Top 6 Reasons to Upgrade Dynamics NAV to Business Central

Nov 23, 2023 Aiswarya Madhu

As the countdown begins for Microsoft Dynamics NAV, its transition to Dynamics 365 Business Central takes center stage. With decades of evolution, this pivotal shift from an on-premises solution to a cloud-centric one signifies a significant change. In this blog, we'll delve into the essential reasons why it’s high time to upgrade Dynamics NAV to Business Central is not just important but crucial for businesses navigating the dynamic modern landscape.

Business Central to Why Upgrade Dynamics NAV to Business Central

Cloud Flexibility

Dynamics Business Central upgrade offers flexible deployment options, whether you prefer a cloud-based solution or an on-premise setup. This adaptability ensures that you can choose the deployment model that best suits your business needs.

However, in the face of the evolving work environment, transitioning to a cloud-based solution has become imperative for businesses of all sizes. Here's why the cloud-based approach, exemplified by Dynamics Business Central, is crucial in the present context:

No On-Premises Constraints: Cloud-based platforms like Dynamics Business Central offer businesses the advantage of flexibility and accessibility by eliminating the constraints of on-premises solutions. Unlike on-premise systems, cloud-based solutions remove the need for physical infrastructure, on-site hardware, and data centers, reducing both cost and complexity. This liberation from physical equipment limitations allows businesses to scale more efficiently and allocate resources where they are truly needed. Furthermore, the ability to access business data and software tools remotely from anywhere with an internet connection has become indispensable in a world where remote work is increasingly prevalent. Dynamics Business Central ensures that employees can work from home or any location, facilitating seamless productivity and collaboration.

Faster Time to Market Updates: Staying up-to-date with the latest software updates is essential. Cloud-based solutions ensure that you are always on the cutting edge, with automatic updates that introduce new features, enhance security, and improve performance without the need for manual intervention.

Data Security and Compliance: Cloud providers invest heavily in robust security measures and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations. This includes data encryption, access controls, and adherence to data protection laws, providing a secure environment for your business data. Moreover, cloud solutions typically come with built-in disaster recovery plans, safeguarding your data against unforeseen events such as hardware failures, natural disasters, or data breaches.

Navigate the Upgrade Journey from Dynamics NAV 2016 to Business Central. Uncover key differences and growth advantages in this comparative study, propelling your business forward.

Advanced Financial Management

From accounting and budgeting to cash flow management, advanced financial reporting, and compliance, it offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to empower businesses. Here are some of the crucial areas it benefits:

Accounting: Manage financial transactions, accounts, and budgets efficiently. Streamline vendor payments, invoice management, and customer payments. Reconcile bank statements and keep accurate financial records. Track and manage company assets, calculate depreciation, and ensure compliance with accounting standards.

Budgeting: Create and manage budgets for different departments, projects, or time periods. Easily compare budgeted figures and actual financial performance. Utilize historical data and trends to create accurate financial forecasts.

Cash Flow Management: Predict future cash flows based on historical data and upcoming transactions. Link bank accounts to monitor balances and transactions in real-time. Streamline payment processes for vendors and ensure timely collection from customers. Set up automated reminders for overdue payments or outstanding bills.

Financial Reporting: Create tailored financial reports to meet specific business needs. Access real-time financial data for informed decision-making. Visualize financial data using charts and graphs for enhanced analysis. Generate consolidated financial reports for multiple entities or subsidiaries.

Compliance: Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations. Generate reports that adhere to specific accounting standards. Maintain a complete audit trail of financial transactions for transparency and compliance. Handle tax calculations, reporting, and compliance within the system.

Explore the key differences and advantages of managing customer relations with Business Central and Dynamics 365 CRM. Make informed choices for your business's specific needs.

