How Do I Best Plan for the Arrival of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009?

The world of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 is rapidly heating up. Microsoft partners have had an early Technical Preview, and there is much talk about major changes in user interface and architecture. Final release is just around the corner, with expected release date in the fourth quarter of this year.

All the anticipation is exciting, but users are faced with the dilemma of just when to upgrade. There are really two main groups of users, each with a different question. For existing users of Microsoft Dynamics NAV, what kind of plan should they adopt for upgrading? For prospective users, should they implement Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0SP1, or wait for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009?

I address the first question in this column. I will consider the second question in a separate column, to be published next week.

Both questions are completely appropriate, especially considering the scope of change in store for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009. The RoleTailored user interface, which has seen its first usage with the recent Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009 release, will be the fundamental innovation in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009, at least from an end-user...