Why should you be upgrading from NAV to Business Central?
As with any project the costs versus benefits of upgrading need to be assessed, and in doing so it raises many questions. We can help answer these questions and decide which upgrade path is right for you. With every version and every upgrade Business Central gets updated twice, yearly by Microsoft and clients immediately receive these updates; better functionality, improved integration, easier reporting.
There are two NAV upgrade options to choose from and one will certainly be right for your business. These depend on: the complexity and version you are currently on, the required timescales, budget and internal resources, and if there is a compelling reason for the upgrade.
Upgrading from NAV to Business Central
A standard upgrade is probably what we all think about when we hear the words ‘software upgrade’. We take your current system’s bespoke work and merge it into the latest version. Your data is upgraded too, so you’ll see all your customers, vendors, posted invoices, GL entries etc., in the new version. This moves you to a new system retaining the processes and data from our old system. You can start using features in the new version too.
- Pros
Your processes don’t need to change significantly. All historical data included. Quick User uptake on the upgraded system. Less internal resource time required.
- Cons
Unnecessary bespoke features will be included. Unnecessary historical data will be migrated. Business processes will remain as per current version.
Reimplementation of NAV
Re-implementing is the cleanest way of using the latest software version. It allows you to clear out clutter and streamline your business processes. Combining the NAV knowledge, you and your users have built up with TVision’s experience puts everyone in a better position to fit your processes into the new features that the latest version offers.
- Pros
An opportunity to apply any new business processes. Take full advantage of the new functionality. Redundant data and processes are discarded.
- Cons
Historical data is not included, however you can keep an archived version of your data. More internal resource time may be required.
Functionality improvements when upgrading
There are many reasons for an upgrade of NAV, but these need to be justified in order to provide decision makers with ROI and convey the value to the business. Here are some of the main beneficial areas of the latest version.
Features available in the latest version of Dynamics NAV
- Microsoft suite of products
Integrate with the Microsoft suite of products with email, Word, Excel in O365, reporting via PowerBI or Azure in the cloud.
- Web Services
Moving data between different systems is easy and efficient with web services.
- Mobile Working and Enhanced User Experience
With the three mobile NAV clients – web, mobile and tablet on any device, you can access NAV anywhere and at any time.
- Embedded Power BI Advanced Analytics
View advanced Power BI reports from within NAV, share reporting with the web portal.
- Simple Setup, Configuration and Notifications
More and more assisted setup wizards helping you to import data and get up and running. Intelligent notifications guide you along the way.
- Data Migration / Manipulation
Copy/ Paste your data directly into Pages, or for larger tasks, create RapidStart data migration packages to import, export and manipulate your data.
- Item Attributes
You can categorise you products in any way you want without the need for development.
- Financial enhancements
Just a flavour of new tweaks available: deferrals (cost & revenue), workflows & approval templates, posting preview, account categories and report formats editable in Word.
- Ask Cortana
Predictive analytics and forecasting tools now available at your fingertips, you can get better insight into your data: Social Listening: Find out where your products and customers are appearing on social media. Inventory Forecasting: Let Cortana predict your future sales. Cash flow prediction: predict future cash flow Development access to the forecasting algorithm within Azure Machine Learning.
- Cloud Hosting / Security
The latest version of NAV has an improved facility for cloud hosting, delivering enhanced security and scalability.
- Unlimited Extensibility
From NAV 2018 modifications can now be made outside the standard code. This means faster bespoke implementation and upgrading.
Get in touch
Get in touch with us to talk about your Nav or Dynamics upgrading project – fill in the contact form with your details now and we can discuss the upgrade options that are right for you.