Insight eNews

A Monthly Newsletter from AVF Consulting, Inc.

Microsoft Navision Solution Center &

 Microsoft Gold Certified Partner

February 2006

In this edition:

From the President: Microsoft Customer Event, February 21 & 22

News From Microsoft: Navision Support Versions 3.6 and Below

AVF News: Convergence 2006, AVF Help Desk Launch!

Tip or Trick:  How to Setup Accounting Periods

From the President-- Andrew Fass

Get Out Of The Office!!

Join Microsoft and AVF for a Special User Group Session
Featuring East Coast Navision Technical Specialist, Katherine Cxypoliski

AVF and Microsoft have teamed up to get you out of the office and bring you a special...

User Group Session:
Columbia, MD -- February 21
Reston, VA -- February 22

Both events will feature a Navision breakout session with Microsoft's East Coast Navision Technical Specialist, Katherine Cxypoliski. AVF staff will also be in attendance in Columbia and Reston to address any further Navision questions.

Agenda:

• Welcome time: 8:00am
• Breakfast
• Start time: 9:00 am
• Driving Your Business Forward with Microsoft: Microsoft will present information on maximizing the Connected Customer environment using Microsoft Office, Microsoft platform products and Microsoft Financial (Navision) Software
• Breakout Sessions: The Navision session will be lead by Katherine Cxypoliski, East Coast Navision Technical Specialist. AVF staff will also be in attendance to address any questions or concerns
• Lunch: 12:00 pm

This is a great opportunity to learn how to further maximize your Microsoft investment and meet with one of the Navision thought leaders to find out first hand the direction of Navision's future. For more information and to register please visit http://www.avfconsulting.com/news_events.asp. Still have questions?  Call Karen Tran at 443-279-1026.

News from Microsoft

Microsoft No Longer Supports Versions of Navision 3.6 and Lower
Is It Time For You to Upgrade??

As of December 31, 2005, Microsoft no longer provides Mainstream support for Navision versions 3.6 and below. This means all the support options and programs that partners or customers were receiving, such as technical support, paid incident support, support charged on an hourly basis or hotfix support and year end tax updates will no longer be provided by Microsoft. 

This does not mean AVF will no longer provide support for such versions, but this will make it more difficult for AVF to provide you with the highest quality support.  AVF strongly encourages anyone still using Navision versions 3.6 and lower to upgrade.  This will not only enhance your business functionality, but it will also enhance AVF's ability to service your solution. 

Here are the Top Ten reasons to upgrade to Navision 4.0:

1. Powerful analytics tools help give you targeted insight into your business.

2. Efficiently exchange information and transactions across companies.

3. Take the pain out of routine accounting processes.

4. Empower employees with a solution they’ll want to use.

5. Sharpen your competitive edge with Business Notifications.

6. Make Decision Support part of your everyday business operations.

7. Produce key reports easily and efficiently.

8. Manage manufacturing processes to keep pace in a competitive marketplace.

9. Work seamlessly with Microsoft applications and technologies.

10. Rest assured that upgrades and customizations don’t have to be painful, costly processes.

For more information about the changes in Microsoft support and how it will affect you, contact Terry Williams at 410-296-5100.  For information about Navision 4.0 or to schedule an upgrade contact Jeremy Fass at 443-279-1019. 

AVF News & Events

AVF Help Desk Rolls Out New Version:  Keep your eyes peeled for the new version of the AVF Help Desk.  AVF Consulting will be rolling out a new version of the Help Desk in mid March.  These changes are all aimed at improving the overall customer service experience.  More information about the specific changes and how they will affect you will be coming your way in the next few weeks!

Mark Your Calendar for Convergence 2006!  We’re excited for Microsoft's 10th annual Convergence event! Convergence is an annual conference where Microsoft users from all over the world gather to share information and resources. Convergence 2006 will take place in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, March 25th through Tuesday, March 28th, 2006. It is a very insightful event that provides customers with knowledge and tools to help them make full use of their Navision investment. AVF encourages all who can attend to do so!  Visit Convergence 2006 for more details. 

Tip or Trick

How to Setup Accounting Periods
 

Have you noticed that the date filters on your reports or bank reconciliation are not working properly?

If you are using the interval filter (..) or the period filters (p1, p2, p3, etc.) and Navision is not returning to correct data, it may be due to your accounting periods.  Double check if you have created your new 2005 accounting period.  This is found under the General Ledger module, general ledger periodic activities, fiscal year, accounting periods.  If your 2005 accounting period is not shown, simply click the Create Year button.

Then specify the start date of your accounting period, the number of periods, and the period length.  Finally, click the OK button to create your new accounting year.  Navision will now be able to properly retrieve your dates.