Migrate / Upgrade Navision (Dynamics NAV) to Dynamics 365 Business Central
It is time to upgrade from Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central
Are you still using Dynamics NAV? It’s time to consider upgrading to Dynamics 365 Business Central, the latest version of Dynamics NAV.
As a valued Microsoft customer with an active BREP, you’re entitled to this upgrade. Mainstream support for Dynamics NAV 2018 concluded in early 2023, and earlier versions have already lost support. This leaves your business vulnerable and at risk. Dynamics 365 Business Central 2023 offers a robust feature set with over 320 capabilities, compared to just 94 in NAV 2016. Not only does Business Central include all the functionalities of NAV, but it also comes with enhanced technology that provides significant advantages.
Samadhan, a trusted Microsoft Partner with a proven track record of delivering complex projects with deep functional and technical knowledge ensures you get the benefit from the latest ERP solution like improved security, and a competitive edge in the market. Don’t let outdated software hold you back – embrace the future with Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Why NAV / Navision customers are upgrading to Business Central
Dynamics 365 Business Central is the modern evolution of Navision/Dynamics NAV—built for faster adoption, improved usability, and smoother innovation cycles. Organizations typically upgrade when they experience:
- Increasing maintenance effort and technical debt in legacy NAV versions
- Higher security and compliance expectations (audits, access controls, governance)
- The need for real-time reporting and decision-making across departments
- Limited integration capabilities with modern apps, portals, and workflows
- Difficulty maintaining or enhancing older NAV customizations and reports
If your NAV solution still runs core operations reliably, the upgrade is less about “replacing ERP” and more about modernizing the platform—so your business is not blocked by version constraints.
NAV to Business Central upgrade options (Cloud vs On-Prem)
Your best upgrade path depends on your NAV version, customizations, industry needs, and compliance requirements. We support all common scenarios:
1) NAV On-Prem to Business Central Cloud (SaaS)
Ideal for companies looking to reduce infrastructure overhead and adopt continuous product improvements.
Common benefits:
-Faster time-to-value
-Simplified infrastructure management
-Easier remote access for teams and partners
-Strong Microsoft cloud security and governance capabilities
2) NAV On-Prem to Business Central On-Prem
Best for organizations that require on-prem deployment due to regulatory, data residency, or operational constraints.
Common benefits:
-Greater control over infrastructure and upgrade cadence
-Fits organizations with complex internal integration landscapes
What happens to NAV customizations, add-ons (ISVs) and integrations?
This is one of the most important parts of a Navision/NAV to Business Central migration.
Customizations (C/AL to AL Extensions)
Business Central uses a modern extension-based approach. During the upgrade we:
- Review your existing customizations
- Identify what can be replaced with standard Business Central features
- Convert essential customizations to AL extensions (where required)
- Reduce future upgrade friction by keeping customizations clean and upgrade-safe
ISV solutions / add-ons
If you use industry add-ons in NAV, we validate:
- Whether the ISV supports your target Business Central version
- Upgrade compatibility and licensing implications
- Alternatives if an add-on is not supported in your target deployment (cloud/on-prem)
Integrations
We assess and upgrade integrations such as:
- E-commerce, CRM, payment gateways
- WMS/handheld/barcode solutions
- EDI, logistics, shipping aggregators
- Banking, approvals, payroll and external finance tools
Data migration scope: what we typically move
A smooth ERP upgrade depends on data strategy. We align migration based on your reporting, audit, and operational needs.
Typical migration includes:
- Masters: Customers, Vendors, Items, BOMs, Routings, Price lists, etc.
- Open transactions: Open sales orders, purchase orders, inventory balances
- Finance: Open entries, dimensions, chart of accounts alignment
- Optional: Historical transactions (based on reporting/legal requirements)
We also perform reconciliation checks to ensure accuracy post-migration.
