Insight eNews

A Monthly Newsletter from AVF Consulting, Inc.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV Solution Center &

 Microsoft Gold Certified Partner

December 2006

In this edition:

From the President: Microsoft Launches Office 2007 and Windows Vista

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0: Keep an Eye Out for the Latest Dynamics NAV Release

AVF Office Closing: How to Access Emergency After-Hours Support, Attention Retailers

AVF News & Events: AVF Attends the NRF Show, Convergence 2007, and Microsoft Promotions

Tip or Trick: Post and Print

From the President: Andrew Fass

Microsoft Office 2007 and Windows Vista Launch

This winter Microsoft will be releasing Office 2007 and Windows Vista, making this one of the most exciting times in recent Microsoft history.  These new product launches are major milestones for Microsoft and mark the dawn of a new technological era. Microsoft Office 2007 is currently available for business customers and will be available for retail customers in early 2007.  Windows Vista is scheduled for worldwide availability on January 30, 2007. 


Key Features of Office 2007 include:

• The Ribbon: The traditional menus and toolbars have been replaced by the Ribbon - a new device that presents commands organized into a set of tabs.  Each application (Excel, Word, Outlook, ect.) displays a different set of commands that are most relevant for the task areas of that application. 

(If you have trouble seeing the images, please print for a clearer picture)

• The Microsoft Office Button: This button is central to all Office applications and replaces the options found in the File menu.  From the Microsoft Office Button the user can share, protect, publish, print, and send their documents. 

• Contextual Tabs: Only appear when they are needed and make it much easier to find and use the commands needed for the operation at hand.  For example, in Excel 2007, the commands for editing a chart are not relevant until a chart appears, so when you click on a chart the contextual tab appears with commands used for chart editing. 

• Galleries: This is the heart of the redesigned applications.  Galleries provide the user with a set of clear results to choose from when working on their document, spreadsheet, presentation or Access database.  By presenting a simple set of potential results, rather than complex dialog box, Galleries simplify the process of producing professional looking work. 

Key Features of Windows Vista:

• Ease of Use: Windows Vista incorporates familiar elements of Windows XP such as the Start menu and has made it faster, more streamlined and more helpful than any previous version.  With the Instant Start feature, users can simply type a word, name or phrase and have that file delivered right to them.  The new Start menu also makes it much easier to navigate across all installed programs, eliminating the slow performing, cascading "All Programs" view. 

• Explorers: The new Explorers are powerful yet easy-to-use tools for working with files consistently across Windows Vista.  Explorers give you more information and control while simplifying how you work with your files.  The experience is easy and consistent, whether you're browsing photos or documents or even using the new Control Panel. 

• Windows Aero: This feature allows Windows Vista to gracefully scale to the hardware capabilities of the computer it is installed on.  All computers that meet minimal hardware requirements will see the Windows Vista basic user experience, while those user who exceed the basic requirements can chose to see additional levels of visual sophistication.

• Live Taskbar Thumbnails: Resting the mouse pointer over the taskbar item displays a live thumbnail of the window, showing the content of that window.  The live thumbnail is displayed whether the window is minimized or not, and whether the content of the window is a document, photo, or even a running video or process. 

• Windows Flip and Windows Flip 3D: Windows Vista provides two entirely new features to manage open windows: Windows Flip and Windows Flip 3D.  Flip allows you to flip through open windows (by using the Alt+Tab), providing a live thumbnail of each window.  With Flip 3D, you can use the scroll wheel on your mouse to flip through open windows in a stack, and quickly locate and select the one you want to work with. 

Microsoft has made it easy for you to take Office 2007 for a test drive, simply log on to http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101741481033.aspx and chose from several trial versions of Office 2007.  For more information about Windows Vista visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/.  As always, if you have further questions, please feel free to contact Rob Waples in AVF's IT department at 410-296-5100 or rwaples@avfconsulting.com.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0

Microsoft has announced the upcoming release of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0.  This release will mark one of the largest and most exciting new releases ever for this product. Microsoft Dynamics 5.0 will introduce the new role-based client as well as the enhanced Office 2007 integration features. 

Since this release will be so large, Microsoft has decided to split it into two releases - Microsoft Dynamics 5.0 and Microsoft Dynamics 5.1.  Microsoft Dynamics 5.0, due out in March 2007, will include all of the rich application features and enhancements that 5.1 will offer, but it will be delivered in the traditional C/SIDE client.  Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.1 will launch by June 2007 and will deliver the new role-based client.  This role-based user interface will have 21 different user roles all tailored to meet the specific needs of that user, thus reducing the complexity of the system for the individual. 

