Navision is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that later became known as Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Its technological successor is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. The system is designed to manage business processes such as finance, accounting, sales, purchasing, inventory, manufacturing, and other operations.

Although Microsoft Dynamics NAV was succeeded by Business Central, the name “Navision” is still widely used by businesses and IT professionals, especially when referring to older NAV installations.

What Is Navision?

Navision is an integrated ERP system that allows companies to manage different business processes within a single database.

For example, a sales order can be linked to inventory availability, shipment processing, invoicing, and financial accounting. This reduces the need to enter the same information into multiple separate systems.

Navision can be used by trading, manufacturing, logistics, service, and other companies. The available functionality depends on the software version, installed modules, and custom developments.

Navision was originally developed in Denmark. In 2002, Microsoft acquired Navision and gradually integrated its products into the Microsoft Dynamics business applications family.

The main stages of its development include:

  • Navision Financials and Navision Attain – earlier generations of the system.
  • Microsoft Business Solutions–Navision – the product name used after the Microsoft acquisition.
  • Microsoft Dynamics NAV – including versions such as NAV 2009, NAV 2013, NAV 2015, NAV 2016, NAV 2017, and NAV 2018.
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central – the successor to Dynamics NAV, introduced in 2018.

NAV 2018 was the last major version released under the Dynamics NAV name.

Business Central retained many of the business management concepts introduced in NAV while changing development technologies, the user interface, the extension architecture, and the update model.

What Can Navision Do?

Finance and Accounting

Navision supports general ledger accounting, customer and vendor balances, payments, bank transactions, fixed assets, and financial reporting.

Sales and Purchasing

Businesses can manage sales and purchase orders, invoices, prices, discounts, and document processing workflows.

Inventory and Warehouse Management

Navision provides tools for tracking inventory quantities, stock movements between locations, inventory valuation, reservations, and warehouse operations.

Manufacturing

With the relevant modules, companies can manage production orders, components, routings, and manufacturing resources.

Reporting and Data Analysis

Businesses can use standard reports or custom-developed reports tailored to specific operational requirements.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016 and NAV 2018 are earlier versions of the NAV ERP system that can be deployed within a company’s own IT infrastructure.

These versions use the RoleTailored Client (RTC) user interface, Microsoft SQL Server databases, and the C/AL programming language.

Common NAV development objects include:

  • Tables – data structures and business records.
  • Pages – user interface elements.
  • Reports – reports and document layouts.
  • Codeunits – business logic and processing procedures.
  • XMLports – data import and export.
  • Queries – structured data queries.

Over many years of using Navision, companies often develop custom functionality that becomes an essential part of their everyday operations.

Before upgrading or replacing a NAV system, it is important to identify these customizations and understand how they interact with standard functionality.

What Is the Difference Between Navision and Business Central?

Although Business Central is the direct successor to Dynamics NAV, it is more than a simple product rename.

Feature Dynamics NAV 2016/2018 Business Central
Programming language C/AL AL
User interface RTC and Web Client Modern Web Client
Deployment Primarily on-premises Cloud or On-Premises
Custom development C/AL object modifications and additional objects AL extensions
Integrations Web Services, XMLports, and other technologies REST APIs, Web Services, and other technologies

Migrating from Dynamics NAV to Business Central may require reviewing existing customizations, integrations, and data exchange processes.

Business Central – Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP System →

Can Companies Continue Using Older Navision Versions?

Yes. The end of Microsoft’s official support for a particular Dynamics NAV version does not automatically prevent an existing installation from operating.

However, companies should consider several factors:

  • Operating system and SQL Server compatibility.
  • Information security and backup procedures.
  • Maintenance of custom developments.
  • Reliability of integrations with other applications.
  • Availability of technical support.

Extended Microsoft support for Dynamics NAV 2016 ended in April 2026, while extended support for NAV 2018 is scheduled to end in January 2028.

The decision to continue using an existing NAV installation or migrate to Business Central should be based on the company’s technical requirements, business processes, risks, and expected costs.

Standard Navision functionality does not always cover every company’s specific business requirements.

Custom development may be needed to adapt the system to existing workflows or introduce additional capabilities.

Typical development tasks include:

  • Adding fields and modifying data structures.
  • Developing new business logic.
  • Creating custom reports and document layouts.
  • Automating data processing.
  • Importing and exporting business data.
  • Integrating Navision with e-commerce platforms, warehouse systems, and other applications.
  • Fixing errors and optimizing existing custom functionality.

Effective Navision development requires more than writing code. New functionality must operate correctly within existing accounting and business processes.

Navision can be integrated with other software to automate the exchange of business information.

For example, an e-commerce platform can send sales orders to NAV, while NAV can provide product availability, prices, or document status information.

Depending on the NAV version and technical environment, integrations may use SOAP Web Services, XML, CSV, SQL-based solutions, and other data exchange mechanisms.

Reliable integrations should include data validation, error logging, retry mechanisms, and safeguards against duplicate transactions.

Independent Navision Developer Services

I am an independent Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Business Central developer, working on custom development and integration solutions.

My main areas of specialization are Dynamics NAV 2016, NAV 2018, and Business Central On-Premises.

I can help businesses with specific NAV development tasks, modifications to existing functionality, custom reports, and integrations with external applications.

Working directly with a developer allows technical requirements, solution options, and project scope to be discussed without unnecessary communication layers.

If your company uses Navision and needs development support, feel free to contact me to discuss your requirements.

Learn more: Independent Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Business Central Developer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Navision

Are Navision and Dynamics NAV the Same System?

Yes. Navision is an earlier name that is still widely used to refer to the Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP system.

Are Navision and Business Central the Same?

Business Central is the technological successor to Dynamics NAV. However, the products differ in their architecture, user interfaces, development technologies, and deployment options.

Can Navision Work Without an Internet Connection?

An on-premises Dynamics NAV installation can operate within a company’s internal network without a continuous internet connection, provided that its specific functions do not depend on external online services.

Can Navision Be Integrated with an Online Store?

Yes. Custom integrations can exchange product information, stock levels, prices, orders, and other data between NAV and an e-commerce platform.

Is Migrating from Navision to Business Central Mandatory?

Not in every case. The decision depends on the NAV version, existing customizations, support status, security requirements, and the company’s long-term plans.

Can I Hire a Navision Developer for a Single Task?

Yes. Development services can be provided for individual tasks, such as modifying a report, fixing an error, or developing a new integration.