Why Choose JacRox for Your Data Conversion?
We’ve handled hundreds of migrations over the years – from straightforward single-entity Sage files to multi-currency, multi-company Navision setups that other firms turned away. Our team knows where the gotchas hide, and we’ve built processes to catch problems before they reach your live Xero account.
Every conversion is different. A sole trader moving from a spreadsheet is a world apart from a group of companies on Dynamics NAV. That’s why we start with a proper scoping call, not a generic quote. We’ll look at your current system, understand what data matters, and give you a clear plan with a fixed price before any work begins.
Systems We Convert From
We’ve migrated data into Xero from just about everything:
- Sage 50, Sage 200 and Sage Business Cloud (including multi-currency)
- QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online
- Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision) and Business Central
- FreeAgent, Kashflow, Clearbooks
- Excel and Google Sheets
- Sovereign, TAS Books, VT Software
- Manual and paper-based records
If your system isn’t listed, get in touch anyway. Chances are we’ve seen it before.
Navision and Microsoft Dynamics Conversions
This is one of our specialities. A growing number of UK businesses are moving away from Navision (now called Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central) and onto Xero. The reasons are usually the same: rising licence costs, expensive consultants for every small change, and a system that’s far more complex than what the business actually needs.
Why Businesses Leave Navision for Xero
Navision was built for large enterprises. For many UK SMEs, it’s overkill. Annual licence and support costs can run into tens of thousands of pounds, and you often need a certified partner just to tweak a report or add a field. Xero gives you proper cloud accounting – accessible from anywhere, with automatic bank feeds, MTD-compliant VAT filing, and an app marketplace that covers most of what those expensive Navision customisations were doing.
The shift to Making Tax Digital has pushed things along too. HMRC now requires digital record-keeping for VAT and will extend this to Income Tax from April 2026. Xero handles all of this natively. With Navision, you’re often bolting on third-party bridging software just to stay compliant.
What We Migrate
A Navision-to-Xero conversion typically includes:
- Chart of accounts – mapped and simplified from Navision’s often bloated GL structure into something that actually makes sense in Xero
- Customer and supplier records – contact details, payment terms, outstanding balances
- Open invoices and credit notes – so your aged debtor and creditor reports are accurate from day one
- Historical transactions – we’ll discuss how far back you need to go (usually 2-3 years for comparison reporting)
- Fixed asset register – asset values, depreciation schedules, and disposal history
- Bank reconciliation data – so you’re not starting from scratch
We won’t migrate data you don’t need. Navision databases often contain years of redundant dimensions, archived entries, and custom tables that have no equivalent in Xero. We’ll help you decide what to bring across and what to archive.
Navision Migration Challenges (and How We Handle Them)
Navision conversions aren’t like moving from Sage or QuickBooks. They’re more involved, and there are a few specific challenges we see regularly:
Complex GL structures. Navision lets you create dimensions, cost centres, and department codes in ways Xero doesn’t support natively. We remap these into Xero tracking categories and, where needed, restructure the chart of accounts so your management reporting still works.
Custom modules and reports. Many Navision installations have bespoke modules – custom approval workflows, industry-specific posting routines, tailored reports. We audit these before migration and identify Xero app equivalents or manual workarounds so nothing falls through the cracks.
Multi-entity setups. Groups running several companies through one Navision database need careful planning. Xero uses separate organisations per entity, so we set up the right structure, migrate each company’s data independently, and configure consolidation reporting through tools like Syft Analytics or Xero HQ.
Data volume. Navision databases can be enormous – millions of ledger entries going back a decade or more. We extract and transform the data in stages, validating totals at each step rather than doing one massive import and hoping for the best.
Our Approach to Navision Migrations
We follow a phased process that’s been refined over dozens of Navision projects:
- Discovery and scoping. We review your Navision setup – how many companies, what modules you use, your reporting requirements, and your timeline. You get a detailed proposal with a fixed price.
- Data extraction and mapping. We export your data from Navision using SQL queries or RapidStart packages, then map it to Xero’s structure. You’ll review and approve the mapping before we import anything.
- Test migration. We run a full trial import into a sandbox Xero org. You check the numbers, flag any issues, and we adjust. Most projects need two or three test runs.
- Parallel running. For a period (usually 2-4 weeks), you’ll run both systems side by side. This lets your team get comfortable with Xero while we verify everything matches.
- Go-live and cutover. Once you’re happy, we do the final data sync, close Navision, and switch over. We handle the last bank reconciliation in both systems so there’s a clean break.
- Training and support. Your team gets hands-on Xero training tailored to their roles. We don’t just show you around the menus – we train you on the specific workflows you’ll use day to day. And we’re on call for the first month if anything comes up.
Multi-Currency Conversions
If you’re dealing in euros, dollars or other currencies, we’ve got you covered. Multi-currency conversions are one of the trickiest parts of any migration, and it’s an area where we’ve built up serious expertise. We make sure:
- Exchange rates are correctly mapped for each historical transaction
- Foreign currency sales, purchases and bank accounts are set up properly in Xero
- Opening balances reflect the right values in each currency
- Your reporting handles currency conversions accurately going forward
Our Conversion Process
1. Scoping Call
We start with a proper conversation about your current system, what data you need in Xero, and any specific requirements. This isn’t a sales pitch – it’s a technical discussion so we can give you an accurate quote.
2. Data Extraction and Cleansing
We pull the relevant data from your existing system and clean it up. Duplicate suppliers, miscoded transactions, orphaned entries – we sort all of that out before it goes anywhere near Xero.
3. Import and Validation
The cleaned data goes into Xero in a controlled sequence. We validate account balances, transaction totals, and tax codes at every stage. If something doesn’t add up, we find out why before moving on.
4. Quality Checks
We reconcile the converted data against your source system right down to individual transactions. Trial balances, aged debtor and creditor reports, VAT returns – everything gets checked.
5. Training and Handover
Once the data is verified, we train your team on Xero. We also provide documentation specific to your setup and offer ongoing support while you settle in.
Get a Tailored Quote
Every conversion is priced based on the complexity of your data, the system you’re coming from, and how much history you need to bring across. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote – we’ll scope it properly and give you a fixed price before any work starts.
Get in touch or call us on 0161 832 4451 to discuss your conversion.
