Top 10 reasons for migrating from legacy Microsoft Dynamics to modern Dynamics 365

Microsoft Dynamics GP, SL, NAV, and AX have been widely used for many years, but with technological advancements, businesses need more modern and advanced software solutions.  Many legacy Microsoft Dynamics users are turning to Microsoft Dynamics 365. This powerful suite of cloud-based ERP and CRM applications seamlessly shares data across every line of business, giving you a 360-degree view of your organization. Plus, you can choose which applications you need to see your business and customer data in one convenient location.  The software has numerous benefits over the older versions, making it a business go-to solution.

The move to Dynamics 365 has many benefits, including better scalability, enhanced usability, improved integration, cloud-based access, increased automation, improved analytics, lower total cost of ownership, access to the latest features, and AI-powered tools. The software is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for users to navigate and access the necessary information and features. It integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365, Power BI, and SharePoint, allowing seamless data sharing and reporting across platforms. Dynamics 365 is also a cloud-based solution, which means users can access it from anywhere with an internet connection, making it easy to work from home, on the go, or in the office. This blog will explore the top 10 reasons for migrating from legacy Microsoft Dynamics to modern Dynamics 365.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 has revolutionized how businesses operate by providing a modern and comprehensive solution for managing various processes. The software integrates AI-powered features that help automate tasks, analyze data, and provide insightful recommendations to improve business operations. AI-driven capabilities in Dynamics 365 provide businesses with a competitive edge and allow them to make data-driven decisions quickly and easily.

Integrating AI in Dynamics 365 has several benefits, including improved customer experience, increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved decision-making. For instance, AI-powered chatbots can handle customer inquiries and provide quick and efficient solutions, improving the overall customer experience.

Additionally, AI-powered tools, such as predictive analytics, can analyze data and provide insights that help businesses make informed decisions that positively impact business operations. With AI-powered automation, repetitive and mundane tasks, such as bank account reconciliations, can be handled quickly and efficiently, freeing up valuable time and resources for more critical tasks. AI-powered tools in Dynamics 365 transform business management, making it easier for businesses to operate optimally.

Legacy versions of Microsoft Dynamics may require users to work on-premise or rely on additional software such as Citrix VPNs, limiting their flexibility. Dynamics 365, on the other hand, is a cloud-based solution that allows users to access it from anywhere with an internet connection. This means that users can work from home, on the go, or in the office, making it easier to manage their workload and improve productivity.

Cloud-based access to Dynamics 365 has several benefits, including increased flexibility, improved productivity, and reduced IT costs. With the ability to access the software from anywhere, users can work on critical tasks regardless of location, improving productivity. Microsoft’s enhanced security also ensures that your data is secure, even with additional accessibility and flexibility.

Legacy Microsoft Dynamics applications often come with a complicated user interface, making it difficult for users to navigate the software. Dynamics 365, on the other hand, has an intuitive and modern interface that is easy to use. Users can customize their view to fit their needs, making accessing the most critical information and features more accessible. Plus, the software is designed to be user-friendly, so even those who are not tech-savvy can easily navigate their way around.

Dynamics 365’s enhanced usability has several benefits, including increased productivity, better user experience, and reduced training costs. The software’s intuitive and modern interface allows users to access the necessary information and features quickly and easily, minimizing the time spent navigating the software. Additionally, the customizable view allows users to personalize their experience, making accessing the most essential features easier. The user-friendly interface reduces training costs, as users can easily navigate the software without extensive training.

Legacy versions of Microsoft Dynamics may not be able to adapt to the changing needs of your business. Dynamics 365, however, can quickly scale up or down to meet your business requirements. The software can adapt and expand as your business grows to accommodate your needs. Plus, Dynamics 365 is designed to be flexible, allowing users to customize their views and features to fit their specific needs.

The better scalability of Dynamics 365 comes with several benefits, including improved efficiency, increased agility, and reduced costs. With the ability to adapt to changing business needs, businesses can operate efficiently without worrying about outgrowing their software. Additionally, Dynamics 365’s flexibility allows users to customize their experience, making accessing the most critical information and features more accessible. With better scalability, businesses can operate optimally, improving their bottom line.

Legacy Microsoft Dynamics applications do not integrate as seamlessly with other Microsoft products as the modern versions, causing data sharing and reporting hassles. Dynamics 365 is designed to integrate effortlessly with other Microsoft products such as Office 365, Power BI, and SharePoint. Teams users can even access certain Dynamics 365 records directly in Teams at no extra cost and without needing Dynamics 365 licenses.

These integrations allow for seamless data sharing and reporting across platforms. Users can easily access the information they need and share it with others, making collaboration more efficient and effective. The improved integration of Dynamics 365 comes with several benefits, including increased productivity, improved collaboration, and better data management. The seamless integration with other Microsoft products allows users to access the information they need quickly, improving productivity. Additionally, the accessible data sharing and reporting across platforms improve collaboration among team members, making it easier to work together on critical tasks. With better data management, users can easily track and manage their data, improving the overall efficiency of business operations.

