Last week I travelled to Bangkok to attend the Directions ASIA Conference. This conference runs for two days, is focused on Dynamics NAV, and is organised and run by a number of European NAV partners. Microsoft is a platinum sponsor, and gives keynote presentations, as well as presenting content at other sessions throughout the conference.
While travelling all the way to Bangkok for a two day conference is a significant time commitment, with the impending release of Dynamics 365 Business Central, it was important to get the latest information directly from Microsoft.
Microsoft confirmed their direction and strategy for the product, which will be a full version of Dynamics NAV, hosted by Microsoft as a Software as a Service (SaaS) product. Further, the product roadmap will see Dynamics NAV rebranded later this year to Dynamics 365 Business Central, with both SaaS and On-Premise options available.
Dynamics 365 Business Central will be a full version of Dynamics NAV, hosted by Microsoft as a SaaS product.
Immediately prior to the conference Microsoft announced the release dates – the 2nd April 2018 for fourteen countries through Europe, and the 1st July for Australia and New Zealand, with the on-premise version due around October this year.
Pricing and functionality packaging was also covered – the product will be structured similarly to the existing NAV licensing, but what is currently known as the ‘Starter Pack’ for NAV will have more functionality – Advanced Warehousing and Advanced Finance will be included.
While Business Central will be licensed on a named user basis, it is worth remembering that the above pricing includes all hosting costs, which also means there is no need to purchase licenses for other products like Windows Server and SQL Server which were required in the past.
It was clear that Microsoft is building momentum with the new product release. Keep an eye on our website for more information as we get closer to the official launch on the 1st July 2018.
