Chapter 1. Getting Dynamics NAV 2013 on Your Computer – For (Almost) Free

This chapter will walk you through downloading and installing Dynamics NAV on your computer so that you can try out the software without having to hire external consultants or piece together online information.

Whether you're getting into Dynamics NAV because you're interested in a profession in this field, or because your company is interested in using Dynamics NAV as their ERP system, trying the software before you make the commitment will ensure you're making the best decision for you and your company.

There are three components that are needed for you to get into the development environment in Dynamics NAV. They are:

The installation files can be downloaded for free. The installation files come with the full development environment. They will install almost everything you need to work with Dynamics NAV. The files are the same for a single-user installation and a multinational corporation.

To create and modify reports in Dynamics NAV, you will need to have Visual Studio installed on your computer. Dynamics NAV uses the RDLC reporting method, which means the reports do not get processed on the SQL server; rather, it's processed on the server where the middle tier is installed. The last part of going into the development environment is getting the proper license. Yes, you can download the software for free, but the license will cost you some money in terms of an MSDN subscription.

We will go through the online resources to download your copy of Dynamics NAV to be installed on your computer. We will also explore ways of trying out the development environment in Dynamics NAV by signing up for a free trial using the cloud service that is available.