Both versions will benefit from the tight integration that has been developed between Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Office 2007.  This integration will bring a more unified look and feel to the products as well and many key benefits including:

• Microsoft Outlook client integration enables users to create, update, cancel, and delete records in one program and the other program is automatically updated.

• Create a Word document in Microsoft Dynamics NAV and send it via Microsoft Outlook.

• Work with Microsoft Dynamics NAV data directly in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to view data, produce reports, and create pivot tables for easier analysis.

• Book a meeting in Microsoft Outlook right from the Microsoft Dynamics NAV contact card.

• Automatic synchronization saves time as it eliminates the need to switch back and forth between applications.

To get a glimpse of how this new technology will look or for more information about the integration between Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0 and Office 2007 click here. If you have any other questions about Microsoft Dynamics NAV 5.0, please contact Jeremy Fass at 443-279-1019 or jfass@avfconsulting.com. 

AVF Office Closing

Please be advised, the AVF office will be closed for the Holiday's on the following dates:

Monday, December 25th
Monday, January 1st

On those days, the AVF Helpdesk will be closed and all AVF employees will be off for the holidays. In order to have access to the Emergency After-Hours Services that AVF provides, you must sign up. Signing up is free! You are only billed when you use the service or request Emergency After-Hours work. Let us know if you are interested by contacting our Customer Service at mclark@avfconsulting.com or 410-296-5100.  AVF wishes you and all of yours a happy and safe Holiday Season!

Retail Customers: Please be advised, Saturday, December 23rd and Sunday, December 24th are, as you know, two of the biggest shopping days of the year and AVF staff will NOT be in the office these days.  However, staff will be available for Emergency After-Hours support.  If you wish to have access to after-hours support, YOU MUST SIGN UP.  Signing up is free!  You are only billed when you use the service.  PLEASE SIGN UP TODAY!! Call Customer Support at 410-296-5100 or e-mail Melissa Clark at mclark@avfconsulting.com. 

AVF News & Events

AVF will Host a Booth at the National Retail Federation Show 2007: AVF will be attending the National Retail Federation Show (NRF) again this year.  The show will take place January 14th through the 16th in New York City and will feature the best and the brightest of the retail world.  If anyone is planning on attending the show, please come by and visit us in the Microsoft booth, number 818.   

Mark Your Calendar for Convergence 2007: Get ready for Microsoft's 11th annual Convergence event!  Convergence is an annual conference where Microsoft users from all over the world gather to share information and resources.  This year Convergence will  take place in San Diego, California on Sunday, March 11th through Wednesday, March 14th, 2007. Microsoft Dynamics NAV users have been breaking attendance records for the past few years and this year is expected to be no different, so don't miss your opportunity to be a part of the magic. Make plans now, Microsoft offers major discounts for those who register prior to January 10th.  Visit www.msconvergence.com for details or contact Meredith Mitchell at 443-279-1028 or mmitchell@avfconsulting.com.

Microsoft's Module Sale: Existing customers are eligible to receive a discount when they add additional modules/granules.  Buy any 2 modules/granules and receive the 3rd at 50%.  Buy any 3 modules/granules and receive the 4th for FREE.  This offer is only valid from November 1, 2006 to January 31, 2007.  Please do not wait to take advantage of this offer. Contact Jeremy Fass for details, 443-279-1019 or jfass@avfconsulting.com. 

LAST CHANCE, Microsoft Offers Discount on Additional User Sessions: Existing customers are eligible to receive a discount on additional users.  Those customers with Navision Professional Edition can purchase 5 additional users and receive the 6th FREE.  Those customers with Navision Standard Edition can purchase 3 additional users and receive the 4th FREE.  This offer is available thru December 20th, but please do not wait to take advantage of theses savings.  For details contact Jeremy Fass at 443-279-1019 or jfass@avfconsulting.com.

Tip or Trick

Post and Print

If you are trying to run a post and print in any module in Navision and nothing prints, give these few easy steps a try.

From within the Navision module you wish to post and print go to the Reports menu, click Run the Register and clear out all of the filters there.  Remember you must stay within the module you wish to post and print from the entire time.  Once the filters are cleared, go back and post and print as you usually would.  Things should run smooth from here.