Microsoft Shows Off Dynamics NAV 2016 E-Business Advances to Users at NAVUG Summit

Microsoft Dynamics NAV R&D is taking aim at creating a universal online standard for tracking and receiving business invoices, and hoping to leave paper copies in the past.

So described Microsoft's Principal ERP Program Manager Jannik Bausager in two sessions at this week's NAVUG Summit in Reno, Nev., where he highlighted several features of NAV 2016. Bausager promised that the software, which was released earlier in October, would help businesses automate processes with a new workflow engine that will simplify the implementation of capabilities like cloud-based invoice filing and electronic storage.

With some template set up, the NAV 2016 software should be able to automatically scan and strip data from invoices stored as electronic files using optical character recognition (OCR technology), freeing businesses from costly and time-consuming manual invoice entry. Data extracted from invoice files is easily searchable, and the original files are stored within NAV 2016 itself.

Bausager stressed ease of use as a major selling point for the new NAV 2016 software, claiming that businesses would be able to connect their new systems with cloud servers within 10 minutes.

For small businesses concerned about the potential start-up costs connected with automating invoice processing, Bausager again stressed the ease of automating the workflow process and allowing businesses to set approval options for certain files. To sweeten the pot, Microsoft is partnering with payment processing company Lexmark ...