If you are a Dynamics GP user and you are considering moving to the cloud, you might be wondering what will happen to your add-on solutions and how they will work with Dynamics 365 Business Central.

This blog will answer questions about Dynamics GP add-ons and the options available in Dynamics 365 Business Central, discuss app availability in Microsoft AppSource, and how the Independent Software Vendor (ISV) community is supporting this transition.

Dynamics GP Add-On Solutions

I’ve been in the Dynamics GP world for about 30 years, and during that time, there’s been a lot of add-on products come to light. When we think about add-on solutions/ISV solutions early on in the history of Dynamics GP, they were created to help users extend and enhance the capabilities of their GP system. Dynamics GP was a horizontal application that suited many industries and many companies. However, it did not go deep into certain areas, prompting ISVs to come in and develop add-ons to bridge those gaps. For instance, when we needed AP automation, there was an add-on built to meet that need.

These add-ons come in various forms. Some seamlessly integrate with Dynamics GP, operating behind the scenes, so users might not even realize they’re using an add-on product. Others exist outside the core product. For example, many users may not be aware that Canadian and US payroll functionalities were initially separate products before being integrated into GP. Similarly, the not-for-profit suite, originally developed as an add-on solution by Encore’s development team, eventually became part of GP after Microsoft acquired it in 2004. Additionally, some applications that were once part of GP’s core functionality have been spliced out and transformed into standalone add-on products. Take requisition solutions, for example – users can now manage requisitions and expenses externally, with seamless integration back into GP.

In Dynamics GP there are different types of add-on solutions that you might be using, such as:

• Integration Tools: Integration tools are the number one add-on solution that our Dynamics GP clients have. When clients want to automate and increase productivity, those integration tools like Smart Connect come in handy. Some other popular integration tools include Auditor, SmartList Builder, Collections Management, Smart Connect, and Scribe.
• Reporting Tools: Reporting tools are another add-on solution, and many clients will be familiar with Jet Reports, Prophix, or Excel refreshable reports. Before data visualization came along, in different products like Power BI, we used Excel to create dashboards, and some might still use Excel to connect to Dynamics GP data.
• Line of Business Applications: These are applications outside of Dynamics GP that provide specific functionality for your industry or process. You may use these to process requisitions, POs, and receiving, and then the application reports that information back into GP.

Options Moving Forward

If you’re currently using add-on solutions or ISV products with Dynamics GP, you might be wondering how they will work with Dynamics 365 Business Central. Microsoft is working closely with the ISV community to learn how their solutions fit into Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Depending on the type and purpose of your add-on solution, you have different options for moving forward with Dynamics 365 Business Central. Some of the options include carry the add-on with you, find the add-on in AppSource, or change your process.

Carry it with you

Some add-on solutions are ERP agnostic, meaning they can work with any ERP system. For example, Power BI, Jet Reports, DocLink, Smart Connect, Popdock, and some expense management solutions can be easily connected to Business Central without much change. You can continue to use these solutions as you move to the cloud.

Find it in AppSource

AppSource is Microsoft’s marketplace for Dynamics 365 applications that work with Business Central and other Microsoft products. You can browse and search for thousands of apps that can extend and enhance your Business Central functionality. You can find thousands of apps that are vetted and endorsed by Microsoft.

Some apps are free, while others offer free trials, allowing you to try them out to see if they meet your needs. When you decide to purchase from AppSource, you pay for the app as a SaaS subscription. This flexibility lets you cancel if the solution doesn’t meet your needs or continue with monthly payments if it does.

Searching AppSource is available online or within Dynamics 365 Business Central; you can read this article to learn more about downloading and installing these extensions.

Over the years, AppSource has expanded significantly. Traditional ISV solutions are available in AppSource, including Binary Stream and Mekorma and Rockton.

Encore can help recommend the best apps from AppSource that will suit your business’s needs. By looking at those that are highly recommended, working closely with the ISVs, and understanding what has and has not worked for our customers in the past, we’ll help recommend the apps that could suit your business’s requirements. Encore wants to ensure that you’re feeling supported and have all of the functionality and productivity available to you.

Change Your Processes

Sometimes, moving to a new ERP system can be an opportunity to review and optimize your business processes. You may find that some of the add-on solutions you used in GP are now offered out of the box in Business Central. For example, Business Central has a dimensional chart of accounts that may eliminate the need for some of the reporting or analysis tools you used in GP.

We’ve created an article that describes the reporting tools available in Business Central. You may also find that Business Central has some built-in features that can automate or streamline some of the tasks you used to do with add-on solutions. Functionality such as an EFT, bank reconciliation, AP automation, document exchange service, and opportunity management are available in Business Central. A lot of rich functionality comes out of the box, which eliminates the need for add-ons in many cases.

Please see our Dynamics 365 Business Central Licensing and Pricing blog for more information about what is available out of the box with Business Central Essentials licenses.

We recommend reaching out to your Account Manager at Encore so that together you can review your add-on solutions and decide what is needed and what is not needed if you transition to Business Central. We have been doing this for a long time and we have the knowledge and experience to recommend the best fit for you.

How is the ISV Community Responding?

The ISV community has been very supportive and responsive to Dynamics GP customers who are moving to Dynamics 365 Business Central. Many ISV partners have developed or adapted their solutions to work with Dynamics 365 Business Central and offer the same or better functionality and user experience. Some examples of ISV partners who have made this transition are:

• Popdock, which offers SmartList, SmartList Builder, SmartView, and more. You can take Popdock with you to Dynamics 365 Business Central and access your data from any source, including your Dynamics GP history, in the Azure Data Lake.
• Binary Stream, which offers a suite of solutions for Dynamics GP, such as Multi-Entity Management, Subscription Billing, and Property Management. You can find the same solutions for Dynamics 365 Business Central in AppSource and continue to benefit from their features.
• Mekorma and Rockton, which offer various solutions for Dynamics GP, such as Dynamics GP Toolbox, SmartFill, and Auditor. You can also find their solutions for Dynamics 365 Business Central in AppSource and enjoy their functionality and support.

These are just some examples of the ISV community that is committed to helping Dynamics GP customers transition to Dynamics 365 Business Central. You can find more information on their websites or contact Encore to learn more.

How Encore Can Help

If you’re considering a transition from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central, there are options for your add-on solutions. Some add-ons will transition, and some will go away as that functionality can be found out of the box in Business Central. We have a proven methodology and a dedicated team of experts to help you with every step of the process.

It’s important to discuss your add-on products with your Account Manager to determine what is needed going forward.

Encore’s On-Premise to Cloud ERP Assessment

The on-premise to cloud ERP assessment leverages Microsoft’s Business Central Migration Assessment (formerly AIM) tool. It is a great way to get a clear picture of your current and future state with Dynamics 365 Business Central. It can help you plan your transition, budget your investment, and identify opportunities for improvement. Please visit our ERP Assessment page to learn more about Encore’s Assessment.

For a presentation about what will happen to your Dynamics GP add-ons in a transition to Dynamics 365 Business Central, please see the video below:

Contact us if you have questions about your Dynamics GP add-on solutions as you transition to Dynamics 365 Business Central.