management and real-time data access.

This screen gives workers real-time visibility and step-by-step prompts—no paper required. The result? Fewer mistakes and faster order fulfillment.

Inventory Counts That Get It Right the First Time

Inventory counts are where accuracy matters most—but they’re often where things go wrong. Manual counts are prone to:

Transcription errors
Skipped bins
Missed adjustments for serial or lot numbers

Warehouse Insight supports both Basic and Advanced Inventory Counts. Using barcode scanning, workers scan bin and item barcodes, enter the quantities, and proceed. For tracked items, the system prompts for lot or serial numbers on the spot.

Whether you’re doing cycle counts or full physicals, barcode scanning ensures your data is always tied to a verified scan—eliminating the uncertainty that comes with pen-and-paper methods.

This interface within the Warehouse Insight app shows the put-away functionality on a mobile device, displaying detailed task lists for item placement, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of inventory handling in the warehouse.

Easy Setup for Barcode Devices

One of the most common questions is, “How hard is it to set up barcode scanners with Business Central?” With Warehouse Insight, it’s surprisingly straightforward.

You can configure scanners—whether rugged handhelds or tablets—directly in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. The devices connect via Wi-Fi and communicate with your Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central environment in real time. Warehouse Insight supports Android-based mobile devices.

Once connected, Warehouse Insight pushes the configured apps and menus directly to the devices—so users get exactly what they need without the clutter.

The Warehouse Insight app allows for detailed configuration and management of warehouse device settings, ensuring that all hardware is properly integrated and optimized for efficient operations within Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Customize Scanning Workflows to Fit Your Process

No two warehouses operate the same way, and that’s where Warehouse Insight’s App Designer comes in.

With the drag-and-drop App Designer, you can build or adjust workflows for:

Custom pick sequences
Directed put-aways
Specialized receiving processes

Whether you’re a consultant or IT admin, you don’t need a development background to tailor barcode-enabled workflows that match how your warehouse operates.

Real-World Payoff: Faster, Smarter, More Accurate Warehousing

The combination of barcode scanning and Business Central—via Warehouse Insight—leads to:

Near-zero picking errors
Accurate, timely inventory counts
Reduced returns and rework
Streamlined training for new warehouse staff
Better decision-making from real-time inventory data

Warehouse Insight is built from the ground up to work seamlessly with Business Central, delivering a powerful upgrade that provides immediate value—especially in busy or high-volume environments.

Ready to Eliminate Errors and Gain Control?

If you’re still relying on paper pick lists or manually keyed inventory data, you’re leaving room for mistakes. Barcode scanning with Warehouse Insight fills those gaps—and provides you with complete visibility into your warehouse operations.

Improve your warehouse accuracy with Warehouse Insight—visit https://WMSforDynamics.com or connect with your Microsoft Partner to learn more.

Get Started with Warehouse Insight

How TDL Canada Scaled with Business Central: From Legacy ERP to 3x Order Throughput

Insight Works — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 22:59:04 +0000

In this episode, Emma and Ryan walk through how TDL replaced outdated tech with a modern ecosystem built around Business Central, Insight Works apps, and TrueCommerce—and what that meant for the people using it every day.

→ Less guesswork, more clarity

Staff moved from spreadsheets and paper to live inventory tracking with handheld scanners. No more lag. No more double entry.

→ Fewer clicks, faster shipping

With shipping tools built right into the ERP, the team stopped jumping between systems. Rate shopping, label printing, and customer updates all happened in one place.

→ Scaled without the stress

TDL tripled order volume from 6,100 to 19,000 per month without overwhelming their team. A phased rollout and early training kept momentum high while keeping the transition smooth. The right tools made real growth feel manageable.

🎧 Catch the full episode

How to Reduce Purchasing Errors with Vendor Planning Insights in Business Central

Insight Works — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:13:59 +0000

When your purchasing decisions depend on vendor-specific rules—like minimum order quantities, prepaid freight thresholds, or discount tiers—the margin for error increases fast. Missing a minimum by a few dollars or pounds can mean extra shipping charges. Overordering to hit a threshold can inflate inventory costs.

The challenge? Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central’s standard tools don’t make it easy to manage vendor-driven purchasing rules. Purchasers often rely on manual tracking, spreadsheets, or tribal knowledge—none scale well.

