Quick Answer: What is Microsoft Dynamics NAV and how does it help businesses?
As your business starts looking for ERP solutions to help with workflows, the research likely turned up a lot of information on Microsoft products, specifically Microsoft NAV. Organizations can do a lot with the platform and use it to transform how the entire business functions. It’s important to understand precisely what your business can accomplish with the features available within Microsoft Dynamics NAV. In addition, we touch on the newest evolution, called Dynamics 365.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV is an end-to-end ERP solution designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) gain greater control and line of sight into essential business functions, including:
One of the benefits of using Microsoft Dynamics NAV is its flexibility for companies. Businesses can start with a few modules, then expand the platform by adding new capabilities based on updated business demands.
In addition, organizations can integrate other Microsoft products already in use, like Office 365. There are also plugins available to make the software compatible with other third-party products.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV consists of multiple modules designed to handle specific business functions.
The finance module handles everyday financial transactions used in business, including:
Businesses gain better control over the management of company finances. You can also use the financial information stored in the database to help spot industry trends and plan future strategies.
The project management module allows users to perform common tasks like configuring jobs, scheduling resources, and information gathering for budget management. Organizations can also track employee hours using built-in timesheets. In addition, project managers can get an overview of items like:
With the Supply Chain Management functions available within Microsoft Dynamics Nav, organizations can reduce redundant tasks. In addition, the platform helps companies improve accuracy through automation while cutting down on overhead and handling time.
The ERP gives your company control over the entire supply chain. Your organization can build a customized view of all supply chain activities, including:
Real-time data insights help with essential business processes like keeping up with supplier statuses, what’s happening in production plants, and the day-to-day functions within distribution centers.
The Microsoft Dynamics NAV platform provides employees working in sales and marketing with the tools necessary to obtain accurate customer information. In addition, teams can easily access and manage contacts and networks. Marketing can set up campaigns targeted at core audiences while improving customer relations.
Your sales and marketing teams can streamline business tasks related to:
Even small companies typically take in a large amount of data each day. Dynamics NAV Intelligence and Reporting provides features that help companies collect, analyze, and share data related to:
Dynamics NAV’s Business and Intelligence functions help users deliver meaningful insights across the entire organization. Analysts can design a dashboard that gives them a 360-degree view of essential business workflows. In addition, users can create reports containing detailed information to help management make critical business decisions.
In addition to core financial and project management functions, Microsoft Dynamics NAV software supports robust warehouse and manufacturing management modules that enable process optimization across the production lifecycle.
Warehouse management features in NAV help users:
When integrated with Navision inventory management tools, companies gain real-time visibility into stock levels, reorder points, and product movement — all essential for just-in-time operations.
For manufacturers, Dynamics NAV manufacturing functionality supports:
These tools make NAV particularly attractive for SMBs in industries such as light manufacturing, food production, and electronics.
While NAV is traditionally an on-premises ERP, organizations are increasingly interested in dynamics nav cloud deployments. Although NAV itself doesn’t offer native cloud support like Dynamics 365, it can be hosted in private or hybrid cloud environments through Microsoft Dynamics NAV partners like IES.
Benefits of NAV in the cloud include:
However, full cloud-native ERP experiences — like seamless updates, mobile-friendly interfaces, and AI-driven insights — are only available through Business Central.
Your organization would need to contact a licensed dealer to purchase the product. Expenses would include the cost of paying for the software license along with:
Dynamics NAV is an on-premises solution. However, you may want to look at Dynamics 365 if you’re interested in a software-as-a-service model.
Navision pricing is based on several factors:
It’s also important to consider ongoing costs for upgrades, especially if you’re still using an older NAV version. Many companies rely on NAV support services to handle patches, security compliance, and performance tuning — critical for long-term ERP stability.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central represents the evolution of Dynamics NAV into a cloud platform. Your organization can host the platform on-premises or a fully managed cloud solution. By purchasing Microsoft Dynamics 365, you can provide your workforce with 24-7 access to business functions. In addition, Dynamics 35 Business Central allows your company to:
While NAV offers concurrent user licenses, each license provided in Business Central gets assigned to a named user. In addition, NAV provides access to a Limited User License, which Business Central does not. Instead, companies can opt to purchase a Team Member license. Both provide similar levels of functionality and access.
Your company can purchase a perpetual or subscription license for NAV or Business Central. However, the perpetual license is only available for an on-premises deployment. A cloud deployment would require your company to purchase subscription licenses. You can ask your solutions provider about possible discounts available from Microsoft for buying a long-term subscription contract.
If you choose to go with Dynamics NAV, keep in mind that your company will be responsible for any updates to the platform. You can hire a consultant like Internet eBusiness Solutions (IES) to handle the implementation strategy of your Microsoft Dynamics NAV.
If you’re ready to transform how your company does business, IES can help you make the transition. We have experience working with all iterations of Microsoft Dynamics. Therefore, our team members can make your move to Microsoft Dynamics NAV as seamless as possible.
It pays to have experience on your side when implementing new software into your organization. Find out more about how IES can help with your Microsoft Dynamics implementation. We can also assist you with upgrading from Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central. Contact IES today to set up a consultation with one of our experts.