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Dynamics NAV → Business Central

Dynamics NAV to Business Central Migration Services

Leave Dynamics NAV (Navision) behind without losing the data, history and processes your business depends on.

STW Services assesses your NAV version and customizations, sets out the realistic routes, implements Business Central, migrates and reconciles your data, and rebuilds the functionality you still need as modern AL extensions.

  • NAV 2009 → 2018
  • Fresh start or full upgrade
  • Reconciled data
NAV support is running out
Ageing servers and SQL versions
Customizations harder to maintain
New capabilities are cloud-first

Why companies are moving now

Our migration services

Everything a NAV migration needs

NAV migration assessment

Version, objects, customizations, add-ons, integrations, data quality and localization, turned into a written route recommendation.

Upgrade-route planning

Microsoft’s supported path for your version compared with a fresh start, with the decision points made explicit.

Fresh-start implementation

A clean Business Central using standard processes, so legacy workarounds don’t carry over.

Data migration

Masters, open documents, active projects and opening balances, cleaned, mapped, loaded and reconciled.

Customizations rebuilt in AL

Each modification classified, and the ones worth keeping rebuilt as event-based AL extensions.

Integrations reconnected

Interfaces rebuilt on Business Central APIs or Power Automate.

Full technical database upgrades through Microsoft’s intermediate versions: we provide the assessment and plan.

Upgrade routes from Dynamics NAV to Business Central online, compared with a fresh-start implementation with data migration ROUTE A · TECHNICAL UPGRADE (Microsoft's documented path) NAV 2009 SP1 / R2 NAV 2013 / R2 NAV 2015–2018 BC v14 on-premises BC current on-premises BC online cloud Older versions add intermediate steps · C/AL customizations must become AL extensions ROUTE B · FRESH START (implementation + data migration) Dynamics NAV any version Assess customizations · data Clean & map masters · balances Rebuild in AL only what's needed Go live reconciled data Which route? It depends on version, customizations, data quality and history needs. STW assesses both routes, then delivers fresh-start implementations, data migration and AL rebuilds.
Two routes from Dynamics NAV (Navision) to Business Central
Two routes

Full upgrade or fresh start?

Versions before Business Central v14 can’t move straight to the cloud. Microsoft’s documented path depends on your version, and C/AL customizations must become AL extensions.

Many companies find most old modifications are now standard Business Central features, which makes a fresh start with clean data the faster route.

Start with an assessment
Microsoft guidance

Upgrade paths from Dynamics NAV

Source: Microsoft Learn, “Migrate Dynamics NAV to Business Central online”. Routes can change, so we confirm against current guidance.

Your versionMicrosoft’s documented route to Business Central online
Dynamics NAV 2015 – 2018BC v14 on-premises → current BC on-premises → BC online
Dynamics NAV 2013 / 2013 R2NAV 2018 → BC v14 on-premises → current on-premises → online
Dynamics NAV 2009 SP1 / R2NAV 2013 or 2015 → NAV 2018 → BC v14 → current on-premises → online
BC on-premises v14+Current on-premises version (if required) → cloud migration to online
Full technical upgradeFresh start with data migration
What movesAll data and history + converted customizationsMasters, open items, opening balances, selected history
CustomizationsConverted from C/AL to ALRe-evaluated; many replaced by standard features or automation
Best whenHistory must stay in the systemProcesses have changed; data quality is poor
STW roleAssessment and planningAssessment, implementation, data migration, AL rebuild
Process

Our migration process

1

Assess

Systems, volumes, quality issues, what must move.

2

Map

Accounts, tax codes, units, dimensions to the new design.

3

Clean

Duplicates removed, obsolete records closed.

4

Load

Configuration packages and scripted transformation.

5

Reconcile

Balances, open items, stock checked every trial.

6

Cut over

Final load, finance sign-off, go-live, support.

Project experience

Clean data from day one

Client name withheld for confidentiality.

QatarConstruction

Master data, active projects and opening balances

Migrated and reconciled before go-live as part of a Business Central implementation, so project costing and billing continued from day one.

Implementation services
FAQ

NAV migration questions

What NAV owners ask before planning the move.

Ask us a question
Can we upgrade straight from NAV 2016 to Business Central online?

Not directly. Microsoft requires an upgrade to Business Central v14 on-premises first, then a current on-premises version, then cloud migration. A fresh implementation with data migration is the main alternative.

Is Navision the same as Dynamics NAV?

Yes. Navision was the original name; Microsoft renamed it Dynamics NAV, and Business Central is its cloud-era successor.

What happens to our NAV customizations?

They must be converted or rebuilt as AL extensions. We classify each and rebuild only what’s still needed.

Should we move to online or on-premises?

Both exist, but new capabilities, including Copilot and agents, are released for Business Central online.

How do we know the migrated data is right?

Every trial load is reconciled against the source, and finance signs off before go-live.

Next step

Plan your move from Dynamics NAV

Tell us your NAV version, number of companies and main customizations. We’ll outline the route and the decisions ahead.

  • A reply from someone who knows Business Central
  • Practical next steps, whether or not we work together
  • No obligation

Book a Migration Assessment

Tell us about your Business Central requirement. We’ll reply with practical next steps.

  • Pick “Business Central Solutions” in the form
  • Share your current system and what you need
  • Or email support@stw-services.com
Book a Migration Assessment