What is Microsoft Dynamics NAV?

ERP SYSTEM BY MICROSOFT:

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is or was one of the most popular ERP solutions worldwide. Why “was”? After the system was first known as Navision, Microsoft renamed it Microsoft Dynamics NAV. However, then another renaming took place in 2018, which became known as Dynamics 365 Business Central on the market and still exists today. Over time, Microsoft has optimized its ERP software and increased its offerings. Even though the ERP system is no longer called that today, the name “Dynamics NAV” is still very common. This is also the reason why the ERP solution has proven itself in companies of countless industries as well as sizes and today looks back on a long development. It is an adaptable solution that allows easy upgrade from entry-level accounting software and older ERP systems.

Renamed and improved:

The ERP solution at a glance: Evolution and History.

Basically, Microsoft ERP solution is a software solution that has been improved and enriched in features and deployment options over the past years. So the different names emerged mainly as a result of the ongoing improvements of the ERP system. Thus, the various names emerge mainly as a result of the ongoing improvements of the ERP system. We would like to bring light into the darkness and enlighten you below about the development of Navision, Dynamics NAV and Dynamics 365 Business Central:

Navision

Originally Navision was developed by a Danish company called Navision Software A/S. In 2002, Microsoft took over the Danish manufacturer and integrated Navision into the Microsoft Business Solutions division.

Dynamics NAV

In the further course the umbrella brand Dynamics was created. In the course of this, the ERP solution was renamed Microsoft Dynamics NAV. In addition, the ERP system Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Axapta) was developed for large companies, whereas Navision was aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises.

Dynamics 365 Business Central

This was followed in 2018 by the renaming of Microsoft Dynamics NAV to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, which is still in place today.

Inquired:

How is Dynamics NAV different from Dynamics 365 Business Central?

It’s me again, Theo the technology interpreter!

As it concerns some of our customers, I would like to explain the differences between Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central On-Premise and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Online (Cloud).

 

Criteria Dynamics NAV Dynamics 365 Business Central On-premise Dynamics 365 Business Central Online (Cloud)
Product lifecycle limited (according to Microsoft policy) limited (according to Microsoft policy) unlimited (updates are done automatically)
Acquisition Purchase Purchase, rent/subscription Rent/subscription
Costs license costs, annual maintenance contract, infrastructure costs and possibly personnel costs for an administrator license costs, annual maintenance contract, infrastructure costs and possibly personnel costs for an administrator monthly user fee including license and infrastructure
Operation on own or hosted systems Yes Yes No (management in the Microsoft Public Cloud)
File system total control over the file system total control over the file system no access to the file system (only queries)
Necessity of hardware (e.g. server) Required Required Not required
Variants Full User or Limited User Essentials or Premium Essentials or Premium
SQL Server SQL standard or volume licenses SQL standard or volume licenses (no more runtime licenses) No need for license
Client Windows or Web Client Web Client Web Client
User Concurrent User Named User Named User
Installation necessary (via installation media) necessary (via installation media) not necessary
Development customization by CAL and CSide (developer license required) customization by Microsoft AL and VS Code, but only via apps (developer license required) customization by Microsoft AL and VS Code, but only via apps (no developer license required)
Connection Independent (through local network connection) Independent (through local network connection) Dependent on the Internet
Updates cumulative updates that are performed manually cumulative updates that are performed manually automatic execution
Scalability purchase of additional servers and resources purchase of additional servers and resources optional Azure Services (immediately possible)
Interfaces OData, SOAP, SQL database OData, SOAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central API OData, SOAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central API
prices prices

 

Our question to you:

What would you like to do?

1Dynamics NAV support

You are using Microsoft Dynamics NAV and would like to keep it that way?

Thanks to our experience, we can also provide support for older versions. If you come to us as a partner company and then at some point you are ready to upgrade, we already know your system and are well trained.

But we have to be honest: The day will come when you will not be able to avoid an upgrade. Because Microsoft will eventually discontinue support as well as updates for older versions.

request

2Dynamics NAV optimization

Are you using Microsoft Dynamics NAV and want to improve the system?

We are aware that not every medium-sized business has the financial means to upgrade to Dynamics 365 Business Central right away. And that’s perfectly fine!

Nevertheless, we can improve and “spice up” your system within the limits of what is technically possible. We can add small things or perform small “technical upgrades”.

request

3Dynamics NAV upgrade

Are you using Microsoft Dynamics NAV and looking to upgrade?

Are you ready to leave your aging Dynamics NAV behind to upgrade to a shiny, feature-rich new Dynamics 365 Business Central platform?

Very well! We have successfully gone through this process dozens and dozens of times with many companies, as you can read through our testimonials.

financial benefits

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WHAT OUR

customers say about Dynamics NAV.

Logistics

Thorsten Söth

“Our IT partner anaptis has successfully supported us for years in the further development of our homologation software. Together we continuously optimize our processes and can therefore use the expertise of our employees much more efficiently.”

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Trade

Enno Beith

“From the very beginning we were in good hands with the anaptis staff. We always felt that our problems and requirements were understood and appropriate, proactive solutions were proposed.”

Fleischerdienst Braunschweig
Trade

Michael Angenendt

“The investment was necessary and we expect synergy potential in the medium and long term. NAV is an excellent tool with which the areas of CRM, controlling, logistics and purchasing can be managed very well. We hope that we will be able to react faster to changes in the market in the future and will always be one step ahead of the competition in terms of efficiency and innovations.”

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Requested:

FAQ about Dynamics NAV.

  • What are the key differences between Dynamics NAV and Dynamics 365 Business Central?

    Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is functional Dynamics NAV. Nevertheless, there are some differences:

    Price model
    In Dynamics NAV there was still the Starter or Extended Pack. In Dynamics 365 Business Central, a distinction is made between the Essentials and Premium Packs. There is also the Team Members Option, which can be added to both Essentials and Premium.

    Client
    For Dynamics NAV you could choose between Web client and Windows client. For Dynamics 365 Business Central there is only the Web client as user interface.

    Programming language
    The programming language of Dynamics NAV is C/Side CAL (until 2020). The programming language of Dynamics 365 Business Central is Visual Studio Code.

    Further information:
    See our detailed comparison on our product page.

  • Is Dynamics NAV no longer available?

    Since 2018, the ERP product line has been continued under the name Dynamics 365 Business Central – instead of Microsoft Dynamics NAV including the year.

    This name change is primarily due to Microsoft’s focus on the cloud. But we can give the all-clear: It is “cloud first, but not cloud only”. The solution will continue to be available as a purchased license within the company (on-premise).

  • Is Dynamics NAV still supported?

    Even though the ERP solution Microsoft Dynamics NAV has been replaced by the solution Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, we still support our existing customers in older versions.

  • Is it possible to switch to anaptis with an existing Dynamics NAV instance?

    Of course. You can find all the information you need on our partner change page.

  • How would an upgrade from Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central work?

    All information about upgrading from Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central can be found on our upgrade page.

What can we do for you?

We advise you on all aspects of Dynamics NAV.

Get to know us personally! We will be happy to advise you on any questions you may have about Dynamics NAV. Just contact us and tell us how we can help you.

  • Support for Dynamics NAV
  • Upgrade to Dynamics 365 Business Central
  • Change of partner

We are looking forward to your request!

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