Navision is the original ERP system for Microsoft Dynamics NAV.  More specifically, Microsoft “Navision” was the name of a Danish accounting package that was founded in 1983 in which Microsoft acquired in 2002.  Microsoft has 4 business management systems that are part of a category of “Enterprise Resource Planning” systems or ERP that are designed to connect many different business units under one system.  Microsoft “Navision” has had several name changes over time including “Navision Financials”, “Navision Solutions”, “Navision Attain”, and “Microsoft Business Solutions”.  In 2005, Microsoft re-branded this ERP product and called it “Microsoft Dynamics NAV”.  People call this system “NAV” as it one word, however, the correct terminology is spelling out the words “N, A, V”.  Frequently, users today, still call it “Navision”, though.

Enterprise Software, like Microsoft Dynamics NAV, are designed to handle the complex inter workings of a company’s financials, inventory, warehousing, sales, purchases, manufacturing, ect. under one system to streamline supply chain operations and get a much better idea of trends and business data through advanced detailed reporting.

Through its history, Dynamics NAV, has been released with many editions to help gain access to this vital business intelligence and to make it both easy-to-use and customizable to adapt to an organizations unique business needs.

Improvements have been made to NAV along the following areas just discussed:

Business Intelligence:  By utilizing a robust data base, such as Microsoft SQL reporting service, business data can be generated and shared for analysis across the enterprise.  The latest version include a connection as part of the ERP solution to Power BI (Business Intelligence), which is a Microsoft business analytics service.  More specifically, Power BI is a collection or suite of business information and analytics tools to both share insight within the organization and analyze data.   There are different options to access this information such as PowerBI Desktop and the Power BI Mobile App. As part of this information analysis includes data retrieved from SQL and data collected from other sources.

User Interface:  A “RoleTailored” User interface was introduced in 2008 to increase productivity by having employees log onto their user interface screens that corresponds with their work title to access task that are most relevant to their position.  There are 21 "out-of-the" box roles such as Accounting Manager, Bookkeeper, IT Manager, Machine Operator, President, Purchasing Manager and Sales Manager to give some examples.  All of these RoleTailored Client or RTC roles are customizable and new roles can be added in addition.

Customization:  Also in 2008, part of the RoleTailored Client user interface design was part of a new ERP architecture called the Three-Tier Graphical User Interface or “GUI”. In this configuration, the data resides in the SQL data base (called the Data Tier), and the top tier accounts for the RTC User Interface called the Client Tier.  The middle tier, is called just that or sometimes the Server Tier.  This Middle Tier is a multi-tiered environment that is designed to host and execute all the business logic and makes a significant departure from the previous 2-tier ERP architecture. Having this additional layer makes NAV more scalable and customizable with the addition of NAV’s Web Services which makes it easy for other authorized programs and systems to Integrate and tailor the ERP solution to meet the unique requirements of each business.

Collaboration:  Latest improvements with Dynamics NAV "Navision" increasing include the ability to share vital information across the enterprise for better decision making. and knowledge sharing.  This is accomplished through better business intelligence such as PowerBI that was discussed earlier, and other Microsoft connected applications such as Microsoft CRM (now called Dynamics 365 for Sales) Office 365 and PowerApps which are individual, unique business functionality used to connection information without the need of custom software development.   This tight integration with other useful business applications enhances Dynamics NAV's ability to easily allow the accessibly of relevant and actionable information.

New Versions:  Microsoft Dynamics NAV continues to be updated and released on a more frequently basic.  The current version is called Dynamics NAV 2018 and has improvements in financial management, document management, enhanced business insights, expanded cloud connectivity with other cloud-based services, plus deeper integration with other Microsoft applications. This solutions can be deployed either On Premise or In-The-Cloud.

The latest ERP release is now taking the Microsoft Dynamics NAV information, along with enhancements, to a new Cloud ERP deployment and is called Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.  Business Central is a cloud solution built on the rich functionality within Microsoft Dynamics NAV and adaptable to extend business applications to other Microsoft Cloud Services such as Office 365, Microsoft Flow, Power BI and PowerApps. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Solution can grow as your business requirements change while taking advantage of the the latest technology-a modern digital business management solution.

Learn more about Microsoft Dynamics “Navision” NAV:

Posted by iCepts Technology Group, Inc. A Microsoft Dynamics NAV "Navision" partner in Pennsylvania