Still on Dynamics NAV? Here's Why Upgrading to Business Central Is Smarter Than You Think

 

If you’re a UK business still relying on Dynamics NAV, you’re not alone — but you are running out of road.

Microsoft officially ended mainstream support for NAV 2018, and while extended support lingers a bit longer, it’s mostly just security patches. Meanwhile, the world of ERP has moved on. The natural successor? Dynamics 365 Business Central.

So let’s talk about what this means for you — and why making the upgrade from Dynamics NAV isn’t just a technical necessity, but a strategic opportunity.

The Risks of Standing Still

You might feel that NAV still works fine — and that might be true on the surface. But staying on NAV brings some growing challenges:

  • 🚫 No more updates or new features
  • 🔐 Rising security and compliance risks
  • 🧩 Difficulty integrating with modern tools (hello, Power BI and Microsoft 365)
  • 🧓 A shrinking talent pool that knows how to support NAV

And if you’re still on an older version (NAV 2013 or earlier), you’re not just behind — you’re at serious risk of system obsolescence.

Why Business Central Is the Better Future

Business Central is the evolution of NAV, rebuilt for today’s business needs. It’s cloud-ready, seamlessly integrates across the Microsoft ecosystem, and evolves with twice-yearly updates. Whether you go cloud or stay on-premises, you’re getting a platform designed for scalability, flexibility, and insight.

And it’s not just about tech — it’s about unlocking agility:

  • Work from anywhere, securely
  • Automate tasks that once took hours
  • Make decisions with real-time reporting
  • Adapt to UK regulatory changes with ease

So, What Does the Upgrade Involve?

Short answer: it depends.

Longer answer: the path from NAV to Business Central varies based on your current version, how customised your system is, and whether you’re moving to the cloud. And while Microsoft provides upgrade toolkits, navigating this process solo can be overwhelming.

That’s where a specialist partner (like us at Dynamics Fanatics) makes all the difference.

We’ve helped UK companies of all sizes transition smoothly from NAV to Business Central — migrating data, updating extensions, handling compliance, and training teams along the way.

But Isn’t It a Big Job?

It can be — but it doesn’t have to be.

Some clients go live in 6–8 weeks. Others, with complex setups, need a few months. Either way, it’s doable. And with a team who’s done this many times before, you avoid the common pitfalls that trip up self-directed upgrades:

  • 🚧 Custom code conflicts
  • 💾 Data loss during migration
  • 🔐 Permissions and security oversights
  • 📊 Broken integrations or outdated reports

Real ROI You Can Measure

According to Forrester, businesses that made the move to Business Central reported a 162% ROI over three years. That’s from lower IT costs, better productivity, and faster decision-making.

In other words: upgrading isn’t just smart IT — it’s smart business.

A UK-Specific Perspective

Here in the UK, you also need to think about:

  • HMRC integration
  • MTD (Making Tax Digital) compliance
  • Localisation updates in Business Central’s latest releases

We’ve been helping UK companies align their upgrades with these legal and financial requirements, especially as BC’s 2025 Wave 1 brings big updates.

You Don’t Need to Do It Alone

Let’s face it — ERP upgrades can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. At Dynamics Fanatics, we make the process smooth, structured, and tailored to your business.

Want to explore your upgrade options? Book a free consultation. We’ll map out your path, demystify the process, and show you how painless upgrading can really be.

👉 Book a free call

The Takeaway

The decision to upgrade from Dynamics NAV to Business Central isn’t just about software — it’s about staying competitive, secure, and adaptable in a fast-moving business landscape.

So, if you’ve been putting off the move, now’s the time to rethink.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need the right partner to help you take the first step.


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