Dynamics NAV Comparison
Microsoft Dynamics NAV (formerly known as Navision) and Dynamics 365 Business Central are closely related as part of Microsoft’s suite of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solutions. Business Central retains the core functionalities and business logic of NAV, ensuring a smooth transition for existing NAV users, but also enhances NAV’s capabilities with cloud-based features, real-time data access, and improved integration with other Microsoft services.
See below for a comparison chart noting the functionalities available across the systems.
Licensing
| Versions | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2009 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 365 BC |
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| Subscription Licensing |  |
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| Perpetual Licensing | |
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Architecture & Technology
| Versions | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2009 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 365 BC |
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| Automatic Upgrades | |
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| Applications (Extensions) | |
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| Table Extensions | |
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| Page Extensions | |
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| Modern Development Environment (Visual Studio Code with AL) | |
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| Customisation with Apps & Extensions | |
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| Graphical Role Centre Customisation | |
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| Graphical Fields Customisation | |
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| Graphical Pages Customisation | |
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| Task Scheduler | |
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| Brick Views | |
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| E-mail Body Templates with Microsoft Word | |
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| Automatic Testing (Test Codeunits) | |
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| Phone Client | |
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| Modern Reporting with Microsoft Word Layouts | |
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| Support for Azure SQL | |
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| Multitenant Databases / Deployment | |
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| Tablet Client | |
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| Queries | |
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| Windows PowerShell | |
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| Web Client | |
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| Modern Application Server (NAS) | |
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| Server Administration Tool | |
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| Extensibility with Microsoft .NET Framework | |
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| Role Centers | |
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| Multi-Tier Architecture | |
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| Job Queues | |
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| Classic Development Environment | |
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| Customisation with C/AL | |
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| Classic Client | |
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General Functionalities
| Versions | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2009 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 365 BC |
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| Copy & Paste Rows | |
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| Full Keyboard Shortcut Support | |
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| Multiple Production Environment | |
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| Batch-Post Sales & Purchases As Scheduled | |
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| Enhancements for Customer Migration Tools | |
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| UK Address Validation | |
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| Migration from QuickBooks | |
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| Assisted Setup | |
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| Notifications | |
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| Automated Workflows | |
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| Document Sending Profiles | |
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| Data Upgrade Automation | |
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| Help Server | |
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| Provisioning Tools for Windows Azure | |
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| Single Sign On | |
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| Charting Capabilities | |
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| New User Concept | |
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| Document Approval | |
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| Graphical Production Schedule | |
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Financial Management
| Versions | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2009 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 365 BC |
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| Reconcile Payables With External Document Number Field | |
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| Bulk Invoicing | |
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| VAT Registration Number Validation | |
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| Employee Sub-Ledger | |
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| System-Wide Dimension Filters | |
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| Deferrals | |
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| Posting Preview | |
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| Cash Management | |
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| Support for SEPA Credit Transfer & SEPA Direct Debit | |
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| Electronic Payments & Direct Debits | |
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| Cost Accounting | |
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| Cash Flow Forecast | |
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| VAT Rate Change Tool | |
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| New Dimension Set Entry Table | |
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| Faster G/L Posting | |
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| Online Payment Services | |
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| Bank Account Management | |
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| Batch Creation of Journal Lines | |
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| Intercompany Purchase Cost Distribution | |
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| Prepayments | |
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| Reversal of Journal Postings (Unapply) | |
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| Partial Payments | |
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| Consolidation Enhancements | |
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| Predefined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) | |
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| Inter-Company Postings | |
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| Fixed Assets | |
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Manufacturing
| Versions | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2009 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 365 BC |
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| Sales and Inventory Forecasting | |
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| Enhanced Integration | |
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| Manual Planning | |
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| Production Orders | |
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| Production Forecast | |
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| Graphical Production Schedule | |
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Supply Chain Management
| Versions | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2009 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 365 BC |
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| View Item Availability By Unit Of Measure | |
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| Item Classification Based On Images | |
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| Item Categories | |
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| Item Attributes and Hierarchy | |
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| Document Management, Document Capture and OCR | |
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| Item Availability by Event | |
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| Inventory Movements | |
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| Additional Default Bins and Dedicated Bins | |
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| Enhanced Integration to Service Management | |
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| Assembly Management | |
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| Supply Planning Setup Enhancements | |
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| Automated Data Capture System | |
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| Item Budgets | |
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| Planning Transparency | |
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| Picks | |
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| Standard Cost Worksheet | |
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| Price Management | |
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| Supply Planning | |
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| Costing | |
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| Item Tracking | |
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Service Management
| Versions | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2009 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 365 BC |
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| Integration with Manufacturing, Warehouse and Assembly Management | |
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| Planning and Dispatching of Materials Overview | |
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| Service Order Management | |
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| Item Attributes and Hierarchy | |
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| Service Contract Management | |
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Project Management
| Versions | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2009 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 365 BC |
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| Job Information Included in Archived Sales and Purchase Documents | |
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| Cancel or Correct Job Invoices | |
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| User Tasks | |
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| Project Manager Role Center | |
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| Jobs WIP Calculation Compliance | |
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| Usage Link | |
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| Jobs | |
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Sales & Marketing
| Versions | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2009 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 365 BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI Support for Sales & Inventory Forecast | |
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| AI Support for Late Payment Prediction | |
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| Dynamics 365 Sales Integration | |
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| Sales and Purchase Document Approval | |
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| Interaction/Document Management | |
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| Payment Terms Translation | |
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| Document Archiving | |
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Business Intelligence & Reporting
| Versions | 4.0 | 5.0 | 2009 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 365 BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reporting in Excel | |
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| Power BI Reporting | |
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| Excel Read and Write Capabilities | |
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| Embedded Power BI | |
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| Excel Integration to Query | |
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| Jet Reports Express for Microsoft Dynamics NAV | |
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| Open XML Integration | |
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| Predefined Charts and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) | |
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