Microsoft Updates Navision Solution for SMEs
First major release since Redmond software giant acquired company in 2002
First major release since Redmond software giant acquired company in 2002
- Empowered users. Microsoft Navision 4.0's new user interface, modeled after Microsoft Office Outlook 2003, is intended to give users a familiar working environment as well as the capability to design their own personalized menu structure. Users will be able to connect to resources outside of Navision, such as files needed to conduct business. In addition, upgraded sales orders capabilities were designed to give users more control over managing information and their workload and allow them to be more responsive to customer needs and questions.
- Insightful. In Navision 4.0, key performance indicators (KPIs) and analysis tools have been upgraded with business graphics to give users a graphical view of business analytics and enable them to navigate into information critical to strategic business management, according to the solution provider.
- Connected. Building on Microsoft SQL Server Notification Services and integration with the overall Microsoft technology stack, Navision 4.0 introduces Business Notification, intended to help businesses stay more connected with customers, employees and suppliers. Navision also includes the extensible markup language (XML) port, which can facilitate communication with other solutions, customers, vendors and business partners.
- TCO. Navision includes industry templates designed to enable Microsoft partners to reduce the time it takes to implement the solution. Examples of industries for which a template has been developed include furniture, manufacturing and electronics engineering.
- Adaptive processes. For organizations that rely on manual planning and straightforward production processes, Navision 4.0 includes a manufacturing foundation. Built to support the agility and flexibility often required by smaller manufacturers, this simplified foundation provides an entry point for the full-featured manufacturing solution in Navision 4.0. The manufacturing foundation offers visibility into work in progress and support for order-by-order planning workflow, intended to help businesses manage production orders, bills of material, manual planning processes and exceptions without added complexity.
