Your legacy system holds years of customer records and custom fields nobody remembers creating. Your new Dynamics 365 environment promises clean data and faster insight. Between them lies migration, the phase that determines success.
Dynamics 365 unifies CRM and ERP on one cloud platform. It manages sales, finance, supply chain, and service in one system. Companies adopt it to replace outdated software, connect departments, and gain operational visibility. Your approach determines whether you achieve those goals or waste time and money. This guide outlines each stage of implementation, providing practical direction drawn from real-world projects.
Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based platform that combines customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) capabilities. Instead of separate systems, you work in a single environment that provides specialized apps for each business function.
Dynamics 365 integrates with Microsoft 365, Power Automate, and the Power Platform to enable you to automate workflows and analyze data in real time.
Companies typically implement Dynamics 365 to solve specific problems, such as sales teams drowning in spreadsheets, finance departments closing their books in 12 days instead of three, or warehouses losing visibility into their inventory. The modular structure allows you to deploy only the applications you need today, while adding others as your business grows.
Organizations typically start with the wrong question. They ask, “Which modules do we need?” The right question: “What business problems are we solving?”
A manufacturer approached LevelShift to replace its aging ERP. After mapping the issues, the real gaps were identified as inventory visibility across sites, 12-day financial closes, and manual sales tracking. We prioritized supply-chain visibility, then finance, then sales. The phased rollout reduced costs by 40 percent and delivered results more quickly.
A good business case answers three points:
Document these answers before selecting modules. Written goals keep scope focused and prevent feature creep.
Process standardization comes first. If five sales teams qualify leads differently, Dynamics 365 will only automate confusion. Standardize workflows before setup.
List all systems that share data with Dynamics 365 and rank integrations by importance.
Apply a simple rule to customization: if fewer than 20 percent of users need it, leave it out.
Each implementation scope should cover:
A clear scope avoids budget surprises.
Timelines vary by complexity and readiness. Typical deployments take three to six months. For simpler environments, a QuickStart version can be completed in six to 12 weeks, depending on readiness, integrations, and data conditions. Always include a 10 – 20% buffer for unexpected delays.
| Phase | Duration | Core Activities |
| Planning and discovery | Two to four weeks | Stakeholder alignment, process mapping, scope, and environment setup |
| Design and build | Four to eight weeks | Configuration, workflow setup, initial migration, integration baseline |
| Testing and validation | Two to three weeks | System and user testing, performance checks |
| Pilot / Pre-go-live | One to two weeks | Pilot rollout, final migration, readiness review |
| Go-live and stabilization | One to two weeks (sometimes four to six) | Support and issue triage |
| Additional enhancements | Ongoing | Later modules and refinements |
Standard projects often take up to a year. LevelShift QuickStart packages reduce delivery time by half, using tested templates and fixed pricing. These suit organizations with stable processes that need fast deployment and the option to expand later.
For small and mid-sized companies transitioning from legacy ERPs, such as NAV, GP, QuickBooks, or Sage. Provides core financials, inventory, and sales workflows.
Timeline: Six to eight weeks
Starting Cost: $23,840
Best for: Teams of five to 50 people needing standard ERP functions quickly
For enterprises requiring a comprehensive ERP with advanced financials, supply chain management, or manufacturing capabilities. Uses proven baseline configurations.
Timeline: ≈ five months (40 to 55 percent faster than traditional projects)
Starting Cost: $250,000
Best for: 50 to 500 employees with defined processes who want rapid rollout and limited customization
Implementation costs include licenses, services, data migration, training, and support. Plan for all phases, not only licenses.
| Cost Area | What It Covers |
| Licensing and subscription | User and device licenses, module fees (Finance, Sales, Supply Chain, Customer Service) |
| Implementation services | Analysis, configuration, minor custom work, integrations |
| Data migration | Audit, mapping, cleanup, and archival |
| Infrastructure and environments | Cloud use, sandboxes, and backups |
| Change management and training | Role-based training and adoption programs |
| Testing and quality assurance | Unit, integration, and security tests |
| Support and maintenance | Post-go-live fixes and updates |
| Internal resource time | Staff hours and coordination costs |
| Company Size | Users | Total cost | Notes |
| Small business | 5 to 15 | $25,000 to $60,000 | Finance + Sales, minimal customization |
| Mid-market | 16 to 50 | $60,000 to $150,000 | Multiple modules, integrations, and moderate custom workflows |
| Larger enterprises | 50+ | $150,000 to $300,000+ | Multi-site rollout with change management |
| License Type | Use Case | Typical Monthly Cost (USD) |
| Sales Professional | Basic CRM | $65 per user |
| Sales Enterprise | Advanced sales | $95 per user |
| Customer Service | Support teams | $50 to $95 per user |
| Finance (Base) | Core financial management | $210 per user |
| Supply Chain Management (Base) | Operations and manufacturing | $210 per user |
| Finance + SCM Combo | Full ERP for finance and operations | $240 per user |
| Business Central Essentials | Small to mid-size businesses, core ERP | $80 per user |
| Business Central Premium | Advanced ERP with manufacturing, service | $110 per user |
| Team Member | Light access | $8 per user |
| Activity License | Transactional staff | $50 per user |
| Device License | Shared terminals | $45 to $75 per device |
| Attach License | Add-on modules | $20 to $30 per user |
Studies show that over half of ERP projects fail to meet their goals. Knowing where others go wrong helps you avoid it.
