Case Study

A Data-Driven Migration from Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central

A Data-Driven Migration from Dynamics NAV to Dynamics 365 Business Central
Figure 1:

Customer Need

A prominent regional airline came to AviaPro with a pressing need: modernize its legacy ERP platform to meet the rapidly changing demands of the aviation industry. The airline’s existing Dynamics NAV system was no longer capable of supporting its growth and evolving business needs. As the global aviation sector began its recovery post-pandemic, operational excellence, real-time data insights, and seamless integration with aviation-specific systems became essential. The airline was looking for a cloud-based solution that would streamline key business functions across multiple departments, including:
  • Financial Management
  • HR   Payroll
  • Procurement
  • Inventory Management
With the International Air Transport Association (IATA) projecting the global airline industry to approach 90% of pre-pandemic passenger volumes by 2025, the airline needed an ERP solution agile enough to support its strategic goals and adapt to the market’s dynamic shifts. Additionally, they required the flexibility to integrate with essential systems like EDGAR and Sabre PSS to ensure smoother, more efficient decision-making.

 

Challenges

The airline's migration to a new ERP platform occurred at a time of considerable complexity for the global aviation sector. Airlines worldwide were working to rebuild networks, stabilize finances, and enhance supply chains after a period of disruption. For this airline, the primary challenges were:
  • Data Integrity & Compliance: Ensuring that data was accurately transferred, validated, and compliant with industry regulations, especially considering emerging data privacy and regulatory requirements in the aviation sector.
  • Operational Continuity: Maintaining smooth business operations during the migration process, minimizing downtime, and avoiding disruptions in core business functions.
  • Complex Integrations: The new system had to integrate seamlessly with critical aviation technologies, such as EDGAR and Sabre PSS, to support enhanced decision-making and operational efficiency.

     

AviaPro's Approach

To meet these challenges and deliver a successful migration, AviaPro employed a comprehensive, data-driven approach. This methodology was informed by emerging trends in airline technology adoption, which show that over 60% of carriers plan to undertake major ERP overhauls within the next two years. The strategy included the following key steps:
  • 1. Discovery & Roadmapping: AviaPro initiated the project with an in-depth assessment of the airline’s existing Dynamics NAV system. This discovery phase identified data bottlenecks and legacy inefficiencies. Based on the findings, AviaPro developed a customized migration roadmap tailored to the airline’s strategic growth plans, ensuring that the transition was responsive to evolving passenger demand trends and operational needs.
  • 2. Structured Data Engineering: A meticulous data migration process was put in place. Each data element—ranging from financial ledgers to HR payroll records—was carefully mapped to **Dynamics 365 Business Central**. Advanced validation checks were implemented throughout to ensure data integrity, accuracy, and compliance with industry standards. Given the airline's need to stay ahead of shifting regulations, particular attention was paid to emerging data privacy and compliance requirements in aviation.
  • 3. Incremental Testing & Stakeholder Collaboration: To minimize risks and ensure a smooth transition, AviaPro employed an iterative testing approach. Test migrations were conducted regularly, allowing the airline's stakeholders to identify and resolve any issues early in the process. Frequent communication, including weekly trend update emails that summarized global airline metrics and best practices in ERP migration, kept all parties aligned and informed throughout the project.
  • 4. Comprehensive Training & Post-Migration Support: AviaPro recognized that the success of any technology migration depends not just on the system itself but on how effectively end-users can adapt to it. To this end, AviaPro provided extensive user training, along with a 30-day complimentary support period post-migration. This ensured that staff could quickly become proficient with the new system. Feedback from the airline's team highlighted significant improvements, including a 20% reduction in manual data entry and a 15% faster month-end close during the first operational cycle following migration.

     

Results & Benefits

The successful migration to Dynamics 365 Business Central yielded measurable and lasting improvements for the airline, including:
  • Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Automation of key processes and a streamlined workflow led to faster decision-making and improved day-to-day operations.
  • Improved Data Accuracy & Compliance: With robust data validation checks and compliance monitoring in place, the airline now operates with a higher level of accuracy, minimizing errors and ensuring regulatory compliance.
  • Scalability & Strategic Growth: The cloud-based system supports the airline’s ongoing growth, offering the flexibility to scale and adapt to future market demands.
By partnering with AviaPro, this regional airline not only modernized its ERP capabilities but also positioned itself for sustained growth and strategic advantage in an increasingly competitive industry. The successful migration to Dynamics 365 Business Central demonstrates the power of modern ERP solutions to drive strategic outcomes. The airline is now better equipped to navigate the complexities of the post-pandemic landscape, making informed decisions based on accurate, real-time data while positioning itself for continued success.