For project-based businesses, 2026 is not a topic for the future, but a decisive year. Margins are getting tighter, projects are becoming more complex, and transparency determines whether a project generates profit or quietly burns through money. Microsoft is responding precisely to this pressure: Dynamics 365 is evolving away from purely managing projects towards systems that provide early warnings, recognise connections and actively provide support.
For project-oriented companies, this means that those who ignore 2026 will not miss a release, but rather a structural change. Planning, controlling, sales and execution are growing closer together in technical and professional terms. This is precisely where the difference between reactive project management and genuine control over time, costs and results arises.
Business Central 2026: Project management becomes forward-looking
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central remains the financial and operational backbone of many project-based companies. The decisive change lies not in individual functions, but in the way projects are managed.
Instead of evaluating projects retrospectively, the focus is on ongoing transparency. Costs, revenues, budgets and deviations become visible during the project period. Purchase receipts, external services and internal expenses have a direct impact on project results and liquidity.
This approach is supported by co-pilot functions that provide information on unusual developments, explain correlations and highlight risks at an early stage. Business Central is thus evolving from an accounting system into an active management tool.
Dynamics 365 Sales: Project sales do not end with the order
In project business in particular, many problems arise before the project even begins. Dynamics 365 Sales addresses this critical phase. Quotations, calculation logic and customer requirements are retained and incorporated into the project implementation in a structured manner.
Forecasts become more realistic as they are more closely linked to capacities and empirical values. Copilot supports sales with summaries, risk warnings and clear next steps.
The Power Platform: The real lever for project companies
The Power Platform connects ERP, CRM, project teams and external systems. Power Automate controls approvals, Power Apps enables project-related applications, Power BI provides real-time insights and Copilot Studio allows role-based AI assistants.
CX Scheduler: Planning and resource management where projects are decided
CX Scheduler extends Business Central with graphical planning and resource management. All projects, tasks and orders are displayed in a central planning board. Resources can be planned using drag-and-drop, and capacities are visible in real time.
Tasks can be transferred directly to Microsoft Teams. Planned activities end up where teams work. Planning and implementation remain closely interlinked.
Copilot: Early warning system instead of post-calculation
Copilot analyses ongoing project data, identifies deviations and supports informed decisions.
2026 marks a strategic turning point for project companies. Business Central, Sales, Power Platform and CX Scheduler form an integrated system for successful project management.