Microsoft Dynamics NAV Software Review

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Microsoft Dynamics NAV Software Review
Microsoft ERP Strengths Weaknesses Competitive
positioning in the ERP software market is
highlighted with the following strengths and
weaknesses.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV Strengths Dynamics NAV
strengths relative to the SMB ERP software
competitive landscape.

• Dynamics NAV is strong in ease of use. Navigation
  is intuitive and follows a straight-forward
  business process design. Input forms
• often resemble traditional paper documents such
  as purchase orders or sale orders. Access to
  information via drill-down or filtering data
  using flexible criteria is plentiful.
• Microsoft NAV harnesses the look and feel of
  Microsoft Office. Microsoft desktop savvy users
  will have a smooth, familiar user experience
  that reduces training time and costs.
• The ERP software includes a customizable codebase
  along with extensive development tools and
  available source code.
• International capabilities such as support for
  multi-currency, multiple languages and local
  taxation accounting features are quite strong,
  particularly for European companies.
• NAV offers seamless integration to MS Office,
  SharePoint, and Dynamics CRM.
• Available add-ons can combine with the core ERP
  software to deliver industry editions or highly
  specific vertical ERP solutions, such as
  Professional Services Automation (PSA), which
  includes project and cost accounting, timesheet
  management, resource management, and inventory
  control of items consumed in the delivery
  process.
• One of the stronger ERP solutions for
  Distribution and light Supply Chain Management
  when reviewing "off the shelf" functionality.
• Microsoft NAV offers a somewhat unique (for ERP
  systems) service management function. This may be
  useful for fulfilling customer
• service requests, dispatching technicians and
  delivering after the sale support. Service
  management tracks contracts and warranty
  information, is tightly integrated with Inventory
  and Manufacturing, tracks goods internally or at
  customer locations and offers a Job Scheduler
  for recurring service tasks.
• Several add-on modules and partner solutions are
  available to extend deficient functionalities and
  offer vertical market ERP solutions.
• Dynamics NAV is a reasonably priced ERP solution
  with the Advanced Management pack accommodating
  midmarket companies with a wide range of
  functionality, or the Business Essentials program
  for smaller organizations and offering less
  functionality, but a more rapid installation and
  quick time to value.

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Microsoft Dynamics NAV Weaknesses
Strategic and commonly cited ERP weaknesses
include the following

• Dynamics NAV does not offer an integrated
  Business Process Management or workflow
  automation tool. It is possible to leverage the
• Windows Workflow Foundation using .NET or another
  development environment, but such effort is
  complex and resorts to custom programming.
• While the User Interface is simple and easy to
  use, Microsoft has not yet adapted popular
  consumer technologies. Similarly, Enterprise
• 2.0 and social business tools are scarce and
  mobile is limited to cross-browser support.
• NAV may have a limited support life cycle, as
  more RD and overlapping functionality are
  absorbed into Dynamics AX.
• The ERP software delivers more breadth than
  depth. For example, while Microsoft says it is
  capable of handling Ecommerce, such handling
  largely consists of tying the accounting to the
  supply chain with a ConfigurePriceQuote web
  storefront. Most ERP software manufacturers
  include more sophisticated storefronts when they
  deliver features such as E-commerce.
• Euro-centric process designs and customizations
  may appear awkward for North American users.
• Process-based manufacturing automation within the
  ERP software is complicated. Although the system
  has individual features to support process
  manufacturing, trying to use NAV manufacturing
  for batch or formula processing will be very
  difficult.
• Advanced Management has a much higher total cost
  of ownership (TCO) than the Business Essentials
  pack. Selecting a la carte options or partner
  solutions will drive up TCO and affect ROI.
• Dynamics NAV is designed to be extensible via
  software customization, but customizing the ERP
  software can significantly increase Total Cost
  of Ownership due to higher maintenance costs,
  increased system administration (IT labor) and
  more time consuming and costly software
  upgrades.
• While the Microsoft Dynamics marketplace contains
  many useful third-party add-ons, it can be
  time-consuming and difficult to distinguish the
  many add-ons from multiple partners due to
  similarities and overlap in feature sets and the
  challenge of assessing the quality of the
  partners and their products.
• With Advanced Management and à la carte options
  available, customers may also incur a tenuous
  time in determining whether native Microsoft
  functionality or a partner solution delivers a
  better fit.

Read More Top 7 Beneficial Steps For Successful
ERP Implementation Microsoft ERP Strengths
Weaknesses