Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 GA is planned for the fourth quarter of 2013. The Microsoft Dynamics NAV release codenamed Sicily will become Dynamics NAV 2013 R2, Microsoft revealed at Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) 2013 this week.
NAV 2013 R2 will meet the NAV team’s goal of beginning an annual release pace. The new release will introduce an update client interface with Windows 8 styling. It will feature an updated look and feel that can build in more charts and reports with streamlined drilldown. The new release also promises more hosting platform support and better compatibility with Office 365.
The news was announced at the Worldwide Partner Conference 2013, where Jesper Lachance Raebild, Dynamics NAV Product Marketing Manager, even hinted that an “end-to-end update” may be implemented further down the line. The presentation also suggested that there may be additional tools that will support local-scale hosting, but no more details were given on this. Analysts have already suggested that this may mean multi-tenancy partner hosting in Azure.
More details on the NAV 2013 R2 release will be revealed this fall at the Directions events in the US and Europe, Lachance Raebild said. Microsoft is positioning the NAV 2013 R2 release around four pillars: 1. Instant Value, 2. One Microsoft, 3. Services, 4. Devices
Small demos were revealed to Microsoft Partners, highlighting the new interface, although it is still unclear how many NAV screens will get this new Windows 8 look.
Mr Lachance Raebild added that these changes will come down to decisions made by the partner. He said: “It is up to you to decide what it will take for your business to be successful. We have focus areas that we think where the market is moving, that will push the way we develop our products and partner programs, but at the end of the day, it is your call.”
Beyond this release, the next major rollout is set to be NAV ‘Crete’ in 2014, and then future releases every consecutive year after. Microsoft hopes to formulate further compatibility with Windows Azure hosting, RapidStart Services, SharePoint and Office 365 next year.
Further details on the R2 release will be announced at the Directions events in the US and Europe later this year.
