Dynamics 365 Business Central is a comprehensive business management system for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Its purpose is to move the complete capability of Dynamics NAV (an on-premise fully integrated ERP system) to the cloud, where it will be more accessible. Being an advanced Enterprise application, it improves the workflow of organisations and assists them in managing their finances, sales, operations, and customer service.
In this blog, we will discuss how Dynamics 365 Business Central differs from NAV and the key advantages of Business Central.
1. Improves the efficiency of supply chain management
A complete picture of your warehouse comes with enhanced inventory intelligence, which simplifies sales orders, assists you in determining the best time to buy from and pay your suppliers, and increases your profit margins and productivity.
2. Transparency is established in financial management.
It will take care of the currency establishment, the VAT, the invoicing, the sales transactions, and other financial tasks. You have access to all of your financial information in real-time.
3. Project delivery is accelerated, while the budget and timeline are kept under control.
The use of timesheets simplifies project management duties such as resource planning, monitors project progress, accelerates project delivery, keeps an eye on budgets, and determines the amount of time spent.
4. Service is improved, and sales are increased.
Service estimates and invoices are generated. Employee assignments are assigned based on their strengths and availability. Spare parts are tracked, and customer service is improved due to the system. In terms of sales management, Dynamics 365 Business Central aids you in the creation of sales opportunities, the activation of the sales stage, the conversion of opportunities, the generation of sales quotations, and the distribution of sales quotes to clients and customers.
Business Central and NAV are two Microsoft products that are quite comparable. It is claimed by some developers that NAV has developed and has become Business Central.
What is the degree of their resemblance?
- The core functionality and format of the document remain the same.\Worksheets and configuration packages have a lot in common in terms of functionality.
- There is no difference between the two approaches to the starting process.
- In addition, the capabilities of adding and removing columns in list pages and documents are identical.
- The majority of the function keys are quite similar to one another.
- Data can be loaded into Business Central in the same manner that it can be entered into NAV.
What makes Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central distinct from Dynamics NAV?
● Hosting and Platform
The platforms housed in the two ERP packages are the most significant distinction. Dynamics NAV is a hosted solution that is installed on your local server. However, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a hybrid solution that may be hosted both in the cloud and on-premise.
● Expansion of functionalities
You can customise the functionality of Dynamics NAV to meet your organisation’s specific needs. Furthermore, you can expand the functionality by creating add-on modules. Speaking about Business Central, it unquestionably has a competitive advantage over NAV regarding broader capabilities. The option to install extensions built by software partners directly from Microsoft is made available to you via this feature. As a result, you can quickly increase the programme’s functionality, test it, and even remove any undesired add-ons.
● The user's perspective
The user interface of Dynamics 365 Business Central is significantly enhanced compared to the old NAV system, providing a more pleasant experience for the end user. Using dynamic system instructions, BC provides a simplified navigation experience that allows users to remain focused on their job. It features a contemporary design that includes updated lookup windows and grids. The innovative user interface is dynamic, adaptable, and changeable in every way possible. Then, and maybe most importantly, Business Central allows users to search for and retrieve data more quickly than they can use NAV at any time.
● Options for gaining access
Dynamics NAV may be accessible through a web browser and a local client on a computer’s hard drive. Because it is more user-friendly than Business Central and is available on mobile and tablet devices, When used on a desktop computer, Dynamics 365 Business Central is accessible using a web client, which is accessed through a browser rather than through a desktop client. Users of mobile devices may access the site using an application.
● Capabilities for searching
Regarding search skills, Business Central is the clear winner here. In comparison to Dynamics NAV, it is significantly more well-structured. Using the Dynamics 365 Business Central search tool, you can automatically classify search results and eliminate duplicates from your results. Furthermore, whereas Dynamics NAV has an ambiguous search feature, Business Central is intelligent enough to assist you in finding the specific product you are searching for, even if you need to type the proper spelling into the search box.
● Customizations and integrations are available.
Dynamic 365 Business Central makes use of a development platform that is more cloud-compatible when it comes to customising the system and integrating third-party products. To go from Navision to Business Central, modifications and third-party integrations must be redone. Many modifications and integrations are eliminated due to the process, either because of their diminished usefulness or because they are too expensive to implement.
● Expenses for upkeep
The total cost of Dynamics NAV is more than that of British Columbia. The reason for this is the high equipment cost and the amount of area necessary for NAV to work. Dynamic 365 Business Central, on the other hand, needs no physical infrastructure, equipment, or a large amount of space to be installed. As a result, the cost of setting up and maintaining Business Central is reduced.
● Upgrades
Business processes and functions in Dynamics 365 Business Central, like those in the NAV solution, may be customised to meet your specific business needs. There is, however, one significant distinction. In comparison, upgrades in Business Central are more smooth and less expensive to do than in other systems.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, which of Dynamics NAV and Dynamics 365 Business Central is the better fit for your business? Perhaps the most difficult answer is, “how do you know?” It’s a common refrain. Why?
The personal nature of ERP software necessitates that it be tailored to the specific demands of your business. Because the cloud and Dynamics 365 Business Central provide various advantages. While Dynamics NAV and all of its modifications may be required for a difficult project, you may need to remain on-premise.
Finally, Dynamics NAV users should be aware that they will be forced to join the Dynamics Business Central family by the end of the year to use the same cloud capability. This is the strategy of Microsoft.
