Why Early Planning May Be Advisable for Upgrading to Coming Microsoft Dynamics NAV 7

How should Microsoft Dynamics NAV users begin preparing for the expected fall 2012 release of NAV 7?

Microsoft's Todd Bergeson, senior product marketing manager, generated much discussion on that question with his NAV User Group breakout session, Microsoft Dynamics NAV Roadmap.

He explained: "To get to (NAV) 7, you have to go through 2009. So, if you're on version 4, you can't jump. That doesn't mean it can't be done all in one process, when you do the upgrade, but you have to go through 2009."

The reason for this, Bergeson said, is twofold: First, SQL is the only server option for NAV 7, so when a user is upgrading to 2009, he needs to upgrade to SQL; and second, the Classic Client must be upgraded to the Role Tailored Client using the transformational tool in 2009, because the engine that runs the forms in previous versions will no longer exist.

"So, when you upgrade to 7, and everything's in forms, nothing will run," Bergeson said. "I can guarantee you, the forms aren't going to miraculously change and appear, because that's going to throw the development cycle out by another year. So, that engine is gone. Classic client is gone, so you just need to have that discussion now."

At least one audience member expressed concerns.

James Everett Kochheiser, CIO and senior operations manager for Otis McAllister in San Francisco, said his company had recently invested more than $1 million on Microsoft Dynamics NAV version 5. Due to one failed implementation, which Kochheiser blames on an ineffective Microsoft partner, the system took nearly two years to get up and running. Clients and vendors are just getting comfortable with it... "and now we have to upgrade again?" he asked. It will be a ...