Unlocking Success: Everything You Need to Know to Get from Dynamics NAV to Business Central

For companies trying to keep up with the latest technological developments, it can be challenging to determine when it’s time to switch and embrace new software systems. Is your organisation ready for this switch? If not, what are the consequences of waiting (too) long?

The same applies to organisations working with Microsoft Dynamics NAV and considering upgrading to its latest version, Dynamics 365 Business Central. In this article, we give you an overview of the most important technical and business reasons why you should consider this upgrade.

Dynamics 365 Business Central is Microsoft’s latest cloud ERP solution, set to replace their very successful, on-premise-based Dynamics NAV (aka Navision). Business Central provides automatic major bi-annual and monthly minor updates rather than the previously optional annual upgrades to Dynamics NAV. As a result, organisations can enjoy the latest technological advancements much faster.

In addition, Dynamics 365 includes more advanced features to help businesses keep up with the modern demands of their customers and employees. For example, Business Central features in-built office tools – such as Microsoft 365 and Microsoft’s Power Platform – to increase overall productivity and streamline daily business processes.

Modern and more advanced features. Business Central features the newest and most advanced technology on the market – like the brand new and AI-based Co-Pilot solution.

Easy integration with Microsoft products. Business Central offers easy interoperability with other Microsoft products, including Power Platform, Outlook, Power BI, Dynamics 365 CRM, Excel, Teams, Word and many more.

Mobile accessibility. Companies with mobile or remote teams will benefit greatly from Business Central, as it works anywhere, anytime with a stable internet connection.

Lower TCO. Your Total Cost of Ownership will be (much) lower since Business Central is a cloud solution. This means that your system management is done by Microsoft in their highly automated data centres.

Foundation for your Digital Transformation. Unlike Dynamics NAV, a modern and up-to-date ERP solution like Business Central can function as the backbone for the digital transformation of your organisation.

In addition to these ‘offensive’ arguments, there are also some more ‘defensive’ reasons to migrate to Business Central sooner rather than later.

End of Microsoft’s support. Microsoft recently announced the end of basic support for Dynamics NAV 2018. Users of this version will no longer receive system updates with new functionalities, security patches and bug fixes. As a result, this leaves these users at risk for cybersecurity threats. This has already been the case for older versions of Dynamics NAV.

Avoiding further cost increases. With the decrease in the number of users, Microsoft is increasing costs for the annual maintenance of Dynamics NAV.

Interested in learning what a migration to Business Central means for your organisation?

Get in touch today: https://www.brooklandsolutions.com/contact/

September 21, 2023

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It’s valid to ask, “Do I have to use Making Tax Digital for my business?” If you haven’t started exploring how MTD affects you or your business yet, now is the right time to prepare for the shift. In our MTD-readiness guide, you’ll learn if your business will be impacted by the April 2026 deadline and how you can prepare in advance. Making Tax Digital April 2026 - What Does It Mean? From April 2026, MTD for ITSA will apply to: Self-employed individuals Landlords (those with income from UK property or overseas property) Partnerships with self-employed individuals, where the combined turnover crosses the threshold People with multiple income sources. For example, a self-employed individual who also has rental income Thresholds for Compliance: From April 2026: Those with a gross annual income over £50,000 From April 2027: Those with income over £30,000 From April 2028: Those with income over £20,000 These thresholds are for gross business/ trading and/or property income before expenses, not income from profit. What Do the HMRC Making Tax Digital 2026 Changes Mean for Your Business? If these upcoming changes apply to you, you’ll need to: Start Maintaining Digital Records Keeping paper trails or spreadsheets isn’t enough (unless spreadsheets are used via bridging software). You’ll also need to keep digital records of your income and expenses, which is best done with MTD-compatible software in Business Central. Start logging business expenses, sales, income, and bank transactions. Take photos of receipts and upload them to the records. Submit Quarterly Updates Instead of one annual tax return, from April 2026, you’ll need to send four quarterly updates. These updates report your tax position after every quarter, lowering the load and stress of the year-end rush. Remember to submit updates by: August 7 (for quarter ending July 5) November 7 (for quarter ending Oct 5) February 7 (for quarter ending January 5) May 7 (for quarter ending April 5) Create a Final Declaration You’ll also need to send an End of Period Statement (EoPS) and a Final Declaration at the end of the tax year, replacing the traditional self-assessment exercise. Common Making Tax Digital Problems Businesses May Face Ahead of MTD 2026 In the rush to meet the upcoming deadline, your business may face some common Making Tax Digital problems. Here’s how you can resolve them: 1. Using Incompatible or Unapproved Software Making Tax Digital mandates the use of compatible and approved software for submissions. You may be risking non-compliance by relying on outdated accounting systems or spreadsheets for digital record-keeping and quarterly submissions. You don’t need to look for another MTD-compatible software when your Dynamics ERPs, like NAV (some versions) and Business Central, have MTD features built in. If you’re already familiar with BC but want to get started with MTD, connect with our team today. 2. Lacking MTD Integration with ERP Without MTD software integrated with your broader finance and accounting systems, you’re likely to struggle with reporting gaps, errors in data, data duplication, and related issues that can slow down your efforts and make you non-compliant. NAV and BC already unify your operations into one interconnected system, and pull information from various accounting programmes. You gain complete visibility into deadlines, ensuring you meet them on time. Solidify your MTD prep and reduce the chances of errors, duplication, and non-compliance with Dynamics ERPs. 3. Lack of Accountability Don’t assume that your accountant will handle everything for you, as this can be a major oversight. Without clear accountability and ownership, your hard work and prep to meet the HMRC Making Tax Digital 2026 deadline may fail. We recommend getting the right guidance and training on handling MTD with your existing systems. Brookland’s team can help if you’re already a BC user looking for training and support for setting up and managing MTD. Choosing the Right Software & Partner to Stay MTD-Compliant A 2021 HMRC report highlights that MTD for VAT helped 69% businesses experience at least one benefit, with 67% admitting that it lowered the chance of errors in their records. Along with working with the right software, you need the right partner to implement the right tools to simplify the MTD prep. Keep These Points in Mind When Looking for an MTD Software: Is it compatible and approved by the HMRC? Does it support digital record keeping? Can it check and submit automatically? Will my tax information be secured? Will it be easy to use? Will it have a steep learning curve? Brookland Solutions is a Silver-certified Microsoft Partner that has helped many businesses, SMEs, and group companies simplify their VAT submissions and returns through NAV and Business Central. With our deep industry knowledge and experience handling complex needs, we’re confident that our team is ready to support self-employed individuals and traders in preparing for the HMRC Making Tax Digital changes in 2026 and beyond. Key Actions to Take Now to Ensure MTD‑Ready Systems Preparing for the Making Tax Digital April 2026 changes isn’t just a legal need. Your business should see it as an opportunity to upgrade old systems and create a strong foundation for better and efficient financial management. Investing in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, an ERP built for customisation, can not only help you with tax compliance but also streamline your overall business operations. Brookland Solutions can help in implementing, consulting, training, and support services for your Dynamics ERP. If you’re not a Dynamics user but are interested in implementing the MTD solution for your business, contact us today.

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