Was Ist Microsoft Dynamics Navision?

Managing an online shop is a demanding task and the bigger your business is, the more difficult it is to control everything. From your own employees in the warehouse or customer service to companies and partners responsible for logistics, supply or other outsourcing services. With a business planning or ERP system, this is clear.ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning - is an adaptive management software for companies of all sizes.

It makes it possible to centralise all data from different departments in a single system. The implementation of an ERP system enables, among other things, the standardisation and protection of data, the automation of processes and reports and the management of information in a fully integrated system. The best-known ERP management solution that successfully manages all these processes is Microsoft Navision.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision) is an advanced ERP solution for SMEs (the former name of Dynamics 365 Business Central) from a leading global software manufacturer. Dynamics 365 Business Central was acquired by Microsoft.

The software is now recognised as one of the most popular management systems in the world and is used in over 120,000 companies in more than 165 countries.what is Navision? What is it used for? The software covers all aspects of company activities and enables users to quickly increase business efficiency, control current business processes and improve business co-operation with customers and partners.

The system is designed for companies that want to comprehensively understand and influence the processes taking place in their organisation.

Where can it be used? The answers to these questions are now available.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a complex system. It was developed to automate all types of economic activities of a company, which are the main functional areas of the system:

• Financial management(FM)
• Supply-Chain-Management (SCM)
• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• Production management
• Accounting
• Sales and marketing
• Project management
• Personalmanagement(HRM)
• Electronic commerce

Structure and modules of Microsoft Navision ERP

Navision System has a modular structure, which facilitates its adaptation to individual needs and various industry solutions. As the modules are networked with each other, smooth operation is guaranteed. This means that warehousing and logistics problems can be solved in one software system, and this structure is advantageous. The integration of different systems can be avoided. There is no need to enter and collate data several times. If the ERP solution is fully integrated, work in different departments is made easier. After purchase, the standard software should be adapted to the specific requirements of the department. This can be implemented in the C/AL programming language. The structure can change depending on the individual requirements.

Detailed overview of functions

Microsoft Dynamics NAV offers a wide range of functions in all the areas described above:

• Inventory management. This includes: Management of goods turnover, specifications, warehouse operations, replacement goods, order tracking, operational accounting, batch evaluation, evaluation by serial number, etc.
• Warehouse management: warehouse infrastructure management, stock movement, automated data collection system, returns management, warehouse loading control and other options.
• Personnel management. This includes the following functions: Support for shift calendars, staff rosters, personnel changes, timesheets, vacation planning and control, absence orders, etc.
• Customer relationship management. This includes: Segmentation and management of contacts, logging of interactions, commercial offers, classification by industry and other criteria, grouping, integration with Microsoft Office system, etc.
• Financial accounting. In this functional area, the software offers support for various accounting models, multi-currency support, budget and financial planning, cash flow management, liquidity analysis, payment control, bank account management, flexible creation of financial reports and much more.
• Production management. This functional area includes control of capacity utilization, redistribution of tasks among production capacities, capacity limitations, settlement of cost price from subcontracting, differentiated calculation of manufacturing costs, delivery planning, demand anticipation, etc.
• Settlements with customers and suppliers: Debt control, processing orders and invoices, managing prices and discounts, calculating delivery times, processing returns, alternative delivery addresses, processing partial payments, canceling payments by accounts and others.
• Project management: flexible plans and budgets for different types of projects, detailed planning of tasks and necessary resources, management of price and labor costs for projects, billing of additional costs, etc.

The advantages of the Navision solution

Microsoft Dynamics NAV has a number of advantages that set it apart from other software solutions:

• Quick and easy implementation. Implementation times range from a few months to a year.
• Maximum compatibility - the software can be linked with other Microsoft applications and with products from other manufacturers.
• Flexible options for adapting the system to the specifics of the company - an open development environment enables you to create an unlimited number of industry-specific and individual solutions. The system can be adapted to your company's needs at any time.
• Scalability - the ability to develop the system along with the development of the business. In the initial phase, only the required functionality is purchased. If there is a need to expand the capabilities of the system, the appropriate functionality can be purchased additionally.
• Wide range of integration options - the system offers options for integration with various software products: Financial, business planning and accounting systems, banking systems, customer relationship management systems, billing systems, etc.
• Regular updates and cost-effective support.

Disadvantages of Navision ERP software

Navision is perfect for small and medium-sized companies and offers a number of positive features as well as some disadvantages:

• You should pay for licensing, implementation, maintenance and training. Adapting the software to specific needs requires extensive configuration.
• As Navision software is based on Microsoft technologies, companies are heavily dependent on Microsoft developments. The functions of the Navision program may differ as a result of changes to Microsoft products.
• Difficulties can arise for people who were previously unfamiliar with ERP systems. You should get used to the user interface of Microsoft Dynamics Navision ERP.
• Updating and upgrading Navision ERP takes time and additional training.
• Special third-party add-ons are required for customization to specific company requirements. This also incurs additional costs.
• The program may not be sufficient for larger companies. A more scalable solution is then needed.

On-premise or cloud solution?

With on-premise implementation, Navision allows you to host the system in your company, on your servers or at another location of your choice.

It is possible with the on-premises solution:

• Reduce costs by using your existing hardware and software.
• Accessible connection to internal systems.
• Local solutions guarantee better stability in terms of performance and availability.

The cloud solution Microsoft Dynamics NAV enables:

• Minimization of initial investment costs, as there is no need to purchase expensive software and hardware.
• Fast and efficient service.
• Effective cash flow management
• Extension of the solution according to your own wishes and requirements.
• Maximizing internal resources.

Why is Navision the best e-commerce ERP software?

MS NAV has proven to be extremely effective for both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large e-commerce companies. It is a highly flexible, secure and powerful solution that easily adapts to any business and mainly impacts your core business functions.

The implementation of Microsoft Dynamics NAV enables you to:

• Quick use of the ERP system functions;
• Ensuring that employees work effectively in a standardized information environment;
• Strengthening control over the processes taking place in the company;
• Increasing the efficiency and reliability of information procurement for management decisions;
• Providing the company's employees with sufficient information for effective control of trading transactions;
• Improving the quality of work with customers;
• Expansion of the software solution's capabilities in line with the company's growth, the development of new fields of activity and changes to current business processes;
• Reduction in the time required to create reports;
• Reduce the volume of paper workflows between the organization's structural departments;
• Effective planning of organizational activities.

The further development of Microsoft Dynamics NAV aims to maintain the advantages of the Navision system: its simplicity, compactness, the ability to easily develop functions for unique user needs and to implement the necessary changes.