While business software updates can be theoretically exciting for tech enthusiasts, small companies need to know the basic facts. How can new versions of ERP solutions benefit their organizations?

Microsoft released Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016 in March 2015. Now that users have gotten a chance to put the technology to use, they’ve discovered which of the software’s new updates proved most advantageous. Here are four features introduced to companies in Microsoft Dynamics 2016 and how organizations profit from implementation:

1. Workflows
One of the main goals for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016 was to offer small businesses a chance to catch up with larger corporations. The business software solution provides the user with data processes to speed up operations and create complete visibility of procedures. For example, organizations can simplify common tasks with the Dynamics NAV 2016’s workflow engine.

The workflow engine feature allows the user to take advantage of 20 out-of-the-box workflow templates or design their own event-driven automation. Companies can use the templates to seek instant approval from managers or increase the speed of sales cycles. Small businesses can use the feature to create their own templates for procedures they perform most often and keep operations moving along at a proper speed.

The ERP Focus blog shared the example of a Dynamics NAV 2016 user that reduced the time it took to process orders by 75 percent. The manufacturer made their employees lives easier after implementation, tasks were simpler to perform and provided workers with more time for productivity.

2. CRM integration
When companies implement technology for visibility, they want to make sure a central system has access to all relevant data. In the past, many companies integrated ERP solutions with Microsoft Dynamics CRM products. Now, Microsoft Dynamics NAV offers native integration with Dynamics CRM online.

A Microsoft customer case study discussed how a business performed CRM integration with its Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016 solution to increase the number of transactions it processed on a daily basis and design more detailed customer profiles. After four training sessions with an ERP consultant, the telecommunication system could used ERP and CRM data to monitor a client’s interaction with a company and update records accordingly. The improved visibility helped the organization locate causes for late payments and payroll problems.

The new native integration available through Dynamics NAV 2016 makes Dynamics CRM online information part of data processes and the cloud-deployed performance makes it more convenient.

3. Mobile
Data should be beneficial to all relevant staff members. Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016 features are available on most mobile devices companies now use as business computing assets. Employees with smartphones running Apple iOS and Google Android can access ERP solutions while out meeting with clients or participating in ongoing projects.

The information created by modern business practices offers solutions that Dynamics NAV 2016 users can now access in the palm of their hands. Smartphones and tablets can display purchase activities, key performance indicators and ongoing sales invoices. There is no longer an excuse for managers to make uninformed decisions or for any employee to be left out of the information loop.

4. Business Intelligence
When Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016 was introduced back in October 2015, TechRadar highlighted the business intelligence’s ability to visualize data. The Power BI feature gives small organizations the data insight and modeling of companies with large IT departments. Automatic ERP solutions provide the same insights into trends but makes the answers easier to come by and in much less time than manually processes.

Power BI visual analytics allow users to turn answers into charts and graphs with the click of a button. Managers can spot outliers and performance drivers. All users can communicate findings through a variety of mediums that make it easier to demonstrate success or opportunities.