Microsoft Dynamics GP is Going End of Life in September 2029. What’s your Migration Strategy?

Microsoft has announced officially that Dynamics GP (Great Plains) as End of Life on the 30th of September 2029 (with security patches ending on the 30th of April 2031).

This gives Microsoft Dynamics GP customers 5 years to start, plan, and complete the migration to a new platform.

What Does this mean for a Dynamics GP Customer?

Immediately, there is no need to panic or rush into a migration. In line with published updates, Microsoft will release major updates every Autumn (around October), and minor updates in the Summer. The last ‘major’ update for GP will be in October 2028.

So, what does this mean for you? While your system will not shut down overnight, it does mean Microsoft will start to inevitably reduce resources for Dynamics GP, and this will result in reduced innovation and fewer (if any) new features. We think Microsoft will move quickly into maintenance mode on Dynamics GP after the next release in October 2024. We’re learning that Microsoft have already reduced the number of resources available to support Dynamics GP partners, we’ve experienced this ourselves in seeking support from Fargo for GP.

What does this mean for your Dynamics GP Implementation?

There is still time to the final date, but we recommend you start your planning to move off Dynamics GP. This will give you time and allow you to work around your other projects and it let you work with your BAU monthly/quarterly/annual accounting processes.

Microsoft doesn’t officially release customer numbers; we estimate there to be around 900 customers relying on Dynamics GP for their accounting function in the UK (~30,000 globally).

The combination of a large number of migrations away from Dynamics GP, and a limited number of remaining active Dynamics GP partners in the UK could impact your timings and plans, and in addition, your potential costs too if you wait close to the end date.

Our advice, plan ahead for your migration so you’re not trapped into either high rates for the work, or compromising your schedules to complete your migration.

Many of our Dynamics GP clients are successful long-term users of the system – the youngest implementation we have is 10 years old! Whilst some GP users will continue to use beyond the end-of-life date, we do not recommend it – these customers went through a system migration between 10 and 20 years ago, when security issues were far less, and much easier to guard against. Today’s IT needs software to be updated continually to ensure your data and systems stay secure and protected against cyber-attacks.

Why Now is The Time to Migrate from Dynamics GP?

While Dynamics GP has served many businesses well for decades, now is the time to think about upgrading to a modern, cloud-based solution that will better suit today’s fast-paced, interconnected digital environment. Clinging to outdated software like Dynamics GP can inhibit your company’s growth, limit efficiency, and potentially expose you to security risks.

Our cloud-based Dynamics 365 Business Central customers are already winning in the running costs race compared to our on-premises customers. Business Central SaaS customers enjoy two major updates (Wave I in April and Wave II in October), and 10 minor monthly updates included in their subscription. Minor updates are deployed automatically, and two major updates per year need a day’s consulting fees for our support team to test and deploy both these for you.

By transitioning now, you can streamline operations, improve reporting and analytics, and capitalise on new opportunities with a more modern platform.

What are your options?

When moving away from Microsoft GP, businesses have a range of options. Below are the most popular paths:

1. Upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Microsoft’s natural successor to GP is Dynamics 365 Business Central, a powerful, cloud-based ERP solution. Dynamics 365 offers several benefits, such as:

Cloud Accessibility: Work from anywhere with cloud-based access to your data. Business Central works on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets. All you need is a browser or the Business Central App to work.

Seamless Integrations: Connect easily with Microsoft 365 apps (like Excel, Teams, Power BI, Power Automate, Dynamics 365 CRM) as well as third-party apps like Salesforce, HubSpot, Concur, BambooHR and your cloud-based front-of-house apps.

Scalability: Tailor the system to grow with your business and adapt to changing requirements. Microsoft looks after performance, so you can add workloads and users easily and speedily with just the cost of monthly licencing.

AI & Automation: Benefit from Copilot AI-driven insights, automation, and predictive analytics to enhance decision-making. This will only grow with the release of Copilot for Finance from Microsoft.

If you are using Office365, transitioning to Dynamics 365 is a logical move for you. It starts with a unified login to Business Central, simple licence management from the one Microsoft portal, immediate inheritance of your cloud security policies like multi factor authentication. It provides enhanced functionality, integration with modern tools, and continual access to ongoing innovation from Microsoft. Their ‘cloud-first, mobile-first’ policy means Dynamics 365 and especially Business Central stays at the forefront of innovation.

2. Stick with GP for the Time Being (with Caution)

We do not recommend this as a long-term strategy, some businesses will opt to continue using GP for a few more years, and possibly beyond end of life. If this is your plan, make sure you:

Prioritise Security: Keep your system up to date with the latest security patches and watch for vulnerabilities.

Evaluate Integration Gaps: Identify any software you currently use (or plan to use) that may not integrate well with GP and work out workarounds or processes that will keep your business running.

