Should Manufacturers Transition to Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations?

Microsoft Dynamics NAV has been a solid ERP choice for manufacturers. It provides capabilities for discrete manufacturing and basic warehouse management. But, like many specialized industries, customizations and multiple add-on solutions are often needed in Dynamics NAV to get the full functionality required.

For example, a manufacturer may want to add support for lean, process, and mixed mode manufacturing—which are not supported by Dynamics NAV today. Having to buy multiple add-on solutions to address advanced needs can be costly, not just in terms of acquisition, but also ongoing maintenance of the link between the base system and the third-party app.

Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations

Even though Dynamics NAV can work well for basic manufacturing operations, Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations has even deeper functionality. Most common requirements are included out of the box, without the need for add-on solutions or customizations, including:

• Lean manufacturing (production flows and Kanban)
• Process manufacturing (ability to support formulas and recipes)
• Mixed-mode manufacturing (combining discrete and process)
• Visual planning (charts to see bottlenecks and reschedule orders as needed)
• Shop floor controls (operator can enter labor and materials natively)

When Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations Makes the Most Sense for a Manufacturer

Many manufacturers want to implement advanced features at no added cost. With Dynamics NAV, you run customized environments on premise and typically need 5-6 ISV solutions. In contrast, most Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations customers run in the cloud and without any customizations or add-on solutions needed.

Are you evaluating ERP options? Considering a transition to Dynamics 365? We highly recommend working with a trusted partner like Western Computer to get professional advice. We’ve been helping businesses with their ERP needs for many years and can help you sort through the myriad of choices you face. Give us a call today to arrange for personalized conversation about your organization’s needs.