Quick Answer: What are the different versions of Microsoft Dynamics?
- What are the different versions of Microsoft Dynamics? Microsoft has released several ERP and CRM platforms over the years — including Dynamics GP, NAV, AX, CRM, and Dynamics 365 — each tailored to specific business sizes and industries.
- Which version is right for me? It depends on your needs. Dynamics 365 is ideal for modern, cloud-based operations, while legacy systems like NAV and GP still serve niche use cases.
- Is there a latest version? Yes. The Microsoft Dynamics 365 latest versions include advanced modules for sales, finance, customer service, and more.
Over the years, Microsoft has offered businesses a variety of business technology. If you’re new to the world of Microsoft Dynamics, keeping up with the different software versions can be challenging. It doesn’t help that you can still find older versions of Microsoft Dynamics running in organizations nationwide. It helps to understand the history of Microsoft Dynamics instances and their use in business.
MICROSOFT DYNAMICS VERSIONS OVER TIME
When looking at the various Microsoft Dynamics versions, it’s helpful to view them across three eras:
- Legacy ERP and CRM (2000s to early 2010s): Dynamics AX, GP, NAV, and CRM formed the core of Microsoft’s ERP/CRM portfolio. These on-premises systems required dedicated servers and license purchases.
- Hybrid Phase (mid-2010s): Microsoft introduced limited cloud functionality and began merging capabilities into integrated platforms.
- Modern Cloud Suite (2016–present): Microsoft Dynamics 365 launched as a fully cloud-native solution with modular apps and deep integration with Power Platform, Azure, and Microsoft 365.
In this timeline, we can clearly see Microsoft’s push toward real-time business intelligence, cloud scalability, and platform unification.
Microsoft Dynamics AX
Dynamics AX is one of Microsoft’s older enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms. Medium-sized companies and enterprises primarily use it to help make the workforce more efficient. The user-friendly nature of the platform makes it easier for organizations to get employees comfortable working within the application.
Among the functionality provided by Microsoft Dynamics AX includes automation of business intelligence, supply chain, and financial processes. The software is popular in logistics companies because it helps optimize the flow of goods and materials. Dynamics AX offers advanced logistics management capabilities that get good out to customers faster.
Another reason why logistics companies rely on Dynamics AX is the ability to gain more visibility into company assets. The automation capabilities help companies streamline standard business processes. Dynamics AX comes with data collection functions and analytics capabilities to help companies understand what’s happening at different points in the supply chain.
There are upfront costs involved with setting up a Dynamics AX instance. You’ll need to pay for servers capable of hosting an on-premises instance. Businesses must also purchase licenses outright for servers and users. Many Microsoft partners no longer support Microsoft Dynamics AX, making it difficult to find someone to help when you run into issues.
In 2016, Microsoft transitioned AX into Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, which was later split into Dynamics 365 Finance and Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management for a more modular experience.
AX is now considered deprecated. While support continues for existing implementations under Microsoft’s lifecycle policy, no new AX deployments are supported, and migration to Dynamics 365 is strongly encouraged. The modern alternatives offer cloud scalability, embedded analytics, and full integration with Microsoft 365 and the Power Platform.
Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Dynamics CRM business software, launched in 2003, allows businesses to manage customers within a database. The information contained within the platform helps generate new leads for sales teams, assists companies in engaging directly with customers, and resolving customer service problems.
Organizations can capture data from different customer touchpoints, including email, faxes, and phone calls. All the information can be pulled together to create an individual customer profile. There are three individual modules that make up Dynamics CRM.
Sales
The sales module lets salespeople access social data and manage relationships with current customers and potential leads. The information provided through the CRM helps the sales team collaborate and have instant visibility into individual pipelines from any device.
Marketing
With marketing becoming more essential to business success than ever, marketers need a way to collaborate, plan, launch, and track measurements around campaigns from beginning to end. Dynamics CRM provides a centralized platform to help accelerate marketing plans and remain agile in an ever-changing business environment. Marketers can rely on Dynamics CRM to:
- Set up consistent messaging across campaigns
- Pull customer insights to set up personalized content
- Work together within the team to ensure that everyone remains aligned with marketing goals
Customer Service
The customer service module supports a company’s desire to reduce customer response times and boost resolution rates. It also supports providing a way for companies to offer self-service to customers, which helps businesses meet the terms of service level agreements (SLAs). Customer service functions enable representatives to connect with customers using any channel.
As of 2016, the Dynamics CRM brand has been restructured and rebranded into separate Dynamics 365 applications, including:
- Dynamics 365 Sales
- Dynamics 365 Marketing (now largely integrated into Customer Insights – Journeys)
- Dynamics 365 Customer Service
These modern cloud apps offer deeper AI integration, omnichannel capabilities, and better alignment with Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem. Legacy CRM installations are still supported but rarely used in new deployments.
Microsoft Dynamics GP
Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains (GP) accounting software is mainly used by small and mid-sized companies looking to remain competitive against larger organizations. In addition to accounting functionality, the platform offers the following capabilities:
- Human resources — Allows companies to track employee metrics and benefits. HR representatives can reduce the manual work required for accurate employee management.
