With the recent end-of-life announcements for Dynamics GP, many organizations are faced with the challenge of migrating to a more modern and efficient cloud ERP system─ and the urgency is becoming more palpable. Moving from Dynamics GP to Business Central isn’t just about avoiding an end to support but more about finding a system that fits your business today and can grow with it tomorrow.
Dynamics 365 Business Central is a cloud-native ERP solution that meets the demands of today’s GP users and even better, it offers enhanced data security, automation, real-time reporting, and new AI capabilities that GP would never be able to match.
JourneyTeam experts Greg Randall, ERP Practice Director, and Jesse Olsen, Senior Solution Architect, recently unraveled the migration landscape in an eye-opening webinar. Read on for a synopsis, then be sure to listen to the entire webinar here. It’s a not-to-miss!
Time to Move On
Randall and Olsen shared their unique perspective on what’s ahead for customers looking for a modern solution to GP. They understand where GP users are and where they need to go, because they’ve been there—as both customers and as consultants.
“GP was an extremely reliable system and had a lot of great things,” Olsen said. “But the system just cannot keep up any longer with some of the newer technologies and advancements that we have in technology today.
Personally, being someone who’s been through this transition, I can tell you that moving away from Great Plains to a cloud-based system like Business Central can future-proof your business,” he added.
The landscape of businesses and ERP systems today is completely different than what we faced 10, 20 years ago.
Cloud-Native Advantages on a Comprehensive Platform
Business Central is far more than a financial management tool. It offers control over various aspects of business operations, from supply chain optimization to customer relationship management (CRM). The CRM capabilities within Business Central provide real-time financial insights and end-to-end business visibility, reducing siloed systems and the need for redundant tools, ultimately saving both time and money.
- 162% Return on Investment in 3 Years
- 8-10% Increase in Productivity
- $44,000 Annual Savings on Third-party Reporting
One of the standout features of Business Central is its cloud-native nature. Unlike older on-premises ERP systems, Business Central was built from the ground up to leverage the capabilities of the cloud. This means automatic updates, real-time access to data, and seamless integration with other Microsoft tools like Teams, Power BI, and Outlook. For example,” Olsen said, “with Business Central Power BI, you can set up scheduled refreshes, so you’re getting real-time reporting directly out of the ERP system without having to generate those reports.”
He emphasized that this level of integration allows businesses to automate workflows, collaborate across teams, and access insights from anywhere.
AI and Automation
One of the most exciting aspects of Business Central is its incorporation of AI and automation. Microsoft Copilot, branded as their AI tool, helps automate repetitive tasks such as demand forecasting, invoicing, and financial reconciliations. Jesse explained that these AI-driven features not only speed up manual workflows, but also reduce the chance of human error. AI also drives an organization’s ability to be proactive, predicting inventory stock levels, and potential financial outcomes before the issues even arise.
Preparing for a Dynamics GP to Business Central Migration
Preparing for a move from Dynamics GP to Business Central doesn’t need to be overwhelming. The steps include data migration, addressing your previous customizations, and understanding the new capabilities offered by Business Central. Planning and preparation are critical to ensure a smooth transition and avoid common migration pitfalls.
That’s why JourneyTeam developed the Sherpa Program, combining our vast expertise with customer feedback to create a proven, cost-effective approach to implementation. Check it out. It’s a fast-tracked, streamlined, and structured deployment process for Business Central with predefined templates, workflows, and recorded training sessions— all designed to speed up your implementation, boost user adoption, and reduce overall costs.
Real-world Examples of Our Proven Success
Being named Microsoft’s 2024 Partner of the Year for Dynamics 365 Business Central is proven testament to our success helping customers transition to Business Central— each with its own unique success story.
- Allied Global Marketing transitioned from GP to Business Central, reclaiming 2,000 hours per year spent manually entering data.
- Marketing Architects cut operational and licensing costs by 22 percent per user.
- SmartFlower Solar innovated their entire business model with Business Central and achieved 50 percent time savings processing orders.
We invite you to explore these stories and more to see how partnering with JourneyTeam can be your best next step.
Business Central vs Finance and Operations
Whether you have two users or 12,000, Microsoft has an ERP that is a fit for you. Microsoft’s ERP solutions are designed to scale seamlessly with your business, ensuring that you have the right tools to manage your operations efficiently at every stage of growth.
You may also be considering Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management, along with Dynamics 365 Business Central. Both offer seamless integration with other Microsoft tools for a unified platform that promotes collaboration and productivity across an organization.
The choice between Business Central and Finance and SCM comes down to the complexity of your business processes and transactions. The decision should align with your organization’s specific needs and long-term growth plans.
Dive Deeper Into The Differences Between Dynamics ERPs
At JourneyTeam, we go beyond generic feature comparison charts to deeply understand your business’s unique challenges. Check out our eBook, where we unravel the differences between Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management (F&SCM) and Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC).
Choosing the Right GP to Business Central Migration Partner
Journey Team’s experts are no stranger to GP. In fact, we have many technology professionals who were part of the original Great Plains Software Group─ we truly understand why GP has remained such an important tool for so many organizations.
It’s vitally important to choose the right partner─ a partner with deep knowledge of both GP and Business Central to guide your transition. If you adequately prepare in choosing the right partner, you can ensure a smooth and successful migration, setting your business up for growth and innovation in the years to come.
No two migrations are alike─ no two companies are alike. It’s why JourneyTeam tailors its approach. We have helped countless organizations successfully transition to Business Central, while navigating their unique challenges— each with its own unique success story.
Listen to the full webinar here.
Start Your Migration From Dynamics GP to Business Central
Let’s discuss how we can make the transition seamless while driving profitability and efficiency for your organization.
