Planning for the Dynamics 365 Business Central 2025 Release Wave 1 Update
It’s that time of the year to start planning for a major update to Business Central.
The Business Central 2025 release wave 1 update (v26) promises numerous enhancements and new features, and thorough planning is essential to ensure a smooth transition. This blog will guide you through how major updates roll out, provide a timeline, discuss best practices, and cover testing the update in a sandbox environment.
How Business Central Major Updates Roll Out
Microsoft releases major updates for Business Central twice a year - in April and October. These updates are designed to push new features, improvements, and bug fixes to enhance the functionality and user experience of the system. The rollout process usually follows these steps:
- Announcement: Microsoft announces the upcoming update several months in advance, providing preliminary details on new features and improvements.
- Public Preview: Microsoft makes a public preview available to users, allowing them to explore the new features and test their environment before the official rollout.
- Documentation Release: Comprehensive documentation detailing the new features, changes, and improvements accompanies the public preview.
- Official Release: The update is rolled out to all users, typically over several weeks to ensure stability and address any unforeseen issues.
- Post-Release Support: Microsoft provides ongoing support to help users adapt to the new features and resolve any problems that may arise.
The Timeline for the Business Central 2025 Release Wave 1
The timeline for the update is as follows:
- January 2025:Microsoft announces the upcoming release, highlighting key features and improvements.
- March 2025: Release of the public preview, allowing users to test and provide feedback. This is available right now and can be deployed as a Sandbox.
- March 2025: Comprehensive documentation and support material become available.
- April 2025: Official release, with a phased rollout to ensure stability.
- May-June 2025: Post-release support period to assist users with adaptation and troubleshooting.
Best Practices When Preparing for Updates
To ensure a smooth transition to the new update, consider these best practices:
- Stay Informed: Review the list of features and the expected release timeline.
- Prepare Your Team: Educate your team about the upcoming changes and provide training on new features and functionalities.
- Review Customizations: Evaluate your current customizations and integrations to ensure compatibility with the update.
- Plan Downtime: Schedule the update during minimal activity to reduce the impact on business operations.
- Test Thoroughly: Utilize the public preview and sandbox environments to test the update thoroughly before applying it to your live environment.
Testing the Update in a Sandbox Environment
Testing the update in a sandbox environment is crucial to ensure its compatibility with your existing setup. Here are some steps to follow:
- Create a Sandbox Environment: Set up a sandbox environment that is a copy of your live system.
- Apply the Update: Install the 2025 release wave 1 update in the sandbox to evaluate its impact on your system.
- Test Key Functionalities: Thoroughly test all critical functionalities, including customizations and integrations, to identify any issues.
- Collect Feedback: Gather feedback from your team and users to understand any challenges or improvements needed.
- Resolve Issues: Collaborate with your IT team and Stoneridge support to address any issues encountered during testing.
- Document Findings: Record all findings and adjustments made during the testing phase to inform the live update process.
Planning for the 2025 release wave 1 update of Business Central involves staying informed, preparing your team, and thoroughly testing the update in a sandbox environment. By following these best practices and adhering to the timeline, you can ensure a seamless transition and capitalize on the new features and improvements offered by the update.
Talk to the Stoneridge Experts to Prepare for the Business Central 2025 Release Wave 1 Update
Stoneridge has multiple offerings for managing, coordinating, and handling this process for you. We make it easy to identify the new features and updates that you can use to optimize your business.
Get in touch with us today if you have any questions.
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