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Dynamics NAV Support Expires - What Are Your Next Steps

Published: June 13th, 2025 by Ivan Farafonov

Dynamics NAV support is reaching the end of its life cycle. Starting from January 10, 2023, the latest version of NAV 2018 will no longer provide Mainstream Support for users. There is also bad news for Extended Support: it will move out in 2028. For users, this means no security updates, slower software performance, and potential problems with integrating modern solutions.

What if you still use Navision as your main ERP? In this article, we create a Microsoft Dynamics NAV support roadmap to discover upgrade options and their advantages, and determine which variant to choose depending on your situation.

Renewal and Delay

If you are not yet ready to change your main system, consider this option. It allows you to stay on your version of Dynamics NAV while paying an annual subscription under the Microsoft Enhancement Plan. This is 16% of the full license cost and provides a discount for future migration.

Advantages of the Scenario

Future upgrades. You retain the option to switch to Business Central in the future without purchasing new licenses.
Time to prepare. This solution allows you to take your time with migration. This way, you may plan your budget, assemble a team, and assess your technical capabilities.
Support through partners. Although official support for NAV will be discontinued, you can still receive critical updates and contact certified Microsoft partners in case of errors.

Risks

Dynamics NAV is no longer being updated functionally, so every year it becomes more difficult to integrate it with new services or maintain security.
The Enhancement Plan fee does not add new features.
If you stop paying for the Enhancement Plan, you lose your right to updates on preferential terms. This means you will have to purchase licenses at full price.

Choose This Option If…

Migration to Dynamics 365 Business Central

This path is suitable for companies that are ready to upgrade. Literally, it means that you stop using legacy versions of Dynamics NAV and switch to the cloud-based Business Central solution. Migration includes a technical upgrade and a change in the licensing model to a subscription model.

Key Benefits

A modern & unified platform. Business Central receives regular feature, security, and performance updates automatically. This means you don’t have to worry about data security and new features.
Flexible subscription. You only pay for the actual number of users each month without large upfront license costs.
Mobility & accessibility. Since the solution is cloud-based, you can connect to it from any device. This is especially important for remote and hybrid work.

Risks

Consider migration costs. You need a budget for data migration, system setup, user training, and other related work.
Some familiar processes may change. It means you will need time to adapt your team and test the new environment.
Business Central is a cloud-based solution, so it is impossible to organize processes without a stable connection.

Choose This Option If…

If you choose this option, we can help. We provide NAV to Business Central upgrade services that ensure a smooth and fast migration. In this scenario, we assess the state of your system, prepare the infrastructure, and perform a complete migration with subsequent configuration. As a result, you start working with the new environment without delays or loss of functionality.

Continue Regular Support for Microsoft Dynamics NAV with Third-Party Providers

This option is suitable for companies that do not plan to transition to a new ERP system but want to maintain Dynamics NAV. After the Dynamics NAV support cycle ends, you can sign a contract with an external IT company that specializes in servicing previous versions. This will ensure security updates, bug fixes, consulting, and support for modified modules.

Advantages

Minimal costs. This option is cheaper than a full-scale implementation of a new ERP. You don’t have to invest in licenses, infrastructure, or staff training.
Preservation of the current environment. You don’t need to change business processes, train employees, or adapt third-party solutions — you work in a familiar system.
Individual approach to support. External suppliers adapt to your infrastructure and take into account the specifics of your settings and business model, providing fully customized solutions.

Risks You May Face

Even with quality support, you will still be without official Navision support and updates from Microsoft.
Adding new features, integrating with modern services, or building analytics may be limited due to outdated architecture.
An inexperienced partner can slow down your work or even make the situation worse.
This option does not develop your IT infrastructure, but only temporarily keeps it up to date.

Choose This AX Support Option If…

If you are looking for a support team for your legacy system, feel free to contact us for help. We can hire MS Dynamics NAV developers or create a full-fledged team for your project. Our specialists will help keep your software secure and running smoothly for a long time to come.

Cost You Need for Dynamics NAV Support Options

Each of the three Dynamics NAV support options requires a different level of investment. When choosing a strategy, it is important to consider not only the initial costs but also the long-term costs, including technical support, updates, adaptation to changes in legislation or the market, staff training costs, and possible risks of system failures.

The table below shows the approximate costs for each option.

Strategy	Estimated Annual Cost (USD)	One-Time Costs	Key Cost Components
Renewal with Microsoft Enhancement Plan	16% of the license list price annually	None	Annual support fee to Microsoft
Migration to Dynamics 365 Business Central	$50,000–$150,000+	$20,000–$60,000	New licensing, implementation services, data migration, and staff training
Third-Party Support	$10,000–$40,000	Possible setup fee	Support agreement, security patching, bug fixing, and consultancy for legacy systems

Sum Up

In conclusion, the end of NAV support is not a problem. There are ways to keep your data safe and work with innovative features even after the cycle ends. Prepare now so that you can rest assured about the status of your software at any time.

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By Ivan Farafonov

I'm passionate about sharing my extensive experience in Microsoft and Dynamics 365 technologies. Beyond the technical realm, I excel in recruiting and building high-performing teams, ensuring every project is executed with precision and collaboration. As a contributor to HireDynamicsDevelopers, I share my insights on maximizing Dynamics 365’s potential, blending technical expertise with strategic team development. My passion lies in both technology and fostering talented professionals to achieve outstanding results.