Why reassess

An upgrade decision should start with the business, not the version number.

Older Dynamics NAV and Business Central environments can still support critical work. The question is whether the current platform, customisations and operating model continue to support the business without unnecessary friction or risk.

Manual work keeps growing

Re-keying, spreadsheets and workarounds can indicate that processes no longer fit the system.

Decisions arrive too late

Fragmented data and slow reporting can limit visibility when teams need to act.

Maintenance absorbs capacity

Infrastructure, patches, integrations and technical debt can consume time better spent on improvement.

Security and access expectations changed

Remote work, identity, compliance and continuity needs may have outgrown the original architecture.

Why Business Central online

A cloud move changes more than where the system is hosted.

The value comes from a more current platform, connected work and a clearer operating model. It does not come from moving the same complexity to a different environment.

A managed update cycle

Microsoft manages platform and application updates through two major cycles each year and minor updates in other months. Your team still plans timing, validates extensions and prepares users.

Connected work across Microsoft tools

Business Central can connect with Outlook, Excel, Teams, OneDrive and Power Platform, subject to configuration and licensing requirements.

Less infrastructure, clearer ownership

Reduce server and patch administration while retaining responsibility for access, data quality, governance, vendors and business continuity.

Modernize the solution

Review every customisation instead of rebuilding the same system.

A cloud transition is an opportunity to simplify the solution. Each customisation should be assessed against current standard capability, suitable marketplace apps and the real value it creates.

Four practical choices

Use the least complex option that supports the process and preserves a maintainable core.

KeepRetain functionality that remains necessary and supportable.
Replace with standardUse current Business Central capability where it now meets the requirement.
Adopt an appSelect a suitable Microsoft Marketplace app after functional, technical and vendor due diligence.
Rebuild as an extensionUse AL extensions for requirements that genuinely differentiate the business.

Compatibility still requires governance. Marketplace and tenant extensions must remain compatible with Business Central updates. Vendor maintenance, validation and regression testing remain part of the operating model.

Choose the transition path

The right route depends on what you are starting with.

Current version, database size, companies, customisations, integrations, data quality and validation criteria all affect scope and risk.

Migrate to Business Central online

Use a supported migration path, dry runs, extension validation, business testing and a controlled cutover.

Reimplement selectively

Carry forward the data and processes that matter while leaving behind customisations and history that no longer create value.

Turn the version gap into a practical roadmap.

An assessment connects the feature comparison below to your processes, data, customisations, integrations and adoption needs.

Start with an audit

See what changed since your version.

Select the Business Central version you use today to show features introduced in later application releases. Filter by module or search for a specific capability.

Current version

Module

Search features

319 features shownEach linked feature opens the relevant Microsoft Learn detail.

