Easy ERP migration: 6 steps from Infoniqa ONE 50 to Microsoft Business Central

A brief overview of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is the successor to Dynamics NAV. This cloud-based ERP system was developed specifically for small and midsize businesses.

The software enables efficient management of finance, supply chains, sales, and other business processes. Seamless integration with Microsoft 365, Power BI, and other Microsoft services supports data-driven decisions and streamlines business operations.

What is the difference between Infoniqa ONE 50 and Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Infoniqa ONE 50 is a modular software solution developed specifically for small and midsize businesses (SMEs) in Switzerland.

It offers features for financial accounting, payroll accounting, and HR management. The software is designed to meet local legal requirements and supports companies in managing their business processes efficiently.

Differences in features:

• Infoniqa ONE 50 focuses on core accounting and HR functions. It offers basic ERP features, but is primarily designed for the Swiss market and traditional accounting processes.
• Dynamics 365 Business Central, on the other hand, is a full-featured, cloud-based ERP system used by companies of different sizes around the world. In addition to financial accounting and payroll, it covers other areas of business, including purchasing, sales, inventory management, manufacturing, project management, and customer relationship management (CRM). It also offers advanced automation and integration capabilities, particularly through seamless connections to the Microsoft ecosystem (e.g., Microsoft 365, Power BI, Teams).

While Infoniqa ONE 50 is a solid solution for smaller companies focused on Swiss legislation, Business Central is particularly well suited to companies with more complex business processes, international requirements, or a strong need for scalability and automation.

Recommended reading: “Everything you need to know about the Dynamics 365 Business Central ERP system”

Common challenges with Infoniqa ONE 50 (formerly Sage 50 Extra)

Infoniqa ONE 50 is a widely used ERP and accounting solution for small and midsize businesses. But as business grows, many companies reach the system’s limits. The most common challenges with Infoniqa ONE 50 are:

Challenge #1: Scalability and performance issues

Infoniqa ONE 50 is designed for smaller companies. As data volumes and the number of users increase, performance may suffer. Reports and queries become slower, and simultaneous access by multiple users can sometimes cause delays.

Challenge #2: Limited automation and process efficiency

Automation options in Infoniqa ONE 50 are limited, so many processes require manual intervention. Companies often have to use additional tools or workarounds to make processes more efficient, which takes time and increases the risk of errors.

Challenge #3: Limited integration options

Infoniqa ONE 50 offers interfaces for some applications, but integration with modern cloud services and third-party tools is limited. Companies that rely on a connected software ecosystem often have difficulty linking external solutions.

Challenge #4: Lack of flexibility for international business

When companies expand internationally, Infoniqa ONE 50 often cannot keep up. Multicurrency support, international accounting standards, and cross-location financial management are available only to a limited extent.

Challenge #5: Complex upgrades and maintenance

Because Infoniqa ONE 50 is primarily used as an on-premises solution, updates and new features must be installed manually. This ties up IT resources and can lead to compatibility issues with existing customizations or external applications.

Challenge #6: Limited cloud functionality

Infoniqa ONE 50 is also available as a hosted solution, but it does not offer the same range of features or flexibility as modern cloud ERP systems. The ERP system is no longer a good fit for companies that want to work from anywhere or need full cloud integration.

The migration process: How to switch to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central in 6 steps

Have you already decided to switch to Dynamics 365 Business Central? Read on to learn how the migration from Infoniqa ONE 50 (formerly Sage 50 Extra) to Dynamics Business Central works. A smooth transition requires a structured approach to prepare data, processes, and employees for the new system.

Nexova Dynamics uses an iterative implementation approach for migration. This means the rollout happens in small increments, with regular progress updates. You have visibility into current progress at all times, can provide feedback early, and can ensure the system is adapted to your requirements. This flexible approach makes it possible to respond quickly to changes and achieve the best possible result for your company.

The migration process can be divided into six key phases:

Step 1: Analysis and planning: Assess the current state and define goals

The first step of an ERP migration is to analyze the existing software and define your goals. A detailed assessment forms the basis for a requirements specification that serves as a roadmap for the migration. Together with the implementation partner, you work through the following points:

• Current business processes: Which processes are currently handled in Infoniqa ONE 50 (formerly Sage 50 Extra), and how efficient are they?
• Data structure and use: What data is stored in the system, and what needs to be migrated?
• System architecture: How should the new Business Central system be set up to ensure optimal performance and scalability? Would you like to host the software, or do you prefer the cloud version?
• Interfaces and integrations: Which external systems (e.g., CRM, e-commerce, logistics solutions) need to be connected?
• Required features: Which Dynamics Business Central modules and features are needed to support all business-critical processes?
• Opportunities for optimization: Which workflows can be improved or automated through the migration?
• Security and compliance requirements: Which regulatory requirements and data privacy policies must be observed?

After the analysis, a migration strategy is developed that includes a detailed timeline and clearly defined responsibilities. The goal is a smooth transition with minimal interruptions.

