Microsoft Business Solutions ' Navision

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This product, formerly known as Navision Financials and Navision Attain, was renamed Microsoft Business Solutions ' Navision, to reflect its new ownership since 2002. Navision targets mid-sized companies with a suite that includes modules for accounting, manufacturing and supply chain management. It features a highly customizable development interface and multiple language options.

MODULES AVAILABLE/SCALABILITY - 4 Stars Modules available for Navision include GL, Fixed Assets, Sales & Receivables, Relationship Management, Service Management, Purchases & Payables, Inventory, Warehouse Management, Manufacturing, Capital Require- ments Planning, Resources, Jobs, HR, Payroll and Commerce Portal.

Navision is a flexible program that is adaptable to anything from single-user installations to enterprise-level configurations utilizing Microsoft SQL Server. Installation varies accordingly, but in all cases is well organized, and should be a relatively straightforward process for a professional computer technician. You have a choice of using the Navision Database Server for simplicity and economy or Microsoft SQL Server for power and scalability.

EASE OF USE/TRANSACTION ENTRY - 5 Stars The program's main work area has a navigator-style menu with a vertical list of hyperlinks for each installed module. Clicking on one of these items displays the applicable items for that module on the right-hand side of this window. These hyperlink items lead directly to query windows, data-entry screens and report lists. The program uses a combination of grids for list items and queries, and multi-tab data-entry screens for record details.

Screens generally have a couple of pop-up menu buttons that provide quick access to related queries. For example, from the customer screen, the Customer button leads to items such as Ledger Entries, Issued Docu-ments, Ship-to Addresses, Sales, Jobs and so forth that are related to the specific customer. A Sales button leads to items like Invoice Discounts, Prices, Quotes, Orders and so forth.

One of the most powerful aspects of Navision's design is its use of 'dimensions.' The chart of accounts lets you define an unlimited number of dimensions and dimension values at any time. A dimension is data that you can add to an entry as a kind of marker so that the program can group entries with similar characteristics and retrieve these groups for analysis. Dimen- sion values are sub units of dimensions. For example, a dimension called Department can have sub units such as Sales, Administration and so forth. This is a powerful concept and tool, allowing nearly unlimited configurations to meet the company's needs and business processes.

CUSTOMIZATION/SECURITY - 5 Stars Customization is provided through the program's development interface. The underlying codebase is a language called C/SIDE, which can also be used to extend and enhance any Navision module in an infinite number of ways. Using the Object Designer, you can make modifications to the application or create completely new application areas. Of course, this would typically be undertaken by an experienced Navision developer. Third-party consultants that are specialists in this area are available.

Another area of customization is in reporting. Reports provided can be modified using the built-in WYSIWYG report designer, or new reports can be designed using a wizard that lets you select tables, fields and layouts, then produces a new report that is selectable just like the other standard module reports.