Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Dynamics GP customers need to evaluate their technology and decide on a path forward for their business.

Encore has been working with and supporting Dynamics GP customers for over 35 years. We have a long and deep history with the product in developing extensions and functionality enhancements, and with our current Dynamics GP customer base.

We understand that our customers have a history with Dynamics GP as well, and we are committed to helping our customers in their technology journey as they look to understand what’s next.

The Status of Dynamics GP

Microsoft announced a retirement date of December 31, 2029, for all versions of Dynamics GP (the previously stated date was September 30, 2029). After December 31, 2029, Microsoft will not have product support or updates for Dynamics GP, with the exception of security patches ending April 30, 2031. For more details, please see our Retirement of Dynamics GP blog article.

Microsoft remains committed to supporting the current version of GP until 2029, which is governed by the Modern Lifecycle Policy. Some of the older versions of GP governed by the Fixed Lifecycle Policy have now reached the end of extended support.

Dynamics GP is an on-premise solution, which means that it doesn’t provide all the same cost savings and productivity benefits of a true cloud solution like Dynamics 365 Business Central. Read a more detailed comparison of Dynamics GP vs Dynamics 365 Business Central in our blog.

Encore has hundreds of customers on GP, and we are committed to assisting and advising them all. Each customer’s technical and business situation is unique, and there’s no one best approach for everyone.

Staying Current on Dynamics GP

While evaluating the future of your businesses’ technology, staying current on Dynamics GP is essential.

The advantages of staying current include:

Compatibility: Staying current on GP keeps it compatible with other important business software like SQL, Windows Server, Exchange, and Windows.
Features: There are features and quality improvements in the latest build that can help your team be more efficient.

Compliance: Staying current helps with regulatory compliance, as with Canadian payroll and 1099 formats.
Modern Lifecycle Policy: The regular updates in the current version of GP, governed by the Modern Lifecycle, reduce overall downtime and cost as compared to previous GP upgrades. See what’s new in Dynamics GP in the latest release.

If you’re on an older version of Dynamics GP, staying current means upgrading to the current version of GP. Then, once you’re on the current version of GP, you need to take at least one of three yearly releases to remain current. For more information, see the top 9 reasons to stay current on GP.

Clarity Around Dynamics GP Licensing Changes

Effective October 1, 2024, subscription pricing for a Dynamics GP Standard User will see an increase ranging between 6% to 10%.

Starting October 3, 2024, Enhancement Plan rates will increase by 1%, and subscription license prices for Dynamics GP users have seen a pricing adjustment. Find out more about Microsoft Dynamics On-Premise Price Changes.

Microsoft stated there will be no new sales of GP effective April 1, 2026, but this has no impact on existing customers. Existing GP customers can continue to purchase new licenses and modules.

Effective April 30, 2031, Service Plan coverage for Dynamics GP will end and Subscription licenses for Dynamics GP will no longer be renewable. Additionally, perpetual users on existing Dynamics GP systems cannot be added and subscription use of Dynamics GP through Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) licensing will end. This means that after April 30, 2031, Dynamics GP subscription users will no longer be able to access the software.

For more information or questions regarding these changes, please contact your Account Manager.

Evaluate Your Options

All Dynamics GP customers need to have a conversation with their Account Manager to evaluate the options unique to their business.

Encore implements and supports Microsoft products only, which means that our teams have years of experience, expertise, and training in Microsoft products and can help you evaluate your options.

"Quarterly inventory and payroll entries took anywhere from 4 hours to 2 days to prepare, post, and review. Now those entries are nearly instantaneous with Dynamics 365 Business Central"

Maria Leonard, Corporate Controller, Omega Industries

Key areas to learn about for evaluating your options:

Your Dynamics GP version’s Microsoft support situation. Determine what version of GP you are on and if any steps need to be taken to ensure you stay up to date as you evaluate and begin the planning process to Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Encore’s complimentary on-premise to cloud ERP assessment can help generate a baseline technical and functional overview that will help in your evaluation of a cloud solution.
Review the benefits of a cloud ERP like Dynamics 365 Business Central for improved security, productivity, and accessibility
Understand how an upgrade is different in a cloud solution like Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Learn about what functionality is similar and different between GP and Business Central, as well as what is available in Business Central only.
Reach out to your Account Manager to learn about and discuss your eligibility for the limited-time promotions created by Encore for Dynamics GP customers moving to Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Review Encore’s Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central Transition page to learn more about how long a transition takes, the options available to move, and why other customers are going.

In general, it was an easy transition to Dynamics 365 Business Central because we methodically went through what was needed ahead of time with Encore’s guidance.

Once we had the structure right, everything flowed smoothly. We experienced zero business disruption, and Encore supported us well. Being cloud-based is super helpful as it eliminates the need for hosting and ensures our system is always updated. Delaying migrations only makes them harder, especially with legacy data and systems. By doing it earlier, we made life easier for ourselves.

Eric Gier, Director of Finance, AltPep Corporation

Discover the Financial Benefits of Migrating

When evaluating the financial impact of a technology investment, it is important to assess metrics such as return on investment (ROI) and net present value. Forrester released The Total Economic Impact™ of a Migration to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. The study revealed that customers have reported significant cost savings and business benefits after moving to Dynamics 365 Business Central.

A few statistics shared, based on 160 respondents, in the Forrester TEI Migration to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central include:

87% reported improved cash flow management after moving to D365 Business Central
As a result of moving to D365 Business Central, 86% reported a reduction in IT support costs
65% reported a shorter financial close cycle time with Dynamics 365 Business Central

To help you understand the financial benefits of transitioning from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central for your business, the Encore team can work with you to utilize an ROI Tool. This tool provides a detailed analysis of potential cost savings and productivity improvements over time for your business.

Contact your Account Manager to understand the financial impact of migrating for your business.

How Encore Can Help

We want to ensure you stay current on Dynamics GP as you evaluate the future of your technology. Encore provides comprehensive support and guidance for our Dynamics GP clients who have not made the transition.

Encore has been working with and supporting Dynamics GP customers for over 35 years. We have a long and deep history with the product in developing extensions and functionality enhancements for Dynamics GP, and with our current Dynamics GP customer base.

We understand that our customers have a history with Dynamics GP, and we are committed to helping our customers in their technology journey as they look to understand what’s next.

Start planning today by reaching out to your Encore Account Manager or by filling out the form below.

Resources

Dynamics GP Retirement - What Does it Mean for You?

29:27

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7IW2JwOBkU

Dynamics GP vs D365 Business Central - Functionality

35:11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMz2F4QjwHw

Migrate to D365 Business Central with Encore

5:17

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klA2r0NdpZE

Dynamics GP to D365 Business Central -Difference in TOC

15:03

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvEv-0Si2SM

Dynamics GP