Microsoft aims to reduce pricing uncertainty for Dynamics GP on Azure

When it comes to deploying Microsoft Dynamics GP on the Azure cloud, one of the first questions Microsoft's John Dooley gets is: "What are the expected monthly costs?"

To help with the answer, Dooley offers the Azure Calculator for Microsoft Dynamics GP, a simple Excel-based toolset that enables partners to model common Dynamics GP deployments to help customers and prospects consider different options.

"You only need to provide the number of Dynamics GP Desktop, Web/Limited user clients," he writes. "Select a few license options, add in some of your own options/services and the modeler does all the heavy lifting for you. And of course, it also allows you to adjust for your own experience and recommendations."

Of course, there's some fine print: The spreadsheet contains Azure pricing as of May 1. Although Microsoft plans to update the tool as Azure prices change, Dooley said it's good idea to check that the tool reflects the current pricing, too.

You can check out the tool and see a screen shot on Dooley's blog.

But is an Excel-based spreadsheet enough to clear up the confusion that seems to exist around the pricing for deploying Dynamics GP on Azure? In a word (or two): Probably not. Dynamics GP partners we spoke with identified some of the remaining challenges for themselves and their clients.

Challenge: Pricing concepts

"To understand Azure pricing [of Dynamics GP] you have to understand the Azure pricing model," said Mariano Gomez, Microsoft MVP, PMP and EVP for Middlemarket Solutions at IntellPartners ...