Teams resist new systems when they do not see the benefit or lack proper training. Involve users early and show how Dynamics 365 removes daily inefficiencies. Appoint department champions to encourage adoption.
Migrating poor data leads to duplicates, broken reports, and missing history. Audit and clean data at least six months before going live. Standardize and deduplicate before migration.
Generic sessions teach features, not real work. Deliver role-based training that mirrors daily tasks, such as creating quotes or processing orders.
Each customization adds cost, risk, and maintenance. Use standard features first and customize only when there is clear, measurable business value.
Projects expand when teams add “one more feature.” Lock the scope after planning. Keep future requests in a separate backlog and deliver phase one first.
Projects lose momentum when leadership is absent. Sponsors must attend key reviews, resolve issues promptly, and clearly communicate the project’s significance.
Each integration adds testing and maintenance time. Prioritize critical integrations first. Add optional ones only after the system has stabilized.
The LevelShift On-demand model gives clients cost predictability and complete control over project spending. Each implementation is unique, as scope, integrations, and readiness shape the costs. Instead of standard vendor packages, LevelShift tailors licensing and resource allocation to actual use, often lowering total cost compared to fixed packages.
Licensing follows a per-user, per-month model based on user type and selected modules. LevelShift ensures you pay only for what you use.
Implementation services are the most significant cost variable. Our on-demand services provide flexible resourcing and clear visibility of every expense. Each phase has a fixed-price proposal with defined outcomes, preventing cost overruns or hidden fees.
Your implementation partner has a direct impact on your project’s success. Evaluate them using the following criteria.
| Evaluation Factor | Questions to Ask |
| Industry experience | How many implementations are there in our industry? Can you share client references? |
| Technical certifications | What Microsoft partner level do you hold? How many certified consultants are on staff? |
| Methodology | How do you manage scope changes and quality control? |
| Post-go-live support | What kind of support and updates do you offer? |
| References | Can we speak with three recent clients? |
| Data migration | How do you ensure data accuracy and test results? |
| Change management | What training and user adoption methods do you use? |
| Customization | When do you recommend custom development vs. configuration? |
Ask detailed questions, request case studies, and confirm ongoing support options before signing a contract.
LevelShift’s methodology emphasizes collaboration over documentation. We work in short cycles—design, build, test, refine—to deliver working solutions faster and ensure absolute user alignment.
Our consultants have an average of over eight years of experience and hold advanced Microsoft certifications. We have delivered complex migrations under tight timelines and budgets.
Our pay-as-you-use model and phase-based pricing give clients precise cost control. Every proposal clearly lists deliverables, ensuring predictable budgets.
We design licensing around actual user needs, not vendor defaults. This approach eliminates waste and ensures every license adds value.
Training reflects your real workflows, not scripted demos. Users learn through the same tasks they perform daily, leading to faster adoption and greater confidence.
After go-live, clients keep on-demand access to senior consultants for reviews, updates, and new features. We perform quarterly health checks and ensure new modules deliver measurable value.
Ready to move forward? Please schedule a consultation. Our experts will assess your environment, align on success metrics, and craft a roadmap that drives real results. Whether you choose a full implementation or a QuickStart engagement, we will help you move faster with clarity and measurable impact.
Yes, but self-deployment often takes longer and costs more due to hidden technical gaps. Partner-led implementations deliver faster results and stronger adoption.
Recovery can cost up to three times the original budget, plus losses from poor data, lower productivity, and delayed operations.
Look for Microsoft Solutions Partner: Business Applications. Consultants should hold certifications such as MB-300 (Dynamics 365 F&O) or MB-210 (Dynamics 365 Sales).
Handle migration in stages: import master data first, move historical records in batches, and run parallel systems during transition. Archive inactive data separately.
Post-implementation customizations are common. Review each one’s impact and user reach before deployment. Schedule changes in quarterly releases, not ad-hoc updates.
Most organizations see measurable gains within six to nine months, such as faster financial closes, fewer manual tasks, and improved accuracy. Full ROI usually comes within 18 to 24 months.
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