Microsoft Announces Dynamics NAV 2013 Release Candidate 1, Dan Brown's Departure from NAV R&D

The Microsoft Dynamics NAV R&D team has cut its "RC1" release candidate according to a new blog post by Dan Brown, the general manager of NAV R&D.  Brown also revealed that he is departing the NAV team and will be succeeded by Microsoft newcomer Erik Tiden.

Brown takes a moment in his post to call out what he sees as some of the highlights of the new release.

On performance and architectural improvements:

"The runtime investments increase performance and scalability for transactions and reporting. They're also built to run optimally on Azure as well as to improve partner-hosted performance."

"To improve manageability we created a new admin console and added APIs for powerful scripting. The server also now complies with the rigorous Microsoft's Common Engineering Criteria (CEC) server "hygiene" standards."

On development:

"In response to your needs for developing on pages, we've enhanced tooling substantially around page design and debugging (and testing!)."

On implementation:

"...we've rethought rapid deployment through the new Rapid Start module."

On usability:

"...expanded out-of-the-box RoleCenters to Unicode"

"...from the SharePoint and web clients to end user productivity features on the rich client to improved integrations with OneNote and Excel"

"From all the feedback we've gotten, even diehard classic client fans will be on RoleCenters very soon! "

"...expanded out-of-the-box RoleCenters to Unicode"

Brown explained that he has moved back to the US after several years in Denmark ...