I remember a conversation with an ERP migration prospect I won’t forget.
A mid-sized manufacturing company contacted us, overwhelmed by the idea of an ERP migration from their legacy platform to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
During our introduction call, we walked them through our proven ERP migration strategy. We explained why ERP migrations fail, highlighting the importance of data cleansing, stakeholder alignment, and user testing. We showed them how our methodology avoids disruption and positions their team to scale smarter.
You could see the lightbulb moments on their side; everything we said made sense. They thanked us for the clarity. We were feeling optimistic.
But then came the email.
They hired a new Project Manager who had other ideas. They decided to go with a larger, more recognizable consulting firm. “They have hundreds of consultants, and we feel they can throw more resources at this.”
I wished them the best—and meant it.
They Reached Out When the ERP Migration Failed
Nine months later, they came back to us. Their ERP migration had failed. Their system was down for two weeks. Orders were delayed, customer service was overwhelmed, and internal teams were burned out.
The big-name partner they had chosen had skipped critical steps:
- No sandbox testing.
- No real user training.
- No clean data.
It wasn’t a lack of effort. It was a lack of process.
When we stepped in to assess the damage, it was heartbreaking. This team had invested in a powerful platform, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, but never had a roadmap to get there safely.
“Digital transformation is not just about technology. It’s about reimagining your business to deliver better outcomes. That starts with a clear plan and strong execution.”
Satya Nadella, Chairman & CEO, Microsoft
This experience reminded me of a hard truth in our industry: ERP migrations fail because of how the software is implemented.
Gartner predicts that by 2027, more than 70% of recently implemented ERP initiatives will fail to fully meet their original business case goals. (Gartner, 2023)
This experience underscores a vital lesson. The success of a migration project hinges not on the partner’s size but on the meticulousness of the process. Skipping foundational steps can lead to catastrophic outcomes regardless of who is at the helm.
If you’re preparing to migrate to Dynamics 365 Business Central, the rest of this blog will walk you through what a successful migration looks like and how to avoid the painful missteps derailing even the most well-funded projects.
From Legacy to Launch: A Proven Path to Dynamics 365 Business Central Migration Success
Migrating from a legacy system to Dynamics 365 Business Central is more than a technology upgrade. It’s an operational overhaul. Yet many companies underestimate what’s required to do it right.
“Dynamics 365 Business Central is built for companies that want to adapt faster, work smarter, and perform better, with a system that’s easy to deploy and even easier to evolve with.”
Mike Morton, Vice President, Dynamics 365 Business Central
Think of your migration as building a bridge. You can’t afford to skip structural supports just because the finish line looks close.
At Oztera, we follow a tested and repeatable methodology that avoids disruption, prevents data loss, and sets clients up for long-term success.
Here’s what that journey looks like.
1. Pre-Migration Discovery: Lay the Groundwork
ERP success begins long before any data moves.
This step helps to align stakeholders across departments and define measurable objectives for your migration. Better reporting, scalable processes, or streamlined production using ERP for manufacturing.
The next step is assessing your legacy system.
- What modules are in use?
- Which processes are automated?
- Where have workarounds developed?
- Catalog your reports, integrations, and dependencies.
- Identify gaps between current workflows and what Business Central offers natively.
Why it matters: Without complete visibility into your current state and future needs, you risk recreating old inefficiencies or overlooking key functionality.
Starting a migration without discovery is like renovating a house without checking the foundation. It may look fine, but hidden cracks can cause major issues down the line.
2. Data Strategy: Fix Before You Migrate
Most legacy systems contain years of redundant, inconsistent, or outdated data. Cleaning that data is step one.
- First, determine which customers, vendors, and SKUs should come over.
- Define how open balances, historical transactions, and general ledger data will be handled.
- Align your Chart of Accounts and leverage Business Central’s dimension-based structure for reporting flexibility.
Why it matters: Migrating poor data pollutes your new system. It increases support costs, frustrates users, and makes reporting unreliable.
Dirty data is like bad fuel in a new engine. It doesn’t matter how advanced the system is if the inputs are flawed.
3. Migration Preparation: Map, Validate, and Plan for Change
Once data mapping is underway, prepare for structural shifts.
- Replace segments or custom fields from the legacy system with BC dimensions.
