Upgrading Dynamics CRM on-premise to Dynamics 365: A Comprehensive Guide

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is an intelligent business application that amalgamates CRM and ERP capabilities to deliver end-to-end insights into the entire enterprise. It helps in streamlining business operations and improving customer engagement by providing a unified customer experience across all channels. Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based solution, which offers advanced features and functionalities that are not available in its on-premise version. In this blog post, we will discuss in detail how to upgrade Dynamics CRM on-premise to Dynamics 365.

Why Upgrade Dynamics CRM on-premise to Dynamics 365?

If you are using Dynamics CRM on-premise, you might be wondering why you should upgrade to Dynamics 365. Here are some reasons why upgrading to Dynamics 365 makes sense for your business:

1. Enhanced features and functionalities: Dynamics 365 comes with advanced features that are not available in its on-premise version. For example, AI-driven insights, predictive analytics, and automated workflows.

2. Better Security: Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based solution, and it uses Microsoft’s secure cloud infrastructure, which provides better security compared to an on-premise version.

3. Faster Updates: With Dynamics 365, you get faster updates, which means you have access to the latest features and functionalities as soon as they are released.

4. Reduced IT costs: With Dynamics 365, you don’t need to worry about maintaining hardware or updating software. Microsoft takes care of everything, including data backups, security, and maintenance.

Now that you know why you should upgrade to Dynamics 365, let’s discuss how to do it.

Steps to Upgrade Dynamics CRM on-premise to Dynamics 365

The process of upgrading Dynamics CRM on-premise to Dynamics 365 involves three main steps:

1. Prepare for the Upgrade
2. Upgrade Dynamics CRM to Dynamics 365
3. Verify and Validate the Upgrade

Let’s discuss each step in detail.

Step 1: Prepare for the Upgrade

Before you start upgrading Dynamics CRM on-premise to Dynamics 365, you need to prepare for the upgrade. Here are the key things you need to do:

1. Check System Requirements: Before upgrading, make sure your system meets the minimum requirements for Dynamics 365. You can check the system requirements here.

2. Take a Backup: Take a complete backup of your Dynamics CRM database, including customizations, configurations, and user data.

3. Review Customizations: Review all the customizations you have done in Dynamics CRM and check if they are compatible with Dynamics 365.

4. Check Third-party Integrations: If you have any third-party integrations with Dynamics CRM, check if they are compatible with Dynamics 365.

5. Install Latest Updates: Make sure you have installed the latest updates for Dynamics CRM before upgrading to Dynamics 365.

Step 2: Upgrade Dynamics CRM to Dynamics 365

Once you have prepared for the upgrade, you can start the actual upgrade process. Here are the steps to upgrade Dynamics CRM on-premise to Dynamics 365:

1. Create a Dynamics 365 Instance: Sign up for a Dynamics 365 instance and create a new organization.

2. Install the Dynamics 365 Migration Tool: Install the Dynamics 365 Migration Tool on your Dynamics CRM server.

3. Migrate Data: Use the Dynamics 365 Migration Tool to migrate data from Dynamics CRM to Dynamics 365. You can choose to migrate all or selected data.

4. Migrate Customizations: Use the Dynamics 365 Migration Tool to migrate customizations from Dynamics CRM to Dynamics 365.

5. Test the Migration: Test the migrated data and customizations to ensure everything is working as expected.

Step 3: Verify and Validate the Upgrade

After completing the migration process, you need to verify and validate the upgrade. Here are the steps to verify and validate the upgrade:

1. Test Functionality: Test all the key functionalities of Dynamics 365 to ensure they are working correctly.

2. Test Customizations: Test all the customizations you have done in Dynamics CRM to ensure they are compatible with Dynamics 365.

3. Test Third-party Integrations: Test all the third-party integrations you have with Dynamics CRM to ensure they are compatible with Dynamics 365.

4. Verify Data: Verify if all the data has been migrated correctly from Dynamics CRM to Dynamics 365.

Conclusion

Upgrading Dynamics CRM on-premise to Dynamics 365 is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can successfully migrate your data and customizations from Dynamics CRM to Dynamics 365. The benefits of upgrading to Dynamics 365, including enhanced features and functionalities, better security, faster updates, and reduced IT costs, make it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes. If you need any help with upgrading to Dynamics 365, please feel free to contact us.