Legacy versions of Microsoft Dynamics have limited workflow and automation capabilities, requiring users to perform many manual tasks, which take up valuable time and resources. Dynamics 365 has advanced automation features that reduce manual tasks and increase efficiency. This automation can help streamline your business processes and save time and money. Users can focus on more important tasks while the software takes care of the mundane, repetitive tasks.

The increased automation of Dynamics 365 has several benefits, including improved efficiency, increased productivity, and reduced costs. With advanced automation features, businesses can streamline their processes, reducing the time and resources spent on manual tasks. Additionally, automation allows users to focus on more critical tasks, improving productivity. Businesses can operate more efficiently with reduced costs, improving their bottom line.

The go-to automation tool for Dynamics 365 is Power Automate. Power Automate is a versatile tool with pre-built connectors, allowing users to integrate various cloud applications and create efficient end-to-end solutions seamlessly. With hundreds of connectors, Power Automate enables Dynamics 365 to connect to other apps like Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, ERP and CRM systems, social media, SQL databases, and cloud services, bringing them together into a unified and streamlined solution. This tool automates mundane tasks, such as sending service agreements via DocuSign, saving signed documents in SharePoint, initiating new projects in Dynamics 365, and notifying relevant stakeholders—all without manual intervention. By automating repetitive tasks and creating workflows, Power Automate empowers users to focus on higher-level tasks that truly matter.

Legacy versions of Microsoft Dynamics require costly upgrades to receive the latest features and functionality, making it challenging to keep up with the latest trends. Dynamics 365, however, receives hotfixes monthly and new features and functionality updates twice a year. As new capabilities are added, your business can test them first and then apply them to your business.

Access to Dynamics 365’s latest features comes with many benefits, including improved efficiency, productivity, and business performance. With access to the latest features, businesses can use new capabilities to improve their operations. Additionally, the latest features often come with improved efficiency and productivity tools, making it easier for businesses to operate optimally. With improved business performance, businesses can improve their bottom line.

Legacy versions of Microsoft Dynamics do not have the latest analytics tools, making it challenging to gain real-time insights into your business performance. Dynamics 365, however, has built-in analytics tools that provide real-time insights into your business performance. This data can help you make informed decisions and improve your business operations. Users can easily access the necessary information and make data-driven decisions to improve their business performance.

The improved analytics tools of Dynamics 365 come with several benefits, including improved decision-making, increased efficiency, and improved business performance. With real-time insights into business performance, users can make informed decisions that positively impact business operations. Additionally, easy access to necessary information improves efficiency, as users can quickly access the necessary information. With improved business performance, businesses can operate optimally, improving their bottom line.

Legacy versions of Microsoft Dynamics may be running on outdated services and technology and may not have the latest security features, leaving your sensitive data vulnerable to cyber threats. Dynamics 365, however, has advanced security features that protect your data from cyber threats. The software complies with industry standards, ensuring your company’s sensitive data is secure. Users can work peacefully, knowing their data is protected from unauthorized access. 

Moreover, Dynamics 365 has various built-in security features, including multi-factor authentication, role-based security, data loss prevention, and threat management. These features work together to ensure that your data is protected against both internal and external threats. The software also includes regular security updates, ensuring your system is always up-to-date and protected against the latest threats. With Dynamics 365, you can rest assured that your data is safe and secure and focus on growing your business rather than worrying about security breaches.

The costs to maintain Legacy Dynamics solutions include yearly maintenance, upgrade and on-going technology, IT costs and more. Dynamics 365 is a subscription-based service, meaning you pay for what you use. This can help lower your total cost of ownership compared to the older legacy versions. Plus, the subscription model often has automatic updates, so you don’t have to update your software manually.

The lower total cost of ownership (TCO) of Dynamics 365 comes with several benefits, including reduced costs, improved affordability, and reduced IT costs. With the subscription-based service, businesses can pay for what they use, reducing costs and improving affordability. Additionally, since Dynamics 365 is cloud-based, it is no longer necessary to maintain servers or install the application on desktops, reducing IT costs. To learn more, read our blog on the TCO of Dynamics GP vs. cloud solutions like Dynamics 365.

Dynamics 365 offers a range of other benefits, including increased productivity, streamlined workflows, better collaboration, and real-time insights. It is a modern, cloud-based solution that enables organizations to work more efficiently, make data-driven decisions, and stay ahead of the competition. By upgrading to Dynamics 365, you can transform your business operations and use the latest technologies to achieve your business goals.

So why wait? Contact us today if you are ready to upgrade to Dynamics 365 and prepare to take your business to the next level.