Feature / functionality	Module	Introduced in
Bank reconciliation improvements	Finance	BC18
Dimension corrections (for G/L Entries)	Finance	BC18
More control over settings for Default Dimensions	Finance	BC18
Payment reconciliation journal improvements	Finance	BC18
Simplified bank statement file import	Finance	BC18
Dimension issues detection and repair tool	Finance	BC18
Account schedules – Budget Name filter for columns and more templates	Finance	BC19
Bank and payment reconciliations	Finance	BC19
Chart of Accounts Overview page	Finance	BC19
Improved UX to keep posting setup and dimension issues from going wrong	Finance	BC19
Posting Preview – hierarchical G/L and VAT entries view	Finance	BC19
Blocking deletion of G/L accounts	Finance	BC20
Payment reconciliation journal – Preview Posting enabled	Finance	BC20
Bank Account Statement report	Finance	BC20
Block VAT and General Posting Setups	Finance	BC20
Check documents and journals while you work	Finance	BC20
Consolidate customer and vendor balances	Finance	BC20
Finding documents and entries efficiently (Find Entries)	Finance	BC20
More control over deferrals posting	Finance	BC20
Set default dimensions on locations	Finance	BC20
Create bank deposits	Finance	BC20
Better bank reconciliation for checks and improved reporting	Finance	BC21
Extended text functionality for VAT clauses	Finance	BC21
Financial reporting replaces account schedules	Finance	BC21
New VAT Date field on documents and entries	Finance	BC21
Use multiple remit-to addresses for vendors (Checks)	Finance	BC21
Reverse payment reconciliation journal entries	Finance	BC21
New VAT date range limitation when posting documents	Finance	BC21
Review general ledger accounts faster	Finance	BC22
Set default dimensions on locations, inventory docs, and journals	Finance	BC22
Usability improvements to Financial Reporting pages	Finance	BC22
Use statistical accounts to collect data for financial reports	Finance	BC22
Copy links when posting general journals	Finance	BC22
Use realized gain or loss entries to reverse ledger entries	Finance	BC22
Reverse a customer/vendor ledger entry with realized gain or loss entry	Finance	BC23
Consolidate financial information across environments	Finance	BC23
Use G/L Allocations to distribute costs and revenue efficiently	Finance	BC23
Adjust exchange rates easily, replace the built-in batch job	Finance	BC23
More control over general journal approvals	Finance	BC23
Use different G/L accounts for payables, receivables	Finance	BC23
Use deferral codes in purchase and sales journals	Finance	BC24
Set up financial consolidation runs more efficiently	Finance	BC24
Use G/L account revaluation for more accurate financial statements	Finance	BC24
Use currencies when posting employee transactions	Finance	BC24
Use new reports and demo data for financial reporting	Finance	BC25
Use embedded Power BI reports out of the box	Finance	BC25
Analyze subscription billing data with Power BI reports	Finance	BC26
Require Intrastat classifications on documents	Finance	BC26
Check total purchase amounts on documents	Finance	BC26
New Contoso Coffee Demo Dataset for Intrastat	Finance	BC27
Create multiple fixed asset cards	Finance	BC27
Print the Audit Trail report	Finance	BC27
Use the Account Payable Role Center	Finance	BC27
Calculate excise taxes	Finance	BC27
Use self-billed invoices	Finance	BC28
Calculate withholding taxes for vendors	Finance	BC28
Calculate taxes for plastic and sugar	Finance	BC28
Manage employee expenses using expense reports	Finance	BC28
Calculate excise taxes (BC28)	Finance	BC28
Enable Investment Boost for fixed assets	Finance	BC28
Edit active prices in Prices Overview and implement via Price Worksheet	Trade	BC18
Use new templates with same flexibility as configuration templates	Trade	BC19
Default line type in the sales and purchase documents	Trade	BC19
Item variant code on demand forecasts	Trade	BC19
Keep track of historical IBAN when vendor bank account changes	Trade	BC19
More control over address information data entry	Trade	BC19
More control over currency exchange rate adjustment	Trade	BC19
Remove obsolete reports 204, 205, 206, and 207	Trade	BC19
Change default company bank account on sales and service documents	Trade	BC20
Release and reopen multiple documents	Trade	BC20
Find posted and non-posted document lines in search	Trade	BC21
Catalog items use standard number series, can include in blanket sales orders	Trade	BC22
Get more info about customer ledger entries when posting	Trade	BC22
Navigate easier between order, receipt, and invoice documents	Trade	BC23
Suggest the next step for sales and production orders	Trade	BC23
