Article originally published on 02/04/2020 and updated on 01/20/2025
With your ERP Microsoft Dynamics AX, it’s a long-lasting story! Whether you experienced V3 in 2002 or more recent versions like AX 2009 or AX 2012, you’ve likely created many developments that your users are accustomed to, but in the age of the Cloud and with the many new features of the Dynamics 365 version, the question of migrating really arises… Still, you need to know what you lose and what you gain…
From ERP Navision Axapta to Microsoft Dynamics 365…
A lot has happened since Microsoft acquired the Danish publisher Navision Software in 2002, which then offered two ERP solutions: Axapta and Navision, which respectively became Microsoft Dynamics AX and Microsoft Dynamics NAV (where the question of migrating to Business Central also arises).
While Dynamics NAV was known for its flexibility and functional richness, Microsoft Dynamics AX has always been recognized as a more powerful solution better suited to the customization needs of medium-sized and large enterprises. A solution that also significantly enriched its functionality with the release of version 2012…
By moving its ERP and CRM solutions to the Cloud in 2017, Microsoft accomplished a real feat with the convergence of its business applications and technological platform. Microsoft Dynamics 365 thus replaces Microsoft AX. This transformation fits perfectly within Microsoft’s strategy as we discussed on the blog. The good news is that it is entirely possible to leap ten years and migrate directly from AX 2009 to D365 without going through AX 2012!
Dynamics AX 2009 and Dynamics AX 2012: Imminent end of support!
Whether you’re using Dynamics AX 2009 or Dynamics AX 2012, the first imperative to consider is the end of support by Microsoft, whose deadline is approaching. Indeed, the end date for standard support for AX 2009 SP1 and AX 2012 R2, initially scheduled for October 12, 2021, has been postponed to April 12, 2022, and the Dynamics AX 2012 R3 version will be supported until January 10, 2023. After these dates, it will no longer be possible to subscribe to a support contract and benefit from fixes and updates. Maintaining the AX environment by subscribing to custom support and TMA contracts operated by partners can extend AX usage for some time, but it won’t replace vendor support for security updates and will quickly impose risks on the information system given the recent surge in cyberattacks.
With all these changes and the proximity of end of support for Microsoft AX, it is therefore important to consider now the migration project to Dynamics 365, whether in its Cloud version or by staying On-Premise through the “Local Business Data” alternative operated for example by TVH Consulting.
Why migrate from AX 2009 or AX 2012 to Dynamics 365?
Besides the imperative of end of support, upgrading your AX ERP to the new Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations solution provides the ideal environment to succeed in your digital transformation, thanks to the numerous advantages of the Power Platform:
- The convergence of ERP, CRM, and BI business applications with new technological possibilities of the Cloud, IoT, and Machine Learning, not to mention collaborative work and business intelligence.
- Feature updates twice a year while maintaining a full web user interface quality.
- Data Visualization and Business Intelligence tools, notably through Power BI (reports, indicator creation, dashboards, etc.).
- The ability to create “Power Apps” to easily enrich the ERP on certain process parts and to complement the standard functionalities.
- A totally secure Microsoft Azure cloud, certified GDPR-compliant, enabling the hosting of your data in France.
How to successfully migrate from Dynamics AX to D365?
Migrating from Microsoft Dynamics AX, whether version 2009 or 2012, to Microsoft Dynamics 365 should primarily be considered as an entirely new project that requires data retrieval steps, new settings, and user change management support. It is not a simple technical migration identically.
To take advantage of all the opportunities offered by this new version, we recommend you anticipate these three steps before migrating:
- Assess the financial impact of the Cloud version, especially regarding storage costs which can quickly escalate in the public Cloud.
- Properly inventory your current users to benefit from the possibilities of converting existing licenses in the most suitable way.
- Conduct a Gap Analysis: migrating to Dynamics 365 implies giving up potential specific developments made on Dynamics AX in favor of new standard functionalities or business functions if you opt for a vertical solution like ADAX Suite.
To learn more about all these aspects and identify both the points of caution and sources of value creation, whether financial, technological, and/or functional, download our ERP Migration Passport to Dynamics365 with all the keys and action plan for success:
The future of ERPs: towards a platform of continuous innovation
The evolution from Microsoft Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 perfectly illustrates the profound transformation the ERP market is experiencing. By 2025-2030, enterprise information systems will no longer be mere management tools but true platforms of continuous innovation.
The convergence between ERP, CRM, BI, and emerging technologies like generative AI, IoT, and Machine Learning will become the norm. Companies will no longer choose an ERP for its stability over 10 years, but for its ability to constantly evolve through regular updates and an ecosystem of third-party applications. The flexibility of Cloud architectures will allow for no-code customization through low-code/no-code platforms like Power Platform, rendering obsolete the model of costly, hard-to-maintain specific developments.
Tomorrow’s ERP will also be characterized by its contextual intelligence, capable of anticipating user needs, automating repetitive tasks, and providing relevant insights in real-time. This digital transformation will not only be a technological issue but also an organizational one, pressing companies to rethink their processes and develop a culture of agility and continuous improvement.
Organizations that succeed will be those that consider their ERP not just as a simple administrative tool, but as a strategic lever of innovation and differentiation in their market.
