Dynamics NAV & Dynamics 365 Business Central Version Comparison

Compare the versions from Navision 3.7 through to the latest Business Central!

The table below is intended help you understand when functionality was introduced into the different versions of NavisionDynamics NAV and Dynamics 365 Business Central. Go back to our summary page on Dynamics NAV vs Dynamics 365 Business Central here.

1) For Role-Tailored only on the client side
2) Only on the client side
3) Only Role-Tailored client and web services
4) Only web and tablet clients
5) Only for extensions development
6) Only as legacy platform, not recommended. Extensions 2.0 recommended instead
7) Task Scheduler recommended for periodic activities
8) Available only as free-of-charge extra download
9) Only in Premium subscription level
10) Limited-functionality snap-ins for services. Custom tools available
11) Natively on Azure SQL, but customers don't have direct access to it
12) Natively multi-tenant, but is visible as single-tenant to customers
13) Integrated with classic client
14) They are mandatory with only option of delaying them
15) Only on-premise
16) Only SaaS
17) For desktop client only
18) Multi Column
19) For Classic client only
 + Existing functionality were enhanced with this release

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title
3.7
4.0
5.0
2009
2013
2015
2016
2017
2018
BC 13
BC 14
BC 15
BC 16
1. Licensing 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Perpetual Licensing
Subscription Licensing
 
2. Architecture 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Three-Tier Architecture
Multitenant Databases 12 12 12 12
Ability to Download a Database (SaaS)
Two-Tier Architecture
On-Premises Installation 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
Support for Azure SQL 11 11 11 11
 
3. Client 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Classic Client
Role Tailored Client
Role Tailored Interface over a Wide Area Network
Web Client
Phone Client
Tablet Client (Universal Application)
 
4. Scheduled Tasks 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Job Queues
Classic Application Server (NAS-NAV Application Server)
Modern Application Server (NAS-NAV Application Server) 7 7 15
Task Scheduler
 
5. Administration and Upgrades 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Administration and Automation with Powershell 15
Automatic Upgrades 14 14 14 14
Automatic Testing (Test Codeunits)
Server Administration Tool 10 15
Detailed Notifications for Update Events 16
 
6. Web Services 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
OData Web Services
SOAP Web Services
Standard Web API
Support for OAuth authentication
 
7. Customisation and Extensibility 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Customisation with Apps / Extensions 1.0 6
Extensibility with ActiveX 1 2 2 2 2 2 17 17
Extensibility with Microsoft .NET Framework 3 15
Customisation with C/AL
Customisation with Apps / Extensions 2.0
Store Applications (Extensions) 16
Classic Development Environment (C/SIDE with C/AL Language) 13 13 13 13
Modern Development Environment (Visual Studio Code with AL Language) 5
 
8. Printing 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Classic Reporting
Modern Reporting with SSRS (SLQ Server Reporting Services) Layouts
Customer and Vendor Document Layouts
Modern Reporting with Microsoft Word Layouts
 
9. System Building Blocks 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Table Extensions 4 4 4 4 4
Interfaces
Page Extensions 4 4 4 4 4
Queries
Enums (Expandable Options)
XMLport Filtering 17 17
Events
XMLPorts
 
10. User Interface 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Role Explorer (Role Centre Explorer)
Brick Views 4 4 5 5
Company Badge/Indicator 1 17 17 5 5
Role Centers 18 18 18
MenuSuites 17 17 17 17 17 17 17
Mandatory Fields Marked with Red Asterisk 5 5
Graphical Role Centre Customisation 4 4 4 4 4 4
Graphical Fields Customisation 17 17 17 17 17
Graphical Forms/Pages Customisation 17 17 17 17 17
Resize Columns (Modern Clients) 17 17 17 17 17 17 17
Hierarchical Menus (Actions) 1
Theme Customisation
 
