Differences between Microsoft's Cloud Migration Tool and DataMigrate Pro 🔍

Microsoft's Cloud Migration Tool has a number of limitations, which we explain in more detail in the following list. Microsoft recently discontinued support for the Cloud Migration Tool for all Business Central versions older than version 25. This poses a major problem for customers. DataMigrate Pro supports all Dynamics 365 Business Central versions and all Dynamics NAV versions - regardless of whether the target environment is cloud or on-premise.

Direct migration to Business Central
IO Integrated - "DataMigrate Pro"
Microsoft - "Cloud Migration Tool"
  • Supports OnPremise

    Die Migration kann zu einer OnPremise-Installation von Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central erfolgen.
  • Supports Cloud

    Die Migration kann zu einer Cloud (SaaS)-Installation von Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central erfolgen.

    Microsoft unterstützt nur eine direkte Migration in die Cloud ab Dynamics 365 Business Central OnPremise Version 25. DataMigrate Pro hat diese Einschränkung nicht.
  • Supports "Microsoft Navision Attain 3.60"

    The migration tool supports “Microsoft Navision Attain 3.60” as the source system.
  • Supports all "Microsoft Business Solutions Navision" versions

    The migration tool supports “Microsoft Business Solutions Navision” as the source system.
  • Supports all "Microsoft Dynamics NAV" versions

    The migration tool supports “Microsoft Dynamics NAV” as the source system.
  • Supports all "Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central" versions

    The migration tool supports “Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central” as the source system in the following versions:

    • Business Central 2018 (V12)
    • Business Central Oktober 2019 (V13)
    • Business Central April 2019 (V14)
    • Business Central Oktober 2019 (V15)
    • Business Central April 2020 (V16)
    • Business Central Oktober 2020 (V17)
    • Business Central April 2021 (V18)
    • Business Central Oktober 2021 (V19)
    • Business Central April 2022 (V20)
    • Business Central Oktober 2022 (V21)
    • Business Central April 2023 (V22)
    • Business Central Oktober 2023 (V23)
    • Business Central April 2024 (V24)
    • Business Central Oktober 2024 (V25)
    • Business Central April 2025 (V26)
  • Supports parallel working

    The migration tool makes it possible to work in both systems in parallel. This supports a gradual changeover, e.g. to continue working with production in Dynamics NAV and with all other functional areas already in Dynamics 365 Business Central. The data is synchronized in both directions. Both environments work together as if they were one unit.
  • Supports live sync

    The migration tool supports live synchronization so that changes made in Dynamics NAV, for example, are immediately synchronized to Dynamics 365 Business Central. There is no table lock, so that work in Dynamics NAV is not blocked or disrupted.
  • Supports delta sync

    The migration tool also supports delta synchronization after the initial load or completion of the migration so that subsequent changes or additional tables can be included in the migration.

The reason why DataMigrate Pro is the better choice for your Dynamics NAV / Business Central migration

Anyone who wants to migrate their data from old NAV systems or existing Business Central environments in a future-proof way will quickly reach their limits with the Microsoft Cloud Migration Tool. This is because Microsoft’s own tool has a clear focus: a one-off migration to the cloud, regardless of on-premises targets, older NAV versions or operational continuity during the transition. DataMigrate Pro closes precisely these gaps – and goes far beyond them.

✅ Maximum flexibility for the target system
Regardless of whether you want to migrate to the cloud or back to an on-premises environment – DataMigrate Pro supports both directions. While Microsoft’s Cloud Migration Tool is strictly geared towards moving to the cloud, DataMigrate Pro gives you the freedom of choice. This means: real sovereignty over your system landscape.

✅ Legacy-capable and future-proof
DataMigrate Pro is backwards-compatible up to Navision Attain 3.60 and covers all Dynamics NAV and Business Central versions as a source system. Microsoft’s solution, on the other hand, requires the latest versions and often forces companies with old versions into costly intermediate steps and upgrades.

✅ Migration during operation
Probably the greatest strength: DataMigrate Pro enables parallel work in the source and target systems, including live synchronization. This allows you to operate systems synchronously for weeks, transfer data in real time and switch over exactly when it suits your company – without downtime, without risk.

✅ Delta migration & repeatability
DataMigrate Pro remains operational even after the initial transfer: Delta migrations ensure that only changed or new data is transferred. Ideal for test and go-live phases in which data sets are constantly changing.