Have you searched for Business Central Navision on your favorite browser? This is probably because, like many, the difference between Business Central, Navision, Dynamics NAV is not clear to you. Let’s put an end to the confusion between these three ERP software developed by Microsoft. What actually differentiates them? Let’s go for an overview!
Business Central Navision: what are we talking about?
Business Central Navision , we can think of it as one and the same Enterprise Resource Planning software. But they are actually two distinct ERPs developed by Microsoft. To better understand these two Integrated Management Software, let’s take stock of their differences and then analyse their operation and their use.
What are Dynamics NAV and Navision?
Formerly called Navision, Microsoft Dynamics NAV is actually the ancestor of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Let’s take a quick look at this succession story:
- 2002 : Microsoft acquires Navision, a Danish ERP software, and integrates it into its ERP division, Microsoft Business Solutions.
- 2007 : Navision is renamed Microsoft Dynamics NAV, while the ERP division takes the name Microsoft Dynamics.
- 2018 : Microsoft Dynamics NAV is integrated into the Dynamics 365 universe and takes a new name for the occasion, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
As an ERP, Dynamics NAV was an intelligent resource planning solution. It has been designed to allow SMEs and ETIs to simplify their daily management, automate their time-consuming tasks and boost their productivity. Microsoft wanted to offer them an innovative solution, just like large companies. It thus embeds all the functionalities necessary to support the growth of the structure, while being easy to deploy and to take in hand.
The Dynamics Square, Dynamics NAV was offered only in On Premise or On Site mode, and not on Cloud. Designed to meet the needs of medium-sized businesses, this software package has won over many organisations around the world, with up to 2.7 million users. Its business management tools allowed managers to have 360° visibility on their structure, thus optimising the management of its activities.
What is Dynamics 365 Business Central?
As mentioned earlier, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (or “Business Central” by its nickname) is the heir of Navision and Dynamics NAV. As such, it goes further in terms of tools and functional scope to meet new customer expectations.
Like its predecessor, it ensures better productivity for SMEs. The software is thus presented as an all-in-one solution, allowing those who use it to facilitate their management with complete peace of mind. Its access, like its use, is easy since it brings together in a single place all the elements that users need. Business Central is part of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 suite of software developed to help businesses optimise their productivity.
Microsoft Dynamics 365, what are we talking about?
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is an innovative solution aimed at helping companies better organise themselves and satisfy their customers. It consists of a unique portfolio of professional software allowing these structures to have better interactivity with customers. Concretely, Microsoft Dynamics 365 embeds all the elements of a CRM and ERP solution on a cloud service.
This software has a total of 9 modules:
- Sales management,
- marketing follow-up,
- And customer service management,
- But also financial and accounting management,
- Operations management,
- field service,
- Retail sales tracking,
- Project management,
- And human resource management.
They are aimed at the vast majority of a company’s teams and meet their ERP and CRM needs. The great strength of this software suite is that it is highly customizable and scalable. It also allows employees to access the same data and to have the same level of information in the execution of tasks. Finally, the suite helps SME decision makers make decisions based on relevant information that is updated in real time.
Business Central Navision: their major differences
Now that we know that Business Central Navision is not one and the same software, what differentiates them concretely?
After 2002, Microsoft wanted to improve its ERP Navision so that it better adapted to the expectations of SMEs. Between Dynamics Nav and Business Central, there is therefore a long technological path.
1 – On the hosting side , the two solutions are completely different. Indeed, Business Central is a Cloud ERP . It is offered both on premise and in SaaS, which is not the case with Dynamics Navision. This only exists on site. In addition, it allows SMEs to delegate the management of physical infrastructures and reduce costs related to updates. And even if Navision is customizable at will, it does not ensure the fluidity and power of the Cloud.
2 – Mobility : it also largely differentiates Dynamics Navision from Business Central. The latter works through the Cloud, which allows users to work remotely and both on laptops and computers. Now that telework has become essential, this feature is particularly interesting. It allows them to work securely on a single database. Should it be noted that Dynamics Navision does not offer this privilege since it is only available on site.
3 – Among the major differences between the two tools is also the reinforced integration with CRM and Business Intelligence tools . Microsoft has made it much easier to integrate Business Central with these tools, especially through the Dynamics suite which includes Microsoft Dynamics CRM . For its part, Navision was quite limited in terms of decision-making functionalities and customer relations.
4 – Security : Business Central is adapted to current standards in terms of data security and confidentiality, unlike Navision. Aware of the risks that the Cloud generates, Microsoft has implemented state-of-the-art tools to guarantee the protection of data hosted on the Microsoft Azure cloud.
In conclusion
Now you know everything: both what lies behind Business Central Navision and the history of Microsoft ERP as well as the advantages of Business Central. Navision, Dynamics NAV and Business Central illustrate the progress that has been made over more than 20 years in terms of management software. They also reveal the changing needs of companies in terms of resource management and productivity.
Business Central or Navision, which to choose? Due to its modernity, we recommend that you equip yourself with Business Central or migrate to Business Central if you are equipped with Navision or Dynamics NAV.
Have you been seduced by Business Central? If you want to discover its tools in more detail, do not hesitate to contact us below. We offer you a personalised demonstration with one of our ERP experts. Take advantage of our expertise as an ERP integrator to give a boost to the productivity of your structure and gain lasting agility.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an ERP? In concrete terms, these are business management tools allowing managers to have 360° visibility on the structure, thus optimising the management of its activities. They are used to manage sales, finance, customer service, logistics and procurement, among other things. The end goal is to increase the productivity of the company.
- What is an ERP? Behind this mysterious acronym hides the Integrated Management Software Package. And the latter is none other than the French translation of the Enterprise Resource Planning software. Even if it is less popular than the term “ERP software”.
- What are an ERP integrator and an ERP integrator? As you will have understood, it is therefore a single organisation. The ERP / Dynamics Square is a leading Microsoft Gold partner that helps companies integrate an ERP into their information system.
