Key Takeaways
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Dynamics AX requires costly, disruptive upgrades and no longer receives Microsoft updates or security patches.
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Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management (F&SCM) replaces large upgrades with predictable, continuous cloud updates.
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Staying on AX increases security, compliance, and operational risk as Microsoft sunsets the product.
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A fixed-price AX upgrade removes commercial uncertainty and reduces implementation risk.
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Moving to Dynamics 365 enables automation, AI capabilities, and long-term scalability for enterprise operations.
The worst thing about implementing technology is that it will always be out of date….
at least that used to be the case.
Since Dynamics 365 F&SCM was released, cloud infrastructure has allowed for updates to be adopted consistently throughout multiple roll outs through the year, including major functionality changes every 6 months and minor patches available more frequently. Dynamics AX as a ERP for Enterprises was perfectly fit into the market, allowing Microsoft customers to extend their investments and link them together, while targeting growth businesses and providing them with a solid base of operations. However, like most systems pre-2016, it required large upgrades every few years to add new functionality that created disruption and additional cost.
Fortunately, there is good news if you are still on AX, in that you only go through one of these large upgrades one more time! Once on the Dynamics 365 platform, these updates are far more manageable, low cost and provide quick return on investment as you constantly benefit from Microsoft’s investment in increased functionality.
Still running Dynamics AX?
Understand the cost, risk, and timeline of moving to Dynamics 365 F&SCM with a fixed-price approach.
Companies that are still looking to upgrade can now take advantage of Mercurius IT’s fixed price upgrades, something we have been offering for over 10 years and proven to give commercial certainty and remove risk while upgrading, improving speed of implementation and providing a focused plan for rolling out globally.
While many businesses may think that it’s just not worth the cost to move over to Dynamics 365 F&SCM from AX, there are a few key themes we always work through with our customers to ensure they are making the correct operational decisions:
- Cost of Upgrading & Licensing VS Increasing Maintenance Costs – While we understand there is still a significant investment required, AX will only continue to become more expensive to maintain over the next few years as Microsoft continues to sunset the AX product
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Risk of Security breach – AX versions have now hit the end of the Fixed Lifestyle Policy, which means that businesses are no longer entitled to any updates, security patches, or enhancements to the solution. Partners can provide some support for issues, however the risk of revenue loss or significant cost to rectify security issues could have been better invested into a new solution.
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Operational automation efficiency of new functionality – AI, AI, AI – the buzzword of the past few years, but the reality is that businesses on newer versions of Dynamics can utilise and explore how this technology can improve their operations, then being able to take advantage of the additional functionality that will be added in the years to come.
- Unable to fulfil growth plans – With no new functionality coming to AX, onboarding any new companies onto this can be troublesome, there are fewer organisations around that can and will assist with this work and outdated functions may hinder additional entities moving from a smaller but newer solution.
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Falling further behind the competition who can leverage new technology
– Organisations that are using newer technologies will have a significant advantage over those who don’t, the ability to streamline operations, focus on revenue growing strategies rather than cost saving and utilising existing spend more efficiently, not only the technology usage but also staff usage who no longer have to spend time doing mundane admin tasks and focus on business growth.
At Mercurius IT we offer a fixed price AX upgrade, to allow for a smooth and risk-free transition to Dynamics Finance & Supply Chain Management. We offer a quick and free estimation that will allow you to understand what this may cost your organisation.
Should you wish to discuss this further, we can assist you in your organisation’s requirements!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the risks of staying on Dynamics AX?
Dynamics AX has reached the end of Microsoft’s Fixed Lifecycle Policy, meaning no security patches, updates, or enhancements. This increases the risk of security breaches, rising maintenance costs, and operational disruption.
Why is Dynamics 365 F&SCM different from AX upgrades?
Unlike AX, Dynamics 365 F&SCM uses a cloud-based model with frequent, manageable updates. This removes the need for large, disruptive upgrades and allows organisations to benefit continuously from Microsoft’s investment.
Is upgrading from AX to Dynamics 365 a one-time major change?
Yes. Organisations only need to complete one final major upgrade when moving from AX to Dynamics 365. After that, updates are incremental, predictable, and lower risk.
How does a fixed-price AX upgrade reduce risk?
A fixed-price upgrade provides commercial certainty by defining scope, cost, and timelines upfront. This helps organisations control budgets, reduce implementation risk, and plan global rollouts more effectively.
Does Dynamics 365 support enterprise growth better than AX?
Yes. Dynamics 365 F&SCM is designed for scalable, multi-entity operations and supports automation, AI-driven functionality, and ongoing innovation that AX can no longer provide.
Plan Your Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 Upgrade with Confidence