Now that we have all the software installed, you will need proper licensing in order to do some development. There are a couple of different licenses that you, the end user, will have access to.
When you install Dynamics NAV, the demonstration license is installed by default. The demonstration license allows you to access every module in Dynamics NAV. However, the areas you're able to develop are severely restricted. The demo license is intended for you to click around and test a few transactions with certain date ranges. It's not really meant for learning development, which is the reason why you're reading this book.
In case you're already familiar with Dynamics NAV object numbers, here are the properties of the Dynamics NAV 2013 demo license from the Microsoft website:
Start up to two simultaneous client sessions on any platform.
Create up to two companies.
Support an unlimited number of web users.
Run in any supported language.
Use all application functionalities, including add-on products, local extensions, and customizations in current and previous versions. This means that you can run, but not modify, all object types within the range 1 to 99,999,999.
Run and modify table 18, 2000000061 and 2000000064 through 2000000200, pages 21 and 22, report 101, and XML ports 99,008,503 and 99,008,510. Each object in Dynamics NAV is assigned an ID, so when we say we can modify table 18, it means we can make modifications to the table with ID 18.
Run, modify, and create fields 99,990 to 99,999, page 99,998 and 99,999, report 99,999, Query 99,9999, and MenuSuite 90.
The database data restriction is as follows:
Enter transactions in months other than November, December, January, and February
If you're looking for more development capability, you can also subscribe to MSDN to get a Dynamics NAV license with more capability than the out of the box demo license.
At the time of writing, Microsoft had not released the MSDN license for Dynamics NAV 2013. If you want the MSDN license, check the MSDN site regularly.
The MSDN license for Dynamics NAV is meant for you to learn development in Dynamics NAV; however, you will not be able to use this license to run your company. The license has the same restrictions as the demo license, in that you can only enter transactions in a certain date range.
If you're already familiar with Dynamics NAV object numbers, here are the properties of the MSDN licensing:
Table 18 can be modified. Fields 99,990 through 99,999 can be inserted into table 18.
Pages 21 and 22 can be modified. Forms 99,998 and 99,999 can be inserted.
Report 101 can be modified. Report 99,999 can be inserted.
MenuSuite 90 can be inserted.
XML Port 99,999 can be inserted.
Create new objects in the object range 123,456,700 through 123,456,799.
The restriction on the database data is as follows:
The pricing for an MSDN subscription and a full user license is comparable. In fact, buying a full Dynamics NAV user license is cheaper than an MSDN subscription.
If buying Dynamics NAV is what your company is going to do anyway, it may be better to purchase the Starter Pack without any additional users. This will allow you to use the license and the database that you will use when Dynamics NAV is implemented for your company. If you choose to buy the full license, you will be able to follow the majority of exercises in this book. However, without buying the developer license, you will not be able to modify the coding that's covered in the later chapters of the book.
You will also not get to use the more advanced modules, such as manufacturing or warehouse management. However, this book will not be getting into these advanced granules.
The On-Premise license will allow you to modify everything except the following:
Code units
Code behind the pages
Code behind the tables
In addition, the On-Premise license comes with the following:
10 custom tables you can create
100 custom pages you can create
100 custom reports you can create
In order to buy the On-Premise license, you will need to find your local Dynamics NAV Solution Provider. Thankfully, Microsoft provides a directory for partners that provide service and software, as follows:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics/partner-information.aspx
Part of the big push with the release of Dynamics NAV 2013 is the ability to move the product into the cloud environment. There are a few companies that have cloud offerings.
The company that has graciously allowed us to use their environment for you to log in and follow along with the book is called Data Resolution, Inc. Coincidentally, they were named Hosting Partner of the Year by Microsoft in 2012.
You can get a 30-day free trial at http://navappdev.erpclouds.com/. Thirty days should be more than enough for you to follow through the chapters in this book. Unfortunately, Data Resolution does not offer a longer free trial.
The licensing available when you sign up would be the same as buying the On-Premise Dynamics NAV license with full development capabilities for your company.
Again, you will not get to use the more advanced modules, such as manufacturing or warehouse management. This book will not be getting into these advanced granules; if you're interested in these by the end of this book, you can ask your local Dynamics NAV solution provider to discuss using this solution for your company.
If you wish to continue following through the book and continue doing examples after the 30-day trial, you will need to sign up. So, use your time with this book wisely.