Sync document and posting dates for sales and purchases	Trade	BC23
Generate a customer statement only with open entries	Trade	BC23
Capture data from e-docs with Azure AI Document Intelligence	Trade	BC25
Add invoice and receipt documents to e-documents in bulk	Trade	BC25
Use e-documents with Power Automate	Trade	BC25
Use multiple VAT numbers for a customer	Trade	BC25
Add attachments when you send electronic documents	Trade	BC25
Use new service providers in the e-documents framework	Trade	BC25
Manage subscription billing and revenue and expense recognition	Trade	BC25
Add more columns to various pages to gain more insight	Trade	BC26
Create demo data for Subscription Billing with demo data tool	Trade	BC26
Create subscription contract lines manually	Trade	BC26
Add unit cost in subscription lines	Trade	BC26
Track and rebill quantity changes in subscriptions	Trade	BC26
Align Subscription Billing with standard UX and terminology	Trade	BC26
Sort lines by type and number in sales and purchase postings	Trade	BC27
Add more fields and columns by personalizing pages	Trade	BC27
Post purchase invoices for drop shipments independently	Trade	BC28
Send posted sales shipments and return receipts by email	Trade	BC28
Filter receipt and shipment lines to quickly find documents to invoice	Trade	BC28
Match purchase invoices to multiple order and receipt lines	Trade	BC28
Reverse drop shipments when sales and purchase documents aren't invoiced	Trade	BC28
Create purchase quotes for contacts	Trade	BC28
Create purchase orders from drop shipments	Trade	BC28
Add the Description 2 field to various pages	Trade	BC28
Inventory Receipt, Inventory Shipment, and Posted documents	Inventory & Warehouse	BC18
Introducing Availability by Lot	Inventory & Warehouse	BC18
Adjusting item costs to the background automatically	Inventory & Warehouse	BC18
Automatic creation of lot and serial number information cards	Inventory & Warehouse	BC18
Bin codes in jobs	Inventory & Warehouse	BC18
Add non-inventory items on requisition and planning worksheets	Inventory & Warehouse	BC19
Enable or disable Item References from Inventory Setup	Inventory & Warehouse	BC19
Locations for non-inventory items	Inventory & Warehouse	BC19
Rounding for base unit of measure	Inventory & Warehouse	BC19
Support alternative UoM in warehouse docs for serial-tracked items	Inventory & Warehouse	BC19
Shipping agent information copied from sales orders to warehouse shipments	Inventory & Warehouse	BC19
Support inventory pick and warehouse pick operations for jobs	Inventory & Warehouse	BC20
Flexible sorting in the Planning Worksheet page	Inventory & Warehouse	BC21
Make entry of variant codes required	Inventory & Warehouse	BC21
Post item charges for each step of the process	Inventory & Warehouse	BC21
Avoid document number errors when posting item journals	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Bin Code and Zone Code fields shown dynamically on warehouse docs	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Define an invoice posting policy for various users	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Define content of created warehouse documents with filters	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Demo tool and data for warehouse and inventory scenarios	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Easier to create opening balances for item tracked inventory	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Navigate easier between warehouse and inventory documents	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Post multiple transfer orders at the same time	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Preview item journals and 20 other journals/docs before posting	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Ship and receive non-inventory items on warehouse documents	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Undo transfer shipments	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Usability improves for item tracking codes visibility	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Usability improves for transfer order – select multiple items, mandatory fields	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Usability improves for warehouse, inventory, and tracking areas	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Use advanced warehouse functionality with minimal complexity	Inventory & Warehouse	BC22
Availability overview helps calculate quantities in your warehouse	Inventory & Warehouse	BC23
Block item variants	Inventory & Warehouse	BC23
Configure how to handle different warehouse operations	Inventory & Warehouse	BC23