Mobile-Friendliness

The Business Central (BC) mobile app is a versatile tool for on-the-go business management, designed to offer users a seamless mobile experience. It comes with features tailored for mobile usage, such as one-handed navigation, quick document editing, and access to critical data. Key features include:

  • Mobile accessibility on Windows, Apple, and Android devices.
  • Optimized user interface for easy one-handed usage.
  • Quick editing and creation of sales orders, invoices, and more.
  • Access to customer and vendor data, bank accounts, and favorites.
  • Data visualization with charts like Cash Flow.
  • Cloud printing for document distribution.
  • Support for extensions to expand functionality.
Better Customization & Scalability

In the realm of customization and scalability, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers a versatile solution to adapt to your evolving business needs. Its modular structure allows you to initiate operations with essential features and subsequently integrate more functionalities as your business expands. Here are some of the key customization areas within Business Central.

Modular Approach: Business Central's modular structure lets you start with essential features and add more (Supply Chain, Sales & Marketing, etc.) as your business grows.

User Scalability: Easily increase the number of users as your workforce expands.

Business Specific Customization: Tailor the system to your unique processes with custom fields, workflows, and reports. And handle growing data volumes without performance issues.

Seamless Third-Party Integrations

Business Central is seamlessly integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, enabling smooth collaboration with other Microsoft solutions such as Office 365, Power BI, and PowerApps. This unified platform consolidates your business needs, enhancing overall efficiency and productivity. Moreover, Business Central offers the flexibility to integrate with a wide range of third-party tools and services.

Here are some of them:

Integration Type Examples of Compatible Tools and Services
CRM Systems Salesforce, HubSpot
Payment Processors PayPal, Stripe, Square
Shipping and Logistics ShipStation, Shippo, Fishbowl, ShipBob
Business Intelligence Tableau, QlikView
E-commerce Platforms Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce
HR and Payroll ADP, BambooHR
Marketing Automation Marketo, MailChimp
Customer Support Zendesk, Freshdesk

Elevate your business with Dynamics 365 Business Central Upgrade smart, upgrade with Nalashaa Digital

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Pay-Per-User Licensing Model

When considering an upgrade to a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, the licensing model is a critical aspect that can significantly impact your business's financial strategy and flexibility. Dynamics Business Central offers a modern subscription-based licensing model, while Dynamics NAV relies on substantial upfront licensing costs.

Let's explore Dynamics Business Central stands out:

Subscription-Based Model: Business Central offers a subscription-based licensing model, where you pay a monthly or annual fee for each user.

Predictable Costs: With subscription-based licensing, you have predictable and manageable costs, making it easier to budget for software expenses.

Scalability: You can easily add or remove user licenses as your business needs change, aligning your costs with your actual usage.

Updates Included: The subscription typically includes access to the latest software updates and upgrades at no additional cost.

Reduced Upfront Costs: You don't need to make substantial upfront payments, which can be beneficial for businesses with limited capital resources.

AI & ML Advancements on a Larger Scale

AI plays a pivotal role in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, enhancing various aspects of business management.

  • In cash flow forecasting, AI-driven analysis of historical data enhances accuracy and incorporates future-dated documents using Azure AI, providing a comprehensive and forward-looking view.
  • Predictive web services powered by AI assist in more precise financial planning.
  • The Sales and Inventory Forecast extension utilizes AI to predict potential sales and identify expected stockouts, aiding in inventory management.
  • Late Payment Prediction, another AI feature, refines collections strategies by predicting payment timelines for sales invoices. This extension can be seamlessly configured within Business Central, and businesses can even build customized AI models to tailor late payment predictions to their specific requirements.

Discover the ideal Microsoft ERP solution for your business needs. Explore a range of Microsoft's ERP Products to streamline operations and drive efficiency.

Plan Your NAV to BC Upgrade with Nalashaa Digital

Upgrading from Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central is a key step in advancing your business by streamlining operations and boosting efficiency. However, this journey is not without its complexities. As you move from on-premises NAV to the cloud-based Business Central, you'll encounter changes in licensing, accessibility, integration, functionality, and security. To guarantee a smooth and hassle-free upgrade, don't hesitate to reach out to our experts at Nalashaa Digital. We're here to provide comprehensive guidance at every step, ensuring your transition is a resounding success.

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