Top Questions About Dynamics GP Versions

By Kelly McLaughlin April 26th, 2021

Dynamics GP is a mature Microsoft product with many product versions. We receive many questions that relate to the Dynamics GP version such as which Microsoft support policy applies, when mainstream support ends, and which versions Encore supports. This blog will address frequently asked questions we receive surrounding the topic of Dynamics GP versions.

If you’d like to skip ahead to a certain question, click on one of the questions below:

Which version of Dynamics GP am I on?
What is the latest version of Dynamics GP?
What is the new Lifecycle Policy for GP?
What is the difference between the Fixed and Modern Lifecycle Policy?
Is my version of Dynamics GP supported?
What do we do if our Extended Support for Dynamics GP has ended?
Which versions of Dynamics GP does Encore support?
What does the GP roadmap look like?
What does “GP Next” mean?
What are the GP 2018 version numbers?
Is there a Dynamics GP 2020?
When is the next release of Dynamics GP?
Which version of GP do you need to be on to move to Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which version of Dynamics GP am I on?

To determine the Dynamics GP version you are running, please follow these steps:

In Dynamics GP, click the “?” in the top right corner.
In the menu, select the “About Microsoft Dynamics GP”. In the Window that appears, the version number is in the top line in the right column.

2. What is the latest version of Dynamics GP?

The last version of Dynamics GP is version 18.3.1245 which was released in February 2021.

3. What is the new Lifecycle Policy for GP?

With the October 2019 release, Dynamics GP follows the Modern Lifecycle Policy. The Modern Policy offers support and servicing, which includes bug fixes, new features, and tax updates. To stay current, you must be on one of that years releases to be eligible to update to the next years releases. Customers stay current by taking at least one of the three yearly planned GP releases. Learn more in our Modern Lifecycle Policy blog article.

The table below is from Microsoft and it shows the planned update schedule for Dynamics GP. As of today, Microsoft is committed to releasing new features for Dynamics GP until 2024, which could continue beyond 2024 as Microsoft has included the TBA line into the table.

Microsoft Dynamics GP Servicing – Modern Lifecycle Roadmap

Year	Feature Update (new features and bug fixes)	Update (tax updates, bug fixes)	Update (tax updates, bug fixes)
2019	October 1, 2019	Past the date	November/ December
2020	October	June	November/ December
2021	October	June	November/ December
2022	October	June	November/ December
2023	October	June	November/ December
2024	TBA	June	November/ December
TBA	TBA	TBA	TBA

Table source: Software Lifecycle Policy for Microsoft Dynamics GP

4. What is the difference between the Fixed and Modern Lifecycle Policy?

Fixed Lifecycle Policy means the customer has 10 years of support between the Mainstream Support and Extended Support. Microsoft will continue to support and service the product for a fixed amount of time. To learn more, see Microsoft’s Fixed Lifecycle Policy or the Fixed Policy FAQ.

Modern Lifecycle Policy means the products are supported as long as the customer stays current. Microsoft will provide a minimum 12 months notice before ending support for products under this policy. To learn more, see Microsoft’s Modern Lifecycle Policy or the Modern Policy FAQ.

To see which support policy applies to which GP product version, please navigate to the table below.

5. Is my version of Dynamics GP supported?

To see if your version of Dynamics GP is supported, please see the Product and Support Lifecycle table below. The table is from Microsoft and it outlines the product lifecycle with version numbers and mainstream support end dates.

Mainstream means you receive taxes updates, product release, service packs, etc. Extended means you receive support help, but no product updates.

