Olof Simren | Business Central Manufacturing Expert

My name is Olof Simren, and I am the owner of Naviona, a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central consulting firm specializing in manufacturing and process manufacturing companies. I have been implementing Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Business Central since 2002 and have helped manufacturers improve production planning, inventory management, quality control, traceability, and operational efficiency.

Through this blog, I share practical insights, implementation experiences, product reviews, and technical solutions related to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. My goal is to help manufacturers get more value from their ERP investment and to share lessons learned from real-world implementations.

20+ Years of Business Central Experience

I started working with Microsoft Dynamics NAV in 2002, when the product was still known as Navision Attain. Over the years I have participated in implementations across multiple industries, countries, and business models, serving in roles ranging from consultant and solution architect to project manager, trainer, and developer.

My experience covers the entire Business Central lifecycle, including:

• ERP strategy and selection
• Business process analysis
• Solution design
• Manufacturing process optimization
• Custom application development
• Data migration
• User training
• Project management
• Post go-live support

Manufacturing ERP Expertise

Manufacturing has been the common theme throughout nearly every ERP implementation I have worked on. Over two decades of projects have given me extensive experience helping manufacturers solve challenges involving production planning, material requirements planning (MRP), inventory control, warehouse operations, and supply chain visibility.

Areas of expertise include:

• Production Orders
• Material Requirements Planning (MRP)
• Capacity Planning
• Production Scheduling
• Inventory Management
• Warehouse Management
• Item Tracking
• Lot Traceability
• Quality Management
• Supply Chain Optimization
• Cost Accounting
• Manufacturing Analytics

Process Manufacturing Specializations

In addition to traditional manufacturing, I have significant experience implementing ERP solutions for process manufacturing organizations.

Process manufacturers often have unique requirements involving lot-controlled inventory, formulas, quality inspections, batch production, genealogy tracking, compliance reporting, and traceability. These requirements frequently go beyond standard ERP functionality and require a deep understanding of both manufacturing operations and Business Central capabilities.

Industries I work with include:

Plastics Manufacturing

• Resin lot traceability
• Regrind tracking
• Color and additive management
• Production scheduling
• Quality inspections
• Inventory control

Chemical Manufacturing

• Formula management
• Batch production
• Quality assurance
• Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
• Lot genealogy
• Shelf-life management

Specialty Metals Manufacturing

• Chemical composition tracking and balancing
• Heat number traceability
• Raw material tracking
• Yield analysis
• Production costing
• Inventory management
• Compliance reporting

Business Central Apps and Innovations

I enjoy developing practical solutions that solve real-world business challenges.

Over the years I have created several Business Central applications and tools, including solutions for document management, inventory analysis, planning optimization, and Microsoft Copilot integration. I regularly explore new technologies and approaches that help manufacturers become more productive and make better business decisions.

Recent areas of focus include:

• Microsoft Copilot for Business Central
• AI-powered inventory analysis
• Planning Worksheet enhancements
• Configuration auditing
• Manufacturing automation
• Productivity tools for ERP users

You can also find several of my applications published through Microsoft AppSource.

Author, Speaker, and Industry Contributor

This blog serves as a place where I share implementation experiences, best practices, technical discoveries, and lessons learned from working with Business Central.

Topics frequently covered include:

• Manufacturing ERP
• Process Manufacturing
• Business Central Development
• Inventory Management
• Production Planning
• Quality Management
• Warehouse Operations
• Microsoft Copilot
• Artificial Intelligence in ERP

I believe the best ERP knowledge comes from real-world experience, and I strive to make the content here practical, actionable, and useful for both business users and consultants.

About Naviona

I work through Naviona, a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central consulting firm focused on helping manufacturers improve their operations through modern ERP solutions.

Naviona specializes in:

• Business Central Implementations
• Manufacturing ERP Solutions
• Process Manufacturing Solutions
• ERP JumpStart Implementations
• Business Central Development
• System Integrations
• Copilot and AI Solutions
• Ongoing ERP Support

Our goal is simple: help manufacturers improve efficiency, gain visibility into their operations, and build a stronger foundation for growth.

Connect With Me

If you would like to discuss Business Central, manufacturing ERP, process manufacturing, or any of the topics covered on this site, feel free to connect with me.

• LinkedIn
• Naviona
• Microsoft AppSource
• Contact Page