Thinking about upgrading to Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Is it time to change version?

When should you consider upgrading to the new version of Dynamics NAV?

Device Frame
Unsupported version

If you are currently working with an old version of Dynamics NAV which is no longer supported by Microsoft.

Obsolete Changes

If your company has changed over the years and your initial changes have become obsolete and do not allow you to implement your new business strategy for the future.

Compatibility

If your current version conflicts with the new software updates of your equipment or servers.

New Features

If you have had the opportunity to look closely at the new versions and you want to make the most of the new features they offer, as well as trying the new integrations with Office 365, Power BI, Power Apps and Cortana Intelligence, amongst others.

Do you identify with the following phrases?

It’s understandable that you have doubts about whether to update version or not. Remember that it doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive or disruptive if you have a trusted partner

I do not know which version of Dynamics I should upgrade

As of April 1st, 2019, you will not be able to acquire new licenses of Dynamics NAV 2018. Therefore, if you plan an upgrade in the coming months, it should be to Dynamics 365 Business Central.

If your current license is On-Premise you must bear in mind that, when making the change to Business Central, you will lose the concurrency of users. To mitigate this setback, when you upgrade your license to Business Central you will have 2 Business Central users for each NAV user you have acquired.

My database has too many customizations

Although you have lots of customizations, they won’t stop you from enjoying the new version of Dynamics NAV.

It is true that the number of customizations you have in your data base will adjust the costs or the calendar of your migration, but this isn’t a problem if the upgrade of this functionality is done correctly and with the suitable tools.

Depending on the preferred upgrade approach, you will be able to decide what customizations you want to transfer to the new version of your ERP.

I don't know when is the best time to upgrade

We recommend upgrading to a new version of Dynamics NAV (Navision) when it has already spent two months on the market, i.e. after the second Cumulative Update (CU2) has been released. Microsoft corrects the possible errors detected in the monthly Cumulative Updates. It is during the first few weeks of life of the product that the errors are corrected and it is considered to be a stable product from CU2.

An upgrade is too risky

You might have had bad experiences in the past upgrades. At Triangle, we work using the Agile methodology. This enables us to divide the project up into different phases. Users will receive the relevant training in each phase to be able to duly test the functionality. This is all before the definitive launch, so we can detect any errors before the Go-Live.

An upgrade is too expensive

At Triangle we work with the Agile methodology so that there are no budget or calendar deviations in the projects, including upgrades. This means we are going to prioritise with you what to focus the upgrade budget on so that there is no deviation whatsoever.

It is true that it can be difficult for users to adapt to the new interface and new features, at Triangle we involve the end users of the tool throughout the entire migration process so that, before the Go-Live, they have already worked with the new system and the change will be as smooth as possible.

I don't know if I am entitled to an upgrade

In the on premise mode, i.e. the one where you buy a license to use Dynamics NAV, you pay a yearly amount as a BREP payment. If you are up to date with this payment, the new product licences are free, although you may have to invest in new IT equipment.

If you have Dynamics NAV stored on the cloud, you can upgrade version whenever you want without worrying about anything else since your monthly payment includes the BREP.

I can't see enough benefits to upgrade

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central launches with new functionalities and very interesting integrations that can help you to create value for your business. You will be able to work from anywhere through the exclusive tablet and smart phone apps and be able to benefit from the integration with the production tools you use in your daily tasks.

If you still need more reasons, check here the latest developments in Dynamics 365 Business Central.

I have doubts about using EVENTS

In the new versions of Dynamics NAV you will find a new development characteristic known as EVENTS. An EVENT is a specific point in the code which enables you to separate your customizations from the standard product code. This new characteristic enables new upgrades to be less costly and more agile.

Ideally, all of your customizations would take place in EVENTS but, being realistic, this would mean a much higher additional cost. This is why at Triangle, we recommend doing this transfer gradually, prioritising the biggest customizations which are vital for the day to day running of the business.

Companies that have migrated to the latest versions

Do you want the latest version of Dynamics NAV?

What type of upgrade is more suited to your company?

We have developed three different approaches so you can choose which is more suitable to the business understanding of your company.

It is a purely technical migration in which you will preserve all of your historical data and the changes you have already made with your current version of Dynamics NAV.

Benefits of this approach
It is the fastest and most economical option.

What will happen to my changes?
The changes you have already made will transfer from the old version to the new one. If any of your changes have become obsolete, you will be able to leave them behind but you won’t be able to redesign them.

To bear in mind
If you have very outdated changes or those which have been substituted by standard functions, this is not your best option.

After a re-implementation, you will have all of the master data and accounts running.

Benefits of this approach
It is a simple approach if you are already working correctly with the capabilities of the product.

What will happen to my changes?
The existing changes should be totally redesigned in the new version. These will mostly be developed in EVENTS (specific point in the code which enables your next migrations to be automated).

To bear in mind
This approach requires the customer to be much more actively involved in the migration through definition and scope of the project, verification workshops, testing…

It is a combination of an upgrade and a re-implementation with which historical data is available. It is the best option when you are many versions behind the latest version of Dynamics NAV.

Benefits of this approach
This approach gives you the opportunity to revise the existing changes and decide if you want to transfer them to the new version. It gives the flexibility to leave an old change behind and start to work on the new version with just the functions you want.

What will happen to my changes?
In this approach you can decide how you want to work with the tool and leave changes behind that you no longer use or which already exist in the standard of the new version.

To bear in mind
It can be a complicated approach, especially if there are lots of changes.