Häufig gestellte Fragen
What is Navision?
Navision is the original name of the ERP system known today as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. The product originated in Denmark in 1987 at the vendor PC&C (founded in 1984, operating as Navision Software A/S from 1995) and was acquired by Microsoft in 2002 for around 1.4 billion US dollars. Under Microsoft it ran as Microsoft Dynamics NAV from 2005 and was renamed Business Central in 2018. Colloquially, the name Navision is still used to this day for all generations of this product family.
Is Microsoft Dynamics NAV still current?
No, Dynamics NAV is no longer being developed by Microsoft; new features appear exclusively in its successor, Dynamics 365 Business Central. For the final version, Dynamics NAV 2018, mainstream support ended in January 2023, while extended support with security-only updates runs until 11 January 2028. Older NAV versions have already dropped out of support entirely. Existing installations continue to work technically but no longer receive new features.
What is the difference between Dynamics NAV and Business Central?
Business Central is the modernised, cloud-ready continuation of the NAV code base and shares a large part of its functional scope with NAV. Technically, the two differ considerably: instead of direct code changes in C/AL, Business Central uses the extension model with the AL language, in which customisations remain separate from the standard and updates are therefore easier to apply. Added to this are a web client instead of the Windows client, semi-annual release waves and closer integration with Microsoft 365, Azure and the Power Platform. NAV and Business Central are thus successive stages of development, not identical products.
How does migration from NAV to Business Central work?
Microsoft essentially offers two routes: a direct technical migration or a re-implementation as a fresh build with data cleansing. For the move to the cloud, Microsoft provides a cloud migration tool that transfers NAV data to Business Central Online via a replication service and Azure Data Factory pipelines; from older versions the path usually runs through intermediate upgrades. Custom C/AL modifications must be converted into AL extensions in the process, which largely determines the effort involved. With the right partner and tooling, many mid-market projects can be completed in around six months, although complex installations can take longer.
What does Dynamics 365 Business Central cost as the NAV successor?
In the cloud variant, Business Central is licensed per user per month; the Essentials edition with finance, sales, purchasing, warehousing and projects comes in at around 80 US dollars, and the Premium edition, which adds manufacturing and service, at around 110 US dollars (list prices, paid annually, as of 2026). Cheaper Team Member licences are available for restricted access. On top of the pure licence costs come implementation, customisation, data migration, training and ongoing support, which frequently exceed the licence share. A robust total cost calculation should therefore include these items from the outset.
Is Navision the same as Dynamics NAV and Business Central?
The three terms denote successive stages of development of one and the same product family and are often used synonymously in everyday language. Navision is the historical brand name from before the Microsoft acquisition, Dynamics NAV the mid-market line run under Microsoft, and Business Central the cloud successor carried forward since 2018. In a strict technical sense they are not identical, because architecture, customisation model and licensing have changed across the generations. Anyone speaking of "Navision" today means, depending on context, either a historical legacy system or, loosely, the current Business Central.
Which Microsoft partners support Dynamics NAV and Business Central in the DACH region?
The German-speaking region has a dense network of certified Microsoft partners offering implementation, migration and maintenance for NAV and Business Central. Well-known firms with industry specialisations include KUMAVISION, COSMO CONSULT, anaptis and Sycor. Many partners bring their own industry solutions that extend the standard with functions for trade, manufacturing or services. When choosing a partner, proven project experience in your own industry, regional proximity and a clear support model matter more than name recognition.