Dynamics Nav To Dynamics 365 Business Central — Why You Should Step Up To The Cloud

Dynamics NAV is an ERP giant that has endured the test of time due to its flexibility and customizable nature — perfect for any industry or business. As a result, it has been the market’s favorite for over two decades. However, with ongoing technological advancements, Microsoft has adopted a cloud-first strategy with the introduction of Dynamics 365 Business Central, which takes its roots from Dynamics NAV.

MICROSOFT DYNAMICS 365 BUSINESS CENTRAL VS DYNAMICS NAV

Dynamics 365 Business Central is a cloud-based ERP solution, while Dynamics NAV is hosted on-premise. Dynamics 365 BC allows for data access across several channels anytime, anywhere. Its extensive range of functionalities makes it easy to navigate and customize according to your unique requirements. In addition, it disassembles data silos and automates operational processes for a productivity boost. It easily integrates with other Microsoft applications and enables powerful workflows on a low-code platform.

WHY MIGRATE FROM DYNAMICS NAV TO DYNAMICS 365 BUSINESS CENTRAL?

Migration from Dynamics NAV, a legacy product, to Dynamics 365 Business Central is a complex, expensive, and time-consuming process. There are several factors to consider while choosing between an on-premise and cloud environment. Dynamics NAV is built on a complex code base and requires additional customizations to achieve peak performance. Microsoft introduced Dynamics 365 Business

Central as a cloud-based ERP system with many features that facilitate end-to-end business management. Over 15,000 companies use Dynamics 365 Business Central as their ERP system. It uses AL coding language, which offers extensive customization and easy upgrades. This has caught the attention of businesses across industries with its license flexibility, enhanced productivity tools, and user-friendly design. In addition, Dynamics 365 BC is a web-based solution that can be deployed on the Cloud or in a hybrid model.

Businesses that migrate from Dynamics NAV to Business Central appreciate its comprehensive business management capabilities that can quickly adapt to market trends and provide insights for better decision-making. The migration benefits listed below make it worth the investment.

● Cost reduction: Infrastructure costs reduce significantly with D365 BC. It substitutes all expenses that pertain to server maintenance with licenses that currently start at about six dollars per user per month.

● Facilitates remote work culture: For good reasons, the global COVID pandemic witnessed an increase in remote work culture. A migration to Business Central makes it easy for employees to work from home and access data from their remote locations. In addition, high security and disaster recovery features make this set-up safe.

● New functionalities: A Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 BC migration equips businesses with new functionalities such as AI and cash-flow management. In addition, real-time data and business analytics generate actionable insights and provide a 360-degree view — features that most legacy ERP applications lack.

● Collaborative strength: Dynamics 365 Business Central integrates well with native Microsoft applications and online Microsoft Suite solutions such as Office 365, Outlook, and SharePoint. Removal of data and operational silos further optimizes efficiency.

● Scalable: D365 Business Central’s AL code makes customization almost effortless. The solution scales well and contributes to overall business growth. Plus, it minimizes expenses by reducing the number of licenses, activating only as required.

UPGRADES AND LICENSING OPTIONS

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central uses a monthly subscription model and pricing options with a one-time payment or quote-based pricing. In comparison, Microsoft NAV offers only a limited pricing option. In addition, Business Central includes automatic release upgrades on a bi-annual basis so that you don’t miss new features. With continuous enhancements, Microsoft automatically applies cumulative updates. Every six months — Wave 1 in April and Wave 2 in October — the software upgrades into a new, permanent version with enhanced features.

ROLE OF AZURE IN THE MIGRATION PROCESS

Microsoft’s Azure is a platform that can help you operate remotely, an essential feature if you have branches in different countries. In addition, Azure offers more than 200 products and services that help you make the most of Microsoft’s cloud services. For example, Dynamics 365 unifies applications and ensures uninterrupted and fast workflows. While the cloud offers many benefits, it has an increased data breach risk. As a result, Microsoft invests billions of dollars in cyber security to keep your business safe.

Related: Reasons to Migrate from Dynamics NAV to Business Central

POWER YOUR MIGRATION WITH THE RIGHT PARTNER

If migration to Dynamics 365 Business Central is a serious consideration, finding an experienced Microsoft partner is a must. A company, which is a Certified Microsoft Gold partner, can help to accomplish numerous migrations for its diverse clients. Make sure to choose a partner with a team of experts that can understand your business requirements and customer base before developing a coherent strategy.

Talk to an industry expert to learn more about Dynamics 365 Business Central along with how it can help your business grow and excel.