Microsoft Dynamics NAV

What is Microsoft Dynamics NAV?

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is formerly known as Microsoft Navision. Microsoft Dynamics NAV is one of Microsoft’s flagships in its Microsoft Dynamics suite, and competes in the ERP range of products in the market. Microsoft Dynamics NAV’s other well-known siblings in the ERP market:

  • Microsoft Dynamics AX: Formerly known as Microsoft Axapta. Microsoft Dynamics AX is a global solution to serve enterprises in industry specific and operational business processes. Microsoft Dynamics AX allows you to manage functional areas such as: financial management, human capital management, manufacturing, supply chain management, project management, accounting retail, business intelligence (BI) and reporting. Click here for mor info.
  • Microsoft Dynamics GP: Formerly known as Microsoft Great Plains. Microsoft Dynamics GP is competing in the ERP space providing management for functional areas in finance, distribution, payroll and HR as part of its Starter Pack. An Extended Pack is available to provide additional functional areas for manufacturing, warehousing and professional services. Click here for more information.
  • Microsoft Dynamics SL: Microsoft Dynamics SL is focused for companies that require project-driven accounting in their organization. Click here for mor information.

We will look at Microsoft Dynamics NAV’s capabilities later on in this article.

What is ERP?

ERP is an industry wide acronym for Enterprise Resource Planning. So what does really mean? ERP is cross-functional enterprise system that is mainly driven by an integrated suite of software based modules (functional areas) that supports the daily basic internal business processes. ERP’s aim is to give an organization a real-time view of business processes in terms of procurement, order processing, inventory management, production, etc. From a resource perspective ERP will help you manage cash, raw materials, production capacity, etc.

What does Microsoft Dynamics NAV bring to the table?

Microsoft Dynamics NAV consist of a number of functional areas such as:

  • Financial Management
  • Cash Management (Bank)
  • Accounts Receivable (AR) / Sales & Receivables (S&R)
  • Accounts Payable (AP) / Purchases and Payables (P&P)
  • Manufacturing
  • Service Management
  • Job & Resource Management
  • Basic CRM capabilities (this include contact management, campaigns and segmentation)
  • Basic HR capabilities

Read more on the Microsoft Dynamics website here.