--- title: "Upgrade from NAV 2017 to Business Central" id: "997906" type: "page" slug: "upgrade-nav-2017-to-business-central" published_at: "2026-07-17T16:01:31+00:00" modified_at: "2026-09-07T14:30:16+00:00" url: "https://ioi.gmbh/en/upgrade-nav-2017-to-business-central/" markdown_url: "https://ioi.gmbh/en/upgrade-nav-2017-to-business-central.md" --- Mainstream support ended in January 2022 # Upgrade from NAV 2017 *directly to the current* Business Central version We bring your Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 database directly to the current Business Central version – without intermediate versions, typically in 4 weeks, at a fixed price for the data migration starting at 4.500 €. Thanks to Live-Sync, your legacy system keeps running until the cutover date. This also applies to 2017 installations with item attributes, account categories and extensions in the V1 format. [Start the free Upgrade-Check](/en/business-central-upgrade-check/) [Migration tools compared](/en/business-central-migration-with-datamigrate-pro/#compare) ! Mainstream support ended ### Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 is no longer being developed further. Mainstream support for Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 ended in January 2022. Until January 2027, Microsoft still delivers security updates under Extended Support – but no new features and no adjustments to new legal requirements. There is no official direct path to the current Business Central version. Extended support ends January 2027 Security updates yes, further development and regulatory changes no Risk check## Risk checklist for continuing to run NAV 2017. Six points that become a risk in legacy operation – and how the upgrade resolves each of them. Operating system##### Outdated Windows Server Old Windows Server versions no longer receive security updates. Security gaps and the risk of outages grow every month, and patching remains a permanent task for your IT. After the upgrade##### Microsoft takes care of operations In Business Central Cloud there are no servers of your own: Microsoft runs, patches and secures the platform. Your IT team gains time for work that moves the company forward. Server hardware##### Aging hardware The older the servers and hard disks, the higher the risk of defects. A hardware failure hits your ERP directly – and with it order entry, warehouse and accounting. After the upgrade##### No more hardware of your own After the move to the cloud, the replacement purchasing cycle no longer applies; OnPremise customers migrate to current, supported infrastructure. SQL database##### SQL Server without fixes Microsoft SQL Server also has to be kept up to date. Missing security fixes and performance problems put day-to-day operations at risk. After the upgrade##### Current platform included Business Central brings the database platform with it. Updates come with the releases, without your own SQL version management. Backup strategy##### Backup without a real-world test Daily backups, a recovery concept and the knowledge of how to restore your data are entirely your responsibility in legacy operation – and are often only put to the test in an emergency. After the upgrade##### Geo-redundant backup as standard Business Central Cloud backs up continuously and geo-redundantly. Restoring is part of the service instead of an emergency project. Security##### Only security patches left Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 has been out of mainstream support since January 2022. Security updates will continue until January 2027 – but no new functions and no adjustments to legal requirements. Every new requirement turns into a development project for you. After the upgrade##### Back in the security lifecycle On the current version, your ERP is back in the Microsoft lifecycle: regular updates, modern authentication, auditable permissions. Legal compliance##### GoBD and e-invoicing on your own GoBD-compliant processes and the e-invoicing obligation (XRechnung, ZUGFeRD) would have to be retrofitted by the legacy system itself – Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 no longer offers anything for this. After the upgrade##### Compliance as standard Business Central supports e-invoicing and traceable processes as standard, updated continuously instead of built once. Two routes, one destination## The standard upgrade path – and the direct one. Microsoft offers no direct route from Dynamics NAV 2017 to Business Central v28. The standard path runs through two interim versions, each one a migration of its own, with its own testing and its own sign-off. DataMigrate Pro skips that chain. Standard path · two interim versions### How the upgrade runs without DataMigrate Pro 1. 01 ### Dynamics NAV 2017 Your starting version. The standard path lifts it one step at a time. 2. 02 ### Business Central v14 The last version with C/AL. This is where the code is moved to AL. 3. 03 ### Business Central v25 An interim stop on the way to the current version. 4. 04 ### Business Central v28 The target – reached after 2 migrations along the way. With DataMigrate Pro · one stop### How it runs with us 1. 05 ### Dynamics NAV 2017 Your old system keeps running untouched and is only read from. 2. 06 ### Business Central v28 Data and customisations move to the target version in one step. Until go-live, live and delta sync keep both systems aligned. ⏱**Why this works.