Microsoft Dynamics NAV was Microsoft's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution for the SMB market. As their most successful business management software, with a range of functionality including finance, sales, warehousing, manufacturing and service management.
In 2018, the product went through a big transformation, modernising the platform to allow for future technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and integration with the other Microsoft business tools. This transformation came with a new brand - Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Dynamics NAV, formerly Navision, went through a big change in 2018. This change included a rebrand to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a family of business management software solutions that includes everything from ERP, sales, marketing and HR. As a family it covers tools for everything from SMB solutions to large Enterprise platforms (find out about them here).
Dynamics NAV is now out of mainstream support, which means that you only have access to extended support updates (essentially limited to security updates) as per the Fixed Lifestyle Policy. Long-term this leaves you at risk on functionality, such as new legislation functionality. Here we will look at your different options with your Microsoft Dynamics NAV system.
Get helpful and friendly Microsoft Dynamics NAV support in the UK from the experts. We know that the time and money for new systems needs to be planned. Whilst you are running your system, you still need expert support, and our experienced team are able to help you with legacy Dynamics NAV systems. If you require any changes to your existing system, we will be able to then provide any consultancy and development services.
Want to upgrade to the latest version of the software - Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central? Contact our team to talk about your licenses, upgrade vs implementation and what is different/new.
Dynamics NAV has a history that starts in the early 80's as Navision and has a future with its latest name; Business Central. Furthermore, because the product is owned by the Global software company Microsoft, the research and development (R&D) program will ensure that you have market leading technology, with Microsoft spending billions of dollars annually on product development for what was known as NAV.
The importance of choosing a product for the right price and functionality comes naturally, however something that is often forgotten is the longevity of the product. With a major purchase such as with an ERP system you need to be sure that the product has not only an exemplary reputation but a roadmap in to the foreseeable future, to make sure that you are both supported and have the latest technologies available to you.
In 1983 PC&C was founded providing character based accounting solutions and four years later in 1987 the Navision product was launched. The product grew and in 1995 Navision Financials 1.0 was launched based on the Microsoft windows 32-bit client/server platform. From here onwards, Navision went through several mergers with other products, increasing functionality including multicurrency, manufacturing functionality, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) etc.
In 2002 Microsoft purchased Navision and along side Great Plains (now GP) the Microsoft Business Solutions suite of products was created. Microsoft Business Solutions would change to Microsoft Dynamics in 2005 with a rebrand of Navision to Dynamics NAV. From here Microsoft started massive R&D projects and added functionality such as an enhanced Job suite with the release of NAV 5.0. With the next release, NAV 2009, Microsoft released the new Role Tailored Client (RTC), as well as Role Tailored Reports. With 2009 R2 Microsoft included the ability to integrate NAV with Dynamics CRM.
The release of Dynamics NAV 2013 was a landmark not only for the Microsoft product but in the ERP world in general. With an easy to use interface with the familiar look and feel of the Microsoft Office products, as well as integration with these products including Excel and Word, NAV 2013 provides a product that is technically advanced as well as user friendly.
Offering a flexibility for companies like no other software package, NAV became a product that could be moulded for the customer needs. This was not just a change in how the product looks, but also an increase in functionality, including Bank Reconciliation, multi-tenancy and cash management.
Microsoft invested in Dynamics NAV and the full suite of Business products that would traditionally be associated with ERP. The three main Dynamics Products as they were, NAV (for SMB), AX (for Enterprise) and CRM (Sales and Service) covered the overall requirements of the market and were brought under a new brand, Dynamics 365.
Under this umbrella, Microsoft expanded the offering. NAV was rebranded to Business Central, and AX was split into Finance and Operations. CRM was split into Customer Service and Sales. The modular approach for the enterprise products allowed Microsoft to expand the capabilities, and the Dynamics 365 family grew to include a range of functionality - Customer Insights, Commerce, Field Service, etc. These are generally aimed at the AX market, however the NAV/Business Central market can often make use of them due to standardised integrations.
Dynamics 365 Business Central is a comprehensive business management solution designed by Microsoft to help businesses manage their operations seamlessly across finance, sales, service, and operations from a single cloud-enabled platform. It integrates deeply with other Microsoft services like Office 365 and provides capabilities for businesses to adapt, modify, and extend their processes.
Dynamics 365 Business Central is an all-in-one ERP solution that integrates all core business functions into one solution, whereas other Dynamics 365 applications might focus on specific aspects of business management such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) or Field Service. Business Central provides extensive functionalities that cover everything from financial management to complex project management and supply chain operations.
Yes, Dynamics Business Central is highly customisable and adaptable to a wide range of industries. Whether you operate in manufacturing, retail, service, or any other industry, Business Central can be tailored to meet your specific operational needs. Dynamics Consultants can help customise and configure the solution to ensure it aligns with your business processes and industry requirements.
Dynamics 365 Business Central offers several licensing options to suit different business needs and sizes:
Migrating to Dynamics 365 Business Central involves several key steps, including data migration, system customisation, and user training. Dynamics Consultants offers a comprehensive migration service that includes a detailed assessment of your current system, planning the migration process, executing the data transfer, and ensuring all functionalities are properly configured.
Dynamics Consultants provides a range of training options to help your team get up to speed with Business Central, including:
Yes, Dynamics Consultants offers ongoing support and maintenance services to ensure your Business Central implementation continues to operate effectively and efficiently. Our support services include troubleshooting, regular updates, and a dedicated helpdesk available to assist with any queries or issues you may encounter.
Dynamics 365 Business Central offers seamless integration with a wide range of Microsoft products, enhancing productivity and user experience. This includes direct integrations with Office 365 for document management and collaboration, Power BI for advanced analytics and reporting, and Microsoft Azure for robust cloud hosting and services.
Yes, Dynamics 365 Business Central is fully accessible on mobile devices through a mobile app available on iOS, Android, and Windows phones. The app enables you to access and manage business operations from anywhere, ensuring you can stay connected and responsive no matter where you are.
Dynamics 365 Business Central is built on Microsoft Azure, which provides extensive security measures including data encryption, secure network connectivity, and compliance with global privacy standards such as GDPR. Additionally, Business Central includes built-in privacy and security protocols to protect your business data.
To get started with Dynamics 365 Business Central, you can contact Dynamics Consultants for a detailed consultation. Our team will assess your business needs, provide a demo of Business Central, and discuss the best implementation strategy tailored to your business.