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Dynamics NAV to Business Central Upgrade: The BC Team’s Step-by-Step Guide

  • Nov 18
  • 4 min read

Stop Managing, Start Growing: The Business Central Imperative


If you are running your business on Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision), you’ve experienced its foundational strength. But if you’ve noticed your business needs outpacing your current capabilities—if scalability, remote access, or security are becoming concerns—it’s time for a strategic move.


UPGRADE YOUR NAV TO BUSINESS CENTRAL

The next evolution of Dynamics NAV is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC), an all-in-one, cloud-based ERP solution built for modern, medium-sized businesses like yours.


Why Upgrade Your NAV to Business Central?


  • Cloud Power: Enjoy anytime, anywhere access to your data, backed by Microsoft Azure's multi-layered security.

  • Cost-Effectiveness: Reduce infrastructure maintenance costs and benefit from predictable cloud subscription models.

  • Future-Proof Functionality: Access continuous updates, seamless integrations, and modern features unavailable in older NAV versions.


The right time to transition is now. It's not just an update; it's a strategic move to future-proof your operations.


The BC Team’s Three Stages of Transformation


We know a system upgrade can feel daunting. That’s why The BC Team breaks down the entire Dynamics NAV to Business Central upgrade step-by-step process into three clear, manageable stages. We turn complexity into a clear path forward.


Stage 1: Navigating the Path to Modernization (Before the Upgrade)


The first step is determining your starting point, as your current NAV version dictates the necessary pre-upgrade steps:


Your Current NAV Version

Required Pre-Upgrade Path

NAV 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Direct technical upgrade of application code and data. (Simplest path!)

NAV 2013 or NAV 2013 R2

Multi-step process: First, upgrade to NAV 2018, then proceed with application code and data upgrades.

NAV 2009 SP1 and R2 (or older)

A staged journey involving upgrades to intermediate versions (e.g., NAV 2013, 2015) before reaching NAV 2018.

Regardless of your starting version, The BC Team manages the entire journey, ensuring you land successfully on the latest BC platform.


Stage 2: Transforming Customizations for the Cloud (During the Upgrade)


A crucial part of any NAV upgrade is handling existing customizations. Business Central’s architecture is fundamentally different from NAV’s older C/SIDE design.


  • The Goal: Convert all C/AL customizations into scalable Apps and Pre-Tenant Extensions (AL Language).

  • The Benefit: This transformation maximizes the benefits of your upgrade, ensuring your tailored processes are efficient, compatible, and won’t break during future Microsoft updates. This also makes your future upgrades more streamlined and cost-effective.


Stage 3: Ensuring Seamless Success (After the Upgrade)


Digital transformation shouldn’t slow down your business. As a trusted Microsoft Dynamics 365 Partner, The BC Team simplifies the post-upgrade environment:


  • We manage the transfer of your data and customizations to the cloud.

  • We ensure a smooth, step-by-step transition so you can enjoy a more efficient and future-proof system immediately.



The BC Team’s Technical Checklist for a Successful Dynamics NAV to Business Central Upgrade


To unlock the full power of Business Central, essential preparation is key. Here are the core steps our experts follow for a successful technical migration:


Initial Preparation Steps


  1. Secure Full Data Backup: A non-negotiable step to protect your valuable data before any technical changes begin.

  2. Convert and Prepare Code: Transition custom V1 extensions to V2 extensions (C/SIDE to AL Language) and replace codeunit 1 Application management with System codeunits.

  3. Clean House: Uninstall unneeded extensions (especially V extensions in multi-tenant environments) and halt the old NAV instance.

  4. Database Integrity: Compile all objects, ensure they are unlocked, and check table synchronization to minimize errors.

  5. License & Setup: Upload the Business Central license to your SQL server and clear old server instance/debugger tables.


Step-by-Step Technical Procedure


  1. Install Business Central: Our team installs the new BC solution components (demonstration, production, and development environments).

  2. Database Connection: We connect the new BC development environment to your Azure SQL database.

  3. Code & Object Migration: We import the necessary codeunit 1 replacements and initiate the compilation of all objects.

  4. Fix and Repair: We address compilation errors in standard NAV objects and repair any published V2 extensions using the Repair-NAV App cmdlet.

  5. Synchronize: The final synchronization of the tenant database and the application database completes the core migration.


Post-Upgrade Finalization


  1. Upgrade Add-Ins: Update JavaScript-based control add-ins to their new BC versions.

  2. Install V2 Extensions: Install and verify all customized V2 extensions are functioning properly.

  3. Configure Search: Set object properties and build an object search index to ensure all new pages and reports are searchable in the Web Client.

  4. Final License: The final upload of the customer license completes the technical upgrading procedure.


Summary: Advance Your Growth with The BC Team


Moving from Dynamics NAV to Business Central is a commendable step toward advancing your business growth. It's a journey best navigated with experts who understand the nuances of the cloud and the technical path required.


The BC Team has meticulously explained the necessary steps to carefully and securely migrate your data. Our expertise ensures you achieve a seamless transition and are positioned for scalable success.


Ready to streamline your operations and unlock the future of your business?


Connect with The BC Team experts today for a FREE, personalized consultation to discuss your current NAV setup and map out your migration strategy.

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