Edit in Excel on item journals and warehouse worksheets	Inventory & Warehouse	BC23
Identify and track items easier with item references	Inventory & Warehouse	BC23
Improved processes for inventory counts and adjustments	Inventory & Warehouse	BC23
Print and scan barcodes	Inventory & Warehouse	BC23
Receive more items than ordered using inventory put-away documents	Inventory & Warehouse	BC23
Usability improves for warehouse and inventory	Inventory & Warehouse	BC23
Use directed pick and put-away suggestions in basic warehouse configs	Inventory & Warehouse	BC23
Allow multiple people to post inventory at the same time	Inventory & Warehouse	BC26
Approve requisition worksheets and item journals	Inventory & Warehouse	BC28
Evaluate the quality of goods and materials	Inventory & Warehouse	BC28
Add pictures to item variants to differentiate product options	Inventory & Warehouse	BC28
Define item attributes for item variants	Inventory & Warehouse	BC28
Shopify connector	Shopify	BC20
Simpler Shopify connection (BC21)	Shopify	BC21
Shopify connector becomes extensible	Shopify	BC22
Easier to set up price synchronization for Shopify	Shopify	BC22
Usability improves for Shopify Connector (BC22)	Shopify	BC22
Synchronize returns and refunds from Shopify	Shopify	BC22
Troubleshoot Shopify integration issues	Shopify	BC23
Connect Business Central with Shopify B2B	Shopify	BC24
Simpler Shopify connection (BC24)	Shopify	BC24
Export posted sales invoices to Shopify	Shopify	BC25
Reconcile payment transactions in Shopify with invoices	Shopify	BC25
Import, export product info using Shopify Metafields	Shopify	BC25
Import and export more data for Shopify B2B companies and locations	Shopify	BC26
Activate sales channels in Shopify Connector	Shopify	BC26
Import and export more data using Shopify metafields	Shopify	BC26
Troubleshoot export issues on Shopify Skipped Records page	Shopify	BC26
Use the latest update for the Shopify connector (BC26)	Shopify	BC26
Use the latest update for the Shopify Connector (BC27)	Shopify	BC27
Troubleshoot the Shopify Connector (BC27)	Shopify	BC27
Enable staff-to-salesperson mapping for Shopify orders	Shopify	BC27
Synchronize market-specific prices with Shopify	Shopify	BC27
Define sell-to and bill-to customer details per company location	Shopify	BC27
Use the latest update for the Shopify connector (BC28)	Shopify	BC28
Assign custom collections to items exported to Shopify	Shopify	BC28
Export items to Shopify with product options based on item attributes	Shopify	BC28
Use checkout currency when creating sales documents from Shopify orders	Shopify	BC28
Sync images of product variants between Business Central and Shopify	Shopify	BC28
Changes in synchronization between contact and customer or vendor	Contacts	BC18
Easy contact insights and access to history of interactions	Contacts	BC18
Create and resume interactions using guided experience	Contacts	BC22
Define lot sizes for various stages of production	Manufacturing	BC18
Variant code added to production order header + SKU BOM/route support	Manufacturing	BC18
Production BOMs and routes on stockkeeping units in planning scenarios	Manufacturing	BC19
Fixed Quantity in product bills of materials	Manufacturing	BC20
New UI for entering demand forecasts with variant code support	Manufacturing	BC20
Configure how to handle different warehouse operations (Mfg)	Manufacturing	BC23
Suggest the next step for sales and production orders (Mfg)	Manufacturing	BC23
Reschedule production orders within a safety lead time	Manufacturing	BC26
Cancel production orders that have consumption	Manufacturing	BC26
Add more columns to various pages to gain more insight (Mfg)	Manufacturing	BC26
Experience improved usability in manufacturing (BC26)	Manufacturing	BC26
Enable overpicking for production orders	Manufacturing	BC26
Achieve greater accuracy in manufacturing costing	Manufacturing	BC26
Omit warehouse pick for manual flushing methods	Manufacturing	BC26
Block items or variants from production output	Manufacturing	BC26
Handle production output with warehouse put-aways	Manufacturing	BC26
Reopen finished production orders	Manufacturing	BC26
Use streamlined product design tools in manufacturing	Manufacturing	BC26
Print barcodes from production orders	Manufacturing	BC26
Manage document attachments in manufacturing	Manufacturing	BC26
Use Edit in Excel on output, consumption, and item journals	Manufacturing	BC26
Use subcontracting capabilities in production processes (BC27)	Manufacturing	BC27
Evaluate quality of incoming goods and materials (Mfg BC27)	Manufacturing	BC27
Configure the default calculation for the Calculate Consumption report	Manufacturing	BC27
