Microsoft announced that it will end product support and updates for Dynamics GP on September 20, 2029 (with security patches ending on April 30, 2031). That means your business will no longer receive security upgrades, bug fixes, and feature updates beyond that date. This makes it imperative for Dynamics GP users to start planning their migration to Dynamics 365 Business Central even if they are not yet ready.
Why migrate to Dynamics 365 Business Central?
Cloud-based advantage. Dynamics 365 Business Central is now Microsoft’s flagship SMB ERP product, optimized to help your business thrive in the new world of cloud and AI computing. With its native integration into the Microsoft ecosystem (such as Microsoft 365 and Power Platform) and advanced automation and reporting capabilities, migrating to a true cloud-based ERP opens up opportunities for your organization to use new features and functionalities that will boost employee productivity and efficiency.
Scalability and innovation: Business Central is built to grow with your business. With built-in artificial intelligence, automation tools, and enhanced reporting, Business Central is designed to help businesses stay competitive in a fast-paced environment.
Enhanced security and compliance. Dynamics 365 Business Central offers advanced security features designed to safeguard your data, including data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and automatic security updates. Its cloud-based architecture also ensures compliance with key industry regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA, giving businesses confidence and peace of mind in their data management practices.
Cost efficiency. By moving to the cloud, organizations can reduce IT overhead by eliminating server maintenance and hardware costs, paying only for what they use with flexible subscription plans, and automatically receiving system updates without additional implementation costs.
Key considerations for your Dynamics GP to Business Central migration
Migrating from Dynamics GP to Business Central is not a "one-size-fits-all" process, which is why, in this blog post, we share the essential factors you need to evaluate before making that leap.
Evaluate Functional Differences.
While both Dynamics GP and Business Central are ERP solutions, they operate differently. Business Central offers a more modern user interface, deeper integration with Microsoft 365 tools (like Outlook, Excel, and Teams), Power Platform and advanced capabilities such as:
Power BI Integration. The native integration with Power BI makes it easier to generate sophisticated reports and data visualizations directly from Business Central.
Cloud flexibility. Business Central offers a fully cloud-based deployment model, allowing users to access the system anytime, anywhere, improving team collaboration.
Automated workflows. Business Central supports automating routine tasks, such as invoicing, procurement approvals, and payroll processing, helping businesses save time and reduce human error.
Understanding these functional differences is vital to ensure your business continues operating smoothly during the transition.
Data Migration Strategy.
One of the most critical aspects of migrating to Business Central is ensuring that your historical data is properly transferred. Consider the following:
Data Mapping. The data structure in Dynamics GP may differ from Business Central, so careful mapping is needed to ensure that financial, operational, and customer data are correctly migrated. Ensure that data formats in GP align with the structure required in Business Central. Mapping fields, such as chart of accounts or item codes, is critical to ensure data compatibility.
Data Cleansing. Data migration provides a perfect opportunity to clean up outdated or inaccurate data, ensuring that only relevant, up-to-date information is moved to the new system.
Historical Data. Decide whether you want to migrate all historical data to Business Central or retain it in legacy systems. Some businesses opt to move only recent data and archive older records to maintain system efficiency.
Customizations and Extensions.
Many organizations rely on customizations in Dynamics GP or have integrated their ERP with other business-critical systems such as payroll, CRM, and inventory management tools to meet their unique business needs. However, Business Central has a different approach to customization:
Built-in features. Business Central includes many out-of-the-box features that might eliminate the need for customizations, such as enhanced reporting tools and integrated AI-powered business insights.
Extensions and apps. Business Central leverages a growing marketplace of extensions available through Microsoft AppSource or other third-party vendors. These pre-built apps and extensions can replace custom-built functionality from Dynamics GP, reducing costs and implementation time.
When migrating to Business Central, evaluating which integrations will still work and which need to be adjusted or replaced is important. You’ll need to assess which Dynamics GP customizations are critical to your operations and identify Business Central alternatives.
Assess Licensing and Cost Implications.
The pricing models for Dynamics GP and Business Central differ, and it's essential to understand how migrating will affect your costs. Some key points to consider:
Subscription vs. Perpetual License. Business Central operates on a subscription-based pricing model, whereas Dynamics GP typically uses a perpetual license. Be sure to compare the long-term cost implications of moving to a subscription model.
Additional Features. Certain features in Business Central, such as advanced analytics or user licenses for external stakeholders, may require additional licensing. Understanding these costs up front will help you budget effectively.
Preparing Your Business for Change
Once you’ve assessed the technical and functional aspects of the migration, it’s time to prepare your business for change. Key steps include:
Team Training and Change Management
Training is crucial to ensure your team is comfortable with Business Central’s new features and interface. Consider developing a comprehensive training program to familiarize employees with the new system. Use a mix of online resources (like Microsoft Learn), on-site or virtual training, and hands-on sessions.
Change management is also key to user adoption. To ease the transition, communicate the benefits of Business Central early and involve key stakeholders in the decision-making process.
Cloud Readiness Assessment
Before migrating, assess your organization's readiness for the cloud by reviewing your security policies, ensuring they align with Microsoft’s cloud security standards, and confirming Business Central complies with your industry’s regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA). We can then assist with formally evaluating whether Business Central will fit your business needs in this complimentary 4-hour assessment.
Partnering with Experts
Migrating to Business Central is complex, and having an experienced partner like Systema Solutions can ensure a smooth and seamless process. A qualified Microsoft partner will:
Help you with system analysis, data migration, and customization requirements.
Provide expert guidance on integration and user training.
Offer ongoing support to address post-migration issues.
Ensuring a Smooth Transition
A successful migration involves more than just transferring data; it also involves ensuring the system works seamlessly once it’s live.
Testing Phase
Testing is essential to avoid disruptions. Be sure to test business-critical workflows, verify data accuracy after migration, and ensure all integrations are working as expected.
Establishing a Go-Live Plan
A solid go-live plan is essential to minimize downtime during the transition. Consider:
Phased Migration, implementing Business Central in stages to reduce risk.
Contingency Plans, having a backup strategy in case issues arise during the cutover.
Migrating from Dynamics GP to Business Central is an exciting opportunity for businesses to unlock new capabilities, improve efficiency, and drive growth. While the process may seem daunting, with the right preparation, expert guidance, and a clear plan, the transition can be seamless. At Systema Solutions, we specialize in helping businesses navigate this journey—ensuring your migration is efficient, cost-effective, and future-proof.
Ready to make the leap? Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your Dynamics GP migration to Business Central.
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