ERP Navision - Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP Software Review

In 2000 Navision software merged with Damgaard to form Navision Damgaard A/S which was later named as Navision A/S, this company was taken over by Microsoft and released ERP solution branded as Microsoft Dynamics NAV in 2005. Apart from Dynamics NAV, Microsoft has three other ERP solutions GP, SL and AX and a CRM solution. Microsoft took up an ambitious project to unify all the four ERP solutions to give one compact single solution which has been called off recently due to disappointing results, now Microsoft is supporting and enhancing all the four solutions.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP is more suitable to distribution and wholesale industry which needs industry specific solutions for efficient working. For distribution industry it comes loaded with 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 features in financial management for consolidation of data of different divisions and subsidiaries.

Business analytics for Navision ERP supports online analytical processing services with interactive graphical representation of key performance indicators and trends and patterns of the market. Navision ERP software's system management application provides facility to design forms, customize access to menus and other functionalities according to the roles and responsibility, it also allows the administrator to specify rights to access for subsidiaries and employees for smooth functioning and data security. Even internet access can be monitored by the administrator.

It uses SQL server as a database but can also work with a native database server called as classic, however SQL is more capable in handling large data and comes with advanced facilities for writing procedures. ERP Navision comes with a solution set which is for enhancing 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 for handling the database, the application itself can handle the interface and the database which reduces the time in customization compared to other ERP solutions.

Apart from distribution and wholesale this ERP product of Microsoft family has features for Financial management, Human capital management, supply chain management, supply chain analytics, customer relationship management, E-commerce, manufacturing and flexible reporting and analysis tools. These features make it a complete ERP solution and suitable one for mid sized companies. Navision ERP comes with more economical licensing offers as compared to other ERP software's with similar features and facilities. Its scalability has been appreciated by its users too and can grow according to the growing needs of the organization, upgrades are well supported by Microsoft.

Like other Microsoft ERP solutions Navision too is tightly integrated with other Microsoft products like MS-office and Excel which makes it easier to use. As well as Navision ERP integrates easily with other non-Microsoft products and popular software which are commonly used by the companies for specific solutions. Microsoft provides vertical solutions to many industries by means of its other products, easy and smooth connectivity of Navision ERP with such products now and in future also makes it more useful ERP than others. Also read the Definition of ERP.