Develop an Exit Plan: Even if you’re not ready to move yet, it’s crucial to begin planning your eventual migration to avoid rushing when the time comes.

How to Plan for a Smooth Transition from Great Plains ?

A smooth transition from Microsoft GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central needs a meticulous planned and executed strategy. Here are some key steps to guide your organisation through the process:

1. Conduct a Needs Assessment

Your current Dynamics GP system was implemented years ago, and businesses evolve.

Good planning at the time of your DynGP implementation ensured it served you successfully for many years. Repeat this planning to evaluate your current pain points, desired outcomes, and consider the long-term business goals that Business Central can help you achieve.

This will help you identify the features and functionality you need for the next decade. One benefit of a cloud-based SaaS application is that it evolves rapidly to meet business and regulatory requirements.

2. Select the Right Partner

Dynamics GP has been an excellent ERP system for mid-market customers. If you’re going to migrate to Business Central, a partner like City Dynamics that implements and supports both DynGP and Business Central will be better at advising you and translating your GP requirements into Business Central. We are bilingual and speak both GP and BC!

We started working with Business Central from the first cloud version under the D365 Finance, Business Edition name (which was rebranded to Business Central in April 2018 as Microsoft completed their build of this SaaS ERP app).

City Dynamics can simplify the process of implementing your new finance solution, we have migrated multiple Great Plains to Business Central migrations, including our oldest DynGP customer (who implemented Dynamics GP in 1994!).

We will will guide you through presales demos, commercials to migration, the full implementation process, including design, configuration training, UAT and data cutover to go live in Business Central. Our projects typically last 12-16 weeks for these migrations.

3. Prepare for Data Migration

Migrating multiple years of historical data from GP to Business Central can be time consuming. To help the process, ensure your data is as clean as possible and well-organised. We have three strategic migration strategies we have developed for our Dynamics GP customers moving to BC and can discuss and plan your migration to suit your data migration from GP to BC.

4. Train Your Team

Any ERP transition will come with a learning curve. Plan for and provide thorough training and support for your employees to ensure they are comfortable with the new system and can take full advantage of its capabilities. We find recording sessions using Teams is a fantastic way for the team to refresh when needed, and to help new staff learn Business Central speedily.

5. Implement Gradually

A phased implementation can help your team absorb modern technology and minimise the risk of operational disruptions. Start with core features and scale gradually, plan out your roadmap for the full implementation, and share it with the team so they’re aware when they’ll be able to use the technology they need.

Don’t Wait to Future-Proof Your Business!

The end of life for Microsoft GP is a critical moment for your business. While it may seem daunting to transition away from a familiar system, now is the time to embrace a modern ERP solution like Business Central that will help you stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Whether you choose Dynamics 365, explore alternative ERP platforms, or stick with GP a little longer, the key is to act strategically and plan for the future.

By moving forward with a well-chosen, future-proof ERP solution, your business can unlock new levels of AI powered efficiency, insight, and growth for the years ahead.

Need help with your Microsoft GP transition? We are here to guide you through the process and ensure a smooth, successful migration to D365 Business Central for your business.

“Having used Dynamics GP for over nearly three decades, we were deeply familiar with its capabilities and intricacies. The thought of migrating to a new system was daunting. However, City Dynamics made the transition to Dynamics 365 Business Central seamless and stress-free. Their expertise and support ensured that our operations continued smoothly without any disruption. We are now enjoying the enhanced features and flexibility of Business Central, thanks to the meticulous planning and execution by the City Dynamics team".

Hansa Patel Finance Director

Watch the Exclusive: Dynamics GP September 2029 Timeline Interview with Mike Morton, Microsoft, VP of Dynamics 365 BC and SMB.

In this “Dynamics GP Special Report,” John Siefert, CEO, Dynamics Communities and Community Summit NA, and Mike Morton, VP of Dynamics 365 BC and SMB, Microsoft, discuss the timeline for the ending support of Dynamics GP, including the rationale and plan to assist users and partners through their transitions.

Can customers download security updates for their existing Dynamics GP environment after April 30, 2031?

For customers on the current version of Dynamics GP (currently v18.6), Microsoft does not expect to create additional security updates beyond April 30, 2031. For customers on a legacy version of Dynamics GP covered by the Fixed Lifecycle Policy (GP 2018 R2 or earlier), support ends on the dates published on the Microsoft lifecycle website (see https://microsoft.com/lifecycle), which are sooner than April 30, 2031. In either case, current policy permits customers with an active Service Plan (e.g., AP) to download previously released security updates for their version of Dynamics GP, even if such download occurs after the applicable end of support date(s) for that version. Policies are subject to change.

Can customers add users to their existing Dynamics GP perpetual or subscription environments beyond September 30, 2029, or April 30, 2031?

