Article

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 Evaluated--Part 2

by Marije Brummel
Freelance Developer, Brummel Dynamics Services

In Part 1 of this three-part evaluation of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009, I provided a generally positive assessment of the Role Tailored Interface. In this Part 2, an examination of The Service Tier and the Transformation Tool, I am somewhat less enthusiastic.

The Service Tier

Whereas the new Service Tier interface is a very visible new feature of Dynamics NAV 2009, the Service Tier's functionality is definitely not new. From an end user's or consultant's perspective, it is difficult to judge the Service Tier. From a developer's perspective, it is difficult to judge as well. The Service Tier does not make his/her life any easier, though the question should be this: Does it make his life harder?

For what we have seen, this is not the case. The Service Tier is very stable in normal conditions and seems to have good performance. The first caching seems to be a bit slow, but once the objects are in, it is fast enough for an end user to work with. Too bad sessions do not share cached objects, though. For batch processing the service tier seems to be significantly slower than the classic two-tier client. It takes up to three times longer to post a batch of invoices.

One of the downsides is that the service tier only accepts Windows authentications. This makes it mandatory to be in the domain when connecting. This makes it impossible to bring your own laptop to the end user. A good workaround is to have a remote desktop connection for the Role Tailored Client.

When working with files and automation control objects, it is slightly more confusing when working with the service tier. Extra code ...

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About Marije Brummel

Author, Programmer, Consultant, Project Manager, Presenter, Evangelist, Sales person and Trainer. Working for Partners, ISV’s, End Users, Master VARs and Microsoft across the globe in more than 25 countries. It’s next to impossible to find someone as widely and deeply experienced as Marije in the Business Central community.

Marije received numerous awards including the Microsoft MVP award and the NAVUG All-Star. She was chair of the Dynamics Credentialling committee and authored the official Microsoft Exam materials. She did both onsite and online readiness sessions for Microsoft when the product went through major changes such as moving from two to three tier and the introduction of extensions. 

Her biggest passion is changing the world for the better in every way possible. One of her biggest achievements was the introduction of Design Patterns into the Business Central community. 

She is the go-to-girl when it comes to performance troubleshooting and upgrade challenges. Technologies such as the Azure stack and Web frameworks don’t hold secrets in regards to Business Central.

Marije wrote a number of books and countless blog articles and YouTube videos, which influenced almost every person and project involved with Business Central.

At home she enjoys the outdoors with her dog and tries to spend as much time as possible with her kids and family. She likes shopping and traveling.

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