How to Migrate from Salesforce to Dynamics 365?

Salesforce is a well known name in the world of customer relationship management but many organisations are finding it no longer meets all their evolving business needs.

Companies compare both Salesforce and Dynamics 365 when evaluating CRM solutions.

As companies grow and digitise further they often need a more integrated platform that connects customer engagement with core operations like finance, supply chain and project management. 

For a company looking to move, Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a compelling alternative. Unlike standalone CRM solutions it brings together ERP and CRM capabilities into one connected ecosystem helping businesses to unify data, reduce complexity and make better decisions. 

If you’re currently using Salesforce but looking to move to Dynamics 365 this article outlines what you need to know, how it works and what to expect along the way.

Before you start the migration it’s important to understand the differences and similarities between the two platforms to ensure a smooth transition. 

What is Dynamics 365? 

Dynamics 365 is Microsoft’s business application platform designed to help organisations streamline business processes and enhance customer relationships.

By combining the strengths of ERP and CRM systems Dynamics 365 provides a unified platform that supports a wide range of business needs – from sales and marketing to finance, supply chain and project management.

Businesses can leverage advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and automation capabilities through Microsoft Power Automate and Power BI to make smarter decisions and improve operational efficiency.

The platform’s seamless integration with other Microsoft products like Office 365 means teams can collaborate and access data easily.

Highly customisable and scalable Dynamics 365 enables organisations to adapt quickly, reduce costs and grow as their needs evolve. 

Why Businesses Migrate from Salesforce to Dynamics 365

While Salesforce is powerful in its own right there are several common reasons why organisations move to Dynamics 365.

When evaluating CRM software options organisations assess which software solution best fits their business needs, deployment preferences and integration requirements.

Many organisations move Salesforce data and operations to Dynamics 365 to achieve cost savings, improved integration and greater scalability. 

• Unified Platform: Dynamics 365 has both CRM (Sales, Marketing, Customer Service) and ERP (Finance, Supply Chain Management, Business Central, Project Operations) in one connected suite. This eliminates data silos and improves visibility across the business.*

• Tighter Integration with Microsoft 365: Dynamics works natively with familiar tools like Outlook, Excel, Teams and SharePoint making day-to-day use more seamless and productive. 

• Flexibility and Scalability: Businesses can adopt individual modules as needed then expand into other areas without needing to bolt on third-party tools. 

• Lower Total Cost of Ownership: Compared to Salesforce and other vendors Dynamics 365 can offer more value for money particularly when factoring in licensing models, implementation costs and the wider Microsoft ecosystem. 

• Better Customisation and Development Options: With Power Platform, Azure and native tools like Power Automate and Power Apps Dynamics 365 provides a rich environment for workflow automation and tailored business apps. 

What Does the Migration Involve? 

Moving from Salesforce to Dynamics 365 involves more than just exporting contacts and importing them elsewhere.

This is a Dynamics 365 migration that requires a structured approach to ensure success across all business areas especially when adopting both CRM and ERP capabilities.

As part of the planning process it’s important to set a clear go live date to coordinate tasks and prepare for a smooth system launch.

The process typically includes:

1. Discovery and Planning

2. Data Mapping and Cleansing

3. Platform Configuration

4. Data Migration (This is the actual migration phase where data is moved between systems.)

5. Process Alignment

6. Existing Systems Integration

7. Testing and Validation

8. Training and Change Management

9. Go-live and Post-Go-live Support

Let’s look at each of these stages in more detail.

1. Discovery and Planning 

Before doing anything technical it’s essential to understand what systems, processes and data you currently rely on. This includes:

• Salesforce modules and customisations in use
• Other systems integrated with Salesforce (e.g. accounting, marketing, helpdesk)
• Existing workflows, reporting requirements and security roles
• What the target state in Microsoft Dynamics 365 will look like
• Reviewing the existing system’s infrastructure and data quality

This is also the time to assess whether you’ll implement just Dynamics 365 CRM modules (Sales, Marketing, Service) or combine them with ERP solutions like Business Central or Finance & Operations depending on your operational needs.

A detailed discovery phase sets the foundation for a successful transition and helps define the scope, timelines and resource requirements.

As part of this phase plan how you will export data from Salesforce, considering available tools and methods to ensure a smooth Dynamics 365 migration.

2. Data Mapping and Cleansing 

Data from Salesforce — including accounts, contacts, leads, opportunities, cases, activities and custom entities — needs to be mapped to the correct structures in Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Before migration it’s essential to thoroughly review and prepare your existing data to ensure data integrity and accuracy.

Exporting Salesforce data is a key step in this process as it allows you to work with the datasets that will be migrated.

This process typically involves:

• Cleaning out obsolete or duplicate data
• Validating and cleaning existing data to ensure data accuracy and integrity
• Standardising fields and naming conventions
• Mapping custom fields or objects to new destinations
• Deciding what historical data to migrate (all or just recent)

By investing time in proper data preparation you can avoid carrying over unnecessary clutter and ensure accurate reporting and compliance after go-live. Before proceeding verify that all necessary Salesforce data has been exported correctly.

3. Platform Configuration 

Unlike Salesforce which often relies heavily on third-party apps and custom development Dynamics 365 includes a lot of functionality out of the box.

