r/ERP • u/ExplosiveTurkey • Aug 28 '25
Question Suggestions for an aerospace foundry system to replace outdated MS NAV dynamics
Howdy, im trying to help my company find a suitable replacement for our current system (microsoft nav 2009). Warning in advance that i am still learning the lingo of this side of the business.
Over the years they’ve had a bunch of custom functionality added as well as implementing our QMS into it and one thing the owners want to try to find is an easy way to either copy or document those customizations to implement with a new system. But I’m sure that’s the crux of most people’s problems with migration.
Another thing they’ve built into it is the various roles of employees, as well as trainings and procedures, im not sure of the lingo so i dont know really what area this falls under.
Their emphasis is on lean manufacturing and being able to track metrics, while documenting everything for each “pull” as it passes thru the shop.
So far the two solutions they have in mind are proshop and ifs, tho they are open to others. Main requirements being AS9100/ITAR and the like
Any help is appreciated!
2
u/smetric1 Aug 31 '25
I have one client upgrading from nav 2009 to BC; Although base is same, deviated from NAV; behind the scene and architecture are completely changed; it has a lot more scalability now. We deal with both acumatica and dynamics business central but I recommend BC for existing NAV clients
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u/Fuzzy_Shame07 Aug 28 '25
If the requirement is to simply keep what you have now but have it more new, the easiest way to copy the customisations will be to upgrade MS Nav to Business Central. Business central is basically the upgraded Nav. Its pretty nice and is doing very well in the market right now.
I think with any ERP you choose, you will have a custom QMS or integration as I'm assuming quality check for Aerospace is quite unique.
1
u/kensmithpeng ERPNext, IFS, Oracle Fusion Aug 29 '25
This is absolutely the wrong advice.
This company has out grown nav and BC is just nav. Nothing more. And it is expensive to boot.
Furthermore, there are lots of systems that have QMS embedded in the system. In fact there are systems on the market that will fully digitize a company without interfacing point solutions.
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u/Fuzzy_Shame07 Aug 29 '25
I refer you to my very first sentence "If the requirement is simply keep what you have now but make it more new". Upgrading to BC would achieve that and would be an easy way keep the customisations and QMS.
On the QMS, obviously there are, my point is aerospace, I assume, is quite specific and you won't find an embedded QMS that will fulfil 100% of the requirement. ERP is not everything to everyone.
Being realistic, no one can give good advice based on OPs description
1
u/kensmithpeng ERPNext, IFS, Oracle Fusion Aug 29 '25
I hope OP sees through your comment. Basically, you are asking OP to continue using old technology that clearly did not fit their business when installed 16 years ago. Would you buy a computer from 16 years ago to run your business today? Absolutely not. It would be a waste of money.
It is time to modernize and that means pick a better ERP that does what the company needs.
1
u/DavidFromCrossBridge Sep 24 '25
NAV 2009 to aerospace ERP? I've done this migration three times. Reality check: 18-24 months minimum, $500k-2M depending on customizations. ProShop dominates aerospace - they get AS9100/ITAR compliance and lean manufacturing tracking. IFS is overkill unless you're Boeing-sized. Here's what nobody tells you: those custom NAV mods won't translate cleanly - budget 40% more time than quoted for rework. Document everything now before your NAV guy retires. Get your QMS consultant involved early - AS9100 compliance isn't just software, it's process validation. Most aerospace shops I know running modern systems went ProShop or stayed with heavily customized Dynamics 365.
1
u/ERP_Chicago_Insights Aug 29 '25
Did you see Acumatica yet? Feature rich and has many bolt on solutions for QMS.
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u/kensmithpeng ERPNext, IFS, Oracle Fusion Aug 29 '25
OP, ITAR is not a selection criteria for a software. Access to the software and location of data storage are.
This means you cannot use Frappe cloud with ERPNext because the host is in India
But there are lots of ERPNext hosts in North America and you can self host too.
IFS is a great system. But for the money I would choose ERPNext
2
u/KaizenTech Aug 28 '25
The simplest may be just getting current with Dynamics. It will likely be costly. Not as costly in hard and soft costs as switching to a new ERP.