Key benefits after upgrading to Business Central
When NAV users move to Business Central, the biggest wins often come from modern usability and ecosystem integration:
- Better user experience (role-based screens and workflows)
- Strong reporting with Power BI-ready data and dashboards
- Workflow automation using Power Automate (approvals, alerts, reminders)
- Productivity integration with Microsoft 365 (Excel, Outlook, Teams)
- More secure access control models and improved audit support
- A platform designed for ongoing enhancements rather than heavy rework
FAQs
Everything you need to know about Migration from Navision to Dynamics 365
Is Dynamics NAV still supported?
Support depends on your NAV version and Microsoft lifecycle. Many organizations plan upgrades to reduce risk and avoid being locked on legacy versions.
What happens to my NAV customizations?
Customizations are assessed and either replaced with standard functionality or converted to AL extensions (where needed).
How long does a NAV to Business Central upgrade take?
It varies by complexity (customizations, integrations, data). An assessment helps confirm a realistic timeline.
Will my NAV add-ons work in Business Central?
It varies by complexity (customizations, integrations, data). An assessment helps confirm a realistic timeline.
Can I migrate from NAV to Business Central cloud?
Yes, in many cases. The best path depends on your version, customizations, ISVs, and compliance needs.
Can we migrate historical NAV data?
Yes, either full history or a defined subset. We plan based on reporting and audit needs.
Do you support NAV 2016 / NAV 2018 upgrades to Business Central?
Yes. We plan upgrade steps based on your current version and target deployment (cloud/on-prem).
Will there be downtime during the upgrade or go-live?
Some downtime is usually required during the final cutover (when we freeze transactions, migrate the final changes, reconcile balances, and switch users to Business Central). We plan this window to minimize business impact—typically after hours or over a weekend—and share a cutover checklist in advance so teams know exactly what to expect. The exact downtime depends on your data volume, integrations, and whether you’re moving to Cloud or staying On-Prem.
Boost Productivity with Seamless Dynamics 365 Integration
Boost your productivity with Dynamics 365 Business Central interoperability with Microsoft 365 and enable paperless online approvals.
Transform Your Business with AI-Powered Dynamics 365
Leverage Dynamics 365's advanced cloud app with AI for inventory, cash flow, and late payment prediction and gain insights by Power BI.
Dynamics NAV is out of Mainstream Support
No new features, regulatory fixes, hotfixes, or cumulative updates for the existing NAV users. Upgrade to Dynamics 365 Business Central to stay current and secure.
AI-Powered Insights for Smarter Decision-Making
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central harnesses AI-driven predictive models to help users manage late payments and forecast inventory with accuracy, using both historical and real-time data for more informed decisions.
Schedule a demo of our services today!
Upgrade to Dynamics 365 Business Central today for enhanced performance.
Why should you upgrade Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central?
The road for Dynamics NAV has ended. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central upgrades happen twice a year, letting you enjoy the latest and most secure version.
Enjoy Seamless Upgrades with Dynamics 365 Business Central
Dynamics 365 Business Central’s new technical framework eliminates upgrade hassles. Experience easy, regular, and fast upgrades, removing the version upgrade pain you’ve faced before.
Stay with Current Upgrades on Dynamics 365 Business Central
While upgrades for Dynamics NAV have stopped coming, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central upgrades happen twice a year, letting you enjoy the latest and most secure version.
Shift to Dynamics 365 Business Central On-Cloud Model offers Flexibility
While many NAV customers used on-premises solutions, Dynamics 365 Business Central is designed for the cloud. It is available with flexible subscription model.
Access Dynamics 365 Business Central Anywhere on any Device
Dynamics 365 Business Central being a web-browser based software offers anytime, anywhere access on any device. Microsoft’s 24/7 cybersecurity ensures top-notch protection from cyber threats.
Seamless Integration: Dynamics 365 BC with Microsoft Ecosystem
Dynamics 365 Business Central also integrates with other solutions in Microsoft stack, including Microsoft 365, Power BI and other Dynamics 365 products like CRM for Sales and Marketing.
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