Why Now Is the Time
As Microsoft phases out mainstream support for AX 2012, more and more organisations are recognising the need to move to a modern, cloud-based ERP platform. Dynamics 365 Finance is not just the next iteration of AX it’s a powerful transformation platform that enables greater agility, automation, and intelligence across your finance operations.
Why Move from AX 2012 to Dynamics 365 Finance?
AX 2012 has served many businesses well, but the landscape of business technology has changed dramatically. Here are some key reasons why organisations are choosing to migrate:
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End of support AX 2012 R3 mainstream support ended in October 2021. Extended support is not a long-term strategy.
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Cloud-first innovation D365 Finance leverages Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure for continuous updates, scalability, and better performance.
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Enhanced analytics With built-in Power BI and AI insights, you can make more informed decisions faster.
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Improved compliance and security Built on Azure, D365 meets global compliance standards and offers robust security frameworks.
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Lower TCO over time Eliminates infrastructure costs and reduces time spent on upgrades and maintenance.
What to Consider Before You Move
Migrating from AX 2012 to D365 Finance isn’t a lift-and-shift exercise. It’s a significant change in architecture, process, and culture. Here’s what to consider:
- Data migration What data should be brought over, what should be archived, and how do you ensure integrity?
- Customisations and ISVs AX 2012 environments often have deep customisations some of which may not be needed or even compatible in D365.
- Integrations Review current integrations (e.g., CRM, warehouse systems, payroll) and determine what needs to be rebuilt or reconnected.
- Security roles D365 Finance uses a more granular security model; roles and duties need to be reassessed and aligned.
- User training and change management Teams must be prepared to adopt new interfaces, workflows, and reporting tools.
The Benefits of Migrating
When done right, the move to Dynamics 365 Finance brings significant benefits:
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Modernised user experience with an intuitive web interface and mobile support.
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Automation of manual processes using workflows and Power Platform integrations.
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Improved financial visibility through real-time dashboards and predictive insights.
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Faster month-end close, streamlined approvals, and reduced compliance risks.
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Scalability that supports business growth and multi-entity operations without major rework.
Challenges to Be Aware Of
While the benefits are substantial, migration can come with its own set of challenges:
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Underestimating the scope Many projects struggle because the effort involved in data migration, redesigning processes, and testing is underestimated.
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Poor stakeholder alignment Success requires buy-in across finance, operations, and IT.
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Customisations carried over blindly Bringing over legacy processes can limit your ability to modernise.
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Licensing and cost confusion Understanding what licenses are needed and estimating cloud operational costs requires expertise.
The Importance of Discovery and Planning
Before beginning any migration, conducting a structured discovery phase is essential. This allows you to:
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Understand your current AX 2012 landscape
- Document current state processess
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Document customisations and integrations
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Evaluate business processes for redesign
- Document future state processes
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Identify data migration needs
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Estimate costs and timeline
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Build a roadmap with realistic milestones
Skipping this step can lead to surprises, scope creep, and budget overruns.
How DevOps Services Can Help
At DevOps Services, we’ve helped numerous organisations across healthcare, transport, and manufacturing successfully migrate from AX 2012 to Dynamics 365 Finance.
Our structured discovery approach ensures:
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You know exactly what’s involved before you begin
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Your migration is scoped correctly
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Your finance team gets the modern tools they need to thrive
Whether you need help building your plan, managing the migration, or integrating third-party systems, we can guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn more about our migration approach and how we can help you make a seamless move to Dynamics 365 Finance.
