Future-proofing of Technical Knowledge re: Navision

knight

Hey there everyone,

I have been a technical consultant with Navision for about 8 years now. I have covered a great deal of the types of development and interfacing available within Navision. My concern however is with the eventual merging of Navision and the other Microsoft Business Solution packages, that if Navision eventually ends as an entity, then my 8+ years of experience counts for nothing.

For those who are either in a similar situation, or can understand my point of view, how would you suggest that I expand my knowledge base in order to ensure my continued marketability? My current plan has been to learn bits of SQL Server, C# (particularly in ASP.NET), and Sharepoint.

Any other feedback and/or suggestions?

kine

I think you are going in good direction. May be you can first focuse to SQL Reporting Services, some BI, Sharepoint, and WebServices and .Net in general.

Alex_Chow

knight wrote:

Hey there everyone,

I have been a technical consultant with Navision for about 8 years now. I have covered a great deal of the types of development and interfacing available within Navision. My concern however is with the eventual merging of Navision and the other Microsoft Business Solution packages, that if Navision eventually ends as an entity, then my 8+ years of experience counts for nothing.

For those who are either in a similar situation, or can understand my point of view, how would you suggest that I expand my knowledge base in order to ensure my continued marketability? My current plan has been to learn bits of SQL Server, C# (particularly in ASP.NET), and Sharepoint.

Any other feedback and/or suggestions?

NAV will be around.

MSFT will not eliminate NAV since the sales of NAV has been upwards. If anything, I see products such as GP and SL merging into NAV. It just doesn't make business sense the other way around.

Regarding the other skills you want to focus on, IMHO, the choices you've selected are all easily outsourceable. If you can combine those skills with a niche, it would greatly improve your marketability. i.e. Specalist of SQL in NAV, Specialist of Sharepoint integration with NAV, etc etc.

David_Singleton

knight wrote:

Hey there everyone,

I have been a technical consultant with Navision for about 8 years now. I have covered a great deal of the types of development and interfacing available within Navision. My concern however is with the eventual merging of Navision and the other Microsoft Business Solution packages, that if Navision eventually ends as an entity, then my 8+ years of experience counts for nothing.

For those who are either in a similar situation, or can understand my point of view, how would you suggest that I expand my knowledge base in order to ensure my continued marketability? My current plan has been to learn bits of SQL Server, C# (particularly in ASP.NET), and Sharepoint.

Any other feedback and/or suggestions?

Paraphrasing Alex "Don't Panic". NAV is here to stay. remember when NAV moved to Windows, and all the consultants and developers were asking "what new technologies should I learn. In reality where we all made our mark, was in understanding NAV and the business logic behind it.

If you have been with NAV 8 years, then you would now have a skill that can not be outsourced. You know how NAV works, how an invoice posts, and what tables it hits. Yes you should have a broad knowledge of Sharepoint, SQL, SSRS, Webservices, Mobile etc. but not deep knowledge, since you can always out source that. Use what you have.

PS I think it very humorous or strange at least that there are so many people that still don't realize that Microsoft know how to make money, (better than any of us thats for sure), so why does everyone second guess them, and think they are going to kill the golden goose. NAV makes money, aka "it will stay".

Tomas

kill the golden goose

=D>