What You'll Gain When You Upgrade NAV to Business Central

More than a redesign of NAV, Business Central is the successor of NAV with the constraints removed. This is the comparison Dynamics NAV users actually search for. Here's what changes the day you move off Navision:

Dynamics NAV (Legacy)Dynamics 365 Business Central
DeploymentOn-premises only, tied to local serversCloud-native (Azure), on-premises, or hybrid — your choice
UpdatesManual, partner-dependent, often skippedAutomatic, twice-yearly, zero downtime, no extra cost
User InterfaceDated, role-center based, desktop-firstModern, browser-based, works on any device
IntegrationLimited, custom-built connectorsOne-click integration via Business Central extensions, native Microsoft 365 & Power Platform
AI & AutomationNoneBuilt-in Copilot, AI-driven cash flow forecasting, automated workflows
Licensing ModelPerpetual license + annual enhancement planSubscription (SaaS), pay-as-you-go, per user
Data SecurityDependent on internal IT infrastructureAzure-backed, 90+ compliance certifications, built-in disaster recovery
ScalabilityRequires infrastructure investment to scaleScales instantly with your user count and business needs

How the NAV to Business Central Upgrade Actually Works

A lot of NAV users delay upgrading simply because they do not know what the process involves. Here's exactly how Dynamics Square runs it, start to finish:

Assessment & Readiness Check

We audit your current NAV environment, which includes version, customizations, integrations, and data volume, to scope the upgrade accurately before a single line of code moves.

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Choose Your Path: Upgrade or Reimplementation

  • Direct Upgrade: It is best if your NAV setup is lightly customized. Your processes, workflows, and historical data move into Business Central largely as-is.
  • Reimplementation: It is best if you want to modernize. We rebuild your configuration around current best practices while retaining historical NAV data for reference.

Data Migration & Customization Review

We map and migrate your master data, transactions, and historical records, and rationalize old NAV customizations, keeping what still adds value, retiring what doesn't.

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Testing & Validation

Every workflow is tested in a sandbox environment before go-live, so your team never touches an unverified system.

Go-Live & Hypercare Support

We manage cutover with minimal operational disruption, followed by a hypercare period to catch and resolve issues in real time.

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Post-Go-Live Optimization

Once you're live, we help you adopt the features NAV never had including Copilot, Power BI reporting, automated approvals, so the upgrade keeps paying off long after go-live.

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Why NAV to Business Central Upgrade is Essential?

Microsoft ended mainstream support for Dynamics NAV 2018 in early 2023, and NAV 2018 now receives security updates only until the end of its extended support window. Older versions already receive nothing. Once extended support lapses, businesses on NAV get no further security or feature updates. Full stop!

Upgrading isn't mandatory. You can keep using NAV, but staying on an unsupported version comes with growing risks. Here’s what you miss if you stay on unsupported NAV:

  • Latest security updates that block cyber attack exposure
  • Advanced tools built for continuous growth
  • Cloud infrastructure that lowers operational cost
  • Native integration across the full Dynamics 365 ecosystem

However, regardless of the Microsoft Dynamics NAV version you're using, we're here to offer unwavering support to resolve issues and help you grow continuously.

Am I Still Covered? Find Out
Business Central

Is Business Central Expensive? The ROI Says Otherwise

Yes, the upfront implementation has a cost. But as per Forrester's Total Economic Impact study, Dynamics 365 Business Central delivers an expected 200% ROI over the span of just 3 years.

And delaying doesn't save money, it costs more. Because Microsoft ships updates twice yearly, every delayed NAV-to-BC upgrade adds roughly 15% to the eventual implementation cost. Once you're on Business Central, all updates, upgrades, bug fixes, and patches are installed automatically, at no additional cost.

If you have to upgrade eventually, the math favors upgrading now!

See Your Potential ROI

Licensing: What You'll Actually Pay

Business Central is licensed per user, per month, with no upfront hardware or server cost:

EditionPriceBest For
Essentials~$80/user/monthCore ERP: finance, sales, supply chain, inventory, project management
Premium~$110/user/monthEverything in Essentials + manufacturing and service order management
Team Member~$8/user/monthLight/read-only users who view data and create sales quotes
Bridge to the Cloud 3:

If you have an active on-premises enhancement plan, Microsoft offers a 30% discount on your NAV-to-BC upgrade for up to 3 years.

SAVE UPTO 60%
on attach license

Attach licensing:

Already on Dynamics 365 CRM
(Customer Service, Field Service,
Sales Enterprise)? Attach
Business Central Essentials and
save up to 60% on licensing.

Talk to a Licensing Consultant
Concerned About Sensitive Data?

Secure Data Migration for NAV to Business Central Upgrade with Dynamics Square

Data migration risk is the #1 objection we hear from NAV users considering the move. The real risks are:

  • Compatibility issues
  • Operational downtime
  • Potential data loss
  • Broken integrations with other systems
  • Carryover customizations that don't translate cleanly

Dynamics Square guarantees risk-free transfer of your data from Dynamics NAV to Business Central. It is all confidential, intact, and without disrupting your existing operations.