Step 2: Basic configuration

In the next step, we carefully configure Dynamics Business Central. This includes basic settings such as user roles as well as individual requirements from the previously defined specifications. The key steps in this phase are:

Configure company-specific settings

• Enter company data, tax information, and currency settings
• Set the chart of accounts and accounting policies

Configure user and role management

• Create user accounts with role-based permissions
• Ensure integration with Microsoft 365 for single sign-on
• Define release and approval processes

Set up business processes and automation iteratively

• Configure workflows for accounting, purchasing, and sales
• Customize dashboards and reports for a better overview
• Set up automated notifications and reminders for critical processes (e.g., payment reminders, order status updates, approval requests)

Step 3: Data migration: Error-free, structured transfer

After the basic configuration, data is transferred. This is a particularly important and error-prone stage of an ERP migration. To ensure a smooth, error-free data transfer, we take the following measures:

Clean up data in the old ERP system

• Remove duplicate, outdated, or incorrect records
• Consolidate and standardize master data

Export and transform data

• Transfer relevant master data, accounting data, and transaction history into the Business Central format
• Adapt the data structure to ensure compatibility and consistency

Initial data quality check

• Perform spot checks and compare with original values
• Identify and correct possible inconsistencies

Final system validation takes place at a later step. At that point, we ensure all data has been transferred correctly and the system is ready for a smooth go-live.

Step 4: Integration with existing systems and interfaces

Seamless integration with external systems is essential so existing processes can continue without disruption. Dynamics Business Central must exchange data efficiently with other applications to streamline operations and reduce manual steps. During the planning phase, we already assess which existing systems are still needed and which can be replaced by Dynamics 365 Business Central.

External systems are generally connected through standardized APIs, web services, or preconfigured connectors that enable fast and secure data transfer.

Step 5: Testing and system validation for a smooth go-live

Before Dynamics Business Central goes into production, we thoroughly test the ERP system on the new platform. Thorough validation helps ensure all processes work correctly, data has been transferred accurately, and the system meets the company’s requirements. This minimizes potential errors in production.

Important test areas:

• Check data consistency: Is all migrated and synchronized data complete and accurate?
• Simulate business processes: Run through accounting, orders, inventory management, and reporting in a test environment.
• Validate interfaces: Do CRM, e-commerce, and accounting systems work seamlessly with Business Central?
• Test permissions: Are user accesses and roles set up correctly?
• Load and performance testing: Check system stability under real-world conditions.

Based on the test results, final adjustments are made in preparation for go-live.

Step 6: Go-live: Transition to production

A well-planned go-live minimizes risks and ensures a smooth start with Business Central. The following measures are critical:

• Final data reconciliation to ensure all data was migrated correctly and completely.
• Employee training to ensure users can confidently handle the most important processes.
• Back up the old ERP system so it can be accessed in an emergency.

On go-live day

• We activate Dynamics Business Central and deactivate Infoniqa ONE 50 (formerly Sage 50).
• We monitor initial transactions, such as entries, orders, and invoices.
• We make a support team available to resolve questions or issues immediately.

Beyond go-live: Ongoing optimization of Dynamics Business Central

Continuous optimization is not the final step of migration but an ongoing process that ensures the ERP system continues to meet the company’s needs in the long term, especially during periods of growth. Optimization includes various measures based on the organization’s needs:

System reviews and audits

• Analyze business processes to identify opportunities for improvement
• Review system performance and adjust workflows if needed

Feedback from users

• Gather regular feedback from employees who work with the system
• Adapt user interfaces and roles based on end-user experience

Technology updates and enhancements

• Implement updates to address security vulnerabilities and use new features
• Evaluate new Business Central modules and feature enhancements that could further improve business processes

Automate and integrate new processes

• Identify additional automation opportunities to further reduce manual tasks
• Integrate new external systems or solutions that are compatible with Business Central

Support and maintenance

• Provide ongoing support from the implementation partner
• Maintain the system regularly to ensure it runs smoothly and identify system errors early

Potential challenges and pitfalls when migrating to Dynamics Business Central

Migrating from Infoniqa ONE 50 to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers many benefits, but can also bring challenges. Addressing potential pitfalls early can minimize risks and ensure smooth software integration. Working with an experienced implementation partner such as Nexova Dynamics increases the likelihood of a smooth, low-risk transition.

1. Data migration and cleanup

Many companies have accumulated unstructured or duplicate data in their existing system over the years. The challenge is to convert this data into a clean, usable format to avoid errors in Dynamics 365 Business Central. Careful data cleanup before migration and the use of automated import processes minimize the risk of inconsistencies and provide a reliable data foundation.

2. Adapting business processes

Infoniqa ONE 50 and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central differ in their process logic and workflows. Companies need to review existing procedures and, where necessary, adapt them to the new standard processes. A thorough analysis of business processes before migration helps optimize inefficient procedures and benefit from Business Central best practices.

3. Interfaces and integrations

Many companies use external systems such as ERP modules, e-commerce platforms, or accounting software that are integrated with the ERP. The challenge is to analyze existing interfaces and ensure they are compatible with Dynamics 365 Business Central. Close collaboration with developers and implementation partners helps ensure smooth connections and efficient data exchange.

4. Lack of employee acceptance

Employees are familiar with Infoniqa ONE 50’s processes and interface, which is why the transition often meets resistance. Without targeted training, errors and acceptance issues can arise. A structured change management approach, with early employee involvement, practical training, and support during the transition, makes the change easier and helps achieve high acceptance of the new system.

5. Disruptions and downtime

Temporary outages or limitations in system availability may occur during the transition, which can affect business operations. Forward planning with a detailed migration strategy, test runs, and a clear go-live plan minimizes the risk of extended downtime. An experienced implementation partner such as Nexova Dynamics also helps ensure critical business processes continue during migration.