Dynamics NAV Users: What Microsoft’s 2031 Changes Mean and Why You Should Plan Your Move to Business Central Now

Posted on 18 Aug at 3:56 pm

Business Central, ERP Software, Microsoft, Synergy Technology

Two women looking at Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central on a screen

Microsoft has recently confirmed important licensing changes affecting Dynamics NAV and Business Central on-premises customers. From 30th April 2031, Microsoft will end annual Service Plan renewals, subscription licence renewals, the purchase of additional perpetual licences for Dynamics NAV on-premises versions and subscription use of Dynamics NAV through SPLA.

That date may feel distant, but a successful ERP move should not be driven by a deadline alone. Businesses with customised NAV systems, complex reporting, warehouse processes, integrations or sector-specific requirements need time to assess the best route forward. Starting early gives you control over timing, cost, risk, data quality and user adoption.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV has already reached the end of mainstream support for all versions, with final extended security support for NAV 2018 phasing out completely by January 2028.

If your business still relies on Microsoft Dynamics NAV, now is the right time to review your long-term ERP plan. NAV has supported many organisations for years, but Microsoft’s direction is clear: the future of Dynamics ERP is Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

What Is Happening to Dynamics NAV?

Dynamics NAV became Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central in 2018, as Microsoft brought its business applications under the Dynamics 365 brand. All versions of Dynamics NAV are now outside mainstream support from Microsoft, with Dynamics NAV 2013 and Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 also outside extended support from January 2023.

This does not mean your NAV system suddenly stops working. Many organisations still use NAV every day. However, it does mean the platform becomes harder to maintain, harder to extend and less aligned with Microsoft’s cloud and AI investment. The practical risk builds gradually: old customisations become more difficult to support, integrations become more fragile and reporting needs are increasingly handled through workarounds.

Why This Matters for NAV Customers

For many businesses, NAV sits at the centre of finance, stock, purchasing, sales, projects, manufacturing or reporting. If it works today, it can be tempting to delay any decision. The issue is that unsupported ERP rarely becomes a problem overnight. It becomes a constraint over time.

Older infrastructure can become more expensive to maintain.
Key people may be the only ones who understand legacy processes and customisations.
New reporting, integration and compliance needs may take longer to deliver.
Adding functionality can become harder or less cost-effective.
Security, resilience and business continuity become more difficult to evidence.
Recruiting or retaining people with deep older NAV knowledge can become harder over time.

What Makes Business Central the Natural Next Step?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is Microsoft’s cloud ERP solution for small and mid-sized organisations. It brings together finance, purchasing, sales, inventory, projects, manufacturing, service management and reporting in one connected system. Microsoft’s Business Central product page describes it as AI-powered ERP for small and midsized businesses, with the ability to work across desktop, tablet and mobile devices.

For NAV users, Business Central is familiar in purpose but different in delivery. It is designed for regular updates, cloud access, Microsoft 365 integration and easier connection to tools such as Power BI, Power Platform and other Dynamics 365 applications. That means your ERP can become more than a back-office transaction system. It can support clearer reporting, better process control and more confident decision-making across the business.

Why You Should Not Leave the Move Until the Last Minute

The key risk is assuming that a NAV to Business Central project can be handled quickly when the deadline starts to feel close. In practice, the best projects start with discovery, not software configuration.

Review your current NAV version, infrastructure, licence position and support arrangements.
Identify which customisations are still business critical and which can be retired.
Map integrations with e-commerce, warehouse, CRM, reporting, payroll or sector-specific systems.
Assess data quality and decide what historic information needs to move forward.
Compare current processes with standard Business Central functionality.
Decide whether migration, re-implementation or a phased approach is right for the business.
Prepare users with training, testing and change communication before go-live.

Migration Incentives and Bridge to Cloud 3

Microsoft’s partner announcement refers to Bridge to Cloud 3, which provides a 30 percent discount on a fixed three-year term for qualifying NAV and Business Central on-premises customers moving to Business Central. Synergy’s Bridge to Cloud 3 content explains that the offer is aimed at Dynamics on-premises perpetual licence holders and includes dual access rights, helping organisations move in a more controlled way while continuing to use existing systems during migration.

Eligibility and commercial value will depend on each customer’s current licence position, Enhancement Plan status and migration route. That is why an early licensing and readiness review is useful. It gives you time to understand whether incentives apply before planning decisions are forced by timing.

Business Central Migration Voucher

The Business Central Migration Voucher is a Microsoft-funded initiative that helps eligible organisations move from Dynamics on-premises solutions to Dynamics 365 Business Central.

The funding can be used towards implementation and migration services, reducing the investment required to make the move to the cloud. According to Microsoft’s published programme information, qualifying customers may be eligible for funding worth up to 100% of first-year annual contract value, with a maximum voucher value of US$150,000 (around £110,000). Eligibility criteria and programme terms apply.

Real Examples of NAV and Business Central Change

Synergy Technology has supported customers through this type of journey.

Albion Valves selected Synergy Technology initially to take over support for NAV and then lead the move to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central in the cloud. The case study explains that the move helped the business review what should be carried forward, what could be replaced by standard Business Central functionality and where new development would improve efficiency.

Read the case study: Albion Valves Case Study

MPG Contracts is another relevant example. The business had used Microsoft Navision, a forerunner of Dynamics NAV and Business Central, but its system no longer reflected how the company operated. Synergy Technology helped MPG build on earlier NAV work and continue developing the platform around construction-specific needs, including CIS requirements.

Read the case study: MPG Contracts Case Study

Why Choose Synergy Technology?

Synergy Technology is a UK-based business application specialist with offices in Manchester, Preston, Leeds and Cambridge, as well as Melbourne in Australia. We work with small and medium-sized organisations across the UK and internationally, supporting ERP and CRM systems including Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales, Pegasus Opera and SuperOffice CRM.

We are a Microsoft Solutions Partner for AI Business Applications and a certified Small and Midsize Business Management Specialist. We have been implementing, supporting and integrating Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics NAV and Microsoft Navision solutions for businesses across the UK for over 20 years.

Speak to Synergy Technology About Your NAV Upgrade

The main message for Dynamics NAV users is simple: do not wait until the deadline controls the project. Planning now gives your business more time to review options, clean up data, improve processes and choose the route that gives the best long-term outcome.

If you are considering upgrading your Dynamics NAV solution to Dynamics 365 Business Central and would like to discuss your options with a UK Microsoft Solutions Partner, speak to Synergy Technology. Our team can help you understand what a realistic project could look like for your business, including implementation, data migration, integrations, training and ongoing support.

Synergy Technology is proud to be a Microsoft Solution Specialist and to offer Microsoft 365 Business Central solutions across the UK. We offer implementation, migration, support and integration with a number of other platforms. We have offices in Manchester, Preston, Leeds and Cambridge in the UK, as well as Melbourne in Australia.

Find out more by calling us today on 0345 456 0050 or visit our contact page to send us an email.