Microsoft AX is a great product and has served organizations well for many years, but there comes a time when every good thing must come to an end. The product has reached the end of its lifecycle, which means that Microsoft has stopped releasing new versions or providing support for the software.

That leaves organizations who are still using AX with two options: continue using an unsupported product or upgrade to Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management. Upgrading to D365 is the obvious choice, as it will make sure that you have access to the latest features and security updates. But there are even more reasons why upgrading from AX to D365 is a good idea.

The new platform offers several advantages that can improve your organization’s financial management, including:

1. Greater flexibility and scalability

D365 Finance and Operations is built on Microsoft’s cloud-based Azure platform, which gives you the flexibility to scale your system up or down as needed. This can help save money on infrastructure costs, as well as make it easier to add new users or functionality in the future.

2. Improved security

With D365 Finance and Operations, your data is stored in the cloud, which means it benefits from the same high-level security that all Azure-based products enjoy. It also has features like two-factor authentication and geo-redundancy, which can help protect your data from both internal and external threats.

3. Enhanced reporting and analytics

The new platform comes with built-in reporting and analytics tools that make it easier to track your organization’s financial performance. These tools can help you identify trends and areas for improvement, as well as Drill down into specific transactions for more details.

4. Increased automation

D365 Finance and Operations includes several features that can help automate manual tasks, such as invoice processing and payment matching. Such features free up time for your staff so they can focus on more strategic tasks.

5. Better compliance

The new platform offers enhanced compliance capabilities, including support for auditing and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance. And, allows you to reduce the risk of fines or other penalties, as well as improve your organization’s overall financial management.

6. Better User Interface

The user interface(UI) has been redesigned in D365 Finance and Operations, making it more user-friendly and easier to navigate. It enhances user adoption, as well as makes it easier for new users to get up to speed.

7. Improved integration

D365 Finance and Operations offers enhanced integration with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and Power BI, boosting your organization’s overall productivity by making it easier to share data and work collaboratively.

8. New features and functionality

As a cloud-based product, D365 Finance and Operations is constantly being updated with new features and functionality including major releases (twice per year) and minor updates (monthly), which helps ensure that you always have access to the latest features.

9. Access to support

When you upgrade to D365 Finance and Operations, you’ll have access to Microsoft’s world-class support team. This can help resolve any issues you may encounter, as well as provide guidance on how to best use the product.

While there are many reasons to upgrade from AX to D365, these are just a few of the most important benefits that the new platform offers. If you’re still using AX, now is the time to start planning your upgrade for a smooth transition and take advantage of all that D365 has to offer.

How to Upgrade from AX to D365

1. Plan your upgrade

The first step in upgrading from AX to D365 is to create a plan. This should include a timeline for the project, as well as a list of all the tasks that need to be completed. It’s important to involve all stakeholders in this process, as they will need to be aware of the changes that are coming.

2. Train your staff

Once you have a plan in place, it’s time to start training your staff on the new system. This can be done through a combination of online resources and in-person training sessions. It’s important to make sure that everyone understands how the new system works and what they need to do to use it effectively.

3. Hire Professionals

While it’s possible to upgrade from AX to D365 on your own, it’s often best to hire professionals like Oblige IT to help with the process. This is especially true if you don’t have experience with cloud-based products. Our professionals can help ensure that the transition goes smoothly and that you’re able to take full advantage of all the new features and functionality.

With Oblige IT by your side, upgrading from AX to D365 is easy. We can help you create a plan, train your staff, and even handle the technical aspects of the upgrade.

Contact us today to learn more about our services or to get started on your upgrade project.