Microsoft Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365

The future of Microsoft Dynamics

Arctic IT has been an implementer and supporter of Microsoft Dynamics GP since its inception. GP is a solid financial management solution that’s very popular due to its advanced out-of-the-box functionality and ease of configurability. That being said, we want to share more about the future of Dynamics.

It’s no surprise that Microsoft has added only small enhancements to GP in recent years. The company has been progressively shifting the focus to other Dynamics products. Emphasis is now on the further development of the more modern and flexible ERP applications of Dynamics 365 – accessible anywhere, any time, on any device. In fact, Microsoft’s internal GP team is shrinking to make room for growth in the Dynamics 365 platform.

Microsoft Dynamics GP Roadmap

Study up on the Dynamics GP Roadmap

Watch our webinar on The Dynamics GP Roadmap to gain deeper insights into the options available to you today from Microsoft Dynamics.

Optimize Document Management with Microsoft SharePoint Dynamics GP Upgrade

Dynamics GP – You have options

Dynamics GP remains a solid and very functional application that will be supported in the coming years. According to Microsoft’s lifecycle support forum, Dynamics GP 2016 is slated for mainstream support through 7/13/2021 while Dynamics GP 2018 will be supported through 1/10/2023.

In consideration of the future of GP, here’s a few options you will want to review before considering any upgrades to your existing accounting software:

Stay with Dynamics GP On-Premise
1. This is a good option if you recently made investments in hardware and infrastructure and are very familiar with the features and processes. It has a low annual renewal and the data is stored locally. Note: your software features may become outdated over time and you will continue to operate without mobile or remote access.
Move Dynamics GP to the Cloud
1. Consider taking your on-premises GP databases and moving them to a cloud provider like Microsoft Azure if you are in a situation where your hardware/infrastructure needs updating and you have concerns around the security of your data. You will still maintain a low annual license renewal but gain the ability for remote access to GP.
Migrate to Dynamics 365
1. Remove the need for investments in hardware and infrastructure and move to a monthly subscription-based cloud software that delivers automated updates included in your plan. Not only will you always have the latest in ERP technology, but you gain the security of the Microsoft cloud and break down data silos with the ability to unify your CRM and ERP systems.
2. Two options for ERP applications are available on Microsoft Dynamics 365:
  Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC) and Dynamics 365 Finance

Finance and Operations vs. Business Central Dynamics 365 ERP

Dynamics 365 ERP Applications

Dynamics 365 Business Central and Finance

Dynamics 365 BC is the small to mid-sized offering, while Dynamics 365 Finance is designed for global enterprise level finance and operations – allowing you to optimize workflow by integrating the disparate systems in your organization. Manage your budget, finances, and operations and monitor progress with real-time data across all departments.

The functionality is fully featured with the power of consolidation across entire enterprises. Task prioritization and intelligent automation are a couple of the must-see advanced features.

Ready for the next step?

If you’re considering an upgrade to Dynamics 365 or simply want to update your current version of Dynamics GP, Arctic IT is your trusted Microsoft Gold Partner. We have the experience and expertise you can depend on to get the job done right.

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