** The standard path needs every interim version because Microsoft’s upgrade tooling only carries the data model from one release to the next. DataMigrate Pro reads the source database directly at table level and writes into the target model – which is what makes the interim steps unnecessary. [See the comparison with the Microsoft Cloud Migration Tool →](https://ioi.gmbh/en/business-central-migration-with-datamigrate-pro/#compare) ## What is special about Dynamics NAV 2017? #### Only security updates since January 2022 NAV 2017 is out of mainstream support. Until January 2027 Microsoft still delivers security updates, but no new functions and no adjustments to new legal requirements. Everything that has come along in terms of regulation since then has to be retrofitted at your own expense. #### Item attributes and account categories arrived with 2017 Both brought new tables with them that need their own data migration when you switch. In Business Central they are part of the standard. #### Power BI and Cortana from 2017 are technically outdated The forecasting and dashboard connections of that time cannot be migrated. Business Central includes embedded Power BI reports as standard; they are set up again. ## Why switch to the latest Dynamics 365 Business Central version? #### Dynamics NAV 2017 is out of support Missing updates, growing security and downtime risks. Business Central follows the Modern Policy with predictable releases and a current security baseline. #### CoPilot & AI Features With Dynamics 365 Business Central, Copilot/AI, Power Automate, Teams & Dynamics integrations are available without additional development. Processes become measurably faster and manual handovers between systems disappear. #### E-invoicing/XRechnung · GoBD/GDPR · ViDA compliance E-invoicing/XRechnung, GoBD/GDPR and modern permission concepts can be mapped cleanly in Dynamics 365 Business Central. That reduces audit risks and makes the system auditable. #### Never a major upgrade again With Extensions instead of base customizations and two automatic releases per year, Business Central stays up to date on its own. The move from NAV 2017 is therefore your last major upgrade project. Process## This is how your upgrade works. From the analysis to the cutover date – your legacy system stays live right up to the end. 01 free of charge #### Upgrade-Check We analyze your Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 database – you receive a fixed-price range and a schedule. AnalysisFixed price 02 #### Test migration Full trial run with your real data – you see your Business Central with your figures. Live data 03 #### Mapping & Extensions Custom objects, ISV add-ons and customizations are mapped or replaced. Add-onsCustomizations 04 #### Live-Sync Your legacy system keeps running as normal; DataMigrate Pro keeps the data in sync until the cutover date. No standstill 05 #### User acceptance Key users test the processes in the new system and approve them. Training 06 Cutover date #### Cutover & Go-live The switchover happens on the cutover date – without data loss, typically after about 4 weeks of project time. Go-live ## Move from NAV 2017 directly to Business Central. From 4.500,00 EUR We migrate your data directly from Dynamics NAV to Business Central – without intermediate steps and without downtime. The fixed price for the data migration starts at 4.500 €. [Book an Upgrade-Check](/en/business-central-upgrade-check/) [or give us a quick call: +49 214 8402 3000](tel:004921484023000) ✓ Ready to start in Business Central in 4 weeks (typical) ✓ Customers, vendors, items and further master data included ✓ Complete transfer (entries, documents, history, Add-ons) can be booked in addition – details in the FAQ. FAQ## FAQ – frequently asked questions NAV 2017 still has Extended Support until January 2027. Why switch now? + Because Extended Support only means that security vulnerabilities are fixed. There are no new features, and above all no adjustments to new legal requirements. The e-invoicing obligation is the best example of this – Business Central supports XRechnung and ZUGFeRD as standard, NAV 2017 never will. Every regulatory change therefore becomes a development project for you. On top of that, Extended Support also ends in January 2027. That leaves about a year for a project that needs lead time. What does an upgrade / move from Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central cost? + Our entry-level packages start at 4.500,00 € for the master data transfer (e.g. customers, vendors, items, central setup data). A complete 1:1 data transfer including transaction data, ledger entries, general ledger history, posted and unposted documents, custom tables and add-ons is possible – standardized through DataMigrate Pro and therefore considerably cheaper than classic projects. The final cost estimate and the selection of the package that fits you follow a short assessment. How long does an upgrade / switch from Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central take? + Around four weeks until Business Central is in productive use; with a large data volume or many customizations it can also take longer. During the migration phase we synchronize continuously, so that you can keep using your existing system up to the planned Go-live and Business Central is always close to the current state. Do you also support Dynamics 365 Business Central OnPremise, or only cloud? + **Both**. In contrast to Microsoft’s own direction, we advise and deliver neutrally for cloud and OnPremise. What matters are IT strategy, compliance, interfaces and TCO – not the