Dynamics F/SCM Customer Experience (CRM) Dynamics GP Dynamics Business Central (NAV) Dynamics SL Power Platform Fabric Copilot

[Imran Khan]

Hello,

In NAV 2016, I would like to create a new (test) company in same database and export just master data and import the data in the same company. I have tried export to data file and import to data file feature but it requires to rename the existing company. I do not want to rename any companies I just want to create a new company. 

Thanks

——————————
Imran Khan

——————————

[Joe Shields]

I use the RapidStart Services Configuration Packages for this.

You can just setup a configuration package with the tables for the master data you need to copy.

Then you can just make a new company and use the Configuration Package to export the data from the source company and import the master data into the new company.

Once you have that step done if you are going to be doing a lot of testing / making new companies with that master data, I would recommend using the Copy Company feature to make a copy and save one company as just a template company.

——————————
Joe Shields
Advanced Media Technologies
——————————
——————————————-

[Kris Ruyeras]

Does it need to be in the same NAV instance? I typically just create a new NAV TEST instance from a backed up PROD.

——————————
Kristoffer Ruyeras
Director of Business Technology
Bellegrove Medical Supply
Redmond, WA
——————————
——————————————-

[Sue Barrett]

I also use RapidStart and would recommend it.  We are implementing about 8 companies at the moment and I have used a MASTER company to finalise all the configuration.  

I created a MASTER RapidStart package and then created all my companies and imported the MASTER RapidStart package to each company.  You typically have to apply the data twice as there are often table dependencies that are not able to validate in the first apply.  

Once we have completed our testing – the same approach will be used to move each company – no transactions – to the LIVE environment.  This way I know I have exactly the same configuration & setup tables that I am moving to LIVE,

Big fan of RapidStart – but it does have its “Navisms”.

——————————
Sue Barrett
Consultant
UK
——————————
——————————————-

[Ben Baxter]

With NAV 2016, you can use the base functionality to copy companies.  Do a search for Companies, select the company you wish to copy, and hit Copy.  It will then ask for the new name.  This will create an exact replica of your existing company (which includes transactions).  You would then use the delete transactions processes to clear out what you don’t want.  The end result is an identical company with no transactions.

Please be careful with the delete functionalities.  You want to be 100% certain you are in the right company, and deleting the right transactions.  With great power comes great responsibility.

Best Regards,

——————————
Ben Baxter
Consultant
Accent Software, Inc.
Carmel IN
——————————
——————————————-

[Jason Nicolaou]

Ben I like your technique.  I would suggest copying one of your companies, deleting the transactions, then making the “clean” company that you just created the template.  Then when you have to make new companies you copy the template and skip the deletion of the transactions.  Unlimited companies in NAV is a great tool.

Good Luck!

——————————
Jason Nicolaou
Solutions Architect
Socius
Dublin OH
——————————
——————————————-

[Sue Barrett]

Hi Ben,
Where are the “delete transactions processes” that you are referring to?

——————————
Sue Barrett
Consultant
Sudbury
——————————
——————————————-

[Ben Baxter]

I HIGHLY recommend you talk to your Partner before even looking in the below area of NAV.

I also recommend you talk to your CIO/IT Manager/Etc. prior to proceeding.

Lastly, this would require you have the appropriate security permissions to access.  Remember, just because you can access this functionality DOES NOT mean you should use it.  Please discuss this both internally and externally before using any of these tools.

Departments > Administration > IT Administration > Data Deletion

——————————
Ben Baxter
Consultant
Accent Software, Inc.
Carmel IN
——————————
——————————————-

[Ramin Marghi]

One caveat to all of the above suggestions, especially with copying companies in the Companies page: copying massive amounts of data does result in table-locking! The larger the database, the longer the process takes, and so the longer the lockout. So, if you’re copying a production/live company, users might not be able to post or write any data to the DB.

Particularly companies that have high volumes of inventory transactions, the above process can take quite a long time. Be sure to perform these mass data functions after-hours or during scheduled “downtime”, when users should consider NAV to be “read-only”.

Just my two cents.

——————————
Ramin Marghi , CPA, CGA
NAV Finance Consultant
Catapult
VANCOUVER BC
——————————
——————————————-