Migrating from a legacy ERP system to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (F&O) represents a high-impact transformation for businesses seeking to modernize their operations and leverage the agility of the cloud. However, such a shift requires strategic planning, clear stakeholder alignment, and careful execution to avoid disruptions and ensure long-term success.
In this expert-led guide, we will take you through a real-world business case, outlining key lessons, pitfalls to avoid, and proven practices for a smooth legacy system migration to Dynamics 365 F&O.
A practical guide to migrating from AX 2012 to Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations
Our client, a leading retail enterprise, initiated a mid-year transition from Dynamics AX 2012 to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (F&O) to leverage the platform’s modern cloud capabilities, enhanced performance, and long-term scalability. The decision to upgrade to an ERP was driven by the need to eliminate infrastructure overhead and adopt a more integrated, intelligent ERP solution that supports real-time operations.
However, the transition came with several high-stakes challenges:
- Zero tolerance for downtime, given the client’s dependence on their ERP for daily business operations
- Limited internal IT expertise, with strong reliance on former vendors for technical support
- Extensive legacy customizations that the client expected to replicate entirely in the new system
- Elevated expectations set during product demos, which did not reflect actual transaction volumes or real-world performance demands
These circumstances underscored the importance of developing a phased, business-aligned legacy system migration strategy that considers risk, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
Choosing the right implementation path: The Confiz approach
When planning a legacy system migration, selecting the right project methodology is crucial. While there are several popular options, including Waterfall, Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and Critical Path Method, we opted for the Agile approach due to its flexibility and iterative nature.
Agile emphasizes short development cycles, continuous feedback, and close collaboration with stakeholders, making it ideal for dynamic environments like ERP migrations.
Why Agile was the right fit for this migration?
- The client needed rapid deployment with minimal operational disruption
- Business processes had already been defined in AX 2012 and required replication rather than reinvention
- Agile allowed us to configure quickly, validate frequently, and pivot as needed based on real-time feedback
This methodology enabled us to begin with foundational configurations and incrementally introduce migrated customizations, preserving business continuity while steadily advancing the project.