The Enhanced Planning Worksheet app from Insight Works changes that. This free app (for one user) brings real-time vendor planning insights directly into your purchasing workflow inside Business Central, so you reduce errors, save costs, and make more brilliant buys. The Enhanced Planning Worksheet helps align inventory with demand and optimize vendor-driven purchasing, making your procurement process more strategic and efficient.

See Exactly Where You Stand with Each Vendor

The Enhanced Planning Worksheet adds a Vendor Planning Summary that displays your current spending per vendor and compares it to key purchasing thresholds.

You’ll see at a glance:

How much you’re planning to spend
The vendor’s minimum order value
Prepaid freight limits
Discount eligibility

Purchasers can immediately tell whether an order meets the criteria for free shipping or discount pricing—before placing the PO. Without this insight, it’s easy to fall short of thresholds or overbuy based on guesswork. That means unnecessary costs or missed opportunities.

Track Prepaids and Discounts in Real Time

Many suppliers offer prepaid shipping or discounts once your order hits a specific dollar amount or weight. The Enhanced Planning Worksheet tracks those values in real-time as you build your purchase plan.

Optimize vendor prepaids with precise tracking tools that simplify cost management and purchasing thresholds.

You can adjust the plan proactively—adding or adjusting items to meet the target without overordering. These thresholds directly affect your margins. Tracking them inside your planning tool helps you control costs without manual calculations or delayed insights.

Plan at the Vendor Level, Not Just the Item Level

Instead of reacting to item-level suggestions line by line, purchasers use vendor-centric planning views to group and manage orders by supplier.

Assign purchasers to specific vendors and let them:

Review all open needs across items for that vendor
Time orders to hit vendor incentives
Trigger planning actions once you reach thresholds

Purchasers can work more strategically, balancing cost, timing, and fulfillment without chasing down data across systems. Managing vendor relationships is about more than just placing orders. This vendor-first view keeps purchasing aligned with business rules and supplier terms.

Eliminate Guesswork and Manual Tracking

By consolidating vendor requirements, purchasing data, and planning insights into one tool, the Enhanced Planning Worksheet helps eliminate errors caused by:

Misjudging order values
Overlooking freight terms
Missing early payment discounts
Fragmented or out-of-date spreadsheets

You make purchasing decisions based on live data inside Business Central.

Every avoidable purchasing error adds cost, wastes time, or risks your supplier relationship. With the right planning insights, you avoid those pitfalls automatically.

Final Thought: Smarter Vendor Planning Starts Here

You don’t need more spreadsheets, email threads, or side conversations to manage your supplier terms. You need a tool built to track vendor thresholds, purchasing history, and live spending—all inside your existing Business Central environment.

The free Enhanced Planning Worksheet app (for one user) focuses on vendor planning, with real-time visibility and planning tools for distribution and manufacturing environments. As a result, reducing purchasing errors and putting buyers back in control.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ENHANCED PLANNING WORKSHEET

What’s New in Graphical Scheduler v2.0 for Business Central?

Insight Works — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 15:59:01 +0000

The Graphical Scheduler app from Insight Works is a straightforward yet robust tool for visualizing and managing production schedules. Seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central SaaS, the free app enables manufacturers to adjust production timelines easily using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. By replacing manual methods or static spreadsheets, Graphical Scheduler provides a centralized, visual approach to managing shop floor activities—without the complexity of advanced planning tools.

With the release of Graphical Scheduler v2.0, users gain new features that improve the visualization of each workstation, enabling managers and staff to manage production scheduling more effectively. Let’s take a closer look at why Graphical Scheduler remains a popular choice and what’s new in this latest release.

Why Choose Graphical Scheduler?

Choosing the free Graphical Scheduler app gives teams a flexible, visual tool that simplifies day-to-day production scheduling. Here’s why it stands out:

Embedded in Business Central: Works directly within Dynamics 365 Business Central—no third-party integration or data syncing needed.
Drag-and-Drop Simplicity: Adjust production orders directly on-screen without navigating complex interfaces.
Real-Time Scheduling Visibility: View all work and machine centers in one interface for fast, informed decisions.
Customizable Views: Filter and configure views to focus on what matters—by role, department, or timeframe.
Color-Coded Workflows: Use customizable color codes to identify order statuses, bottlenecks, and shifts.
Low Learning Curve: Easy to deploy and quick to learn, making it accessible to planners, supervisors, and shop floor staff.

What’s New in Graphical Scheduler v2.0?

