Microsoft News

Team expansion to support Dynamics 365 CRM, new Microsoft promotions, and more in the Dexpro March Newsletter.

Transition from Dynamics GP to D365 Business Central, compare cloud scenarios, and more in the Dexpro February Newsletter.

Q1 Planning for your ERP system, the cost of moving Dynamics GP to Azure, and more in the Dexpro January Newsletter.

Prepare for Year-End and Processing 1099s in Dynamics GP, ISV Best Prices of the Year, and more in the Dexpro December Newsletter.

Preparing for year-end in Dynamics GP, New features in Dynamics 365 Business Central, and more in the November Newsletter.

Full list of new features in the Dynamics GP October release 18.6, preparing for Year-End in Dynamics GP, and more in the Dexpro October Newsletter.

A comprehensive list of what's new in Microsoft Dynamics GP releases 18.0 to 18.x. Each release includes new features that can improve your business.

As a Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) user, you have undoubtedly heard about the buzz surrounding Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC). A recent email from Microsoft caused some uncertainty and fear among customers, so taking a closer look at the situation is essential. In this blog post, Dexpro Dynamics, as a trusted reseller of both Dynamics GP and Dynamics 365 Business Central , aims to provide clarity and guidance to help Dynamics GP users make an informed decision about transitioning to Business Central. And we will tell you what the email actually said and what it means for Dynamics GP users. What is the background? Microsoft offers a few distinct accounting software solutions. We will focus on Dynamics GP (Great Plains) and Dynamics 365 Business Central. While Dynamics GP has been a reliable and proven solution for many years, Microsoft's strategic focus has shifted towards its cloud-based offerings, including Business Central. What did the email from Microsoft say? A recent email from Microsoft made some people think, and others spread the rumor that you can no longer use Dynamics GP after 2026. Or that you can't add new licenses to your existing system after 2026. That is not true. The email from Microsoft was about NEW license sales. It applies to new customers and does NOT impact existing users of Dynamics GP. Here are the key points from the email: As of April 1, 2026 (three years from now), there will be no NEW customer sales of Dynamics GP. As a stepping stone to this, as of April 1, 2025, there will be no new sales of GP Perpetual licenses. Subscription sales can still happen for the additional year. This has NO implications for existing customers as they can continue to purchase new licenses and modules beyond 2026. It was also announced that: The price of subscription and perpetual licenses are going up as of October 2023. Enhancement plan rates are increasing from 17% to 18%, and Advantage plan from 19% to 20%. There will still be tax and other product updates for Dynamics GP, including some awesome features already planned for 18.6, due to release in October 2023. The Dynamics GP support life cycle remains as is posted today (and has not changed) – "2028 & beyond". Dynamics GP has a loyal community, and Microsoft is fully committed to supporting existing customers and partners. Nothing has changed on the support side or with people working on Dynamics GP. Where does the confusion come from? There have been reports of some Microsoft Gold Certified Partners prioritizing the sale of Business Central licenses and using the email announcement to create a sense of urgency and fear among Dynamics GP users. That is wrong. Dexpro Dynamics believes this approach is misleading and not in customers' best interest. Changing your accounting system is a big decision. This decision should be driven by YOUR business's specific needs and timeline rather than external pressures. Gold Partners have a quota to fill, which is why we believe it is better to be a Silver Partner so that we can prioritize our customers over our quotas. Read: Does it Matter if You Choose a Silver or Gold Competency Dynamics GP Partner? How long can you keep using Dynamics GP? Contrary to the fearmongering, Dynamics GP remains a viable product with a well-defined roadmap for future support and updates. Microsoft has committed to maintaining and supporting Dynamics GP for at least the next five years, following its standard support lifecycle. As a result, you can rely on Microsoft to provide regular regulatory updates, security patches, and hotfixes to ensure your Dynamics GP system remains up to date. Read: Microsoft Dynamics GP Lifecycle In fact, we know that Microsoft has some excellent items coming in 18.6 that existing customers have wanted in the product, and that will continue on to 18.7, 18.8, etc. These enhancements will justify the expense of the annual enhancement fee. When should you move? Eventually, it will make sense for you to move from Dynamics GP to a new system. Dynamics GP is an old product and will need to be replaced at some point. But you get to choose when that will be. You should evaluate your company's needs, budget, and available resources to determine the optimal time to make the move. Dexpro Dynamics can assist in this evaluation process and provide guidance based on their expertise in both systems. What are some factors to consider: When assessing the need for an ERP system change, there are several factors to consider. These include: System Fit: It is essential to objectively evaluate whether Dynamics GP still meets your business's current requirements. In our experience, perhaps 40% of the Dynamics GP users we talk to feel that their current system does everything they need. We can show them how to utilize even a bit more of what they already own, and they can easily continue with Dynamics GP for five-plus years. This is a valid business decision. New Requirements: If you require complex features or extensive investments in your Dynamics GP system and are considering adding third-party solutions, it may be better to move to Business Central. Dexpro Dynamics can help you analyze the costs and benefits of each option. Budget and Resources: Implementing a new ERP system requires financial investment and dedicated resources. You need to honestly assess whether your organization has the necessary budget and capacity to handle the transition effectively right now. Dexpro Dynamics can provide guidance on budget planning and resource allocation. Future Growth and Scalability: We suggest you consider your business's growth plans and predict if your current Dynamics GP system can accommodate future expansion. Business Central offers the advantages of cloud-based scalability, but Dynamics GP can still meet the needs of many businesses for years to come. The decision comes down to when a system transition will cause the least disruption to your growth. Ongoing Costs: Is it time to upgrade your current system and replace your hardware? Before you invest, you should evaluate your options. Moving to Dynamics 365 BC could be more cost-effective. While Dynamics 365 BC includes an initial investment, the ongoing monthly subscription costs can be lower and more predictable than your current system. And you will no longer have the expense of hardware and upgrades. What is the next step? The transition from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central should not be driven solely by external pressures or marketing tactics. You can transition to Business Central when it aligns with your strategic goals and makes the most sense for your circumstances. There is no rush. But it does make sense to evaluate. Eventually, a move to the cloud, with Dynamics 365 BC, will be the right choice. So if your Dynamics GP system today does not fit your business needs, this may be a great moment to evaluate Business Central. Dexpro Dynamics, a trusted reseller of both systems, can help you to evaluate your unique needs, budget, and timeline to make the best decision for your business. Contact our team now to answer any additional questions and discuss your best strategy and timeline. By Dexpro Dynamics , Silver Certified Microsoft Dynamics Partner, www.dexprodynamics.com

Microsoft's announcement on the lifecycle policies for Dynamics GP. Read more on Microsoft Dynamics GP latest licensing and pricing changes.