Charlie Blomkvist
Microsoft's extended support for Dynamics NAV 2017 ends on January 11, 2027. NAV 2016 lost its support back in April 2026, and NAV 2018, the last version, follows on January 11, 2028. The system does not stop working on that day, but it is left without updates, at the same time as the payment products of Bankgirot (the Swedish payment clearing system) are being replaced by the banks' own services, with new file formats, during 2026. For companies that have run Navision for a long time, now is the time to choose the next system. Here we go through what the end of support means, Microsoft's path to Business Central and when Visma Net is the better choice.
Short answer: what happens when NAV 2017 loses support?
- After January 11, 2027, there will be no security updates and no support from Microsoft for NAV 2017.
- The system keeps working, but without updates, and the tax and regulatory updates already stopped in January 2022.
- Microsoft's path forward is Business Central, but no NAV version can be moved directly to the cloud, and the customizations have to be rewritten to come along.
- If you move on, it becomes a project, whatever the system. The question is which system the project should land in.
What the end of support means
Microsoft splits support into two parts. Mainstream support brings new features and tax and regulatory updates. Extended support mainly brings security updates. For NAV 2017, mainstream support ended in January 2022, and extended support ends on January 11, 2027. After that, there are no security updates, no other updates and no support.
| Version | Extended support ends |
|---|---|
| NAV 2016 | April 14, 2026 (has ended) |
| NAV 2017 | January 11, 2027 |
| NAV 2018 | January 11, 2028 |
Microsoft has also announced that the upgrade agreements for NAV end on April 30, 2031. Staying on NAV postpones the decision, but does not avoid it.
Three paths forward
The system works, but without security updates and support, and without new regulatory updates for a long time.
Microsoft's path. The database is first upgraded to Business Central 14 on-premises, and the customizations are rewritten.
A new system in the cloud, where the bank connection, e-invoicing, the OCR reference and the VAT file are Visma's own services, and where you start in standard.
If you move on, it becomes a project, whatever the system. The question is which system the project should land in.
Upgrading NAV to Business Central: Microsoft's path
No NAV version can be moved directly to Business Central online. First the database is upgraded to Business Central 14 on-premises, then to a newer version, and after that it can be moved to the cloud.
The customizations in NAV are written in C/AL and have to be rewritten as extensions in AL to come along. Microsoft usually calls the customizations the biggest technical risk and effort in a migration. If you would rather start over, Microsoft has a tool that moves master data, open documents and opening balances, but it is still a preview.
If you choose Business Central on-premises, each version is supported for about a year and a half. Then you have to upgrade again.
Swedish requirements: add-ons or standard
In NAV, add-ons such as Swebase have long been used for Swedish bank files. In Business Central, Swedish payment files in SEK, the OCR reference (the Swedish payment reference number) and the VAT file sit in apps from other vendors, and e-invoicing requires an agreement with an operator. In Visma Net, the bank connection, e-invoicing, the OCR reference and the VAT file are Visma's own services. More on the differences in Visma Net vs Business Central.
- you want to stay in the Microsoft world
- the customizations in NAV are worth rewriting
- you have your own manufacturing with production orders
- the bank connection, e-invoicing, the OCR reference and the VAT file should come from Visma itself
- you want to start over in standard instead of moving the customizations
- many people will work and approve in the system
- you want to avoid apps from several vendors that each have to survive every update
Visma Net is upgraded every week, without downtime, and has an unlimited number of users and approvers. There is no version to get stuck on.
From NAV to Visma Net with us
A switch from NAV starts with the customizations. We go through what each customization does and why. What exists in Visma Net's standard is set up as standard, and what is needed beyond standard is built as integrations or custom apps, as a separate step in Visma Net Bespoke, at a fixed price after the workshop.
- Workshop
- Customizations reviewed
- Fixed price
- From four weeks, in parallel
- Go-live
The chart of accounts, customers, suppliers and items are extracted from NAV and converted by us, and the unpaid invoices are imported as open items. We help bring the history along, for example earlier periods if you switch mid-year.
The standard setup, Visma Net Core, takes from four weeks to go-live and costs SEK 75,000 for the first company, or SEK 125,000 with logistics, excluding VAT and at a fixed price. Integrations that replace customizations are planned as a separate step.
Frequently asked questions
When does support for Dynamics NAV 2017 end?
Microsoft's extended support for Dynamics NAV 2017 ends on January 11, 2027. Mainstream support, with tax and regulatory updates, already ended on January 11, 2022.
What does end of life mean for NAV 2017 and NAV 2018?
End of life, meaning the end of Microsoft's extended support, means that no more security updates will be released and that Microsoft no longer provides support. For NAV 2017 this happens on January 11, 2027 and for NAV 2018 on January 11, 2028. NAV 2016 lost its support back in April 2026.
Does NAV stop working when support ends?
No. The system keeps working, but Microsoft provides no security updates, no other updates and no support after extended support has ended.
Which NAV versions still have support?
NAV 2017 until January 11, 2027 and NAV 2018 until January 11, 2028. NAV 2016 and all older versions are already out of support.
Can you upgrade NAV directly to Business Central online?
No. No NAV version can be moved directly to the cloud. The database is first upgraded to Business Central 14 on-premises and then further, and the customizations in C/AL have to be rewritten as extensions in AL.
What happens to the customizations in NAV?
In an upgrade to Business Central, they have to be rewritten in AL. In a switch to Visma Net, we go through what each customization does. What exists in Visma Net's standard is set up as standard, and what is needed beyond standard is built as integrations or custom apps at a fixed price.
Are Navision and Dynamics NAV the same thing?
Yes. Navision is the old name. Microsoft acquired Navision in 2002 and later renamed the product Dynamics NAV, and its successor is called Dynamics 365 Business Central.
What is the difference between Navision and Business Central?
Business Central is the successor to Navision and Dynamics NAV. It is available both in the cloud and on-premises, and customizations are made as extensions in AL instead of in C/AL. No NAV version can be moved directly to Business Central online: the database is first upgraded to Business Central 14 on-premises and then further.
Can you switch from NAV to Visma Net?
Yes. The chart of accounts, customers, suppliers and items are extracted from NAV and converted, the unpaid invoices are imported as open items, and we help bring the history along, for example earlier periods if you switch mid-year. The standard setup takes from four weeks to go-live.
What does it cost to switch from NAV to Visma Net?
The Visma Net license starts at SEK 2,744 per month plus transaction volume, with an unlimited number of users and approvers, and is signed with Visma. Our implementation of Visma Net Core costs SEK 75,000, or SEK 125,000 with logistics, excluding VAT, for the first company and at a fixed price. Integrations are quoted separately. More in What does Visma Net cost?
Do we have to switch before January 11, 2027?
No, the system works after that date too. But without security updates the risk grows every month, and a switch takes time to plan. Start by mapping the flows and the customizations, so that you know what the choice is between.
Next steps
We start with how you work in NAV today, in a free 45-minute workshop, and the review is yours whatever you choose afterwards. Also read Visma Net vs Business Central, what Visma Net costs and what to consider when switching ERP.