Partner Stories

Dynamics GP is Ending – Here’s What Your Business Needs to Do

Published by 360 Visibility

Microsoft has officially announced the end of support for Dynamics GP. While the final deadline may seem far off, waiting too long to migrate could put your business at serious risk. If you’re still using Dynamics GP, here’s a breakdown of what this means for you, what happens next, and how you can avoid operational disruptions.

Key Dates for Dynamics GP End of Life

Microsoft is phasing out support for Dynamics GP in two stages, depending on which version you’re using:

Modern Lifecycle Users (Most Recent Versions)

  • September 30, 2029: Microsoft will stop all product support, updates, and customer service.
  • April 30, 2031: No more security updates - leaving your system vulnerable to cyber threats.

Fixed Lifecycle Users (Older Versions)

  • If you’re on an older version of GP, you may already be out of support.
  • Dynamics GP 2018 and 2018 R2 lost mainstream support on January 1, 2023, with extended support ending January 11, 2028.

If your business still relies on GP, now is the time to start planning your transition.

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What Happens If You Stay on Dynamics GP?

Many businesses continue to use Dynamics GP, even knowing it’s reaching end of support. Here’s why you shouldn’t:

  1. Increased Security Risks

Without security updates, your system becomes a target for cyberattacks. Data breaches, ransomware, and compliance failures become real concerns - especially for businesses handling sensitive financial information.

Scenario: A business using GP gets hit by a ransomware attack, locking them out of their financial data. Since security updates are no longer available, their IT team struggles to recover, delaying payroll and vendor payments.

  1. No More Microsoft Support

If something goes wrong - data corruption, a system bug, or an unexpected failure - Microsoft won’t help. Even many Microsoft Partners have stopped supporting GP, forcing businesses to rely on expensive third-party consultants.

Scenario: A company encounters a critical software error during month-end closing. Since GP is no longer supported, resolving the issue takes weeks, delaying reporting, budgeting, and strategic planning.

  1. Rising Maintenance Costs

The longer you stay on outdated software, the more expensive it becomes to maintain. You’ll likely need specialized consultants to fix issues; custom workarounds to keep the system running; and extra IT resources to manage outdated infrastructure.

At some point, the costs of maintaining GP will outweigh the price of switching to a modern solution.

Scenario: A manufacturing company using GP fails a compliance audit because their system doesn’t meet updated security standards. They’re hit with a $100,000 fine and must invest in costly manual fixes. A modern ERP system would have prevented this.

  1. Falling Behind Competitors

Businesses moving to cloud-based ERP systems like Dynamics 365 Business Central are benefiting from AI-powered analytics for smarter decision-making; real-time financial insights to improve cash flow; and automation to reduce manual work.

While companies still on Dynamics GP are stuck managing outdated reports and slow processes. They are losing ground to competitors who can move faster and adapt more easily.

Scenario: A retail business using GP struggles with manual sales tracking, while a competitor using Business Central automatically syncs real-time sales data. The competitor optimizes inventory and capitalizes on trends faster. This leads to higher profits and customer satisfaction.

How to Start Planning Your Migration to Business Central

Waiting until 2029 or 2031 to move off GP could leave you scrambling. The sooner you start, the smoother your transition will be.

  1. Set a Transition Timeline
  • September 30, 2029 – Microsoft ends support
  • April 30, 2031 – Microsoft stops security updates

Businesses should begin planning at least 12-24 months in advance to avoid last-minute issues. But we recommend starting this process now so you can start taking advantage of Business Central sooner.

  1. Take Immediate Action
  • Review Your Current System: Assess what’s working, what’s not, and what features you’ll need in Business Central.
  • Create a Migration Plan: Work with finance, IT, and operations to map out key milestones, including data migration and user training.
  • Engage the Right Partner: A Microsoft Dynamics expert can guide you through the process, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal downtime.
  1. Use Available Resources
  • Microsoft Migration Tools – Official documentation and guides
  • Webinars & Training – Get up to speed on Business Central’s capabilities
  • Microsoft Partners – Work with certified consultants to ensure a seamless transition

Why Business Central is the Best Upgrade from Dynamics GP

Microsoft isn’t just ending GP support - it’s pushing businesses toward modern, cloud-based solutions like Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Here’s why Business Central is the right move:
✔ Cloud-Based & Always Updated – No more outdated software or costly upgrades
✔ AI & Automation – Work smarter, not harder, with real-time insights
✔ Stronger Security – Built-in Microsoft 365 security features keep your data safe
✔ Seamless Integration – Works with Microsoft 365, Power BI, Teams, and more

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

If you’re still running Dynamics GP, now is the time to start planning your move. The longer you wait, the harder and riskier the transition will be.

At 360 Visibility, we specialize in helping businesses migrate from Dynamics GP to Business Central smoothly and cost-effectively. Let’s talk about how to future-proof your business.