Introduction to Microsoft Dynamics NAV
What is Microsoft Dynamics NAV? It is Microsoft's ERP, one of the most widely used business management platforms in the world, with more than 30 years of history and more than 200,000 customers around the world, due to its ease of use and adaptability to any sector of activity (projects, hospitals, industry, distribution...).
The Microsoft Dynamics NAV program offers all the features that a company needs from an ERP, making it the perfect choice for those small and medium-sized companies that want to streamline and automate their main processes (accounting, purchasing, sales, warehouse...).
In short, it is an ERP that is part of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 family composed of several modules that cover the main management needs that an SME usually has.
Versions of Microsoft Dynamics NAV
The journey of Microsoft Dynamics NAV is long, its beginnings date back to the 80s, when a Danish company developed Navegator, a simple program that was able to keep the accounting and billing of businesses.
It was in 1995 when the ERP began to evolve, going through several names and versions: Navision Financials, Navision Attain, Microsoft Business Solutions Navision, Microsoft Dynamics NAV (4.0, 5.0, 2009, 2013, 2013 R2, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. It was in 2018 when the version of the business management software we know today was released - Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Difference between Microsoft Dynamics NAV and AX
Both ERPs offer specific functionalities for each industry (distribution, retail, services, manufacturing...), can be used in multiple languages and currencies, and can be adapted to the regulations of each country. The main difference is that each system is designed for different types of companies. Therefore, the decision between one or the other will depend on the type, size, complexity of its activity, strategies and objectives of each organization.
NAV
What is Microsoft Dynamics NAV? It is Microsoft's ERP, one of the most widely used business management platforms in the world, with more than 30 years of history and more than 200,000 customers around the world, due to its ease of use and adaptability to any sector of activity (projects, hospitals, industry, distribution...).
The Microsoft Dynamics NAV program offers all the features that a company needs from an ERP, making it the perfect choice for those small and medium-sized companies that want to streamline and automate their main processes (accounting, purchasing, sales, warehouse...).
In short, it is an ERP that is part of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 family composed of several modules that cover the main management needs that an SME usually has.
Versions of Microsoft Dynamics NAV
The journey of Microsoft Dynamics NAV is long, its beginnings date back to the 80s, when a Danish company developed Navegator, a simple program that was able to keep the accounting and billing of businesses.
It was in 1995 when the ERP began to evolve, going through several names and versions: Navision Financials, Navision Attain, Microsoft Business Solutions Navision, Microsoft Dynamics NAV (4.0, 5.0, 2009, 2013, 2013 R2, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. It was in 2018 when the version of the business management software we know today was released - Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Difference between Microsoft Dynamics NAV and AX
Both ERPs offer specific functionalities for each industry (distribution, retail, services, manufacturing...), can be used in multiple languages and currencies, and can be adapted to the regulations of each country. The main difference is that each system is designed for different types of companies. Therefore, the decision between one or the other will depend on the type, size, complexity of its activity, strategies and objectives of each organization.
NAV
- Oriented to SMEs with a certain international presence.
- Easier implementation
- Fewer options than Ax (e.g. less functionalities for production control)
AX
- Oriented to large companies with wide international presence
- More complex implementation (in terms of time and resources)
- More options than NAV (e.g. control of large production lines).
Microsoft Dynamics NAV functional modules
How does Dynamics NAV work? This business management software works through different modules that are based on user roles. This means that each user using the system will be assigned a role (from operators to managers), and will be able to share key data and information with other areas of the company.
Below you can see the ERP modules and some of their main functionalities:
Financial management
How does Dynamics NAV work? This business management software works through different modules that are based on user roles. This means that each user using the system will be assigned a role (from operators to managers), and will be able to share key data and information with other areas of the company.