Currently customers with an active Service Plan (e.g., AP) may purchase additional user licenses for their existing system, even if such purchase occurs after the applicable end of support date(s). Policies are subject to change.

Can customers purchase Service Plans beyond September 30, 2029?

Currently customers may renew their Service Plans (e.g., EP, AP, Advantage Plans) beyond their end of support date(s), however, product support benefits including upgrades and incident support are not provided by such plans beyond end of support dates as described in the first question of these FAQs. See Microsoft Services and Support Policy Guide (PSBC log-in required) for which benefits are available before and after end of support dates. Policies are subject to change.

Will Extended Security Updates (ESUs) be offered?

Extended Security Updates or ESUs (which provide critical security updates beyond end of support) are not expected to be offered for Dynamics GP products.

Can customers using Dynamics GP continue to use the product beyond its end of support date?

Customers with a perpetual license for Dynamics GP may continue using their licensed solution beyond its end of support date, however, use of a then-unsupported product is not recommended. Currently customers with a subscription license for Dynamics GP are not blocked from renewing their subscription license on Dynamics GP’s end of support date, but doing so is not recommended as the product would no longer be supported. Permitting such continued use will be reviewed and may change.

Will Service Plans end on September 30, 2029?

Partners should engage with their customers to develop a migration plan which considers any renewal date considerations. Currently Service Plans (e.g., EP) are available beyond end of support dates, although many benefits (e.g., upgrades) do not extend beyond the end of support dates as described in the first question of these FAQs. See Microsoft Services and Support Policy Guide (PSBC log-in required) for benefits available before and after the end of support dates. Policies are subject to change.

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How can I create a compelling business case for Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central transition?

Every customer has unique migration requirements. Microsoft’s AIM program provides a framework and tools for partners to guide their customers through the migration process. For more information, visit the AIM Migration page. Two resources that can be useful in developing a migration business case are the Forrester TEI report (which details the business benefits and cost savings from use of Dynamics 365 Business Central) and Forrester’s Business Central ROI calculator.

Will Microsoft offer special pricing, promotions, or incentives to reduce customers’ migration costs?

Microsoft offers several promotions for customers transitioning from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central (online). Partners should review content on the AIM Migration page. In addition, customers with a Dynamics GP perpetual license and active Service Plan currently can transition to a Dynamics 365 Business Central on-premises license at no additional charge. Policies are subject to change.

Can customers with highly customized Dynamics GP environments migrate to D365 Business Central?

Dynamics 365 Business Central has benefited from extensive development and enhancement in recent years and many features/processes that once required customization are included in the base product. In addition, there has been tremendous growth in ISV extensions for Business Central, providing cost-effective solutions for customer and industry-specific requirements. Over 5500 solutions are available in AppSource to extend Business Central’s functionality. Click here to explore.

How to Change my Photo from Admin Dashboard?

Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast

Can customers move from Dynamics GP perpetual to Dynamics 365 Business Central on-premises?

Microsoft believes Dynamics 365 Business Central (online) represents the best long term solution for most Dynamics GP customers. However, Dynamics 365 Business Central on-premises perpetual licenses currently remain available for new Business Central customers until April 1, 2025, and Dynamics 365 Business Central on-premises subscription licenses currently remain available for new Business Central customers until April 1, 2026. Policies are subject to change.

Our team is available to assist you with exploring your options. If you're considering migrating from Dynamics GP, please complete the form below to start the conversation.

Microsoft Dynamics GP is Going End of Life in September 2029. What’s your Migration Strategy?

What Does this mean for a Dynamics GP Customer?

What does this mean for your Dynamics GP Implementation?

Why Now is The Time to Migrate from Dynamics GP?

What are your options?

How to Plan for a Smooth Transition from Great Plains ?

Don’t Wait to Future-Proof Your Business!

Watch the Exclusive: Dynamics GP September 2029 Timeline Interview with Mike Morton, Microsoft, VP of Dynamics 365 BC and SMB.

Can customers download security updates for their existing Dynamics GP environment after April 30, 2031?

Can customers add users to their existing Dynamics GP perpetual or subscription environments beyond September 30, 2029, or April 30, 2031?

Can customers purchase Service Plans beyond September 30, 2029?

Will Extended Security Updates (ESUs) be offered?

Can customers using Dynamics GP continue to use the product beyond its end of support date?

Will Service Plans end on September 30, 2029?

How to Change my Photo from Admin Dashboard?

How can I create a compelling business case for Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central transition?

Will Microsoft offer special pricing, promotions, or incentives to reduce customers’ migration costs?

Can customers with highly customized Dynamics GP environments migrate to D365 Business Central?

How to Change my Photo from Admin Dashboard?

Can customers move from Dynamics GP perpetual to Dynamics 365 Business Central on-premises?

Our team is available to assist you with exploring your options. If you're considering migrating from Dynamics GP, please complete the form below to start the conversation.

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