Talk to Us About Data Security
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Boost Efficiency and Empower Growth with Business Central Upgrade Benefits

There are several benefits of moving from Dynamics NAV to Business Central, among which some are discussed next:

Empower your Employees

Mobile Access

Mobile Access

Access the sales data and track lead status using any device or browser.

Simplified Task

Simplified Task

Leverage the embedded AI to automate repetitive tasks and simplify various complex tasks.

Data-Driven Discussion

Data-Driven Discussion

Get real-time business insights to make actionable, data-driven decisions.

User-Friendly User Interface

User-Friendly User Interface

Business Central offers a simple and intuitive user interface that’s easy to use.

Make your Customers Happy

Faster Order Processing

Faster Order Processing

Minimize delays in order processing using automation and streamlined workflows.

Improved Accuracy

Improved Accuracy

Reduce errors and automate processes by accessing real-time data on the entire inventory.

Personalized Services

Personalized Services

Get customer insights to understand customer behavior and generate more revenue.

Seamless Reporting

Seamless Reporting

Track the status of issues and share reports with customers in real time.

Business-Centric Advantage

Reduced Costs

Reduced Costs

Eliminate system complexity and minimize errors with automation to save time and money.

Scalability

Scalability

Business Central is a flexible solution that grows with your business growth.

Security and Compliance

Security and Compliance

With Microsoft’s robust infrastructure, your data is safe, and your business follows all tax norms.

One-click Integration

One-click Integration

Avail of the BC extension technology to integrate or disintegrate any solution with a click.

Real Businesses. Real Upgrades. Real Results.

The right technology can change everything but only if it's implemented by people who've done it before. Here's what happened when three NAV users made the move with Dynamics Square.

Case study 1

From an Unsupported NAV 2018 to a Cloud-Ready Business Central: Recycling & Materials Recovery, South Carolina

A recycling and materials recovery organization was running mission-critical inventory, purchasing, and financial operations on an unsupported NAV 2018 environment with no active technical support after their consultant became unavailable. Dynamics Square upgraded to Business Central SaaS across finance, procurement, inventory, warehouse, and sales.

Read the full case study
Eliminated server-dependent downtime with a fully cloud-based environment
Connected the business to Microsoft 365 for the first time, streamlining document handling and cross-team communication
Replaced manual, repeated data entry with structured automation across departments
Set the foundation for Power BI reporting and a future customer portal
Case study 2

From NAV 2013 to Business Central On-Premises: Custom Hydraulic Components Manufacturer, Niagara Falls, NY

A precision manufacturer of fluid handling components for aviation had outgrown NAV 2013. As a result, accounting and manufacturing tasks were falling behind, and the system couldn't integrate with the Microsoft productivity tools the team relied on daily. Dynamics Square upgraded them to Business Central and connected it directly to Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams.

Read the full case study
Brought the entire business management process into a single dashboard
Removed the reporting and invoicing lag that was slowing the accounting team down
Enabled real-time data sharing across the organization for faster decisions
Gave leadership the productivity-app integration they'd been asking for
Case study 3

From NAV 2009 to Business Central On-Premises: Leading Mexican Products Distributor, USA

A national distributor had pushed NAV 2009 past its limits. As a result, warehouse management was breaking down, growth was outpacing the system's capacity, and even basic reporting had become a struggle. Dynamics Square upgraded them to Business Central On-Premises and layered in the InsightWorks Warehouse Insights add-on to fix the warehouse gap directly.

Read the full case study
Resolved the slow processing that was delaying simple, everyday tasks
Fixed warehouse management with a purpose-built add-on instead of a workaround
Made data reporting and sharing prompt and straightforward for the first time
Positioned the company to keep scaling operations without hitting the same wall again

Global Expertise, Local Touch: Upgrade to Business Central with Dynamics Square

We are a certified Microsoft Solutions Partner with perfect infrastructure and resources to offer you reliable and cost-effective services.

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Global Reach

With 350+ successful global implementations, we have extensive experience in executing worldwide NAV-to-BC upgrades.

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End-to-End Expertise

With 150+ technical consultants, Dynamics Square has experts who can resolve any complex issues in no time.

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Industry Specific Solutions

We understand your business and its requirements to offer a tailor-made Dynamics 365 solution for enhanced growth.

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24/7 Support

Dynamics Square’s 24/7 support, whether remote or on-site, addresses your concern in the way you would like to resolve it.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, but it's strongly recommended. Once Microsoft's extended support for your NAV version ends, you stop receiving security patches and feature updates, which increases both security risk and long-term upgrade cost.

Timeline depends on customization complexity and whether you choose a direct upgrade or reimplementation. A lightly customized NAV environment can move in weeks; a full reimplementation with process redesign typically takes longer. Dynamics Square scopes exact timelines during the free assessment.

No. Historical data can be migrated directly into Business Central (direct upgrade) or retained separately for reference and reporting (reimplementation). You choose based on your data strategy.

Yes, you can. Microsoft supports both cloud and on-premises deployment for Business Central, so you can choose the model that fits your infrastructure and compliance requirements.

Cost depends on user count, license edition (Essentials, Premium, or Team Member), and migration approach. Businesses with an active on-premises enhancement plan may qualify for Microsoft's 30% Bridge to Cloud 3 discount.

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