Below you can see the ERP modules and some of their main functionalities:
Financial management
- Bank reconciliation
- Fixed asset management
- Receivables and payments management
- Monthly/annual closings
Sales and service management
- Invoicing
- Quotation generation
- Contact management
- Payment processing
Supply chain management
- Purchasing and inventory control
- Shipping and distribution
- Returns and cancellations
- Procurement and supplier management
Operations Management
- Production planning
- Manufacturing capacity
- Forecasting
- Warehouse management
Project management
- Budgeting and estimating
- Resource management
- Project and process costing
- Capacity planning
Reporting and analysis
- Customer information
- Self-service reporting
- Interactive dashboards
- Integrated intelligence
Benefits and disadvantages of
Microsoft Dynamics NAV
Some of the advantages offered by the reference business management system are:
Microsoft Dynamics NAV reviews
From its launch until today, Dynamics NAV has been positioning itself as one of the most used management systems by companies around the world. Some data that demonstrate its great acceptance are:
One of the questions that will be going around in your head will be: How much does Microsoft Dynamics NAV cost? Well, before its name change in 2018, there were two licensing options - Starter Pack and Extended Pack. Currently, the prices and licensing system have changed. Let's take a look at the options for purchasing it:
*To know the price of other license modalities, please contact us.
Some of the advantages offered by the reference business management system are:
- Constant periodic updates
- Extensive capabilities and integration alternatives with other Microsoft and third-party solutions.
- Great flexibility and adaptability to the specific needs of each business.
- Very intuitive and easy to learn to use tool
- Multi-language and multi-currency support
- An innovative management solution that is easy to implement and maintain
Microsoft Dynamics NAV reviews
From its launch until today, Dynamics NAV has been positioning itself as one of the most used management systems by companies around the world. Some data that demonstrate its great acceptance are:
- More than 33 years of history
- More than 220,000 SMEs use it worldwide, 12,000 in Spain.
- Present in 155 countries
- More than 3.3 million users
Cost of Microsoft Dynamics NAV licenses
One of the questions that will be going around in your head will be: How much does Microsoft Dynamics NAV cost? Well, before its name change in 2018, there were two licensing options - Starter Pack and Extended Pack. Currently, the prices and licensing system have changed. Let's take a look at the options for purchasing it:
- Subscription (SaaS): consists of paying a monthly fee for the use of the license.
- Purchase (On Premise): it is based on making a single payment for the unlimited use of the software.
*To know the price of other license modalities, please contact us.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP Implementation
Any implementation process requires a previous plan from the company. In addition, if you are wondering how long it will take to implement Microsoft Dynamics NAV, you should know that it will depend on several factors such as: the size of your company, the specifics of your business and the number of users that will use the ERP system.
Despite taking all this into account, here are some tips that you should appreciate to make the implementation a success:
Now that you know everything you need to take into account for a successful ERP implementation, you should choose a consulting company to take charge of the project. Before making a decision, we recommend that you ask yourself the following questions:
We hope that this Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP manual has been of great help to you and that you have been able to solve all your doubts. If not, we will be happy to help you with anything you need: a demo, more information, even video tutorials of the new version of Dynamics NAV and its functional areas (commercial management, treasury, manufacturing, analytics...) Just fill out the form you will find in this post and we will contact you!
Any implementation process requires a previous plan from the company. In addition, if you are wondering how long it will take to implement Microsoft Dynamics NAV, you should know that it will depend on several factors such as: the size of your company, the specifics of your business and the number of users that will use the ERP system.
Despite taking all this into account, here are some tips that you should appreciate to make the implementation a success:
- Prepare an implementation plan. Organize a meeting (or several) with your team to establish those processes that need improvement and evaluate how these changes will affect the daily performance of the company.
- Establish the best way to automate tasks and processes. Review the ERP software's functionality in detail and familiarize your team with it.
- Check data integrity and accuracy. Ensure that the data to be transferred to the new system is accurate, always maintaining continuous communication with all parties involved in the process.
- Train your team. Make sure that the staff that will be using the software knows how to get the most out of it. It may be a good option for them to practice with a test database beforehand.
- After implementation, evaluate the results. Carry out periodic audits to check that the solution is meeting your expectations and previously defined objectives.
Now that you know everything you need to take into account for a successful ERP implementation, you should choose a consulting company to take charge of the project. Before making a decision, we recommend that you ask yourself the following questions:
- Are they certified in Microsoft Dynamics NAV?
- Have they previously carried out implementation projects in companies like yours?
- What is their work methodology?
- Are their offices close to yours?
We hope that this Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP manual has been of great help to you and that you have been able to solve all your doubts. If not, we will be happy to help you with anything you need: a demo, more information, even video tutorials of the new version of Dynamics NAV and its functional areas (commercial management, treasury, manufacturing, analytics...) Just fill out the form you will find in this post and we will contact you!