The release of v2.0 brings a host of usability enhancements and visual improvements designed to make scheduling faster, more accurate, and more user-friendly. Here’s what’s new:

Improved Navigation Controls: New zooming, paging, and preset zoom controls are now available on the main action bar to improve efficiency and usability.
Quick Date Presets: User-configurable date and zoom presets on the context menu and main toolbar allow fast switching between different time periods, making it easy to visualize orders of interest.
Enhanced Context Menu: A new right-click menu provides fast access to common actions like centering, zooming, and applying date presets, improving workflow efficiency.
Scrollbar-Free Navigation: Improved zooming and paging make it easier to navigate scheduling data efficiently without having to scroll to find data.
Configurable Working Hours Display: Users can now define how working hours appear in time-based views, improving schedule clarity and aligning displays with actual working times.
Finer Zoom Granularity: A new 15-minute scale level provides a more detailed view of short-duration tasks, enhancing precision in production planning.
Visual Loading Indicator: A new loading icon provides a clear visual cue when the system is processing, reducing uncertainty and improving user experience.
Timestamp Visibility for Mouse Position: A real-time timestamp display provides immediate feedback on time positioning, improving accuracy when planning production operations.
Customizable Data Source Order: The ability to sort data sources improves control over how scheduling data is displayed, helping users prioritize critical information.
More Responsive Double-Click Actions: Double-clicking a cell now instantly opens its details, reducing the number of steps needed to review critical scheduling information.
Filtered Work Center Load Views: Filtering work center loads by production order status helps focus on active work, removing completed orders from capacity calculations to improve planning accuracy.
More Work Center Load Styles: Standardized default styles improve visualization and make it easier to interpret work center load data at a glance.
New Time-Only Fields for Templates: Optional time-only fields ([Start Time] or [End Time]) improve flexibility when formatting templates, making it easier to display just the necessary time details.
Faster Setup Configuration: Streamlined setup reduces configuration time, making it easier for users to get up and running without extensive manual settings.
More Accurate Read-Only Data: Read-only cells are now non-draggable, preventing accidental modifications and ensuring data integrity.
Improved Connection Information: Improved connection lines between closely drawn cells enhances clarity, reducing visual confusion when analyzing schedules.

Upgrade to Graphical Scheduler v2.0 Today

With v2.0, Graphical Scheduler app delivers a more refined scheduling experience that keeps production teams focused, efficient, and informed. Whether you’re updating work center loads, viewing operations in finer detail, or managing shift visibility, this update brings meaningful improvements to managing your shop floor.

To learn more or upgrade to the latest version, visit SchedulerForDynamics.com or contact your Microsoft Partner today.

TDL Canada Modernizes with Dynamics 365 & Insight Works Apps

Insight Works — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:42:44 +0000

How TDL Canada Scaled Fulfillment by 209%

In early 2023, TDL Canada, a leading wholesale distributor of consumer electronics and networking gear, was hindered by an outdated Adagio system and manual warehouse processes. To future-proof their operations and improve efficiency, the company partnered with supply chain experts at LIDD to deploy Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Cloud, enhanced by applications from Insight Works and TrueCommerce.

Strategic Overhaul

The deployment wasn’t just a software upgrade—it was a strategic transformation. LIDD led the implementation of Business Central, Insight Works’ Warehouse Insight and Dynamic Ship apps, and TrueCommerce EDI. These tools created a robust, scalable platform tailored to wholesale distribution’s needs. A mid-project acquisition of Gentek prompted a phased rollout, starting with TDL’s core operations to minimize disruption.

Addressing Longstanding Challenges

TDL faced significant hurdles moving from manual to digital systems. Staff had to unlearn ingrained processes like paper-based order tracking and manual backorder handling. LIDD responded with structured change management and targeted staff training, smoothing the transition and boosting team confidence.

Technology Stack

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central centralized TDL’s data and workflows, eliminating silos and automating core processes.
Warehouse Insight by Insight Works revolutionized warehouse operations through real-time mobile scanning, reducing data entry errors and boosting accuracy. The app ran on both Honeywell CK65 and Datalogic Skorpio X5 devices.
Dynamic Ship by Insight Works streamlined TDL’s shipping by embedding rate shopping, label generation, and shipment tracking directly into Business Central.
TrueCommerce EDI replaced TDL’s old EDI system, enabling faster and more accurate order handling. The new EDI system was live within two months, just in time for the holiday season.

