Working with the right Microsoft Business Partner is the key to getting your project done for a realistic budget .
Why upgrade to Business Central SaaS from NAV?
The Microsoft global strategy is to upgrade its customers to web-based platforms with software being provided as a service. The Microsoft R&D budget is wholly focussed on this strategy and not the development of on-premise software.
How long can I continue with NAV on-premise software?
There is no ‘end’ date to on premise versions of NAV or Business Central but the lifecycles for each on premise version (which ensure patches, fixes, and updates) is getting ever shorter.
Why now?
Reduce Costs
Significantly lower infrastructure costs by removing the costs associated with maintaining servers. The Business Central licensing model is clear to understand: Essentials for businesses requiring financials, assembly, and CRM and Premium for businesses who need complex manufacturing capabilities including service management and full planning. Both licence types are available as full and team (limited updates but full reading rights).
There are, at the time of publishing Microsoft incentives for customers who make the move over to SaaS.
Support Remote Working
Make it easier for your employees to work from home and be able to access data from anywhere. Having disaster recovery and advanced security in place puts your mind at rest.
Benefit from new functionality
Make use of a whole host of new functionality in Business Central such as AI and cash-flow management. Streamline and automate manual tasks and produce workflows to allow you to improve your overall efficiency.
The cost to upgrade from NAV on prem to Business Central SaaS
Every project is different, and the devil is in the detail (bespoke extensions that need to make the transition, for example).
But there appears to be a huge variation in project costs being currently quoted by Microsoft Business Partners to take their existing customers to the SaaS model.
As a Microsoft Gold Partner with advanced specialisation in Business Central, Qi Ltd would expect the average migration cost to be between 4K and 6K.
One business advised us that they had recently been quoted upwards of 20K by their existing business partner.
Thought for the Day
If you are planning your move to Business Central SaaS, then get more than one quote for the project. It might be time for find an alternative Business Partner. Call Qi Ltd to discuss your upgrade to Business Central SaaS.