5 myths about cloud migration that hold you back

October 8, 2024

Cloud solutions like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offer undeniable benefits like scalability, cost-efficiency, and seamless integration with a secure Microsoft ecosystem.

94% of businesses worldwide are already using the cloud. Yet so many are still hesitant about making the switch held back by unjustified myths around cloud technologies.

Sounds familiar? You are not alone. Fear of the unknown often nurtures biases that delay cloud migration, robbing businesses of innovation.

This blog post breaks 5 widespread myths about cloud migration with facts and stats.

1. Cloud is less secure than on-prem

They say, seeing is believing.

This belief fuels a myth saying that keeping business information on a physical server is more tangible and thus more secure.

In the meantime, the stats prove the opposite. Gartner says that public cloud service workloads will face at least 60% fewer security incidents compared to traditional centers. As much as 94% of businesses state that they improved their online security after embracing the cloud.

Well, how come?

94% of businesses state that they improved their online security after cloud migration



With Business Central cloud, you let the cybersecurity potential of Microsoft handle security for you. Namely, MS Azure which powers BC cloud and is one of the top 3 cloud service providers and protects your data with encryption against unauthorized access, multi-factor authentication, and more. With $4 billion annually invested in cybersecurity and more than a hundred global certifications for Azure that make the greatest set of compliance offerings among cloud service providers, MS explicitly states its commitment to the highest security measures.

With Azure, updates and security patches for Business Central are applied automatically. So, your cloud ERP systematically has the latest security measures. With automated updates, you lower the risk of security issues for cloud solutions.

Unlike on-premises systems where updates might be postponed or even ignored.

2. Cloud migration = downtimes and disruption

The fear of downtimes and process disruptions makes decision-makers hesitate about the transition and postpone it at best.

In reality, successful migrations to BC cloud lean on a clear strategy and reliable tools and prove to run smoother and less disruptive than expected. Moreover, Business Central cloud implementations are often deployed faster, so updates happen seamlessly in the background and do not impact daily operations.

For smooth cloud migrations to Business Central, we use Discovery X-ray and Stairway to Cloud – our verified techniques and pre-defined service packages. This combo dispels the myth that migrating to Business Central cloud necessarily causes disruption.

Our 2-day automated analysis of the old solution’s code quickly finds and categorizes system modifications for better project planning. So, we reduce the risk of unexpected issues that could eventually cause downtime.

With agile management within Stairway to Cloud, we maintain a predictable migration with a clear understanding of the project’s progress, timing, costs, and minimal to zero disruption.

We use secure in-house apps to migrate data from an old database to the new cloud solution while keeping the old on-premises database functional. Eventually, you glide into the new cloud solution turbulence-free.

3. Cloud solutions are too expensive

Cloud migration does require upfront planning and certain investment to assess the current infrastructure, choose the right cloud service provider, and migrate the system, of course. But it does pay back in the long run.

Embracing cloud-based Business Central means you no longer purchase, maintain, and upgrade expensive hardware. Basically, you benefit from cutting capital costs.

Azure’s pay-as-you-go and Business Central’s subscription-based models enhance scalability and save costs. Businesses only pay monthly or annual fees for the resources they use as part of their regular operational expenditures.

Companies can scale these resources up or down as needed, thus proving cloud ERP systems are far more flexible. What’s more, Forrester (April 2024) found that businesses that use Business Central cloud experience a 106% ROI over three years.

4. Business Central is just an upgraded version of NAV

Many are often misled by the illusion that BC cloud is simply a newer version of NAV. However, BC cloud is much more than that.

Business Central did evolve from NAV. But over the years, it proved to be much more than just a rebranded NAV version. It is a comprehensive, modern ERP solution crafted to meet your evolving business needs.

Business Central is designed as a cloud-first app. It seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products (like Power BI, Office 365, and many more), cloud technologies, and third-party apps, offering a more diverse and efficient user experience. This is unlike NAV, which originated as an on-premises system.

Business Central receives regular monthly improvements and major updates twice a year, so BC users can always use Business Central’s latest features. In comparison, NAV receives neither updates nor new features.

NAV was highly customizable. In the meantime, Business Central focuses on add-ons and extensions to enrich specific business processes. These are easily integrated into BC without altering the system core.

5. BC cloud is only good for large businesses

Previously, Dynamics systems had to be installed on multiple servers. Naturally, it implied heavy training, complex configurations, and investments to manage and maintain the servers. Only the “big fish” could afford investments like these.

The stats below speak for themselves.

Smaller enterprises now equally benefit from the cloud ERP’s scalability and flexibility, its user-friendly interface, and ready-to-use configurations for typical business processes. This often prevents businesses from customizations and extra expenses. Over time, as a business grows, the cloud ERP adapts easily while remaining efficient.

Migrating to the cloud can be more cost-effective for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs): 82% of them admit cost reduction after switching to the cloud. What’s more, 59% of those SMBs say that their IT teams benefit from adopting the cloud.

The trend to embrace the cloud is growing. As many as 78% of SMBs have already adopted cloud technologies. 48% of businesses intend to move at least half of their apps to the cloud in the next year.

Don’t let fear hold you back

As you see, cloud migration is not that daunting. The misconceptions about security and cost, disruptions, and business size are nothing but myths. Proven solutions like Business Central with Azure at its heart make it easy for businesses of any size to switch to the cloud smoothly and cost-friendly.

Don’t let outdated beliefs rob you of the potential of the cloud. Let us discuss your case and choose the migration strategy so you can easily start your safe journey today to watch your business grow tomorrow.