Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. As its name suggests, it is a computer system that is used to plan and co-ordinate the resources of an enterprise in order to increase profitiablity through increased efficiencies; the resources of the enterprise that are typically managed using an ERP system are fixed assets, employees, inventory, and capital.
Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 comprises a series of integrated application areas (or modules) that allow a single system to cater for a wide variety of businesses. Typical implementations would cover core financial system requirements and are sometimes referred to as Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS). In addition to core financial functionality, the system offers:
- Sales & Marketing
- Purchase Management
- Warehouse Management
- Manufacturing
- Job Costing
- Service Management
- Human Resources
The user experience of Microsoft Dyamics NAV 2009 is primarily delivered through the RoleTailored client. The RoleTailored client is a Windows .NET application that allows users to interrogate and manipulate data, that is stored in a database, through the use of menus, pages and reports.
The system is made up of a number of components that can be loosely grouped into two categories: Application Logic and Executables. The Executables are developed by the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Product team and must be patched and upgraded by Microsoft. The Application Logic is written using a proprietary programming language (AL or C/AL) and a number of application objects (Tables, Forms, Reports, Dataports, XMLports, Codeunits, MenuSuites, and Pages). The application logic is initially developed by Microsoft and can be modified by partners and end users depending on the license file being used. The abillity to easily extend the application logic that is delivered by Microsoft has resulted in the availability of a large number of vertical market solutions that add functionality to the core system that make it suited to a particular type of organisation (for example Fashion, or Food Manufacturing).