Still on Dynamics NAV? Let's get you off the old pond.
Every year on NAV costs you more: servers to babysit, customizations nobody wants to touch, and versions Microsoft stopped supporting long ago. Moving from NAV to Business Central doesn't have to be a leap of faith. There are three proven ways to make the move. We'll look at your data, help you pick the right one, and quote it.
Three ways to move from NAV to Business Central
| Upgrade | Clean Start | Staged Modernization | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In one line | Bring NAV forward, largely as it is. | Keep your data; start fresh on how you work. | Move in safe steps, at a pace your business can absorb. |
| Your data | All of it, including full transaction history. | Your core NAV data comes across into a clean Business Central. | Stays live in NAV, on our hosting, until the new solution is ready. |
| Your customizations | Rebuilt as Business Central extensions. | Left behind. We re-map your processes to standard Business Central and rebuild only what you still need. | Analyzed first, then upgraded and modernized gradually, with development time planned each year. |
| Best for | Processes that work well today, with a modest number of customizations. | Heavily customized NAV, processes that have drifted, or anyone wanting to use what Business Central does out of the box. | Larger companies on an old NAV version, where the move is complex and a single cutover is too risky. |
| Watch out for | You carry old habits (and old workarounds) into the new system. | Your team needs time up front to rethink a few processes. | It takes longer, and two of its five steps are priced to fit your setup. |
Why no price here? Every NAV database is different: its version, its size, and above all its customizations decide the work. So we look first, then quote a fixed price for a fixed scope. Tell us a little about your NAV setup and we'll come back with a recommended path.
The truth about customizations
Most NAV databases carry years of modifications. The good news: a lot of them don't need to come with you. Our technical team has delivered more than 800 NAV upgrades, and across them a large share of customizations turn out to be unused, or now built into standard Business Central (reports, permissions and basic integrations especially). A smaller share can't be rebuilt in Business Central online at all, because the core application can no longer be modified, and we'll tell you which ones before you commit, not after.
How an Upgrade works
- Review: we look at your NAV version, database and every customization.
- Test copy: we stand up a test environment from a backup of your live NAV.
- Code and data upgrade: your data moves forward; customizations are rebuilt as extensions.
- Validation and training: we test with your team and train your users.
- User acceptance testing: your team signs off on real scenarios.
- Go live: the live database is upgraded and you're on Business Central.
How a Clean Start works
- Review: we map your processes and find the gaps against standard Business Central.
Data into a clean system: your core NAV data is migrated into a fresh Business Central test environment by our technical team, who have done this more than 800 times.
Process redesign: our consultants rework your processes around what Business Central does out of the box, and scope any extensions you still need.
Build and add-ons: we build the extensions that matter and install the add-on apps you need.
- Testing and training: your team works in its own data before anything goes live.
- Go live: a final migration, the new extensions installed, and you're live.
How Staged Modernization works
For larger companies on an old version of NAV, the safest move is several smaller ones.
Move your NAV to our hosting (fixed price): your NAV, exactly as it is today, moves onto our hosted environment. Your users notice nothing, and you're off your old servers.
Analyze (priced to fit): we study your existing solution and your business requirements. The price depends on how complex your setup is.
Upgrade and modernize, step by step (fixed price): we bring the solution forward gradually, in stages your team can test and absorb.
Planned development capacity (priced to fit): an annual package of development hours, for example 500 hours a year, so improvements keep moving.
Move to Business Central online (fixed price): once the solution is ready, the final step into the cloud.
What every NAV move includes
- A fixed price for a fixed scope. If something new comes up, we quote it before we start it.
- 12 months of Duck Care after go-live, so updates and questions don't land on your team alone.
- One team from first review to go-live, backed by a technical team with more than 800 NAV upgrades behind it.
What's not included: Shopify or other new integrations (we'll happily quote them as a separate project), new modules beyond the agreed scope, and payroll add-ons.
How long does it take?
Most Upgrade and Clean Start moves take three to six months end to end. The data migration itself usually takes two to three weeks; the rest is testing, training and, for a Clean Start, process redesign. The more customizations and integrations you have, the closer you'll be to six months.
A Staged Modernization runs longer by design. We plan the stages with you, and your NAV keeps running throughout.
FAQ
Which NAV versions can you move?
All of them. Older versions (NAV 2009 and earlier, including "classic" NAV) take more steps to upgrade, which is one reason many of those customers choose a Clean Start, or, for larger and more complex systems, a Staged Modernization.
Do we lose our history in a Clean Start?
No. Your core NAV data comes across into Business Central. If you'd rather keep older history out of the new system, it can be archived somewhere you can still report on it.
What happens to our ISV add-ons?
If the same add-on exists for Business Central, its data can come across. Reporting add-ons are reinstalled fresh. If there's no Business Central version, we'll help you find a replacement or decide whether you still need it.
Is there a Microsoft discount for moving off NAV?
Often, yes. Microsoft's Bridge to the Cloud offer gives customers moving from on-premises Dynamics products, NAV included, 30% off the Business Central license list price for a fixed 3-year term. To qualify, you sign up between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2027, your NAV license must predate September 1, 2024, and you need an active Enhancement Plan. We'll check your eligibility when we talk.
Can we add Shopify at the same time?
Yes, as a separate, fixed-price project. Keeping the upgrade scope fixed is what keeps its price fixed.
Why is support included for 12 months?
Business Central updates twice a year, plus monthly updates. The first year is when your team is learning the new system. Duck Care means you're never on your own for it. It keeps what we built working. New features and new integrations are quoted separately.
Ready to leave NAV behind? Let's get quacking.
