Is the Dynamics NAV Windows client dying?
For some time among my colleagues arises a question whether the Dynamics NAV Windows client is starting to fall. This question arises every time when the latest version of Dynamics NAV is released. It is obvious that Microsoft purposefully allocates significant resources to the development of the Dynamics NAV Web client. The Web client is becoming more and more beautiful, more and more capable and more and more stately with each version. Is this really a sign of the Windows client’s decline? What does this mean to you as an end user? Read more about it in this blog.
Dynamics NAV Windows client – installation on computer. Windows environment required.
Dynamics NAV Web client – webpage. Windows environment not required.
To answer this question, it is worth taking a look at Microsoft’s global strategy. It shows that today everything moves to the Cloud. Everyone around us is talking about Dynamics 365. Huge Azure data centres are being created to host Microsoft’s business systems (and not only them), Office 365, and so on. But why is it happening? The answer is simple: the market requires the option to buy a system as a service. Entrepreneurs are increasingly less likely to decide on buying systems and purchasing the hardware to keep them in addition to paying for annual updates. By contrast, in order for a system to be purchased as a service nowadays, it mainly has to be web-based! This is self-evident, because people today want to get the benefits provided by the system not only using a computer, but also using a phone and a tablet. Taking into account that a web-based system does not need to be installed on a device, which permits its use on different platforms, it can be accessed from any device, anywhere. That’s where the freedom comes in, which nowadays is required by the market and which Microsoft is also trying to provide.
Environment that requires change, or market expansion
The Dynamics NAV Web client, compared to the Windows client, allows the use of the system for a significantly wider range of clients. Since it is not possible to install the system, for example, on Linux or iOS operating systems (at least officially, providing convenient, fast and full use of the system), Microsoft is losing a big market share. By contrast, the Web client does not provide any limitations on the choice of the operating system. Thus, for example, in order for the iOS user to be able to use the system comfortably and comprehensively, the best option is to do so through the web.
These factors form Microsoft’s “web-centric” strategy. How has this strategy evolved over time? The Web client for Dynamics NAV, as the first of the Dynamics products, was released as early as 2013, together with the Dynamics NAV 2013 version. At that time, the Web client was not convenient to use because of the many error messages, problems with high speed and limited functionality. This first version was followed by Dynamics NAV 2015 and Dynamics NAV 2016 where the Web client is stable, fully functional, fast and with system errors prevented. In fact, over the three years, Microsoft has been able to create a good, fast and reliable web-based business management system.
Windows client vs. Web client: current limitations
The Dynamics NAV Web client has now developed so much that all the major limitations which existed previously in relation to the Windows client have been virtually eliminated. Some limitations, however, still exist. In my opinion, the biggest limitation of the Web client emerges at the time when the user needs to perform operational actions very quickly. This happens because of the nature of technology. Just like when dealing with any web form, the user enters data, the system updates the information in the online mode and at that moment the operation of the system slows down, while the needed page is loading/reloading. For example, in the car business, this user could be a service adviser who handles a large number of incoming calls, processes applications and schedules the appointments with specialists. Therefore, if a user has to enter data into the system continuously and quickly on a daily basis, the Windows client is a better choice.
Another significant limitation is related to integrations with other hardware. The explanation for this lies in the design technology of the Web client (as a web page). The making of this integration requires longer and more complicated technical work in order, for example, to configure the components that enable data exchange.
One of the much-discussed deficiencies of the Dynamics NAV Web client is the lack of departments. In turn, they make work significantly easier for accountants, allowing them to switch between different departments faster. In the Web client, these departments have to be searched manually by typing the name of the required department in the search field.
Yet another restriction of the Web client is the limitation on the number of characters displayed in the fields (20 characters maximum). The Windows client does not have this limitation and these fields can be expanded manually, just like in Excel, while the Web client does not provide for this option. However, it is possible to expand the field width in the Web client too by means of some additional programming work.
Elva DMS repair manager role | Windows client
Web client requires Internet. NO, it does not!
An Internet connection is not necessarily required to use the Web client. If the user, however, wants to operate the system outside the office, then Internet access is required in any case, also for the Windows client. In turn, the system within the company’s internal network, regardless whether the Windows client or the Web client is used, can also be operated without an Internet connection. Of course, the Web client must be configured accordingly beforehand.
Basically, if the system is used outside the office and the user has access to the Internet, both the Windows client and the Web client can be used. If there is no Internet connection, neither client can be used. At the same time, the availability of Internet inside the company does not affect access to the system for any client.
Costs
When purchasing a system, it does not matter which client the user chooses to use. Upon receipt of the solution, the user gets both the Windows client and the Web client. The employee may choose which client to use in their daily work. A common practice is to use the Windows client while in office and use the Web client when working outside the workplace. The selected type of client does not affect the licencing policy or the purchase prices in any way. However, it should be considered that the price for implementation of the Web client will be lower!
Already at the stage when we only deliver trial versions of the system to the customers, we are occasionally faced with the following problem: after sending both the Windows client installation information and the Web client access information to the customer, the customer attempts to install the Windows client on its site, but something goes wrong with the installation. Why? There might be some incompatibility in the Windows versions. There might be problems with regional settings. Or there might be some other incompatibility. But in order to start work with the Web client, it is sufficient for the user to click on the link provided and enter the password.
The Windows client requires physical installation that demands certain procedures and technical compatibility for the user to start using the system. At the same time, to use the Web client it is sufficient to load the website in the Internet browser window, which is not affected, for example, by the age of the computer’s operating system.
The same relationship between the complexity of, and the need for, the processes to be carried out is also maintained in the system implementation and upgrade installation in daily work. From the point of view of the system administration, the Windows client is more expensive to implement and maintain than the Web client, since it is not necessary for a technical employee to be physically present at each computer to install a program or updates. This is a mandatory precondition in case of the Windows client. For example, updates for the Web client can be installed on a centralized basis and for all users at the same time.
Web client is visually more attractive
Visually, the Dynamics NAV Web client is more attractive, more striking and more colorful than the Windows client. Why so? Everything is based on different technologies according to which each of the clients is built. The Web environment allows for greater variations in data representation than the Windows environment can offer. Thus, for example, the Web client of the Dynamics NAV 2017 version already incorporates a number of data display options that will not be available in the Windows client.
Elva DMS repair manager role | Web user
So, what about the question I asked before? Can the Windows client be considered dead for real? At present, the Windows client is used by everyone, and it is impossible to do without it. Consequently, according to today’s situation, my answer would be no. However, the first steps towards it are clearly being taken at the moment. The Dynamics NAV Web client is directed towards making it functionally richer, for example, by providing simple embedding of different functionalities created outside the system into the product. For example, the graphic planner in the Elva DMS solution is created in JavaScript and embedded into the system. It is easy and convenient for us as developers! I am sure that sooner or later Microsoft will also solve other above-mentioned deficiencies in the Web client.
When formulating the answer about the future of the Windows client, it is worth bearing in mind that Dynamics 365, the latest product in the family of Microsoft business solutions, does not have the Windows client as such. Only the Web client is available.
Conclusions
- Environment requires change: Web-based systems will survive.
- Everything in the world of business solutions is heading in the direction where the user will not have to install anything when starting work with the system.
- The Web client can be accessed from any computer. You just need to know the access link and the password. It is very handy for a user.
- A common situation is that some employees of a company use the Web client and some use the Windows client.
- The Windows client still offers more functionality, but this is expected to change.