Experience improved usability in manufacturing (BC28)	Manufacturing	BC28
Use subcontracting capabilities in production processes (BC28)	Manufacturing	BC28
Send documents as emails with attached files auto-added	Miscellaneous	BC18
Support authentication of SMTP using OAuth 2.0	Miscellaneous	BC18
Get report (raw) data in Excel from the request page	Miscellaneous	BC18
Add additional columns through personalization in various pages	Miscellaneous	BC19
Edit in Excel in recurring/intercompany general journals	Miscellaneous	BC19
New automation API to create user groups	Miscellaneous	BC19
Tour of Business Central to help users get to know the basics	Miscellaneous	BC19
Unlock time sheets using assisted setup and mobile data entry	Miscellaneous	BC19
Send mail from entities using Word templates as body or attachment	Miscellaneous	BC19
Customer Consent for features exchanging data with third-party services	Miscellaneous	BC19
Document attachments are available on mobile devices	Miscellaneous	BC19
Log emails using a shared mailbox and Graph API	Miscellaneous	BC20
Two-digit year evaluates to 1950-2049 range	Miscellaneous	BC20
Set up data exchange more easily	Miscellaneous	BC21
Use multiline text fields with Word mail merge	Miscellaneous	BC21
Easily comply with email-sending limits through email throttling	Miscellaneous	BC21
Use default attachments in email sent from Business Central	Miscellaneous	BC21
Access attachments on additional list pages	Miscellaneous	BC21
Add more columns to pages for better insight (BC22)	Miscellaneous	BC22
Set up and sync master data across companies	Miscellaneous	BC22
Use enhanced mail merge with Word templates	Miscellaneous	BC22
Use attachments from document lines while sending emails	Miscellaneous	BC22
Add more columns to pages for better insight (BC23)	Miscellaneous	BC23
Use new Excel layouts for 35 selected reports	Miscellaneous	BC24
Use embedded Power BI reports out of the box (Misc)	Miscellaneous	BC25
Access keys with Key Tips in more languages	Miscellaneous	BC25
Use drag and drop on file upload dialog to attach multiple files	Miscellaneous	BC25
Resize columns even when personalization isn't enabled	Miscellaneous	BC25
Calculate values only for visible FlowFields	Miscellaneous	BC26
Use enhanced Financial Reporting	Miscellaneous	BC27
Use enhanced purchasing analytics	Miscellaneous	BC27
Use the enhanced Power BI Sales app and modernized reports	Miscellaneous	BC27
Migrate record links and notes with cloud migration tooling	Miscellaneous	BC27
Automate environment management with Power Platform connector	Miscellaneous	BC27
Run reimplementation projects using cloud migration tool	Miscellaneous	BC28
Migrate to the cloud from any SQL database	Miscellaneous	BC28
Comply with local data residency requirements in Italy	Miscellaneous	BC28
Audit user and group permissions across apps	Miscellaneous	BC28
Connect AI agents to the admin center through MCP server	Miscellaneous	BC28
Allow sell-to and bill-to customers to be different for jobs	Jobs/Projects	BC20
Report selection for projects	Jobs/Projects	BC20
Support inventory pick and warehouse pick operations for jobs	Jobs/Projects	BC20
Track items that are used in projects, including picks	Jobs/Projects	BC21
Configure how to handle different warehouse operations (Projects)	Jobs/Projects	BC23
Use standard terminology for project management	Jobs/Projects	BC24
Archive projects	Jobs/Projects	BC24
Usability improves for service and projects	Jobs/Projects	BC24
Define default location for project or project phase	Jobs/Projects	BC24
Create projects that you can invoice to multiple customers	Jobs/Projects	BC24
Assemble to project	Jobs/Projects	BC24
Invoice a customer for multiple projects	Jobs/Projects	BC24
Replenish items for projects	Jobs/Projects	BC25
Use directed put-away and pick warehouses with projects	Jobs/Projects	BC25
Receive project items with receipts or put-aways	Jobs/Projects	BC26
Avoid document number errors when posting project journals	Jobs/Projects	BC26
Service – minor improvements	Service	BC21
Usability improves for service and projects (Service)	Service	BC24
Define a service invoice posting policy for various users	Service	BC24
Block item/variant or service item from use in service management	Service	BC24
Integrate Field Service with Service Management	Service	BC25
Archive service management documents	Service	BC25
View item availability in Field Service work orders	Service	BC25
Combine service shipments on a single service invoice	Service	BC26
Use enhanced customer document layout for service management	Service	BC26
