Business Central migration: what to expect
What to expect from a Business Central migration: the routes Microsoft documents, the data work, a rehearsal in a sandbox, what drives the timescale, and what changes after go-live.
A Business Central migration moves your finance and operations off older or entry-level software onto Microsoft's cloud ERP. This guide sets out what to expect at each stage, so the project holds no surprises.
Key PointYour starting system decides the route. Find out which one applies before you plan anything else.
Before you start
Your starting point decides the route. Microsoft's guide to migrating data to Business Central online sets out the options:
- from Dynamics NAV, you upgrade to Business Central on-premises first, then switch online;
- from QuickBooks, Microsoft provides migration apps;
- from other systems, you load data with templates and configuration packages.
Expect to spend time on data
Data quality decides how clean day one is. Expect to merge duplicate customers and suppliers, close accounts nobody uses, and fix missing VAT and address details before anything moves.
Decide early how much history comes across. GOV.UK says a company must keep records for 6 years from the end of the last financial year they relate to, so plan where older records will live.
Pro TipClean the data in the old system, where people know it, before it moves.
Expect at least one rehearsal
Load your data into a sandbox environment first and reconcile it against the old system: trial balance, aged debtors and creditors, stock and VAT. Nothing goes live until finance signs off that the numbers match.
How long it takes
Time depends on scope: how many companies, how much customisation, which integrations, and how clean your data is. A quote that has not asked about all of these is a guess.
For a standard scope, Amplio's BC Fast-Start takes a business live in twelve weeks for £4,500 fixed. It is aimed at businesses that already hold Business Central licences.
Watch OutDo not go live until finance has signed off that the migrated balances match the old system.
After go-live
- VAT: the UK version supports Making Tax Digital for VAT. Plan your first return from Business Central before go-live, because HMRC does not accept test submissions.
- Updates: Business Central online gets two major updates a year, in April and October.
- Adoption: the return comes from using the reporting and automation, not just moving the data.
Our data migration process guide and practical migration guide go further. For independent guidance, see the ICAEW technology resources, or talk to us.