Dynamics users can get free Business Central licenses

Customers on active maintenance plans can migrate ERP to the cloud with minimal cost

Microsoft has now made it easier for Dynamics customers to migrate their ERP system to the cloud.

After a disruption in normal operations this spring, many businesses were already looking for ways to improve their remote work capabilities. To that end, Microsoft announced in June a plan that allows certain Dynamics ERP customers to switch to a cloud solution — for little to no additional licensing cost.

Customers who are active on a Microsoft annual maintenance plan (Enhancement, Advantage or Advantage Plus) can renew their plan through the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program and receive online licenses for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, the company’s Software as a Service solution. The renewal plan is available to customers of any on-premise Dynamics ERP solution (Dynamics GP, Dynamics NAV, Dynamics SL or Dynamics 365 Business Central on-premise).

As Microsoft noted, “Those with legacy systems are finding that data siloes, blocked access and security concerns are making navigation more challenging during this disruption.”

The offer lets those clients get Dynamics 365 Business Central for roughly the same price as their current maintenance plan — to be implemented whenever they’re ready to go to the cloud. Implementation and migration costs are not included. The plan gives customers the following benefits:

• Price point equal to their annual maintenance plan renewal quote (a discount of 60 percent for a typical Business Central package)
• Dual use and downgrade rights to their current on-premise product
• Same benefits they already had through their maintenance plan
• Dynamics 365 Business Central cloud licenses for when they’re ready to migrate (minimum of same number as their on-premise solution)

The customer must request the offer within 30 days of their maintenance plan elapsing. Under a special COVID allowance, customers whose maintenance plan elapsed between January and May 31 of this year may re-enroll by July 31 and still take advantage of the special offer.

The offer is good for a minimum of a one-year initial agreement with options to renew for another two years — a total of three years’ worth of online licenses comparable to the customer’s current maintenance plan.

In a time when remote work is quickly becoming the norm rather than the exception, cost has kept some companies from migrating to the cloud. If you are considering migrating your ERP to the cloud, this is a chance to reserve the licenses you would need for no additional cost should you decide to make the move in the future.

Only partners who are qualified as CSPs can offer this special promotion. Boyer & Associates is a certified CSP partner in the top 5 percent of Microsoft partners taking customers to the cloud. Our consultants are skilled in both the on-premise and cloud solutions and can help your company make the transition seamlessly.

For more information on this special offer or to request a quote on assistance with migrating to Business Central in the cloud, contact Carol Simonson at 763-412-4315 or info@boyerassoc.com.