With the announcement that Microsoft will end support for Dynamics GP by September 2029, many businesses using GP are faced with a large, impending technology shift.
Yes, transitioning to a new system or technology can seem daunting. However, it provides an opportunity to modernize your operations and take full advantage of cloud-based solutions like Azure SQL, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, or others.
So, what does this change mean for you and how Datagence can support your migration process?
Understanding the Business Impact
In 2023, Microsoft revealed that sales for Dynamics GP perpetual licenses will stop in 2025, and subscription licenses will end in 2026.
By September 2029, no new product updates or enhancements will be available, although support will continue until April 2031. While this may seem far off, businesses should prepare now to avoid being left behind with outdated technology that could hinder future growth.
As Mike Morton, Microsoft’s VP of Dynamics 365 BC and SMB, explained, the goal is to bring the best of GP to Business Central, including features like SmartLists and multi-company reporting.
Business Central is a comprehensive, cloud-based ERP solution offering greater flexibility, scalability, and security than GP. The shift to the cloud will also enhance your ability to manage threat intelligence and maintain regulatory compliance.
However, transitioning from an on-premises system like GP to the cloud-based Business Central is not without its challenges, especially when it comes to migrating your data.
The Challenges of Migrating from Dynamics GP to Business Central
On the surface, it might seem that transitioning from GP to Business Central would be somewhat straightforward as both ERPs are Microsoft solutions. But, that’s not the case. In reality, this transition is really an implementation of a new ERP solution and should be viewed and managed as such.
In addition to the solution transition, is the data transition. Migrating from GP to Business Central isn’t as simple as copying and pasting data from one system to another. Rather, it’s a significant challenge that is centered on data quality.
Think about it: The data you’ve accumulated over the (many) years of using GP may be inconsistent, outdated, or incomplete, which can lead to inefficiencies and errors once it’s moved to Business Central.
If you don’t clean and organize your data before migrating, you risk carrying over the same problems into your new system. That can result in inaccurate reports, poor decision-making, and wasted investment in your new ERP system.
Additionally, many businesses have legacy data from old systems, which may not be in the correct format or fully compatible with Business Central.
Without careful preparation, you could spend countless hours fixing issues in your new system—issues that could have been avoided with a clean and accurate data migration process.
This is where Datagence can help.
Datagence’s Role in the Migration Process
Datagence specializes in helping businesses migrate from legacy systems like GP to modern cloud-based platforms like Business Central.
Our data migration process involves several key steps:
- Data Assessment: We start by evaluating the current state of your data in GP. This includes identifying inconsistencies, duplicates, and outdated information that could cause problems down the line.
- Data Cleanup: Once we’ve assessed your data, we clean it up, removing duplicates, standardizing formats, and ensuring all records are accurate and up-to-date. This step is crucial for maintaining data integrity during the migration.
- Data Mapping: Next, we map your existing GP data to Business Central’s data structure, ensuring that everything transfers smoothly and correctly. We also ensure that your data is optimized for use in the new system, so you can hit the ground running.
- Ongoing Data Management: After the migration, we continue to support your data needs with an “always-on” approach. This means that we don’t just clean your data once and walk away, we provide ongoing monitoring and management to ensure your data stays clean and accurate over time.
By cleaning your data before migration, you ensure that your new system runs smoothly from day one (and will see a worthy ROI from it). Plus, with Datagence’s ongoing data management services, you can be confident that your data will stay clean and accurate long after the migration is complete.
Keeping Data Clean with an “Always-On” Solution
Businesses are constantly generating new data, and if you’re not careful, that data can quickly become just as dirty as the data you migrated from GP.
Data cleanup shouldn’t be a one-time event.
That’s why Datagence offers an “always-on” data management solution.
An “always-on” approach means:
- Continuous data validation: We regularly check your data for errors, duplicates, and inconsistencies to ensure that it remains accurate and up-to-date.
- Proactive data management: Instead of waiting until a problem arises, we proactively manage your data to prevent issues before they occur.
- Ongoing support: Our team is always available to help with any data-related issues, ensuring that your data stays clean and your system runs smoothly.
Future-Proofing Your Business with Datagence
The end of support for Microsoft Dynamics GP marks the beginning of a new era for your business. By transitioning to Business Central you will set your business up for long-term success.
But to make the most of this opportunity, you need clean, reliable data. That’s where Datagence can help. We’ll assess your data, clean it up, and ensure that it stays clean long after the migration is complete. If you’re ready to make the switch from Dynamics GP to Business Central, let’s start the discussion!
