Are you one of the companies still working with older versions of Navision, the slightly newer NAV, Business Central on-premises, or a completely different ERP solution?
And, like many other companies, have you realized that it is time to move or upgrade to Business Central Cloud, because Business Central Cloud offers so many advantages for a modern business.
Upgrading to the Business Central cloud requires a bit of preparation. But if you divide the project into phases, it becomes much more manageable.
ERP projects have a reputation for being large and almost always “going off the rails”. But it doesn’t have to be that way. By breaking the process into phases, you can ensure that your organization and employees can keep up.
Upgrading from a legacy system to the latest version of Business Central usually requires several workflow and process changes. These workflow changes require familiarization and understanding of the human side of the process in order to be successful.
Therefore, users should be involved as early in the process as possible.
We always start by asking the company to prioritize tasks and processes, and then we divide the process into phases. Within each phase, we hold workshops and tests. This means that we complete one phase before moving on to the next. This makes it much easier to get an overview of the project, follow the progress and ensure that employees are on board.
Luckily, there’s advice for that.
Older versions of Navison/NAV with customizations are not uncommon. Customizations that solve a number of special functions, processes or workflows that are important to the business. This is probably more the rule than the exception.
Usually we can solve these special functions, processes or workflows with Business Central Standard, supplier independent apps and extensions. This means that the company becomes much less dependent on the few internal and external resources that know the specific solution the company has. With a Business Central solution based on standard, supplier independent apps and extensions, the company becomes independent of individuals and suppliers.
It can be difficult to understand which licenses – and in particular which combination of licenses – are optimal for your business.
Microsoft – and a number of the app vendors that are often closely associated with a Business Central solution – have significantly changed the way you buy licenses.
We can help you get an overview of the different licenses and the options you have, so you can ultimately find the solution that best pays off for your business.
It all starts with an initial clarifying meeting where we tell you about both the opportunities and the pitfalls.
During the meeting, we typically also talk about your requirements and needs – today and in the future. Need for integrations to specialized systems. Special customizations in your old system – how do we solve them in the new system? Does data need to be converted/migrated? We look at security and data protection? And how do we ensure that we get users to adopt the new system and the new workflows?
When companies consider moving their ERP solution to Business Central Cloud, a number of important questions quickly arise: What will it cost? How do we handle customizations, data, and integrations? And what does the transition actually mean for our daily operations and future opportunities?
Here, we have gathered answers to some of the questions we most frequently encounter in conversations with our clients.
1. What does it cost to switch to Business Central Cloud – and how is the licensing model?
The cost depends on both the licenses and the project itself. With Business Central Cloud, you typically pay per user, per month, and there may be additional costs for apps and any customizations. On top of this comes the cost of the upgrade/implementation project.
We help you get a complete overview of license types, number of users, apps, and project scope, so you can understand both one-time costs and ongoing expenses before making a decision.
2. Is the move to Business Central Cloud an upgrade or a completely new implementation?
It can be either. Some companies choose an almost 1:1 conversion, largely preserving their current setup and processes—simply moving them to Business Central Cloud. Others use the transition as an opportunity to “clean up,” simplify processes, and rethink workflows, making it more like a full new implementation.
It depends on your company’s goals: how much do you want to reuse, and how much do you want to improve along the way? We review your current solution with you and develop a plan that aligns with your starting point and ambition—whether that’s a 1:1 migration, a “clean-up along the way,” or something in between.
3. What happens to our current customizations and specialized solutions?
Many customizations can today be replaced by standard functionality in Business Central or through apps and extensions. This reduces your reliance on custom code and individual developers, making future updates much smoother.
We map out your existing customizations, assess which ones still add value, and provide recommendations on how your needs can best be met in Business Central Cloud—using standard functionality, apps, AI, and automation agents.
4. Can we migrate our historical data, and what makes the most sense?
Yes, it is possible to migrate historical data—but it’s not always advisable to bring “everything” over. For many companies, the most value comes from a combination of:
Together, we clarify which data you need for daily operations and how the rest can be managed most effectively. This ensures you get a fast and efficient system—without losing either visibility or historical insight.
5. Is Business Central Cloud secure, and how is our data managed in the cloud?
Business Central Cloud runs on Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure, which provides a high level of security, backup, monitoring, and access control. It includes built-in features for permission management, traceability, and handling of personal data.
In the project, we always focus on roles, permissions, and compliance, ensuring that the solution supports your internal requirements, customer obligations, and any audit or regulatory standards.
6. Can Business Central Cloud be integrated with our other systems and solutions?
Yes, integrations are often a key part of a Business Central project. This can include production systems, automated warehouses, e-commerce platforms, CRM, EDI, or industry-specific solutions.
During the initial assessment phase, we map your system landscape and evaluate the possibilities: standard integrations, apps, or custom integrations. The goal is a unified solution where Business Central Cloud works seamlessly with the systems that are critical to your business.
Let’s have an informal chat about the possibilities of Business Central Cloud in your business.
How we work
We work to make your investment in Business Central a success both now and in the long run.
