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Microsoft’s small business enterprise resource management (ERP) software ecosystem has been given a mobile makeover.
The Redmond, Wash.-based software maker has officially released the latest versions of Dynamics NAV and SL, the company’s ERP software suite for small and midsize businesses (SMBs), announced Gordon Macdonald, SMB global outbound marketing lead for Microsoft Dynamics ERP. In keeping with the company’s “mobile-first, cloud-first” product development strategy, the updated software incorporates features that allows companies to manage their business processes without being tethered to a PC.
Dynamics NAV 2015 has been revamped to offer a touch-optimized experience for tablets like the iPad, according to Macdonald. “With this release, new Microsoft Dynamics NAV tablet applications are available now from the Windows, Apple, and Google app stores,” he said in a statement.
Other major additions include a customizable interface that helps streamline ERP workflows. Dynamics NAV 2015 supports “personalized home pages that let users view their most important business data and key performance indicators in a glance,” said Macdonald. “Sophisticated color coding and live data help users prioritize actions and stay productive.”
Customers can also now craft invoices using familiar tools. “Power users can now create customized, branded invoice templates on their own in Microsoft Word without having to engage a technical consultant,” boasted Macdonald. Optimized Azure and Office 365 cloud deployment options enable businesses to skip server and IT management costs. New upgrade tools “help partners significantly lower the cost and time required to move customer implementations to the current version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV,” he added.
Finally, the software includes new electronic payments and automated account reconciliation features meant to help SMBs get paid faster. “These enhancements include a new Bank Data Conversion Service delivered on Microsoft Azure by AMC Consult A/S that enables automated processes for electronic payments, payment reconciliation and bank account reconciliation,” said Macdonald. AMC Consult is a bank integration and cash management software specialist based in Denmark.
For project-based SMBs, Microsoft announced the availability of Dynamics SL 2015 and SL 2015 Web Apps.
The solutions build “on the solid momentum we’ve seen since launching Microsoft Dynamics SL Web Apps earlier this year and supports the cloud and mobile needs of our SMB customers,” said Macdonald in a company blog post. Replacing the Business Portal project features of Dynamics SL, the Web apps provide mobile access to the Project Time Entry, Project Expense Entry, Project Approvals, Project Maintenance, Project Analyst and Quick Query software modules.
Dynamics SL provides better support for complex environments and projects with multicompany processing, reporting and security upgrades. The software also now features project-specific multicurrency support, receivables invoice previews, automatic 1099 vendor backup withholdings and payroll process tweaks.
Refreshable Excel worksheets and pivot tables expand on Dynamics SL’s reporting capabilities. Rounding out the product’s feature set are Office 365 integration and Azure cloud deployment options.