When mapping data fields to Microsoft Dynamics 365 it’s important to understand the Salesforce interface as its data management tools and export options can impact how information is transferred and configured.

Configuration involves:

• Setting up business units, teams, roles and permissions
• Customising forms, views and dashboards
• Automating processes with workflows or Power Automate
• Integrating with Microsoft Outlook, SharePoint, Teams and Excel
• If relevant tailoring ERP modules like Business Central to match your finance, inventory or project workflows

Dynamics 365 is a comprehensive tool for business operations integrating sales, AI and operational features beyond basic CRM capabilities.

You can also take advantage of Dynamics 365’s AI and analytics tools, such as Relationship Insights, Sales Forecasting and Customer Voice to enhance visibility and decision making.

4. Data Migration 

Using tools such as KingswaySoft, Scribe or the Microsoft Data Migration Framework your cleaned and mapped data is imported into Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Migrating customer data accurately is critical to ensure business continuity and prevent disruptions to your operations. 

This phase includes: 

• Validating data formats and structures* Testing sample imports 

• Full data loads 

• Data verification

It’s often a good idea to run the migration in a staging environment first to identify any issues before going live. 

5. Process Alignment and Optimisation 

Now is the time to review and improve your internal processes, including a thorough review of existing integrations and planning for new integrations with Dynamics 365.

Think about how your previous Salesforce integration supported your workflows and decide if these connections should be replaced or improved in Dynamics 365 to ensure data flow and maximise business benefits.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 has native capabilities that may replace some of the custom developments or third-party apps you used in Salesforce. 

Also the native integration between Dynamics 365 and Microsoft tools will make your teams work more efficient and cohesive in one environment. 

For example: 

• Lead scoring and pipeline management 

• Email and campaign automation 

• Case routing and SLA management 

• Finance and supply chain automation through ERP modules

This will lead to more standardised, efficient and scalable processes across departments. 

6. Existing Systems Integration 

Integrating your existing systems with Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a key part of the migration process to ensure business continuity during and after the transition.

This means connecting your current CRM, ERP and other business applications to Dynamics 365 so data can flow and synchronise across platforms.

Microsoft has various integration tools and services like APIs, connectors and adapters to help with this process. By integrating existing systems you can eliminate data silos, reduce manual data entry and increase operational efficiency.

Real-time data sharing will give all stakeholders access to accurate and up-to-date information to make better decisions and business continuity. Planning and execution of system integration is crucial to a smooth transition and minimising business disruption. 

7. Testing and Validation 

End-to-end testing is required before going live. This includes: 

• Workflow and automation testing* UAT 

• Role-based security testing 

• Data validation checks

Any issues can be fixed before full rollout and business disruption and user frustration. 

8. Training and Change Management 

A new platform will change the way teams work. Even if Microsoft Dynamics 365 is more intuitive or better for you, change is still change. 

Training and communication is key. This might include: 

• Role-based training sessions 

• On-demand resources and user guides 

• Internal champions or super users* Post go-live feedback sessions 

Dynamics 365’s integration with familiar Microsoft tools helps reduce the learning curve for many users. 

9. Go-live and Support 

Once testing is complete and users are trained, you can go live. Most organisations go live in stages, especially when combining CRM and ERP. 

A support plan should be in place for at least the first few weeks to address user queries, unexpected issues and system adjustments. 

Ongoing system improvements, new feature rollouts and user feedback loops will help you get the most out of your investment over time. 

Migrating from Salesforce to Dynamics 365 is a strategic opportunity to simplify operations, unify customer and business data and take advantage of the modern, integrated Microsoft ecosystem. 

It’s not a lift-and-shift, but with the right planning and expert support the transition can deliver measurable benefits, from improved sales productivity and customer insight to more connected financial and operational control. 

At Mercurius IT, we’ve helped businesses of all sizes with CRM and ERP transformations. Whether you’re looking to replace Salesforce with Dynamics 365 Sales or implement a full suite including Business Central or Supply Chain Management we can help you plan and execute a migration that aligns with your goals. 

Get in touch with Mercurius IT to discuss your Salesforce-to-Dynamics 365 migration and start planning a smoother, more connected future for your business. 

Best Practices and Lessons Learned 

A successful migration from Salesforce to Microsoft Dynamics 365 is all about following best practices and learning from others. Careful planning is key—start with thorough data cleansing to remove duplicates and outdated information, so only high quality data is migrated.

Accurate data mapping and comprehensive system testing will ensure data integrity and prevent missing or inconsistent data in the new system.

Prioritise user adoption through targeted user training and clear communication so your team are comfortable and productive with Microsoft Dynamics 365 from day one.

Monitor the migration closely so you can identify and address any issues early, reduce costs and minimise risks.

By following these practices and continuously evaluating your approach you can have a smooth transition from Salesforce to Dynamics 365 and get the most out of your new solution. 

Conclusion and Next Steps 

Migrating from Salesforce to Dynamics 365 is a big project that requires careful planning, data integrity and user adoption.

By following best practices, using the available resources and investing in comprehensive user training you can ensure a smooth transition and get the most out of your new system.

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the Dynamics 365 migration process is key to identifying opportunities for improvement and long term success.

As you move forward consider partnering with experts like Mercurius IT to guide you through the whole process from planning to post-migration support.

With the right approach you can reduce costs, increase efficiency and drive growth by getting the most out of Dynamics 365.