Upgrade Navision 2009 to Business Central Online

Objective

The project's objective is to upgrade and migrate Navision 2009 to Business Central Online, as support for Navision 2009 is ending. Moving to the cloud aims to reduce costs, outsource maintenance to Microsoft, and take advantage of new features and upgrade paths. The project also includes upgrading LS Retail, replacing the payment system with Contina to cut costs, and updating or replacing customizations to work with the new version. Additionally, training will be provided to ensure business users can effectively use the updated systems.

Approach

The project was approached with a structured and collaborative methodology, placing a strong emphasis on clear communication and alignment with the customer's requirements. At the outset, a detailed analysis was conducted to define the project's scope and establish a phased timeline. Each customization was tackled individually, ensuring thorough testing and adherence to the customer's expectations before moving on to the next. This meticulous process was critical in maintaining quality and alignment throughout the project. Regular coordination between stakeholders and team members was maintained through weekly status reports and meetings, providing a consistent flow of information and enabling proactive planning for a successful User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phase.

Outcomes

Although I was unable to see the project through to completion due to my departure from the company, significant progress was made towards the key objectives. The timeline was extended several times to accommodate additional time needed for testing and resource allocation. Despite these challenges, the project was on track to deliver the planned upgrades and improvements, including the migration of Navision to Business Central Online, the enhancement of the retail system with LS Retail, and the implementation of Contina for cost-effective payment processing. Additionally, the customer benefitted from the manufacturing features available in Business Central Online, replacing an older customization. This allowed the user to leverage an out-of-the-box feature that is native to Business Central Online, providing a more integrated and efficient solution. The thorough approach ensured that customizations were carefully integrated and tested, setting the stage for successful final outcomes.

Skills Utilized

• Project Planning and Scheduling: Developing a phased timeline and managing project milestones.
• Stakeholder Management: Coordinating with stakeholders and ensuring alignment with project goals.
• Risk Management: Identifying potential risks and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Change Management: Managing the transition from Navision 2009 to Business Central Online and addressing changes in systems and processes.
• Resource Allocation: Efficiently managing resources and adjusting plans as needed to accommodate testing and implementation.
• Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication through weekly status reports and meetings.
• Scope Management: Defining and managing project scope, including upgrades, customizations, and integrations.
• Quality Assurance: Ensuring that customizations and integrations meet quality standards and align with client expectations.
• Training Coordination: Overseeing the development and delivery of training to ensure user readiness.
• Reporting and Documentation: Documenting project progress, changes, and outcomes for stakeholders and future reference.
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Supporting the customer with UAT planning to ensure successful system implementation and user satisfaction.
• Problem Solving: Addressing issues and challenges as they arise to keep the project on track.