Sage to Business Central Migration | Step by Step

Sage has been trusted by businesses for their accounting and finance needs. However, as industries adapt to modern demands, these legacy systems are struggling to keep pace due to limited scalability, outdated features, and escalating costs.

Sage to Business Central migration is a smart move, offering cloud-based technology, scalability, advanced features, and seamless integration.

By considering Business Central migration in the mind, this blog explores why businesses need to migrate from Sage to Business Central, the challenges of staying with legacy systems, and the unparalleled benefits of adopting Business Central.

Sage: What It Offered and Where It Fell Behind 

Sage ERP system are robust accounting and finance management solutions that cater to the needs of small and mid-sized businesses. Its legacy systems, like Sage 50, Sage 100, and Sage 300, were designed to simplify processes like financial reporting, inventory tracking, and compliance.

However, evolving business requirements have exposed its limitations in functionality, scalability, and modern integrations. Due to this, Sage’s legacy systems, which were built for on-premises deployment, are now becoming obsolete.

While Sage has introduced Sage Cloud to meet modern demands, many existing Sage products are being phased out. For instance, key versions like Sage 50, Sage 100, Sage 200, and Sage 300 have either reached their EOL or are nearing it.

Perhaps Sage has promised extended licenses for up to 2029, but it is creating challenges for businesses that rely on them. So, businesses must evaluate whether sticking to an outdated system is worth the risk and cost.

Limitations of Sage Systems

Sage has announced that its key software will reach its EOL (end of life) by 2029. It means the provider will no longer offer updates, patches, customer support, and service packs. This can lead to increased operational risks, and businesses are required to spend more on support or manual fixes.

Here are more challenges your business can face if you are still using the legacy systems:

• Limited scalability and user capacity.
• High maintenance costs and manual updates.
• Restricted integrations requiring additional APIs or third-party tools.
• Minimal automation and mobility features.

What Are Your Options Moving Forward?

If you are a Sage legacy systems user, you have the following options for moving forward.

Do Nothing

This is the easier route but also the riskiest. You can use the same system till 2029—EOL. However, continuing with an unsupported system can lead to operational inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, and increased costs in the long run.

Upgrade to Sage Cloud

Sage also offers cloud-based solutions like Sage Intacct and Sage X3. While these provide some modern functionalities, they may not fully address the scalability and integration needs of growing businesses. Additionally, Sage Cloud solutions come with subscription fees that increase with the number of users, potentially escalating costs.

Switch to Another Cloud ERP

Numerous cloud-based ERP are present in the market, and you can pick one of them as an alternative for your business. However, before choosing an ERP solution, you must evaluate the features, costs, and scalability of these systems.

Migrate to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Sage 50 to Business Central migration is another option you can consider. It is a comprehensive and future-proof ERP solution, which comes with advanced features, scalability, and seamless integration capabilities.

Reasons to Migrate from Sage to Dynamics Business Central

If you are still thinking about “why should you migrate,” keep an eye on the following reason that makes Dynamics BC the ultimate choice.

Cloud-Based Accessibility

Unlike most Sage solutions that are primarily on-premises, Business Central is a fully cloud-based ERP, enabling real-time access to data from anywhere. It eliminates the need for costly hardware and maintenance.

Comprehensive Functionality

Business Central offers an all-in-one solution covering financial management, inventory, sales, purchasing, and manufacturing. It provides deeper and more customizable functionalities compared to Sage. 

Improved Reporting and Analytics

Embedded Power BI in Business Central provides advanced data visualization and real-time insights. Sage systems often require third-party tools for advanced analytics. 

Cost Efficiency

Reduces long-term operational costs by leveraging SaaS (Software as a Service) pricing models. Eliminates the need for frequent upgrades or expensive server infrastructure associated with Sage. 

Enhanced Customer Support

Business Central comes with extensive support from Microsoft and its partner network, including Dynamics Square, offering better assistance during and after implementation.

Steps for Seamless Migration

Sage to Business Central migration requires careful planning and execution. Here’s how you can make the transition seamless:

Assess Your Current System

Evaluate the limitations of your existing Sage system and identify your business requirements. 

Choose the Right Partner

Work with an experienced Microsoft Partner like Dynamics Square to ensure a smooth migration process. 

Plan Data Migration

Ensure that all your data is securely transferred to the new system without any loss or discrepancies.  

Train Your Team

Provide adequate training for your staff to ensure they can effectively use Business Central. 

Go Live and Monitor

Once the migration is complete, monitor the system closely to resolve any initial challenges.

Benefits of Migration

Opting for Business Central cloud migration helps your businesses streamline operations, enhance productivity, and improve decision-making. Let’s explore the key benefits of migration:

Scalability and Flexibility

While using Dynamics 365 Business Central, you can handle unlimited users and transactions, irrespective of your business size. Whether you’re a small business or a medium-sized one, Business Central can be personalized according to your requirements, allowing you to grow without any limitations.

Advanced Reporting and Analytics

Business Central offers seamless integration with Microsoft Power BI, enabling businesses to access real-time insights and create custom dashboards. This helps in making informed decisions based on accurate data.

Automation and AI Features

With features like late payment prediction and inventory forecasting, Business Central leverages AI to automate repetitive tasks. This reduces manual effort and increases efficiency across departments.

Seamless Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem

As part of the Microsoft family, Dynamics 365 Business Central integrates effortlessly with tools like Outlook, Excel, and Teams. This allows for a unified workflow and better collaboration across teams.

Enhanced Mobility

The mobile app for Business Central ensures that your team can access and manage data on the go. This is particularly beneficial for field staff and decision-makers who need real-time updates.

Robust Security and Compliance

Hosted on Microsoft’s secure cloud infrastructure, Business Central offers top-notch data protection and compliance features. Automatic updates ensure that your system is always secure and compliant with the latest regulations.

How Can Dynamics Square Help with Migration?

Dynamics Square is a leading Microsoft Gold Partner in Ontario with decades of experience. Our consultant works closely with you to understand your challenges and help you with the Sage to Business Central migration.

We plan data migration according to your business flow, leading to minimum disruption to your operation. In addition to this, Dynamics Square provides a reliable, trustworthy, and cost-effective migration service.

Call us at +1 778 381 5388 or write us an email at info@dynamicssquare.ca for seamless migration.