From the Dec. 2007 Review of High-End Accounting Systems
Microsoft Dynamics NAV is a strong player in the mid-market accounting software lineup. NAV is a great choice for mid-size operations of larger organizations or mid-size companies. NAV’s greatest client load consists of companies with five to 500 employees. The multi-language and multi-site capabilities allow NAV to compete internationally with competitors such as Accpac 500 ERP. NAV is best suited for companies in the distribution and manufacturing industries.
Modules/Scalability - 5 Stars
Microsoft Dynamics NAV offers business solutions through components that include
Financial Management, Business Intelligence and Reporting, Supply Chain Management,
Project Management, Customer Relationship Management, Human Resource Management,
Languages, Manufacturing and Workspace Collaboration. Microsoft’s mid-market
ERP products all use a flat pricing model known as “Business Ready Licensing,”
where the products are sold in one of three pricing bundles or tiers consisting
of an entire suite of modules.
Tier one is the Business Essentials Edition for customers who need core financial management and trade functionality that includes Basic Financial Management, Basic Supply Chain Management, Basic Business Intelligence and Reporting, and Configuration and Design tools. Tier two is the Advanced Management Edition for growing, mid-market or high-functional needs customers who are looking for an adaptive solution with a broad set of functionality. The Advanced Management Edition includes all functionality in the Business Essentials Edition in addition to Business Intelligence and Reporting, Manufacturing, Advanced Supply Chain Management, Advanced Financial Management, Project Management, and CRM. Tier three is Advanced Management Enterprise, which extends the Advanced Management Edition with additional components that provide customers with complex needs access to a rich set of advanced functionality that includes Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced Project Management, CRM with Field Service, and Advanced Configuration and Development Tools with source code access. Additional components are also available a la carte for all editions to serve unique business needs.
Usability/User Experience/Security - 5 Stars
With the release of version 5.0, Microsoft introduced a variety of application
enhancements that focus on user flexibility and the user experience. Version
5.0 continues to build on that functionality by improving data sharing across
applications. Using a familiar user interface and increased integration with
other Microsoft products, Microsoft NAV 5.0 increases employee efficiency and
effectiveness. Tight integration with the Microsoft SharePoint server allows
users who are out of the office to access vital information from anywhere. With
the improvements offered in release 5.0 and even more on the way with 6.0 due
to be released in late 2008, Microsoft NAV is undeniably headed in the right
direction.
Data-entry screens are easy to use and easy to navigate. The integration with Microsoft Office (especially Outlook, Excel and Word) gives the user tightly integrated tools with which they are already familiar. Integration with Microsoft Visio is also a nice feature; I especially liked the ability to create workflow diagrams in the software for users to view and access. Those workflow diagrams allow the user to visually see the flow of transactions through the entire process if so desired. Dashboards are a nice touch, and they enhance the user experience, as well.
Product security is satisfactory at all levels. NAV allows access to security-enhanced information with reliable backup processes. Administrators can control security by restricting users access to only those pieces of the software to which they have permissions, and change Logs give Administrators the ability to monitor changes to the system after the fact.
Extensibility - 5 Stars
Given the background of the core product and large independent developer community,
a great number of highly specialized applications currently exist to help make
Dynamics NAV a great choice for many different industries. These specialized
solutions can be easily located on the Microsoft Solution Finder website. Although
not necessarily specific to Dynamics NAV, Microsoft has invested considerably
over the past few years to help focus attention on several key vertical markets
where it believes its mid-market products are a particularly strong fit, including
Chemical Manufacturing, Consumer Packed Goods, Construction, Food & Beverage,
High Tech, Industrial Equipment Manufacturing, Public Administration, Specialty
Retail, and Wholesale Distribution.
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