Create contract service orders with One Service Item Line/Order setting	Service	BC28
Auto-accept transactions for intercompany journals	Intercompany	BC20
Intercompany posting provides a one-stop-shop setup experience	Intercompany	BC22
Include approvals for intercompany general journals in workflows	Intercompany	BC23
Make intercompany transactions across Business Central environments	Intercompany	BC23
Get more productive while entering time sheets	Time sheets	BC24
Suggest number series with Copilot	Copilot & Agents	BC25
Chat with Copilot and learn to use installed add-on apps (BC25)	Copilot & Agents	BC25
Complete bank account reconciliation faster with Copilot	Copilot & Agents	BC25
Create product information faster with Copilot	Copilot & Agents	BC25
Summarize any record with Copilot (BC25)	Copilot & Agents	BC25
Experience enhancements to Analysis Assist with Copilot (BC25)	Copilot & Agents	BC25
Start using Copilot without having to set things up	Copilot & Agents	BC25
Create sales lines easily with Copilot	Copilot & Agents	BC25
Automate tests for Copilot extensions with BC Test Toolkit	Copilot & Agents	BC25
Chat with Copilot to learn to use installed add-on apps (BC26)	Copilot & Agents	BC26
Summarize with Copilot (BC26)	Copilot & Agents	BC26
Use Sales Order Agent to automate sales order-taking (BC26)	Copilot & Agents	BC26
Suggest gas emissions in sustainability journals with Copilot (BC26)	Copilot & Agents	BC26
Enhance purchase order line matching with Copilot	Copilot & Agents	BC26
Autofill fields with Copilot	Copilot & Agents	BC26
Automate payables processes with the Payables Agent	Copilot & Agents	BC26
Give more instructions for the agent when you review its tasks	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Capture more sales with enhanced Sales Order Agent	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Use Sales Order Agent to automate sales order-taking (BC27)	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Suggest gas emissions in sustainability journals with Copilot (BC27)	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Find pages and reports with advanced Tell Me search	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Get more contextual invoice drafts with Payables Agent	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Match purchase invoices to orders with Payables Agent	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Prioritize invoice draft changes using Payables Agent confidence level	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Use Payables Agent in more countries and regions	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Use enhanced chat with Copilot	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Get better field suggestions using autofill with Copilot	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Connect AI agents to Business Central through MCP server	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Understand how each Copilot and agent capability is billed	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Use AI resources for your Copilot extensions (BC27)	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Use enhanced analysis assist with Copilot (BC27)	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Summarize with Copilot enhancements	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Adjust width of Copilot, help, and page scripting panes	Copilot & Agents	BC27
Manage tasks from all agents in dedicated task pane	Copilot & Agents	BC28
Suggest gas emissions in sustainability journals with Copilot (BC28)	Copilot & Agents	BC28
Use AI resources for your Copilot extensions (BC28)	Copilot & Agents	BC28
Show avatars for record creators and modifiers in lists	Copilot & Agents	BC28
Envision and design AI agents in Business Central	Copilot & Agents	BC28
Review content generated by agents directly on pages	Copilot & Agents	BC28
Discover emails in mailbox processed by Payables Agent	Copilot & Agents	BC28
Stop all active tasks for selected agent	Copilot & Agents	BC28
Navigate the sustainability manager role center with ease	Sustainability	BC25
Record greenhouse gas emissions using purchase invoices	Sustainability	BC25
Report sustainability entries with financial reports	Sustainability	BC25
Purchase carbon credits	Sustainability	BC25
Enable Internal Carbon Fee calculation in Sustainability	Sustainability	BC25
Enable taxonomy elements for ESRS and other standards	Sustainability	BC27
Use sustainability Scope 3 value chain for assembly and transfers	Sustainability	BC27

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Business Central version changes