Switching from Dynamics NAV to Business Central: 6 common upgrading myths busted

Manufacturers and distributors who have relied on Microsoft Dynamics NAV (formerly Navision) for years are carefully considering the move to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central – but for some, it feels like a big step to take.  

Microsoft officially ended mainstream support for all versions of Dynamics NAV in January 2023. While extended support continues until January 2028, this only covers security fixes. 

If the move to Business Central feels like a scary prospect, running on a soon-to-be unsupported system is putting your business at risk – and the consequences can be much more frightening than a (typically!) straightforward upgrade. 

Is the thought of the cost to upgrade keeping you up at night? Have you faced endless worry about the disruption? Well, we’re here to put your mind at rest… 

Let’s debunk some of the most common myths about switching from NAV to Business Central. 
 

Myth #1: “It’s just a name change – the software is the same” 

Business Central might have evolved from NAV, but this isn’t the case of a simple rebrand. Business Central is a more modern ERP offering and, with newer versions, architecture, user interface and integration capabilities (especially with Microsoft 365 and Power Platform) are much better than its predecessor’s. 

Myth #2: “Upgrading is too disruptive”  

While any ERP upgrade requires planning, most NAV users find the transition smoother than anticipated. Business Central retains much of the familiar core functionality and – dare we say it? – the right support partner will do everything they can to minimise your downtime and make sure the transition goes smoothly.  

Myth #3: “Business Central is only for the cloud”  

Although Microsoft has adopted a cloud-first strategy, existing NAV customers can still deploy Business Central on-premises or in a hybrid model. That being said, the future roadmap is clearly cloud-focused, and SaaS offers the greatest benefits in terms of flexibility and automatic updates.  

Myth #4: “We’ll lose our customisations”  

Business Central supports extensions and custom developments. In fact, the move to a modern architecture often makes it easier to maintain and update customisations, without risking core system stability.  

Take a look at our Business Central support FAQ for information on how we approach the migration of customisations.  

Myth #5: “Our users will need extensive training” 

Business Central’s user interface is pretty intuitive, especially for users who are familiar with other Microsoft products. Lots of people adapt to the change quickly but if you upgrade with Tecman, we’ll always make sure your team get any essential training they need before we transition you to our support services. 

If anyone in your team is interested in continuing their learning, we offer our customers regular, free scheduled training sessions. 

 Myth #6: “Upgrading is too expensive”  

The cost of upgrading depends on factors such as system complexity and how closely you want to match your existing customisations. Of course, there’s no avoiding the upfront cost. But don’t forget, running an outdated system can be costly in hidden ways. Aging software can require increasingly expensive workarounds and custom support, and it can even leave you exposed to security risks.  

Upgrading can deliver long-term savings, too, through reduced IT overhead and the elimination of expensive, on-premises infrastructure and maintenance. And don't forget the opportunity to automate those manual, time-consuming tasks that eat into your team’s time (the ultimate way to get a more valuable return from the human-hours they put in). 

An upgrade might not turn out to be as expensive as you think it’ll be, either. Specialist, out-of-the-box implementation does exist – and our Delivered! package is a great example of how distributors can make their move to Business Central quick and cost-effective.  

Have we put your worries to bed? 

We’re one of the most trusted partners in manufacturing and distribution. If you think now might be the time to upgrade, our team will be happy to talk you through the next steps. No pressure – just a quick conversation about your NAV upgrade. 

Drop us your details today and we’ll be in touch very soon.