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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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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