11. Integrations 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Integration with Outlook
Surface Microsoft Dynamics NAV Information Directly into SharePoint Online
Interoperability with Office 365 and Office 365 Applications
Integration with Microsoft Flow
Cortana Intelligence
Contact Synchronisation with Office 365
Electronic Documents and Incoming Documents
Integration with Microsoft Office
Integration with Common Data Services
 
12. General Functionalities 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Workflows
Document Sending Profiles
Application Profiler 8
Charting Capabilities
ADCS Using Web Services / Web Services
Search for Business Features
Support for Camera and Location
Multiple Languages per Tenant
Disable Export of Data to Excel
Easy Switching Between Environments
Assisted Setup
Notifications
Microsoft Social Engagement Integration
Provisioning Tools for Windows Azure
Data Upgrade Automation
Help Server
Microsoft Office Alignment of Dynamics NAV Windows and Web Clients
Document Approval
Navigation and Productivity Enhancements
Online Map
Graphical Production Schedule
Non Sequential Numbering
Longer Names and Descriptions
Links in Navigation Menu 19
Full Keyboard Support 17 17 17 17 17 17
Outlook Integration (Outlook Add-in)
Email Body Templates with Microsoft Word
Print to Attachment
 
13. Financial Management 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Missing Posting Setup Notifications
Employee Sub-Ledger
Support for SEPA Credit Transfer & SEPA Direct Debit
Cost Accounting
New Dimensions Engine (Dimension Sets)
Online Payment Services
Batch Creation of Journal Lines
Bank Account Management
Intercompany Purchase Cost Distribution
Reversal of Journal Postings (Unapply)
Consolidation Enhancements
Reminders and Finance Charge Notes Cancellation
System-wide Dimension Filters
Deferrals
Posting Preview
Cash Management
Cash Flow Forecast
VAT Rate Change Tool
Faster G/L Posting
Prepayments
Partial Payment
Predefined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Inter-company Postings
Fixed Assets
Document Line Descriptions in G/L Entries
 
14. Manufacturing 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Two New Global Setup Fields 9 9 9 9
Graphical Production Schedule 9 9 9 9
Manufacturing Module 9 9 9 9
Enhanced Integration 9 9 9 9
 
15. Business Intelligence & Reporting 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Excel Integration to Query
Jet Reports Express for Microsoft Dynamics NAV
Reporting in Excel
Power BI Reporting
Excel Read and Write Capabilities
Embedded Power BI
New Office Format (Open XML) Integration
Predefined Charts and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
 
16. Supply Chain Management 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Inventory Movements
Planning Transparency
Picks
Standard Cost Worksheet
Price Management
Costing
Merge Duplicated Vendors
Copy Items
Auto-Insert Recurring Sales and Purchase Lines
Receive more Items than Ordered
Use Resources in Purchase Documents
OCR Recognition of Vendor Invoices
Item Classification Based on Images
Surcharges Based on Gross Weight and Volume
Item Attributes and Hierarchy
Item Availability by Event
Additional Default Bins and Dedicated Bins
Enhanced Integration to Service Management
Assembly Management
Supply Planning Setup Enhancements
Automated Data Capture System
Item Budgets
Modern Price Management
Supply Planning
Item Tracking
Reversing Shipments for Non-item Types
Configuration of Warehouse Documents
 
17. Sales & Marketing 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Integration with Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Sales and Purchase Document Approval
Integration with Dynamics 365 for Sales
Interaction/Document Management
Payment Terms Translation
Document Archiving
Merge Duplicated Customers
Merge Duplicated Contacts
 
18. Service Management 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
Service Order Management 9 9 9 9
Service Contract Management 9 9 9 9
Enhanced Integration with Manufacturing, Warehouse Management and Assembly Management 9 9 9 9
Planning and Dispatching of Materials Overview 9 9 9 9
Service Management Module 9 9 9 9
 
19. Project Management 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16
User Tasks
Jobs in Archived Documents
Cancel or Correct Job Invoices
Project Manager Role Centre
Jobs WIP Calculation Compliance
Usage Link
Jobs