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  • Category :
  • 2026, AI, ERP
  • June 5, 2026

Business Central in the Cloud: Reducing Risk and Unlocking Productivity with AI

Your business is always looking for new ways to drive revenue and improve productivity. Did you know that Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central can do both for you, and more?

Joesoftware takes a look at how migrating to Business Central in the cloud will change how your team works and positively impact your bottom line. But first we examine the risks of staying with an on-premise ERP like Microsoft GP or NAV, or another accounting system.

The risks of an on-premise ERP

As you likely know, Microsoft is ending support and upgrades for GP and NAV.  Even if you love your current ERP, a change will be required very soon.

The prospect of the initial disruption that a migration to Business Central can bring may seem like it could be counter to improving productivity. However based on Joesoftware’s experience with Microsoft EFP systems, the risks of remaining on-premise with a limited life system ERP are:

  • Higher exposure to cybersecurity risks
  • Rising long‑term ownership and support costs
  • Limited or no NAV/on‑prem expertise and support
  • Falling behind competitors with a more advanced ERP and also leverages AI

The move to Business Central and the cloud

The fastest route to reducing or eliminating these risks is a migration to Business Central in the cloud. The advantages of Business Central have been well documented. Joesoftware has supported many migrations to the cloud with Business Central. We are an exeperienced partner who will ensure a smooth transition and effective change management.

Business Central brings all of your teams and key areas onto one platform, which will fuel efficiency, productivity, profits and more.

Copilot and AI in Business Central

Business Central also offers an immediate integration of AI into your ERP and your business. Copilot is Microsoft’s brand for its suite of AI-powered productivity tools or assistants across its various products in the Microsoft ecosystem. Copilots can help you with everyday tasks in your Microsoft apps, documents, and conversations.

As an AI-powered digital assistant, Copilot can help with tasks like writing, coding, summarizing, and searching. Copilots can comprehend human language and provide answers or take actions. It is a tool that can help you be more productive and efficient, but just like the pilot of an airplane, you are always in charge.

Copilot in Business Central offers three levels of AI capability:

  • Copilot in Business Central: Enhance your team’s productivity as they individually work in Business Central.
  • Agents: Improve business productivity with prebuilt and custom agents.
  • Copilot extended: Connect to the workflows and AI tools in the applications you use every day and build synergies to save time and uncover new insights.

Copilot and AI in Business Central will ensure your business wisely uses your time, resources, and your people. As manual processes disappear, productivity and your employees’ job satisfaction naturally increase, and over time, this can only lead to improvements to the bottom line. At this stage, the transition to Business Central and the cloud starts to feel like a logical progression rather than a forced change.

With Business Central, your organization will benefit from lower and more predictable costs, improved agility, scalability, and better visibility of your entire operation with centralized reporting. The cloud platform enables real‑time insights, faster and smarter decisions-making, seamless collaboration, and of course, remote work.

Your Business Central transition checklist

Successful ERP implementations require careful planning. As an experienced implementation partner, Joesoftware shares its checklist of steps your organization should take as you make the move to cloud-based Business Central:

  • Set up an initial consultation with Joesoftware: Together, we can define challenges, goals, and review your options with Business Central.
  • Analyze the IT ecosystem: It is important to document your existing infrastructure, dependencies, and security needs.
  • Define and prioritize what you need from Business Central: Identify what you need from Business Central today and in the near future.
  • Plan your migration: We will create a comprehensive plan to avoid disruptions, manage change, all while being transparent and clear on the budget and costs.
  • Stakeholder alignment: It is critical to engage your leadership and key employees so everyone is on board with the change.
  • Training and support: Giving your employees the training they need to be successful is as important as the mechanics of your Business Central system.
  • Measure ROI: Identify KPIs and begin tracking so you can monitor your successes and in time, where you want to make enhancements.

The time to move to Business Central, the cloud, and embrace AI is now. Stay on top of today’s competitive business landscape. Joesoftwarecan guide you through the entire transition so you get the most out of your investment in cloud-powered Dynamics 365 Business Central and Copilot.