Windows Server and SQL Upgrade
With deep specialization in Dynamics AX, our mission is clear: to optimize, improve, and ensure that your Dynamics AX solution effectively supports your business, no matter what customizations you have made.
We are highly committed to extending the lifespan of Axapta and Dynamics AX. Over many years, we have built significant expertise, enabling us to upgrade Axapta and Dynamics AX to the latest Windows and SQL versions.
This ensures that your solution is always at the forefront of security and performance. And we don’t just talk theoretically – we have concrete “Proof of Concept” on several combinations. By contacting us, you can get references on these running installations. Below is a list of combinations on running Axapta and Dynamics AX solutions.
| Version | SQL version | Windows version |
| Axapta 2.5 | Microsoft SQL server 2022 | Microsoft Windows server 2022 |
| Axapta 3.0 | Microsoft SQL server 2022 | Microsoft Windows server 2022 |
| Axapta 4.0 | Microsoft SQL server 2019 | Microsoft Windows server 2019 |
| Dynamics AX2009 | Microsoft SQL Server 2019 | Microsoft Windows server 2019 |
| Dynamics AX2009 | Microsoft SQL server 2019 | Microsoft Windows server 2022 |
| Dynamics AX2009 | Microsoft SQL server 2022 | Microsoft Windows server 2022 |
| Dynamics AX2012 R3 | Microsoft SQL server 2022 | Microsoft Windows server 2022 |
When will the old versions of Axapta expire?
No, at least not until 2031. By that time, we will likely have experience upgrading to even newer versions. In other words, we extend the life of your AX.
Security and Stability
A very important parameter is security and stability. Running on an old Windows version, it is essential to upgrade to a version that still receives security updates and support. We recommend upgrading the SQL server, AOS server(s), report server(s), file server(s), and execution server(s) to the latest Windows Server version, e.g., Windows Server 2022 or Windows Server 2025. AX clients can also run fine on Windows 10 and Windows 11, although we recommend running the clients centrally rather than locally.
We do not recommend “In place” upgrading the servers to a new OS, but instead installing new servers. This reduces the risk of errors and ensures everything runs optimally from the start. It’s also easier to ensure that all security measures are correctly implemented.
With the ever-increasing risk of hacker attacks, the importance of security has not diminished. Therefore, it is crucial to have a supported Microsoft Server version that continuously delivers security patches. Besides security, stability is also critical. An upgrade can improve the system’s reliability and reduce downtime, which is crucial for business operations.
When do Microsoft Windows Server versions expire?
| Windows server version | Expiry date |
| Windows server 2003 | 14. July 2015 |
| Windows server 2008 | 14. January 2020 |
| Windows server 2012 | 10. October 2023 |
| Windows server 2016 | 12. January 2027 |
| Windows server 2019 | 9. January 2029 |
| Windows server 2022 | 14. October 2031 |
| Windows server 2025 | Not yet released |
See more details on learn.microsoft.com.
The same applies to Microsoft SQL Server versions. Many old SQL versions often perform poorly, and with new versions, better performance can be achieved. It is also essential to have a version that still receives updates, so security can be top-notch.
Expiry Dates for Microsoft SQL server versions
| SQL Version | Expiry Date |
| Microsoft SQL server 2005 | 12. April 2016 |
| Microsoft SQL server 2012 | 12. July 2022 |
| Microsoft SQL server 2016 | 14. July 2026 |
| Microsoft SQL server 2019 | 8. January 2030 |
| Microsoft SQL server 2022 | 11. January 2033 |
See more details on learn.microsoft.com.
At Northvision, we have 25 years of AX experience and extensive experience upgrading Axapta and Dynamics AX to the latest Windows and SQL versions. This has made us experts in this field. In other words, we are committed to keeping security and performance at their best.
We have extensive experience upgrading very old SQL versions to SQL2019 and SQL2022. We also have many years of experience upgrading old Oracle databases on Axapta version 2.5. Our expertise makes it possible to ensure that your systems run optimally and securely, regardless of age and complexity.
What is the process for an update?
We always recommend conducting a pre-analysis to provide an estimate of how much such a project will cost in terms of hours. In the pre-analysis, we get an overview of the servers, integrations, and who is responsible for which tasks.
The tasks in the process typically include installing new servers, installing SQL including security setup, setting up maintenance plans, installing AX, copying data, installing third-party products, structured testing of integrations, user testing, pre-go-live tasks, and the final go-live with data migration. Each phase of the project is closely monitored to ensure everything goes as planned and any issues are quickly and effectively resolved.
Contact Northvision, and we can review the options available for your installation. We ensure that you can extend the lifespan of your Axapta and Dynamics AX solution. Our goal is to give you peace of mind by ensuring that your systems are secure, stable, and always up to date with the latest technologies.