Microsoft Dynamics AX (Axapta) which was originally released in 2002, has officially retired. It is no longer available to new customers, and enterprises already on Dynamics AX are looking to upgrade their ERP to a new and improved solution with enhanced functionalities, improved user experience, and the latest features that help you stay ahead of the technology trends.
The transition from Dynamics AX to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations emerges as a pivotal step toward future-proofing businesses and embracing a new era of operational excellence. The decision to upgrade AX to D365 isn’t solely about embracing the present; it’s a strategic move to align with technology trends that promise to shape the future of business operations.
Are you ready to explore the path to upgrade? This blog serves as a comprehensive guide to the migration path from AX to D365, covering key steps and potential challenges while paving the way for a seamless transition.
Understanding the Dynamics 365 upgrade process
The Dynamics 365 upgrade process marks a crucial phase in an organization’s technological evolution, demanding careful consideration and meticulous planning. It’s important to understand the difference between upgrading from Microsoft Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations and a fresh implementation of D365. The former involves transitioning from an existing AX environment to D365, migrating data, executing configurations, and customizations. On the other hand, a new implementation starts from scratch, necessitating a comprehensive setup of processes, data, and configurations within the D365 framework.
As you are upgrading from AX, this path requires a strong emphasis on planning. Proper planning ensures the upgrade aligns with your organization’s goals, strategies, and specific operational needs. Comprehensive analysis goes hand in hand. It includes a thorough review of your existing processes and customizations and helps identify areas where improvements can be made and where potential challenges might arise. In both cases, a well-orchestrated approach is essential to avoid disruption and minimize risks.
Preparing for the upgrade
When upgrading from Microsoft Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 and starting your journey to the cloud, a migration assessment is the first step to understanding the value of the process and how to get there. Nevertheless, a comprehensive assessment of the current AX environment is central to the process. This involves evaluating configurations, data structures, workflows, and any customizations that have been integrated over time.
Assess and clean data
A pivotal element of this assessment is data. Clean and accurate data is the lifeblood of any system, and as such, data cleansing and mapping are of paramount importance. The process involves identifying redundant, outdated, or irrelevant data and rectifying any inconsistencies. Mapping this refined data to the corresponding fields in the Dynamics 365 structure ensures a seamless data migration, preventing errors and preserving the integrity of the information.
Evaluate customizations and integrations
It is equally important to thoroughly review customizations and integrations implemented in the current AX environment. This evaluation helps determine the relevance of existing customizations and whether they can be adapted to the Dynamics 365 framework. Additionally, integrations with other systems must be assessed to ensure a seamless transition without disrupting vital business operations.
Choose the right upgrade strategy
As the upgrade path unfolds, organizations have the choice of pursuing an in-house upgrade or seeking the expertise of a credible Microsoft partner for Dynamics Upgrade Consulting Services. Alternatively, they can opt for staff augmentation services, utilizing off-site, on-site, or hybrid models as per their requirements. This decision should be guided by the organization’s resources, skill set, and the complexity of the migration.
Opt for AX performance tuning assessment
Instead of diving headfirst into the upgrade process, taking advantage of migration assessment offered by Microsoft partners is advisable to evaluate the feasibility of your transition. Confiz’s 1-Week Free Migration Assessment Offer includes an overview of the functional and technical review of your business requirements and system, a determination of the best approach for handling the existing customizations, a recommended upgrade strategy, and a roadmap for a successful migration
