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Dynamics 365 Community / Forums / Small and medium business | Business Central, N... / Dynamics NAV 2017 Data...
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Dynamics NAV 2017 Data Migration

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Posted on by CU05071917-1 24
Hi Dynamics NAV/ BC experts,
I am working on a task for Data migration from NAV to SAP S4/Hana. 
As Data migration is something new task for me, I would like to understand certain standard practices to be followed so that I can be on the right track. What are the dos and donts or pre requisites for a successful data migration task.
Categories:
Dynamics 365 Business Central
Microsoft Dynamics NAV
Dynamics 365 Business Central migration
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  • Suggested answer
    DAnny3211 Profile Picture
    DAnny3211 11,340 on at
    Dynamics NAV 2017 Data Migration

    Hi there,

    Great to see you're taking on a data migration project—moving from Dynamics NAV to SAP S/4HANA is a significant task, and following best practices is key to success. Here are some essential dos and don'ts to guide you:

    Dos:

    • Understand the Data Model: Familiarize yourself with both NAV and SAP data structures. Mapping fields accurately is crucial.
    • Clean Your Data: Remove duplicates, obsolete records, and inconsistencies before migration.
    • Define Scope Clearly: Decide what data needs to be migrated (e.g., master data, open transactions, historical data).
    • Use Staging Tables: Load data into intermediate tables for validation before pushing to SAP.
    • Test Thoroughly: Perform multiple test migrations in a sandbox environment to validate data integrity and business logic.
    • Document Everything: Keep detailed records of mappings, transformations, and decisions made during the process.

    Don’ts:

    • Don’t Migrate Everything Blindly: Avoid transferring unnecessary historical data unless required.
    • Don’t Skip Validation: Always validate data post-migration with business users.
    • Don’t Underestimate Time: Data migration often takes longer than expected—plan accordingly.
    • Don’t Ignore Security: Ensure sensitive data is handled securely during the transfer.

    If you're new to this, consider using ETL tools or consulting with a partner experienced in NAV-to-SAP migrations.

    Let me know if this helps!
    If it solves your issue, please mark this answer as accepted so others can benefit too. 😊

    Best regards,
    Daniele

  • Suggested answer
    Holly Huffman Profile Picture
    Holly Huffman 6,520 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at
    Dynamics NAV 2017 Data Migration
    Good morning, afternoon, or evening depending on your location :)
    Hope you are well today!
     
    Thanks for reaching out. While your question is a bit broad—which is completely understandable given the complexity of data migration—it's a great starting point. Below are some key dos, don’ts, and prerequisites to help guide your migration from Dynamics NAV 2017 to SAP S/4HANA successfully:
     
    Dos – Best Practices
    Define Clear Scope:
    • Identify which data needs to be migrated (e.g., master data, open transactions, historical data).
    • Classify data as critical vs. non-critical.
    Cleanse Data Before Migration:
    • Remove duplicates, obsolete records, and incomplete entries in NAV.
    • Standardize formats (e.g., dates, codes, currencies).
    Map Data Fields Accurately:
    • Create a detailed data mapping document between NAV and SAP fields.
    • Pay special attention to differences in data structures and field types.
    Use Staging Tables or Middleware:
    • Consider using a staging database or ETL tool (e.g., SAP Data Services, Azure Data Factory) to transform and validate data before loading into SAP.
    Test in Phases:
    • Perform test migrations in a sandbox environment.
    • Validate data integrity and business logic in SAP after each test.
    Document Everything:
    • Keep detailed logs of mappings, transformations, and validations.
    • Document any manual adjustments or exceptions.
    Involve Key Stakeholders:
    • Collaborate with finance, operations, and IT teams to validate migrated data.
    • Get sign-off from business users after each test cycle.
     
    Don’ts – Common Pitfalls to Avoid
    • Don’t migrate unnecessary or outdated data “just in case.”
    • Don’t skip data validation steps—this can lead to costly errors post-migration.
    • Don’t rely solely on automated tools without manual review.
    • Don’t underestimate the time and effort required for reconciliation and testing.
    Prerequisites
    • Full backup of NAV databases.
    • Access to SAP S/4HANA test environment.
    • Data mapping templates or tools.
    • Defined cutover plan and rollback strategy.
    • Clear understanding of SAP data models and business processes.
     
    Note: I collaborated with AI to help craft this response for clarity and completeness.
    Hope this helps some!

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