ERP Navision – Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP Software Review
In 2000, Navision Software merged with Damgaard to form Navision Damgaard A/S, later renamed Navision A/S. Microsoft took over this company and launched the ERP solution under the Microsoft Dynamics NAV brand in 2005. In addition to Dynamics NAV, Microsoft has three other ERP solutions GP, SL and AX and a CRM solution. Microsoft undertook an ambitious project to unify the four ERP solutions to provide a single compact solution that was recently canceled due to disappointing results, now Microsoft is supporting and improving all four solutions.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP is more suitable for the wholesale and distribution industry that needs industry-specific solutions for efficient work. For the distribution industry, it comes loaded with the latest features like item tracking and automated data capture system. It is also suitable for companies in cross-border business with facilities to handle multi-currency transactions, multi-language support and financial management features for data consolidation from different divisions and subsidiaries.
Business Analytics for Navision ERP supports online analytical processing services with interactive graphical representation of key performance indicators and market trends and patterns. The Navision ERP software system administration application provides the ability to design forms, customize access to menus and other functionality according to roles and responsibility, it also allows the administrator to specify access rights for subsidiaries and employees for smooth operation and data security. Even Internet access can be monitored by the administrator.
It uses SQL server as its database, but it can also work with a native database server called classic; however, SQL is more capable of handling large data and comes with advanced features for writing procedures. Navision ERP comes with a suite of solutions that is to enhance its capabilities and applications can be written in Pascal-like language, this makes Navision ERP easily customizable software. There is no need for separate procedures to handle the database, the application itself can handle the interface and the database, reducing customization time compared to other ERP solutions.
In addition to distribution and wholesale, this ERP product from the Microsoft family has features for financial management, human capital management, supply chain management, supply chain analytics, customer relations, e-commerce, manufacturing, and flexible reporting and analysis tools. These features make it a complete ERP solution suitable for medium-sized companies. Navision ERP comes with cheaper license offers compared to other ERP software with similar features and installations. Its scalability has also been appreciated by its users and it can grow according to the growing needs of the organization, updates are supported by Microsoft.
Like other Microsoft ERP solutions, Navision is also tightly integrated with other Microsoft products such as MS-Office and Excel, making it easy to use. In addition, Navision ERP easily integrates with other non-Microsoft products and popular software that companies commonly use for specific solutions. Microsoft provides vertical solutions to many industries through its other products, Navision ERP’s seamless and easy connectivity with such products now and in the future also makes it more useful than other ERP’s.