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Managing an online store is a demanding task, and the larger 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 adaptive management software for companies of all sizes. It allows you to centralize all data from different departments in a single system. This facilitates access to company data and the sharing of information.

The implementation of an ERP system enables, among other things, the standardization 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.

Are you interested in what kind of program Navision is? 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 considered 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 business activities and enables users to quickly increase business efficiency, control current business processes, and improve business collaboration with customers and partners. The system is designed for companies that want to comprehensively understand and influence the processes taking place within the company.

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

  • Financial management (FM)
  • Supply chain management (SCM)
  • Customer relationship management (CRM)
  • Production management
  • Accounting
  • Sales and marketing
  • Project management
  • Human resources management (HRM)
  • Electronic commerce

What does Navision software offer companies?

The solution helps to consolidate all business processes on a single platform and makes the company efficient, flexible, and future-proof. It strengthens competitiveness and supports company growth.

  • With the help of the integrated ERP platform, all important business processes can be kept in one place, ensuring efficient collaboration between all company departments.
  • Workflow automation minimizes errors and saves time.
  • Productivity is optimized because staff can focus on strategic tasks.
  • The software ensures that sustainability goals are achieved. It helps to conserve resources, position the company as environmentally conscious, and track greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Navision software enables smooth data migration and simplifies the switch to another ERP system.
  • Supply chain management can be efficiently optimized.
  • Thanks to its adaptability, the software can be adjusted to new market conditions.
  • The software offers a complete service package for all business areas.

Structure and modules of Microsoft Navision ERP

Navision System has a modular structure, which makes it easy to adapt to individual needs and different industry solutions. Since the modules are interconnected, smooth operation is guaranteed. This means that inventory management and logistics issues can be solved in a single software system.

This structure is advantageous. It avoids the need to integrate different systems. This means that data does not have to be entered and compiled multiple times. When the ERP solution is fully integrated, it facilitates work in different departments. It also simplifies the search for information and data.

After purchase, the standard software should be adapted to the specific circumstances of the area. This can be implemented in the C/AL programming language. The structure may change depending on individual requirements.

Detailed overview of functions

Microsoft Dynamics NAV offers a wide range of functions in all of 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 manufacturing numbers, etc.

  • Warehouse management: Management of warehouse infrastructure, warehouse movement, automated data capture system, returns management, warehouse loading control, and other options.

  • Human resources management. This includes the following functions: Support for shift calendars, staffing plans, 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, support for multiple currencies, budget and financial planning, cash flow management, liquidity analysis, payment control, bank account management, flexible financial reporting, and much more.

  • Production management. This functional area includes control of capacity utilization, redistribution of tasks among production capacities, capacity limitations, cost accounting for subcontracts, differentiated calculation of manufacturing costs, delivery planning, demand forecasting, etc.

  • Settlements with customers and suppliers: debt control, processing of orders and invoices, management of prices and discounts, calculation of delivery times, processing of returns, alternative delivery addresses, processing of partial payments, cancellation of 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.

Accounting with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Navision offers important functions for accounting and bookkeeping, for recording and categorizing financial transactions, and for retrieving, measuring, summarizing, and presenting results. With the help of integrated tools, you can simplify bookkeeping and perform various actions automatically:

  • You can display general ledger accounts, change default accounts, and add new ones.
  • Business Central offers various payment methods and terms.
  • You can set up posting groups that will map entities to general ledger accounts.
  • The software is used to create and define cost categories.
  • This allows you to set up VAT, define foreign currencies, and set up sales and purchasing functions for foreign currency processing.
  • The software helps you set up invoice rounding and business intelligence charts for cash flow analysis, analyze financial evaluations in Excel, and create analysis reports.

    This is a comprehensive solution for financial accounting, payment processing, and invoice entry. SMEs can use it to easily generate reports and sales tax returns.

Warehouse management with Business Central

The software automates and maps warehouse processes. You can efficiently manage products, find storage locations to store items, and pick them. Navision enables the management of sales and purchasing processes. This allows you to create new orders, ship and receive products, and post invoices. You can set up storage locations and warehouses, which allows you to structure your inventory by location and building. By defining standard storage locations, you can avoid manual entries, reduce errors, and speed up processes. With Navision software, you can set up transfer routes when products are moved from one storage location to another. The solution enables transparent and error-free inventory management, optimizes internal logistics processes, and improves traceability in the warehouse.