dogma “everything has to go to the cloud”. Does a complete data migration take place? + Yes, 1:1 transfers are possible with [DataMigrate Pro](https://ioi.gmbh/en/business-central-migration-with-datamigrate-pro/) . Together we define cutover dates and the data scope (master and transaction data) and verify the result with reconciliation overviews (balance and document differences). Can we also migrate the data ourselves with DataMigrate Pro? + Yes. [DataMigrate Pro](https://ioi.gmbh/en/business-central-migration-with-datamigrate-pro/) is built to be easy to use. Many of our customers carry out parts of the work themselves (e.g. master data mapping, test runs). We take care of setup, tricky steps, quality assurance and the Cutover (switching over to the new system). We have provided [several guides](https://ioi.gmbh/category/support-dokumentationen/datamigrate-pro/) for this. Do you have references? This all sounds too good to be true. + Understandable question – our prices are considerably lower than what many prospects have seen in earlier quotes. The best evidence comes from projects: we have published a [case study on the migration from Dynamics NAV 2009 to Business Central](https://ioi.gmbh/en/case-study-migration-microsoft-dynamics-nav-2009-to-business-central-cloud/) and can put you in touch with verifiable reference customers on request. An independent assessment is also available from Cedrik Ferner, author of a book on Business Central, on [My Business Central](https://mybusinesscentral.de/direktmigration-zu-business-central-mit-datamigrate-pro/) . Do our in-house developments have to be transferred 1:1? + No – and it would rarely make sense, because over the years technical debt has often built up that should be cleared out. We look at the business logic, but re-implement it technically as AL Extensions (events/subscriptions). The result: release-ready, maintainable, with no changes to the core. That keeps you ready for future versions and updates. What happens to our Add-ons (ISV solutions)? + We check whether there is an AppSource version of your current ISV solution. If not, we replace functions with the standard or with lightweight Extensions. Our aim: fewer dependencies and simpler updates. How do you minimize downtime at Go-live? + In principle there is no downtime with our solution, because we migrate the data from Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central continuously (double run with a parallel phase). This reduces the switchover to a few minutes. The step remains reversible, because you can continue working in the old system at any time. Cloud or OnPremise – which makes more sense for us? + On request we assess this question for you, taking compliance, integrations, security requirements and costs into account. Cloud means less infrastructure effort and faster innovation; OnPremise remains a valid option if, for example, data sovereignty or special integrations carry more weight. Can we migrate step by step (technology first, processes later)? + Yes. First the technical upgrade (AL conformity, data), then process optimization (e.g. Copilot/automation, reporting). That way you are productive in Business Central quickly. What changes for the users? + In short: role-based interfaces, more modern navigation, integrated Office/Teams/Power BI workflows. Everything else stays the same: your data and processes are transferred 1:1 from the previous system and improved / adjusted on request. Other upgrade paths## Are you coming from a different version? DataMigrate Pro covers every NAV and Navision version as a source. Choose your starting point. [Dynamics NAV 2009 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-nav-2009-to-business-central/) [Dynamics NAV 2009 R2 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-nav-2009-r2-to-business-central/) [Dynamics NAV 2013 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-nav-2013-to-business-central/) [Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-nav-2013-r2-to-business-central/) [Dynamics NAV 2015 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-nav-2015-to-business-central/) [Dynamics NAV 2016 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-nav-2016-to-business-central/) [Dynamics NAV 2017 ● You are here](#) [Dynamics NAV 2018 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-nav-2018-to-business-central/) [Business Central v14 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v14/) [Business Central v15 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v15/) [Business Central v16 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v16/) [Business Central v17 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v17/) [Business Central v18 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v18/) [Business Central v19 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v19/) [Business Central v20 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v20/) [Business Central v21 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v21/) [Business Central v22 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v22/) [Business Central v23 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v23/) [Business Central v24 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v24/) [Business Central v25 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v25/) [Business Central v26 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v26/) [Business Central v27 → Business Central (Cloud or OnPremise)](/en/upgrade-business-central-v27/)