My 2018 Microsoft Dynamics GP Predictions: Pressure, Power BI, and plenty of risk management

I nailed my 2017 predictions for Microsoft Dynamics GP, so let's see if I can do it again for 2018.

1. You will be underwhelmed by new features.

The GP team is effectively mining Microsoft Connect for new features. This means that new versions get little fixes and feature updates. Workflow gets incrementally better, the web client gets improvements, maybe a few rough spots get smoothed out, but there isn't a vision for things that will make you say "WOW". I'm happy to be wrong on this one, but I don't think it will turn out that way.

2. The Dynamics 365 pressure will shift from Microsoft to the partner.

Microsoft's relentless Dynamics 365 drumbeat will continue, but as more partners add various flavors of Dynamics 365 to their portfolio, Microsoft's incentives will work to get the sales pitch in front of companies. Even though none of the Dynamics 365 ERP product are true direct upgrades from GP, expect to get a call from a partner wanting to show Dynamics 365.

3. Power BI with Dynamics GP will go mainstream.

My friend, and fellow MVP Belinda Allen, continues to beat the Power BI drum for analyzing Dynamics GP data. I'm hearing rumblings that companies are finally on board with Power BI and moving beyond proof of concept to production models. This may be the year that Power BI goes from something that demos well to a critical analytical component.

4. Security will continue to be front and center.

The end of 2017 was rough from a security standpoint.