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Christian Riechert

5 Myths About Migrating from Dynamics NAV to Business Central, Debunked



Dynamics NAV has long been a reliable ERP solution for businesses, known for its exceptional customization and effective process management capabilities. For years, it has helped companies improve efficiency and productivity.


However, it is time to face the facts – NAV is becoming obsolete.


Microsoft has already ended mainstream support, extended support, and licensing sales for all versions of NAV, clearing the path for its modern, cloud-based successor – Business Central. If your business is still relying on Dynamics NAV, you may be dealing with questions, doubts, and concerns about transitioning to Business Central. By not upgrading, you are missing out on the many advantages of Dynamics 365 Business Central, risking your operational stability and business continuity.


In this guide, we aim to debunk five of the most common myths that prevent businesses from upgrading to Business Central. By addressing misconceptions about moving from NAV to Business Central, we want to show why these concerns should not be a barrier to your upgrade or re-implementation. Our goal is to help your business evolve and stay competitive in today’s fast-paced technology landscape. Migrating to Dynamics 365 Business Central is the best way to ensure your business stays secure, adaptable, and ahead of the competition.


Let’s address these misconceptions, put your worries to rest, and debunk the myths about moving from Dynamics NAV to Business Central. We hope to provide the knowledge you need for a smooth transition to a more advanced ERP system.


Myth 1: Upgrading Is Too Expensive

When considering an upgrade or implementing new technology, cost is often the first concern. However, the idea that a major software upgrade will be financially overwhelming isn’t always true. Business Central is more cost-effective than its predecessor, Dynamics NAV, due to reduced licensing fees and lower technical overhead. Cost savings start from day one of go-live. Moreover, the enhanced productivity, efficiency, and scalability offered by Business Central lead to significant savings over time.

Learn how our client, Kauai Habitat for Humanity, reduced their workload by 70% through the migration from NAV to Microsoft Business Central.


Myth 2: Migrating to Business Central Will Be Time-Consuming and Disruptive

Concerns about business disruptions are valid, but the worry of extended downtime during the transition from NAV to Business Central is often exaggerated. With careful planning and a clear roadmap, guided by a Microsoft Solutions Partner like CBR Technology, the migration process can be smooth and efficient. If your current NAV setup meets your needs, an upgrade can be the right move, requiring much less downtime compared to a full re-implementation.

Want to learn more about your options for re-implementation? Check out our blog post titled, “Upgrading from Microsoft Dynamics NAV: What Are Your Two Options?”


Myth 3: Migrating to Business Central Means Losing Historical Data

The fear of losing important data during a migration is understandable, as data is crucial to the health of any business. However, data loss is not inevitable during this transition—it largely depends on whether you choose to upgrade or re-implement.

If your business operates in a regulated industry or requires extensive audit trails, preserving historical data is critical. In these cases, upgrading from Dynamics NAV to Business Central ensures that your historical records, transactions, and other essential information remain intact, allowing you to maintain compliance while benefiting from new features and ongoing support.


Alternatively, if your business has changed significantly since implementing Dynamics NAV, a re-implementation may be a better choice. This allows you to align the ERP system with updated processes that suit your current needs, improving productivity and efficiency.

If you decide to re-implement but want to retain selected data, PopDock offers the ideal solution. It integrates historical data from various sources and displays it in systems like Business Central or CRM. This means you can efficiently manage your historical data without having to migrate outdated and unnecessary information.


Myth 4: Users Will Struggle to Learn a New ERP System

It’s natural to be concerned about adapting to a new system. However, Business Central is built with user-friendliness in mind and retains much of the familiar functionality from Dynamics NAV. Microsoft also provides a wealth of online learning resources to help your

team quickly adapt.


Business Central features a modern, intuitive interface that integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products, making navigation and task execution easier. In-app guides and contextual help are also available, offering step-by-step instructions to simplify the learning process.


Additionally, a variety of training resources—including visual aids, webinars, and user-community forums—are available to ensure your team can learn quickly with minimal disruption to daily operations.


Myth 5: Dynamics NAV Offers Better Scalability and Security Than Business Central

Business Central offers improved security and scalability compared to the on-premise solution of Dynamics NAV. An on-premise solution simply cannot match Microsoft’s extensive investment in advanced cloud security measures.


With Business Central in the cloud, your business benefits from Microsoft’s robust and automated security measures that are continuously updated. Along with top-notch security, Business Central enables easy scalability, allowing businesses to adjust resources as needs change.


Start Your Dynamics NAV to Business Central Migration Today

Upgrading from Dynamics NAV to Business Central is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge and is an opportunity to prepare your business for the future. By addressing the common myths and misconceptions, we hope to have eased your concerns and provided a clear path forward. It’s time to embrace the advanced features, improved efficiency, and scalability that Dynamics 365 Business Central offers.


Ready to get started? 


Reach out to our experts to plan your NAV to Business Central migration today and ensure a seamless, stress-free transition.




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