Time tracking using innovative software

For better control and transparency, the system offers the option of entering different types of data:

  • Employees clocking in and out when arriving at and leaving work;
  • Time and material consumption for individual production projects and time spent at the machine in the production area;
  • Time spent on projects and related activities;
  • project fees and item consumption;
  • planned absences;
  • absences due to tardiness;
  • manually recorded or automatically calculated work breaks;
  • indirect activities during the workday;
  • Navision enables the recording of overtime. The solution also allows you to add clock-out entries if your employees forget to do so. It helps to calculate entries, correct incorrect entries, and add missing entries. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central approves entries, sets up workflow approval processes, transfers approved entries, helps cancel transferred entries, and records electronic time cards.

CRM Navision

Microsoft Dynamics Business Central includes integrated CRM functions to optimize the customer experience. It helps you connect customer data and improve the customer journey. The software contributes to workflow optimization and the networking of sales and marketing. With the help of Navision's CRM, you can close multiple deals and gain a comprehensive overview of your customers.

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 to other Microsoft applications and products from other manufacturers.

  • Flexible options for adapting the system to the specific characteristics of the company—an open development environment allows for an unlimited number of industry-specific and customized 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 necessary functionality is purchased. If there is a need to expand the capabilities of the system, the corresponding functionality can be purchased additionally.

  • Diverse integration options—the system offers the possibility of integration with various software products: financial, economic 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 businesses and, in addition to a number of positive features, also has some disadvantages:

  • You have to pay for licensing, implementation, maintenance, and training. Adapting the software to specific needs requires extensive configuration.

  • Since Navision software is based on Microsoft technologies, businesses are significantly dependent on Microsoft developments. Changes to Microsoft products can affect the functionality of Navision programs.

  • People who are not familiar with ERP systems may encounter difficulties. Users need to get used to the user interface of Microsoft Dynamics Navision ERP.

  • Updating and upgrading Navision ERP requires time and additional training.

  • Special third-party add-ons are required to adapt the software to specific company requirements. This also incurs additional costs.

  • The program may not be sufficient for larger companies. In this case, a more scalable solution is required.

Microsoft Navision in Germany

According to Statista, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is one of the most popular ERP systems worldwide. Navision is particularly popular among small and medium-sized German companies in Berlin, Bonn, Stuttgart, Hamburg, and other locations throughout the country. The system is characterized by its ease of use and versatility. It combines a wide range of functions (customer service, field service, operations, finance, sales, marketing, project service automation). The software is most commonly used in the following industries: manufacturing, retail, and the service sector.

How does Kenner Soft handle migration from Microsoft Navision to Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Due to further development of the software, it is necessary to migrate from an earlier version to Dynamics 365 Business Central. Those who are still using older versions of NAV may encounter technical problems and are vulnerable to security risks. The powerful successor solution offers many improvements and a stronger market position. Migration allows you to minimize these risks and benefit from innovative features. With Kenner Soft, you can do it!

  1. During the initial consultation, we discuss everything, identify the business processes, and develop a detailed migration plan.
  2. We then analyze what adjustments need to be made and estimate the costs involved. Our experts will give you specific recommendations, develop the necessary functions, and check existing adjustments for compatibility.
  3. In the next step, we take care of data cleansing and migration. Outdated and redundant data must be removed.
  4. Before going live with the new system, we conduct tests to ensure that everything is working properly.
  5. Next, we conduct training sessions so that your employees can accept the new system.
  6. Finally, we go live with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Now you can use it.

Our team does everything quickly and professionally and is always available to provide you with advice and support.

On-premises or cloud solution?

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

With the on-premises solution, it is possible to:

  • 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 Microsoft Dynamics NAV cloud solution enables you to:

  • Minimize initial investment costs, as there is no need to purchase expensive software and hardware.

  • Fast and efficient service.

  • Effective cash flow management.

  • Expansion of the solution according to your own wishes and needs.

  • Maximization of 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 primarily affects your core business functions.

Implementing Microsoft Dynamics NAV enables you to:

  • Quick utilization of the ERP system's functions;
  • Ensuring effective work of employees in a unified information environment;
  • Strengthening control over the processes taking place in the company;
  • Increasing the efficiency and reliability of information gathering for management decisions;
  • Providing company employees with sufficient information for effective control of commercial transactions;
  • Improving the quality of work with customers;
  • Expanding the capabilities of the software solution in line with the company's growth, the development of new areas of activity, and changes in current business processes;
  • Reducing the time required to prepare reports;
  • Reducing the volume of paper workflows between the structural departments of the organization;
  • 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 implement the necessary changes.

Is Navision an ERP system?

Yes, Navision is an ERP system.

What is Microsoft Dynamics NAV used for?

Microsoft Dynamics NAV is used to manage core business processes (finance, supply chain, customer relationship and project management, production).