Microsoft Dynamics NAV, originally Navision, and Microsoft Dynamics AX, originally Axapta, have run the business at many manufacturers and distributors. Many companies still depend on them every day, often with years of customizations built around how they work.
Their support windows are closing. Dynamics AX 2012 R3 is past the end of Microsoft's extended support, and extended support for Dynamics NAV 2018, the final NAV release, ends in January 2028. Older NAV releases end sooner.
Microsoft's path forward is a different product: Dynamics 365 Business Central for NAV customers, and Dynamics 365 finance and operations apps, including Finance and Supply Chain Management, for AX customers. Either move is a substantial project, which is why many companies use it as a chance to evaluate the market.
Bizowie is a cloud ERP platform built for mid-market manufacturers and distributors. It brings manufacturing, inventory, warehouse operations, EDI, financials, and reporting together in one unified operating environment, implemented directly by the Bizowie team.
According to Microsoft's lifecycle pages:
| Product | Mainstream support ended | Extended support ends |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamics AX 2012 and AX 2012 R2 | October 2018 | Ended April 2022 |
| Dynamics AX 2012 R3 | October 2021 | Ended January 2023 |
| Dynamics NAV 2017 | January 2022 | January 2027 |
| Dynamics NAV 2018 | January 2023 | January 2028 |
After extended support ends, Microsoft no longer provides security updates for that product. The software keeps running, but every month on an unsupported system adds risk: security exposure, compatibility problems with newer operating systems and databases, and fewer partners and people who know the product.
If you are on AX 2012, you are already on unsupported software. If you are on NAV, the deadline is close enough that a project started today would not finish long before it.
Microsoft supports moving from NAV 2015 through NAV 2018 to Business Central, but not directly to the cloud. Every route passes through Business Central version 14 on-premises first. Older NAV versions need additional upgrade steps before that.
Microsoft describes two approaches. A full migration brings over data and customizations, but every C/AL customization has to be converted to an AL extension, and data from customized tables can't be carried forward otherwise. A reimplementation brings over only essential data, such as master data, opening balances, a subset of history, and setup, and leaves legacy customizations and most historical transactions behind.
Microsoft supports upgrading from AX 2012 R2 and R3 to its finance and operations apps, with tools to bring forward custom code and the transactional database. Microsoft itself cautions that upgrades from AX 2012 are complex, that the tools should be seen as a framework rather than a complete solution, and that some AX 2012 implementations using deprecated features can't currently be upgraded. Upgrade from the original AX 2012 release isn't supported.
Whichever route you take, you will redo much of the work of an ERP implementation: data cleanup, customization decisions, integrations, testing, and training. That is not a reason to leave Microsoft. It is a reason to compare platforms before committing, with the same rigor you would give any new ERP.
If you are coming from Dynamics GP instead, see our Dynamics GP alternative and Business Central comparison.
Companies comparing Microsoft's path with other options usually do so for one or more of these reasons:
The decision is not "stay on NAV or AX or nothing." It is whether to follow Microsoft's recommended product or treat the move as an open evaluation.
| Area | Bizowie | Microsoft's path from NAV or AX |
|---|---|---|
| Destination | One unified cloud platform for manufacturing and distribution | Business Central for NAV customers; Dynamics 365 finance and operations apps for AX customers |
| Deployment | Cloud, delivered by Bizowie as a service | Cloud, with on-premises options for some products |
| Customizations | Configuration, no-code platform capabilities, and workflows | NAV C/AL customizations converted to AL extensions; AX code brought forward and conflicts resolved |
| Warehouse management | Integrated barcode-driven WMS spanning receiving, put-away, picking, packing, shipping, and cycle counts | Varies by product and edition; often extended with ISV solutions |
| EDI | Direct ANSI X12 support, with the ability to work with existing third-party mapping services | Commonly provided through partner or ISV products; confirm what your proposal includes |
| Manufacturing | Make-to-stock, make-to-order, engineer-to-order, assembly, and process, in one system, with shop floor data collection | Varies by product and edition; confirm your scenarios |
| Implementation | Vendor-direct implementation by the Bizowie team | Microsoft partners |
| Potential best fit | Manufacturers and distributors that want production, warehouse, EDI, and finance in one platform with one accountable vendor | Companies committed to the Microsoft ecosystem with a trusted Dynamics partner |
This comparison reflects publicly available vendor information reviewed in October 2026. Product capabilities, packaging, pricing, and deployment options can change. Buyers should validate their specific requirements directly with each vendor.
Real screens from Bizowie, not mockups. Click any screen to enlarge.
Bookings, open orders awaiting fulfillment, and inventory value at a glance.
Every receipt, transfer, build, and quarantine move by SKU, lot, bin, and location.
Purchase orders with approvals, receiving, ASNs, and vendor invoices on one screen.
Each work order carries its multi-level bill of materials, batches, and live on-hand quantities.
Ask each vendor to run these scenarios, live, using only what is in their proposal:
Ask exactly which of these use ISV add-ons, and who supports each one.
For a full view of what distributors should look for, see our distribution ERP software buyer's guide.
“We have seen immediate economic benefit for our business in terms of productivity from our warehouse staff, eliminated processing errors, and better stock control.”
Julius Hart — Managing Director, LensesOnline
For more, see our manufacturing ERP software buyer's guide.
“From our first contact all the way through to our implementation, Bizowie has been a first class organization to work with… We strongly recommend the Bizowie software program.”
Alan Seymour — President, Cleveland Electric Labs
Following Microsoft's path may be the better fit if:
Bizowie deserves a close look if:
Have a question about your own system? Talk to the team that builds Bizowie.
Extended support for Dynamics NAV 2018, the final NAV release, ends in January 2028. Dynamics NAV 2017 extended support ends in January 2027, and earlier releases have already ended. Check Microsoft's lifecycle page for your version.
No. Extended support for Dynamics AX 2012 R3 ended in January 2023, and for AX 2012 and AX 2012 R2 in April 2022.
Business Central is NAV's successor, but the move is a project. Every route passes through Business Central version 14 on-premises, and customizations must be converted to extensions or left behind through a reimplementation that brings over only essential data.
Microsoft supports upgrading from AX 2012 R2 and R3 to Dynamics 365 finance and operations apps, but describes the process as complex, and some implementations using deprecated features can't currently be upgraded.
It depends on how central manufacturing, warehouse management, and EDI are to your business. Because Microsoft's path is close to a reimplementation, compare it with other platforms using your own scenarios.
For many mid-market manufacturers and distributors, yes. The right way to find out is to bring your own scenarios to a demonstration: a representative order with your pricing, a warehouse workflow, an EDI transaction, or a production job.
NAV and AX have served many companies well, and for some, Microsoft's path will be the right one. The goal is to make sure your next decision is based on how your business works today, not on the system you happen to be leaving.
Bring us your hardest order or production scenario. We'll show you how Bizowie handles it, and if we are not the right fit, we will tell you.
A real person will reply within one business day with an honest assessment, not a sales pitch.
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See all on our switching ERP page.
Product information sources: Bizowie Cloud ERP for Manufacturers, Bizowie Cloud ERP for Distributors, Microsoft's lifecycle pages for Dynamics NAV 2018, Dynamics NAV 2017, Dynamics AX 2012 R3, and Dynamics AX 2012, and Microsoft Learn guidance on migrating Dynamics NAV to Business Central online and upgrading from AX 2012 to finance and operations.
Microsoft, Dynamics, Dynamics NAV, Navision, Dynamics AX, Dynamics 365, and Business Central are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Bizowie is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Microsoft. This comparison is based on publicly available information and is intended to support independent evaluation.
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