Introduction
Migrating from an on-premises installation of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 to the cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) offering of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central can be a challenging project. However, the benefits of the cloud-based platform, such as ease of scalability, accessibility, and security, make it an attractive option for many businesses. In this blog post, I will discuss the key considerations and steps involved in a successful migration project from Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 to Business Central in the cloud.
Step 1: Plan and Prepare The first step in any migration project is to plan and prepare thoroughly. This includes conducting a thorough assessment of the existing on-premises infrastructure, identifying any customizations or integrations that may need to be migrated or replaced, and selecting the appropriate cloud infrastructure and service provider.
It is also important to identify the key stakeholders and their roles in the project, define the timeline and budget, and establish a clear communication plan to keep everyone informed throughout the migration process.
Step 2: Data Migration The next step is to migrate the existing data from the on-premises Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 installation to Business Central in the cloud. This can be done using a variety of tools and methods, such as the Data Migration Wizard in Business Central, Microsoft’s Data Migration Service, or third-party migration tools.
It is important to ensure that the data is accurately migrated and validated, and that any necessary data transformations or mapping are performed to ensure that the data is compatible with the new cloud environment.
Step 3: Application Migration Once the data migration is complete, the next step is to migrate the customizations, integrations, and extensions from the on-premises Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 installation to Business Central in the cloud.
This can involve updating or replacing existing customizations and integrations to ensure compatibility with the cloud-based platform, and testing and validating the migrated applications to ensure they are working correctly.
Step 4: User Acceptance Testing and Training After the application migration is complete, it is important to conduct user acceptance testing to ensure that the new cloud-based system meets the needs of the business and users.
Training and support should also be provided to ensure that users are familiar with the new system and can effectively use it to perform their daily tasks.
Step 5: Go-Live and Post-Migration Support Once user acceptance testing and training are complete, the final step is to go-live with the new cloud-based system. It is important to ensure that any remaining issues are addressed promptly and that the system is stable and functioning correctly.
Ongoing post-migration support should also be provided to ensure that any issues or questions that arise are promptly addressed, and that users are able to fully leverage the benefits of the new cloud-based platform.
Conclusion
Migrating from an on-premises installation of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 to the cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) offering of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central can be a complex and challenging project. However, with careful planning, thorough preparation, and a well-executed migration plan, businesses can successfully migrate to the cloud-based platform and enjoy the benefits of scalability, accessibility, and security.