RSMUS.comUpgrades and transitioning to the latest versions of ERP software requires meticulous planning and skilled execution by a team of seasoned professionals. If you find yourself still using Navision or fell behind with Business Central updates, this article is essential for you.
We have had the privilege of being a part of the Business Central journey for the past five years, and during this period we’ve witnessed a significant evolution to the product. BC14 supported the shift from C/AL to AL code in extensions, the community has embraced the universal code initiative, and there have been significant changes to the architecture of Business Central. While some tables and fields have been marked obsolete, they have been preserved in the database to ensure backward compatibility and present a seamless transition to the latest version of Business Central. Microsoft has set a five-major-release cadence for the removal of obsolete items to free up object numbers and field IDs.
The 2025 release wave 1 (version 26.0) represents a new “hard cutoff”, introducing an additional step for cloud migration and data upgrades.
Currently, if you are using Navision, you need to upgrade to BC14 before transitioning to the latest Business Central version. After 2025, the upgrade path will require moving from BC 14 to BC25 and then to the latest version. This means that your upgrade process will become more complex after April 2025.
Deprecated features: Deprecated features in the client, server, database – Business Central | Microsoft Learn
Upgrade Paths: Supported upgrade paths to Business Central on-premises – Business Central | Microsoft Learn
Now is the time to create a comprehensive list of requirements for moving away from NAV or older Business Central versions. Identify the major obstacles that are preventing you from staying current on Business Central. The AppSource Marketplace offers more than 4,000 apps from various ISV solutions that can address your business needs. Explore the potential for process automation using the Power Platform. Remember to allocate a budget for your upgrade and formulate a plan to ensure that the migration doesn’t disrupt your business during its peak season.
At RSM, our team of experienced consultants is ready to help you design your upgrade plan. We provide a suite of tools to simplify the upgrade and data migration process, along with integration tools to maintain connectivity with other vital solutions crucial to your business operations. This is the opportune moment to strategize the future of your business, whether you opt for on-premises or cloud-based solutions, and we are here to support your transition to the latest version of Business Central.
Tonya Bricco-Meske
Tonya is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central MVP and works at RSM as a Supervisor on the BC Application Development Team. She specializes in the creation of tailored solutions for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics NAV. Her expertise encompasses designing and implementing customizations, seamlessly integrating systems through APIs, harnessing the power of the Power Platform, and crafting insightful reports.