Making the Most of Dynamics GP—While Preparing for What’s Next
Dynamics GP has served as a reliable ERP platform for years, and many organizations still depend on it every day. But with Microsoft steadily winding down GP and clear end-of-support timelines in place, businesses are now faced with a dual challenge: get the most value out of GP today while preparing for what comes next.
The good news? You don’t have to choose between “optimize” and “modernize.” With the right approach, you can do both—incrementally and without disruption.
Get your Guide to Incremental Change
Step 1: Stabilize and Optimize Your Current GP Environment
Before thinking about migration, it’s important to ensure your existing GP system is healthy, efficient, and well understood. This not only improves day-to-day operations but also sets a strong foundation for any future move.
While you’re still on GP, focus on:
- Cleaning up inactive vendors, customers, and accounts
- Reviewing and tightening security roles and user access
- Documenting key processes and customizations
- Applying supported updates and fixes
- Addressing performance issues or recurring errors
A cleaner, better-documented GP environment is easier to support and easier to migrate.
Step 2: Assess Your Readiness for Business Central
Once your current system is stable, it’s time to understand how it will translate to a modern, cloud ERP.
The Migration Assessment Tool is a great starting point. It reviews your GP setup—including data structure, workflows, and integrations—and highlights areas that may cause challenges during migration. For organizations with SQL access, additional scripts can help identify data volume issues and opportunities for cleanup.
This step isn’t about making changes yet—it’s about gaining clarity so there are no surprises later.
Step 3: Modernize Reporting Before You Migrate
Many GP users rely on Management Reporter, but it doesn’t move with you into Business Central. Waiting until migration to address reporting can create delays and frustration.
Instead, consider transitioning reporting now:
- Evaluate modern tools like Power BI, which integrates natively with Business Central
- Separate reporting training from ERP training to reduce change fatigue
- Ensure decision-makers always have access to accurate, timely data
Modernizing reporting early creates continuity and confidence during the transition.
Step 4: Plan Your Payroll Exit Strategy Early
Payroll is one area where waiting isn’t an option. Tax and payroll updates for GP will end in 2029, and Business Central does not include native payroll.
If you’re currently running payroll in GP:
- Begin evaluating third-party payroll solutions now
- Align payroll timelines with—but not dependent on—ERP migration
- Reduce compliance risk by transitioning well before support ends
Payroll should be planned deliberately and early, not treated as an afterthought.
Step 5: Rework Your Chart of Accounts with the Future in Mind
GP and Business Central handle account structures very differently. GP relies on long account strings and trees, while Business Central uses a natural account paired with dimensions.
Before migrating:
- Review underused, outdated, or redundant accounts
- Verify posting types and account categories in GP
- Identify where consolidation or restructuring makes sense
Most GP-to-BC migrations involve at least some account redesign. Addressing this ahead of time—often with the help of ISV tools—can prevent costly delays and reporting issues later.
Start Small, Move Confidently
As Dynamics GP approaches the end of support, the path forward doesn’t have to feel rushed or overwhelming. By optimizing what you have today and taking intentional steps toward modernization, you give your organization the time and flexibility to make smart decisions.
No matter your next move, the organizations that succeed are the ones that start preparing early—cleaning up GP, modernizing key functions like reporting and payroll, and laying the groundwork for a smoother transition.
The future doesn’t start at go-live. It starts with the steps you take now.
Get more details in the full Guide