In today’s rapidly changing business environment, organizations strive to achieve excellence and stay ahead of the competition. To remain at the forefront of technology, many companies migrate to flexible and secure cloud applications, which offer considerable cost and productivity advantages.
After a decade of success with Dynamics AX 2009, customers are upgrading their businesses by migrating to the class-leading solution in enterprise technology: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. With its enhanced security features and superior flexibility, this cutting-edge software is precisely what today’s business landscape demands.
However, migrating from Dynamics AX 2009 to Dynamics 365 can be a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. This blog will cover the reasons and steps for a Dynamics AX 2009 to Dynamics 365 Migration.
Table of Contents
Why must you migrate from Dynamics AX 2009 to Dynamics 365 F&O?
End of support for Dynamics AX 2009
- Microsoft has suspended support for AX and has shifted focus to Dynamics 365 F&O with regular updates and security patches.
- Dynamics 365 has new benefits and the latest features and functionality.
- Stay compliant with industry regulations.
- Protect your business against security threats.
Improved Functionality
- Cloud-based solution with advanced features such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics
- Better integration with other Microsoft products
- Easier to manage business operations
Better scalability
- Easily add new users and functionalities as your business grows.
- Add new modules and features as needed to meet changing business requirements.
- Leverage the flexibility of Dynamics 365.
Improved security
- Uses Azure Active Directory for authentication
- Includes features such as data encryption and role-based access control
- Helps businesses protect their data and comply with regulations
Lower cost of ownership
- No need to maintain IT infrastructure
- Pay only for the resources you need.
- Cloud-based solution
- More cost-effective
A Forrester study about migrating from AX to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations found a 3.4 percent reduction in total ownership costs for ERP and other charges, such as licensing infrastructure and IT labor, and a 50 percent improvement in staff productivity operational flow.
Related: Upgrading from Microsoft Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 – Insights and answers to FAQs.
Six Steps to migrate from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 F&O
If you are ready to switch from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, we have curated a six-step guide below for a seamless migration process.
Step 1: Assess your current Dynamics AX 2009 environment
The first step in migrating from Dynamics AX 2009 to Dynamics 365 F&O is to assess your current environment. Next, you need to determine the size and complexity of your data and any customizations or integrations that may need to be migrated. It is also essential to identify any third-party solutions or add-ons currently in use and assess their compatibility with Dynamics 365.
Step 2: Plan your migration strategy
Once you have assessed your current environment, you must plan your migration strategy. This means deciding on the best approach for data migration, customizations, and integrations. Several migration options are available, such as a direct upgrade, a phased approach, or a re-implementation. Your choice will depend on factors such as the complexity of your environment and the amount of customization required.
Step 3: Prepare your data for migration
Before beginning the migration process, you need to prepare your data for migration. This involves cleaning up your data to ensure consistency and accuracy. You may also need to convert your data to a compatible format for Dynamics 365. This is an essential step as it can impact the success of your migration and the quality of your data in the new system.
Step 4: Migrate your data
The migration process begins once the required data is ready. During this stage, it is crucial to test your data thoroughly to ensure that it has been migrated correctly and that there are no errors or inconsistencies.
Step 5: Migrate your customizations and integrations
After data migration, you need to migrate your customizations and integrations. This may involve converting code or redeveloping customizations for Dynamics 365 F&O. You must also test your customizations and integrations to ensure they work correctly in the new system.
Step 6: Train your users
Once your migration is complete, you must train your users to use the new system. This involves providing them with training materials and hands-on training sessions. It is important to ensure your users are comfortable with the new system and understand how to make the most of it.
Final Thoughts
To seamlessly migrate from Dynamics AX 2009 to Dynamics 365 F&O—maximize the benefits of the new platform and unlock the full potential of Dynamics 365—working with trusted Dynamics 365 implementation and migration partners can help you minimize the risks and disruptions associated and ensure a smooth transition.
Contact one of our experts for more information about Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations or our other services.
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