Upgrade from Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central
Make the move to Microsoft's most current ERP for unparalled performance and support.
Plan your move from NAV to Business Central.
Many organizations are planning to upgrade from Dynamics NAV to Business Central. Dynamics NAV has been the trusted ERP for small and medium-sized businesses in manufacturing, distribution, professional services, and more for many years.
NAV 2018 has a fixed support timeline, with support ending in early 2028. After this date, you should not expect ongoing support from Microsoft. If you’ve been putting off the move, you are not alone. Some business leaders are understandably hesitant that they may lose the customizations they depend on and that the change will be disruptive and costly.
However, now is the time to take the next step and future-proof your business and upgrade to Business Central. With aging infrastructure, increasing support gaps, and limited compatibility with newer technologies, the question is not if you will need to move away from NAV, it’s when and how.
Business Central is a modern, cloud-ready solution built for improved insights and growth. JoeDynamics is your transition partner to Business Central, ensuring you’re set up for long-term success with a system we understand and fully support.
Benefits of moving to Business Central
Eliminate costly version upgrades
Business Central does away with the need for major version upgrades. Instead, you receive automatic, biannual updates that keep your system current and secure without the downtime and expense associated with the traditional upgrade cycles of NAV.
A greater return on your Microsoft investment
Business Central inherently integrates with Microsoft 365, Teams, Power BI, and Power Automate. These connections allow you to streamline communication, automate manual tasks, and gain real-time insight using the tools your team already knows.
Move from customizations to modern extensions
Older NAV systems rely on direct custom code, which complicates upgrades and system performance. Business Central uses a modern extensions-based approach that allows you to tailor your system while keeping the core product intact.
Improve decision-making with real-time data and AI
Business Central delivers real-time dashboards, built-in reporting tools, and AI-powered forecasting features. These capabilities help you understand your financial position, monitor performance, and make informed decisions.
Anywhere, anytime access
Business Central lives in the cloud and is designed for today’s flexible work environments. Your team can securely access the system from any device, in any location, using only a web browser. There’s no need for VPNs, remote desktop connections, or complex IT setups.
Prepare for the future with a scalable, modern platform
As your business evolves, Business Central grows with you. Its flexible architecture supports multi-entity, multi-currency, and high-volume operations, allowing you to scale confidently.
Three paths to move from NAV to Business Central
JoeDynamics can help you make a smart, supported transition away from NAV to Business Central. Depending on your current NAV environment, we recommend one of three paths:
Path 1: A Clean Start
A brand-new implementation of Business Central brings over your data but does not carry forward existing customizations or legacy configurations. It is best for organizations with outdated or heavily customized NAV systems that want to streamline operations and start fresh.
Benefits:
– Simplify future upgrades
– Opportunity to modernize and clean up processes
– Leave behind unnecessary complexity
Considerations:
– Custom functionality must be rebuilt or replaced
– May require more user training and internal change management
Path 2: Upgrade to Business Central
Your data and select customizations are brought into Business Central in a single step, allowing you to retain your existing environment. This path is great if your organization has a relatively current version of NAV and customizations you want to preserve.
Benefits:
– Retain key business processes and functionality
– Minimal user disruption
Considerations:
– Some older custom code may not be cloud-compatible
– Can carry forward complexity if not reviewed carefully
Path 3: Lift & Shift to Business Central on-premise and online
The transition to Business Central is completed in two phases. First, you upgrade to Business Central on-premise and then you migrate to Business Central Cloud, navigating the technical constraints while maintaining your customizations. This approach is best for larger and more complex NAV environments with significant customizations or integration requirements.
Benefits:
– Reduce technical risk
– Preserve full data and functionality
– Allow for phased adoption
Considerations:
– Longer project timeline
– Delays full cloud benefits until second phase
– Requires close coordination through both stages
Take the dynamic step to Business Central.
Moving on from NAV is a strategic decision that affects your entire organization. JoeDynamics can make the transition easier and ensure the move and Business Central is aligned with your business goals.
JoeDynamics offers a no-cost NAV upgrade assessment. We review your current system, explain your options, and provide you with a recommended path forward based on our years of experience. We will share suggested timelines, cost estimates and what will be required of you and your team.
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