- Decide which legacy reports will be rebuilt using Excel layouts or Power BI. Evaluate which customizations can be retired.
- Build a detailed cutover plan that includes data freeze protocols, rollback plans, and post-go-live contingencies.
Why it matters: The move to Business Central is not just technical. It often changes how teams work, and they’ll need time, training, and documentation to adopt it.
Preparing for ERP change without a plan is like jumping out of a plane without checking your parachute. You don’t want to figure it out on the way down.
4. Testing & Validation: Practice Before You Perform
- Use a sandbox environment to run simulations.
- Load sample data, test key processes, and simulate month-end closes. Reconcile aging reports, inventory valuations, and trial balances.
- Then, bring in end users. Let them execute real transactions.
- Gather feedback.
- Resolve issues early.
“The number one reason cloud implementations fail is because companies underestimate the importance of clean data and change readiness.”
Alysa Taylor, Former CVP, Business Applications & Global Industry, Microsoft
Why it matters: User acceptance testing (UAT) ensures that what looks good on paper actually works in real life. This step alone can prevent most go-live failures. This is especially important for teams transitioning to cloud ERP for manufacturing, where shifts in workflows and reporting need to be anticipated and addressed early.
Testing your ERP in a sandbox environment is like rehearsing a stage play before opening night. You need to run the script, test the props, and ensure every actor knows their cue because the audience (your users) won’t care about your potential, only your performance.
5. Go-Live: Execute with Precision
During the cutover weekend, the script should have already been written.
- Legacy systems are frozen
- The final data is loaded
- Configurations are verified
- Users are already trained.
There should be no surprises with a controlled launch of a system that’s already been validated.
Why it matters: A go-live isn’t the time to troubleshoot core functionality. That work happens in testing. Go-live is for execution.
A successful go-live should feel like a space launch. Everything is rehearsed, every contingency planned, and there are no surprises when the countdown hits zero.
6. Post-Go-Live: Support, Monitor, Improve
The hyper-care period is crucial. Expect questions, minor issues, and last-minute change requests.
- Provide hands-on support and monitor KPIs.
- Deliver follow-up training.
- Help users with reporting.
- Revisit the backlog of “phase two” requests
- Process refinements.
Why it matters: Go-live is only the beginning. The real ROI comes from adoption, optimization, and continuous improvement.
Launching your ERP without post-go-live support is like handing someone the keys to a plane without a pilot. The systems may be operational, but without expert guidance, it’s only a matter of time before things go off course.
Final Thought: It’s Not the Size of the Partner, It’s the Discipline of the Process
When that company returned to us after their failed migration, they didn’t need more consultants or software. They needed someone to slow down, listen, and guide them through a process they could trust.
It wasn’t about pointing fingers. It was about getting them back on track.
What we’ve learned from projects like this and many others is simple. ERP success isn’t about who has the most resources. It’s about who has the most discipline.
At Oztera, we don’t promise a magic bullet. What we do offer is structure, clarity, and care.
We believe in thoughtful discovery, clean data, real testing, and continuous user support, not just because it works but because your people deserve a system that works for them from day one.
If you’re evaluating ERP partners, don’t just ask how big they are. Ask how many clients they’ve truly empowered. Ask who will still be by your side when the excitement of go-live fades and the real work begins.
Because ERP isn’t just a technical investment; it’s an emotional one, too. It affects people’s daily work, their confidence, and, ultimately, their success.
If you’re ready for an ERP migration that doesn’t just go live but moves your entire business forward, let’s talk.
Ready to migrate with confidence?
Related blogs:
What Can AI Really Do to Help My Business?
ERP Project Pitfalls: Why ‘Boiling the Ocean’ Leads to Chaos
About Mike Stallmann
Meet Mike Stallmann, Director of Product and Business Development, Co-founder at Oztera, and the original “Chief Geek Juggler.” With decades of ERP innovation under his belt and over 200 successful deployments, Mike’s involvement with business technology is extensive.
From wineries to agriculture and beyond, Mike and Oztera specialize in solving complex, industry-specific challenges. If you’re looking to leverage technology for growth and efficiency, our experience is your secret weapon.
For insights and actionable advice, connect with Mike on LinkedIn and discover what tech-driven business transformation looks like.