Move from NAV to Business Central without spending a fortune

This project is probably one of the ones we meet most often. Migrating from NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central. There are so many companies sitting with an outdated system that need a smarter solution in their working day, and honestly, everyone deserves that.

So many exciting things come out of a more efficient system.

The problem for many, though, is that costs have to be kept down. Every last penny has to be squeezed, and the budget for a new system is limited.

Ouch, that hurt.

Fortunately, we have been in the game long enough to know some very specific ways you can keep costs down when you have to migrate from NAV to Business Central.

Here are those points.

Make a plan

If you want to keep costs down in your project, then planning is one of the most important things you have to work on.

Here we are of course talking about mapping out the project and its different phases, planning the finances and so on.

But one very particular thing is important here, if you do not want too many nasty surprises.

You have to make a contingency plan.

Make sure you know what to do when things go wrong, the project drags on, or you need one more round of corrections than expected. Plan things through so thoroughly that you cannot be surprised by anything at all. That way you make sure that any extra costs that turn up do not blow the budget set for the project. Besides a contingency plan, it is a huge priority to align expectations.

Alignment of expectations can be used as the project’s guiding principle and make sure that the right tasks are followed through by the right people, at the right time.

Remember: Quality is nothing but expectations being met sufficiently.

Set your expectations according to something you know can be done with the budget you have. Then you will not be disappointed when the money runs out and the project is not finished yet.

Review your system

When you have to move from one place to another with your software, it is not always the destination you should be looking at.

There is golden knowledge and an invaluable compass buried in the ERP system you already use.

Think about this: how do you know what you need to get out of Business Central if you do not know how you use your current ERP system, and what is wrong with it?

Use your current ERP system’s strengths and weaknesses as a guide when you migrate from one system to the other.

Split it into categories.

• Need to have
• Nice to have
• For the scrapheap

That way you get a prioritised list of functions and principles that you can budget against.

To know where you are going, you have to look at the road you have come from.

Choose the right partner

This point usually goes without saying when you have to run a good project, but in this case it requires even more attention.

If you are on a tight budget, you should obtain several different quotes from different partners that you trust.

Make sure the partners can understand your situation and have worked with someone in the same boat as you.

That said, think about this: You cannot afford to choose a cheap solution.

Cheap solutions tend to be lacking or to come with a lot of unforeseen costs. You cannot afford that.

If that happens to you, you are forced to pay for the clean-up work and for having any mistakes that were made fixed.

You do not want that. Choose an experienced provider that you trust and that can work with your perspective.

Are you looking for an ERP partner? Read our Guide: Choose the right ERP partner

Split the move into phases

The more data and functions you move at once, the greater the chance that human errors will be made.

And that is fair enough really — we are all only human. But in your case savings have to be made, and so things have to be done differently.

When you move your data from NAV to Business Central, you should therefore do it in phases. Take a little at a time and move it, to reduce errors. That way you cover yourself against having to pay for extra time and work.

Carry out in-depth tests

How do you make sure everything goes as it should?

You test it.

In your case it is incredibly important to test the solutions that are built.

For example in the phases the data is migrated in: Make sure to test every time something has been transferred, make sure it works as it should, and whether there is anything that has to be corrected before the next phase starts.

That way you keep costs down by having a strong focus on preventing errors and shortcomings. Test, test, test – better once too many than once too few.

Equip the users properly

Once the switch has been made, you have to make sure to equip the users of your new ERP system properly. After all, they are the ones who will be sitting with it on a daily basis. And why is that important? Why not just learn by doing?

Well, the more flying your start is, the faster the investment can start paying for itself. Through time saved, automation of tasks and improved processes.

An ERP system is only as smart as the person using it, so make sure the users are smart.

It really pays off.

Wrapping up

A new ERP system can be a big job. Unfortunately there is no way around that. What you can control, however, is the mindset around the task, the focus areas and the planning.

Read more about the subject – 10 mistakes to avoid in your ERP project

When you make sure to plan your task thoroughly, and to involve the right people with an understanding of your situation in the process, you can start cutting off some of the sharp corners and protect yourself against errors and extra costs.

Do not choose a cheap solution. Cheap solutions usually turn out far more expensive further down the road.

Got it?

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