Results That Matter

The upgrade unlocked significant performance gains. TDL increased their December order shipments from 6,146 in 2022 to 19,000 in 2024—a 209% increase.

Operationally, the improvements were clear:

Efficiency: Automation reduced manual entry and sped up fulfillment.
Data Access: Teams gained real-time inventory, sales, and order visibility.
Customer Satisfaction: Faster shipping and better backorder management improved service levels.
Scalability: TDL is now positioned to integrate new business units with minimal disruption.
EDI Optimization: Integrated workflows with Dynamic Ship ensured seamless ASN communication with trading partners.

Moving Forward

According to Lance Tennier, VP of Operations, the transformation didn’t just improve operations—it redefined what TDL could achieve. The company is now equipped to grow, expand, and adapt rapidly in a fast-moving industry.

As TDL integrates Gentek in the next phase, the strategic investment in Microsoft’s ecosystem ensures they can scale effectively, confidently, and without missing a beat.

Additional Information

About Insight Works – www.dmsiworks.com

Insight Works is an Independent Software Vendor (ISV) that caters to the manufacturing and distribution industry. Their product line features a breadth of end-to-end apps that integrate with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. There are apps designed for manufacturing, distribution, shipping, sales, productivity, barcoding, and more. Apps are distributed through partners like Dynamic Aspect.

DEV Community: Insight Works

Warehouse Management for Business Central—Without Breaking the Bank

And Now—WMS Express Just Got Better

Automatic Package IDs

Packages-as-Containers

Smarter Barcode Parsing

Per-Device Options

Speed and Polish

Ready to Supercharge Your Warehouse?

MES Upgrade for Business Central: Insight Works Version 7.14

A Quick Recap: Why Shop Floor Insight?

What’s New in Version 7.14?

Our Commitment to You

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Beyond the Basics: Smarter Planning in Business Central

Beyond the Basics: Smarter Planning in Business Central

What you’ll learn in this demo about Planning in Business Central

Starts with the Enhanced Planning Worksheet

Why it matters:

Planning Worksheet in Business Central: MRP-Driven Inventory Optimization

Understanding Inventory Planning in Business Central

What is the Enhanced Planning Worksheet?

Why Use the Enhanced Planning Worksheet?

How the Enhanced Planning Worksheet Elevates Your Planning

Optimize Your Planning with the Enhanced Planning Worksheet

Real-World Forecasting in Business Central

What you’ll learn in this demo:

Why it matters:

Beyond the Basics: Smarter Planning in Business Central

What you’ll learn in this demo about Planning in Business Central

Starts with the Enhanced Planning Worksheet

Why it matters:

The Hidden Costs of Warehouse Inefficiencies in Business Central—And How to Fix Them

Where Inefficiencies Bleed Your Bottom Line

1. Inventory Inaccuracy

2. Manual Processes

3. Slow Put-Away and Picking

4. Lack of Customization for Unique Workflows

5. Device Configuration Overhead

The Fix: A Real-Time, Barcode-Enabled WMS for Business Central

Final Thoughts

How to Improve Warehouse Accuracy with Barcode Scanning in Business Central

Why Barcode Scanning Matters

Error-Proof Picking and Packing

Inventory Counts That Get It Right the First Time

Easy Setup for Barcode Devices

Customize Scanning Workflows to Fit Your Process

Real-World Payoff: Faster, Smarter, More Accurate Warehousing

Ready to Eliminate Errors and Gain Control?

How TDL Canada Scaled with Business Central: From Legacy ERP to 3x Order Throughput

How to Reduce Purchasing Errors with Vendor Planning Insights in Business Central

See Exactly Where You Stand with Each Vendor

Track Prepaids and Discounts in Real Time

Plan at the Vendor Level, Not Just the Item Level

Eliminate Guesswork and Manual Tracking

Final Thought: Smarter Vendor Planning Starts Here

What’s New in Graphical Scheduler v2.0 for Business Central?

Why Choose Graphical Scheduler?

What’s New in Graphical Scheduler v2.0?

Upgrade to Graphical Scheduler v2.0 Today

TDL Canada Modernizes with Dynamics 365 & Insight Works Apps

How TDL Canada Scaled Fulfillment by 209%

Strategic Overhaul

Addressing Longstanding Challenges

Technology Stack

Results That Matter

Moving Forward

Additional Information

Related links: