This article will detail the changes in Dynamics NAV which has resulted in many users changing to Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Dynamics NAV Update
For those who don’t already know, Microsoft announced that the mainstream support for Dynamics NAV 2013 and Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 was out of support by the 8th January 2018. This means users have two options: stay or upgrade.
For those who have continued to stay on this system then it is important to find a support partner that will help give guidance and confidence you need to keep your system running. However, you may have chosen to upgrade to a newer version of Dynamics NAV that is in mainstream support such as Dynamics 2015 or Dynamics NAV 2018. Another alternative that customers have is to look towards Business Central – the newest version of Dynamics NAV, based in the cloud (on premise version available) and offers all the functionality of Dynamics NAV and more.
Whatever you decide, upgrading is an easy path with Microsoft offering several mitigation tools to ease this process.
Dynamics 365 Business Central
Dynamics 365 Business Central is a completely new product, built on the Dynamics 365 Platform and provides underlying key features and processes of Dynamics NAV.
For users of Dynamics NAV, a logical upgrade path would be to go to Dynamics 365 Business Central. Nonetheless, for non-users of Dynamics NAV, the choice would be between Dynamics NAV and Business Central.
What are the differences between Dynamics NAV and Dynamics Business Central?
- Cloud First – Dynamics 365 Business Central offers a cloud first product enabling you to be more accessible and powerful in comparison to Dynamic NAV users, who are based on an on-premise solution. Business Central allows you to gain access from any device, anywhere while getting the newest features of Artificial Intelligence. If you are not ready to move to the cloud, Business Central is available on an on-premise and hybrid approach also.
- Configuration not customisation – Microsoft have designed Dynamics 365 Business Central to be configurable to multiple business needs meaning it can be moulded to your requirements. When doing anything customised you do not need to edit the core, instead, you create new database tables which talk to the core system. This means you will always get updates and will facilitate a simpler implementation, while saving time and money.
- User Interface – new and improved in Business Central in comparison to Dynamics NAV. It has been built through a new Microsoft interface, and compromises clear information, real time and personalised highlights through dashboards, tiles and graphs to give you a complete picture of everything you need to know. The desktop is also browser based meaning a consistent experience is provided throughout different devices.
- Embedded Intelligence – Business Central comes with Artificial Intelligence out-of-the-box in order to provide better insights, recommendations and forecasts that will help with decision making and productivity. This is done through the power of Microsoft’s cloud platform Azure.
- Power Platform – An emerging technology which extends Dynamics 365 and provides improved insights. This is one of the optimal ways a business can transform internal processes, drive productivity and decision making.
- Regular Updates – Dynamics 365 Business Central has a mandatory 6-month update cycle, so customers are always on the latest version. Microsoft will release updates in relation to features, security and interfaces and avoids situations where you are left on an out-of-support version.
- Extendibility – Business Central was designed with connectivity in mind and can be extended via the Power Platform. There is easy access and connection to Business Central via APIs and building custom connectivity.
Dynamics 365 Business Central is the next generation of ERP from Microsoft powered by the cloud and embedded with emerging technology. It maximises productivity and provides full access anywhere in the world.
If you want more information on upgrading Dynamics NAV or have any questions, contact us on 01698 844 600 or fill out a form on our website and a member of the Kick team will get back to you at a time that suits you best.