- Supply chain — Dynamics GP tracks stock level, keeps up with asset costs, and additional supply chain management functions. Employees can use the accounting module to see product details and keep up with inventory.
- Project management — Organizations can use the project management functions in Dynamics GP to keep up with project management tasks like analysis, approving timesheets, and handling approvals.
Another benefit of Dynamics GP is the integrated end-to-end security designed to protect confidential business data. Organizations can streamline manual tasks and workflows by using artificial intelligence (AI) and automation functions.
Microsoft Dynamics GP continues to be supported under the Modern Lifecycle Policy, but Microsoft has publicly confirmed that no new features are planned beyond security, compliance, and tax updates.
Many organizations using Microsoft Dynamics GP are evaluating next steps as Microsoft has reduced its investment in further innovation for the platform. Although support continues, the shift toward cloud-first models has made Dynamics 365 a more compelling long-term option.
Most organizations are migrating to Dynamics 365 Business Central, which offers cloud-based functionality, integrated AI, and a similar financial management foundation with more modern architecture and support.
Migrating from GP to Business Central allows companies to modernize their ERP with features like AI-driven insights, built-in automation, and easier third-party integration. However, Microsoft still offers migration tools and partner support to help companies make the shift at their own pace.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV
Dynamics NAV is an end-to-end ERP platform that helps smaller companies gain more control over business functions related to:
- Operations
- Procurement
- Accounting
- Supply Chain Management
- Project Management
With Dynamics NAV, companies can decide to start with a few modules to see how the applications fit into their organization. From there, they can expand to add additional modules based on changing business needs. Other Microsoft products like Office 365 integrate directly with Microsoft Dynamics NAV.
Companies must work directly with a licensed dealer if they wish to purchase a Dynamics NAV instance. In addition to paying for licenses, companies need to account for costs related to training, consulting with a partner, and setting up customizations. You must also consider whether you have enough server support to handle an on-premises instance.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV has evolved considerably over the years. While it’s still in use, many companies have chosen to migrate to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, which is seen as the natural successor to NAV. Business Central retains NAV’s core functionality but offers modern cloud-based deployment, tighter Microsoft 365 integration, and improved reporting tools.
This transition makes sense for businesses wanting to preserve NAV’s strengths while future-proofing their ERP environment with cloud scalability.
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft Dynamics 365’s cloud-based suite of business applications lets organizations pick and choose the functions most applicable to their company. It provides a way to streamline manual business processes slowing down worker efficiency. Below is an overview of some of the essential modules within Dynamics 365.
Business Central
Business Central helps companies optimize operations, sales, and finance functions. It offers s seamless user experience, eliminating the need to bounce from one solution to another. Business Central’s intelligence tools provide real-time feedback from connected apps like Power BI. You can customize the module to fit the type of services your organization offers.
Sales
The sales platform gives agents what they need to achieve a higher conversion rate. Users can set up dashboards with essential details that help them prioritize leads and hit relevant KPIs. Stream current information from the connected CRM to identify prospects in critical markets.
Field Service
Improve how your home office and field agents communicate with and handle customers. You can schedule automated workflows to ensure that customers receive speedy service, even in more remote areas. The Field Service module helps teams work smarter and make better workload distribution and maintenance decisions.
More Modules Within Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft Dynamics 365 continues to evolve with modular applications that empower businesses across departments. In addition to Business Central, Sales, and Field Service, here are other critical modules now part of Microsoft Dynamics 365’s latest versions:
- Dynamics 365 Finance: Designed for global enterprises, this module handles financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting with real-time analytics and built-in compliance controls.
- Dynamics 365 Commerce: Offers end-to-end omnichannel retail management, helping businesses unify physical and digital storefronts. It includes POS, loyalty, and inventory management tools.
- Dynamics 365 Project Operations: Ideal for professional services and project-driven companies, it enables real-time tracking of project budgets, timelines, and profitability.
- Dynamics 365 Human Resources: This HR solution helps manage benefits, compensation, training, and compliance — streamlining talent management from hiring to retention.
- Dynamics 365 Customer Service: Designed to elevate customer experiences with tools like knowledge bases, case routing, and AI-based insights to boost resolution efficiency.
- Dynamics 365 Customer Insights: Offers robust customer data unification and segmentation tools, enabling hyper-personalized engagement through predictive analytics.
- Dynamics 365 Contact Center: A new addition tailored for high-volume support environments, integrating voice, chat, and social channels to improve customer engagement.
Whether you’re focused on retail, HR, finance, or customer support, there’s likely a Dynamics 365 product to fit your needs.
Licensing and Deployment Models
Licensing across the various versions of Microsoft Dynamics has changed significantly over time:
- Legacy Systems (GP, NAV, AX): Required perpetual licensing and on-premises deployment. Costs included server infrastructure, CALs (Client Access Licenses), and often partner support contracts.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365: Offers a subscription-based SaaS model, dramatically lowering upfront costs. Users can pay monthly or annually for specific modules, scaling access as needed.
Businesses migrating to the latest platform benefit not only from simplified IT management but also from flexible pay-as-you-grow pricing, especially attractive to mid-sized and enterprise customers.
Pick the Right Dynamics Instance for Your Business
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