Product and Support Lifecycle

Product	SupportPolicy	StartDate	Mainstream EndDate	Extended EndDate
Dynamics GP	Modern	2019-10-07
Dynamics GP 2018 R2	Fixed	2018-10-02	2023-01-10	2028-01-11
Dynamics GP 2018	Fixed	2017-12-01	2023-01-10	2028-01-11
Dynamics GP 2016 R2	Fixed	2016-12-01	2021-07-13	2026-07-14
Dynamics GP 2016	Fixed	2016-05-01	2021-07-13	2026-07-14
Dynamics GP 2015 R2	Fixed	2015-08-30	2020-04-14	2025-04-08
Dynamics GP 2015	Fixed	2015-02-18	2020-04-14	2025-04-08
Dynamics GP 2013 R2	Fixed	2014-08-21	2018-04-10	2023-04-11
Dynamics GP 2013	Fixed	2013-03-12	2018-04-10	2023-04-11
Dynamics GP 2013	Fixed	2013-03-12	2018-04-10	2023-04-11
Dynamics GP 2013	Fixed	2013-03-12	2018-04-10	2023-04-11
Dynamics GP 2010 R2	Fixed	2011-07-14	2015-10-13	2020-10-13
Dynamics GP 2010	Fixed	2010-06-15	2015-10-13	2020-10-13
Dynamics GP 2010	Fixed	2010-06-15	2015-10-13	2020-10-13
Dynamics GP 2010	Fixed	2010-06-15	2015-10-13	2020-10-13
Dynamics GP 2010	Fixed	2010-06-15	2015-10-13	2020-10-13
Dynamics GP 2010	Fixed	2010-06-15	2015-10-13	2020-10-13
Dynamics GP 10.0	Fixed	2007-08-04	2012-10-09	2017-10-10
Dynamics GP 10.0	Fixed	2007-08-04	2012-10-09	2017-10-10
Dynamics GP 10.0	Fixed	2007-08-04	2012-10-09	2017-10-10
Dynamics GP 10.0	Fixed	2007-08-04	2012-10-09	2017-10-10
Dynamics GP 10.0	Fixed	2007-08-04	2012-10-09	2017-10-10
Dynamics GP 10.0	Fixed	2007-08-04	2012-10-09	2017-10-10
Dynamics 9.0 GreatPlains	Fixed	2005-12-19	2011-01-11	2011-01-11
Dynamics 9.0 GreatPlains	Fixed	2005-12-19	2011-01-11	2011-01-11
Dynamics 9.0 GreatPlains	Fixed	2005-12-19	2011-01-11	2011-01-11
Dynamics 9.0 GreatPlains	Fixed	2005-12-19	2011-01-11	2011-01-11
Dynamics 9.0 GreatPlains	Fixed	2005-12-19	2011-01-11	2011-01-11
Microsoft Business Solutions–Great Plains 8.0	Fixed	2004-06-01	2009-10-13

Table source: Microsoft Lifecycle Data Export

6. What do we do if our Extended Support for Dynamics GP has ended?

Once Extended Support ends for Dynamics GP, this means there is no support from Microsoft and no product updates. Encore’s recommendation is to upgrade to a supported version of Dynamics GP.

7. Which versions of Dynamics GP does Encore support?

Encore supports all versions of Dynamics GP. Our team of experienced Dynamics GP consultants can support you.

8. What does the GP roadmap look like?

There is ongoing development in Dynamics GP and the features that Microsoft is adding to Dynamics GP are coming from feature suggestions requested by customers and the GP community. You can submit a feature request here.

The Dynamics GP roadmap can be seen in the Modern Lifecycle Roadmap table shown earlier in this article. The current roadmap has details outlined until 2024, plus an extra TBA row.

9. What does “GP Next” mean?

GP Next means that it’s the next release for Dynamics GP. In previous versions of Microsoft’s Dynamics GP Roadmap, you’ll see GP Next on the far-right side meaning it’s the next version of GP. Since there is no year associated to the new version of GP, it’s a way of saying the next release for Dynamics GP.

10. What are the GP 2018 version numbers?

The product name for Dynamics GP 2018 is Dynamics GP 2018 and Dynamics GP 2018 R2. Dynamics GP 18.2.xxxx and 18.3.xxxx are the version numbers of the Dynamics GP release in October 2019 and October 2020, respectively.

11. Is there a Dynamics GP 2020?

No, there is not a Dynamics GP version called “Dynamics GP 2020”. After Dynamics GP 2018 R2, the most recent version of Dynamics GP removed the year from the name, so the newest version of GP is just simply called Dynamics GP. However, the October 2020 release of Dynamics GP is version 18.3. The new capabilities are listed in What’s New in Dynamics GP in October 2020.

12. When is the next release of Dynamics GP?

The next version of Dynamics GP is released in October of every year, which includes new features and bug fixes.

13. Which version of GP do you need to be on to move to Dynamics 365 Business Central?

To move to Dynamics 365 Business Central, you can be on any version of Dynamics GP. However, the migration tool only supports Dynamics GP versions since GP 2015. If you’re on Dynamics GP 2013, you can upgrade to a newer version of GP that is supported by the migration tool or you can have a fresh start in Dynamics 365 Business Central. Contact your Account Manager to learn about your options.

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Author

Kelly McLaughlin

Kelly has been working with Dynamics GP for over 19 years. He started as a Bookkeeper using GP while working for a former Microsoft Partner. As his knowledge of GP increased, he began helping clients with questions and challenges they encountered. In addition to the application side, his role increased as he became involved in the technical side of GP and began doing GP service pack updates as well as version upgrades. He has a passion for helping clients with their day-to-day challenges and improving their processes while making their workday easier and more efficient.