23rd September 2004 - Microsoft Navision Client Day

23rd September 2004 - Microsoft Navision† Client Day

Navision customers from all over the UK arrived in Cambridge for the 5th consecutive Cambridge Online Navision Client Day held at the new Cambridge Belfry Hotel in Cambourne.

The two main themes for the day were ‘Business Partnerships’ and ‘Adding Value’.

Jon Gardner (Client Services Manager) welcomed the delegates and visiting speakers and introduced the schedule for the day. The key objectives of the day were laid out as follows:

To gain an insight into current & planned MBS Navision developments.
To increase awareness of excellent third-party products that may have a major impact on Navision's efficiency & effectiveness.
To outline new COSL functionality that may assist in maximising the added value of Navision implementations.
To gain insight into how other Cambridge Online clients leverage their Navision systems to gain maximum business advantage.

Jon outlined some of the success stories from the previous year including the roles played by two Cambridge Online clients; Window Ware and Suffolk Coastal District Council, in helping Microsoft Navision win the coveted 'Mid-Range Software Package of the Year' at the Accountancy Age Awards 2003.

Continued Investment in Navision Support
Jon further emphasised the continued company investment in client support and development - the introduction of new support consultants, the improved support handling processes, the new MBS training & certification achievements and the investment in new state of the art support and training tools such as WebEx.

Microsoft Navision - The Path going Forward
There then followed two detailed informative presentations by two senior guest speakers from Microsoft. Finn Boysen, Global Product Manager Navision presented a paper entitled 'Navision - The Path Going Forward' where he outlined in detail the current and anticipated future plans for the ongoing development of Navision. Veda Snyman, Program Manager Requirements UK further developed the theme by showing how existing Navision clients could make a difference and play an important role in the development of new functionality within Navision.

Microsoft Navision v4.00 Preview
Paul Crinson, Navision Product Manager at Cambridge Online gave delegates their first look at the new V4.00 Navision product which is shortly to be released in the UK. The initial response from the clients present was most favourable, especially the new intercompany, cash handling and reverse journal functionalities.

Adding Value to your Navision system
Paul Hollcraft (Jet Reports) and Otto Strandvig (ExpandIT) picked up the theme of 'adding value' by outlining their respective reporting and mobile solutions. Jet Reports allows end-users to generate detailed Navision reports directly from MS Excel and ExpandIT have specialist solutions for remote sales order processing, service and project management, whereby data recorded on to PDA's, smartphones or laptops can connect to the main Navision database and accurately and efficiently update the orders, timesheets or jobs without any manual intervention.

Navision consultants Paul Cox and Paddy Mullaney presented new functionality to permit auto emailing of Navision documents (Purchase Orders, Sales Orders, Remittance Advices & Reports) in PDF format. New products allowing the automation of Navision backups and the control and management of Navision client logins were also presented. Paul Crinson presented the new Targit Business Analytics - one of the new generation of business intelligence products that is being built into the new Version 4.00 release to round off a very exciting list of added value propositions to the delegates.

Cambridge Online's Microsoft IT infrastructure partner, EACS, presented how Microsoft classic products complement the use of Navision and Cambridge Online presented Microsoft CRM and Microsoft Small Business Server 2003..

In a presentation entitled 'Upgrades - The Necessity & the Complexities', Jon Gardner addressed the delegates on the key issues in the Navision upgrade decision and the timing. Jon highlighted the 'pain points' and highlighted the key components of a successful upgrade - a proper methodology, the need for a professional diagnostic and scoping of the project - on the back of which an agreed Project Plan, outlining timings, responsibilities and budgets, could be properly built.

To round off the day Stephen Farr, UK Product Manager Navision, was appointed moderator in a fascinating question and answers session with a panel that included all the senior managers from both Microsoft and Cambridge Online.

The Directors of Cambridge Online hosted a most convivial dinner at the hotel in the evening for all delegates and guest speakers. There was much opportunity for networking and discussion and many guests elected to stay overnight.

By all accounts the delegates agreed that the day was extremely useful, informative and very enjoyable.

Next Cambridge Online Microsoft Navision Client Day
Clients now look forward to next year's event which will be held on Thursday 29th September 2005. Details to follow.

If you are interested in attending our next meeting or if you would like to know more about the topics discussed please contact us.