As Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains (GP) approaches its end of life, organizations using this legacy enterprise resource planning (ERP) system must plan their transition to a more modern and sustainable solution. With the looming deadlines for mainstream support and security updates, companies are now faced with critical decisions on how to adapt their business processes for future growth while minimizing operational disruption.

Understanding the end-of-life timeline

• April 1, 2025: Microsoft will stop offering perpetual licenses to new customers.
• April 1, 2026: Subscription licenses will no longer be available for new customers.
• September 30, 2029: Microsoft will end product enhancements, regulatory updates, service packs, and technical support. This is the end of mainstream support for Dynamics GP.
• April 30, 2031: This will be the final date for security updates.

These milestones highlight the need for businesses to begin planning their migration sooner rather than later, especially if they rely heavily on Dynamics GP for critical business functions.

Modern ERP solutions

For organizations looking to future-proof their operations, migrating to a modern ERP solution should be a top priority. Several options exist, each with their own benefits, depending on the organization’s size, complexity, and industry requirements.

• Cloud-based ERP solutions: For businesses seeking scalability and security, cloud-based ERP solutions, like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and NetSuite, are ideal. Business Central integrates with Microsoft Office 365, Power BI, and Azure, offering financial management, supply chain, and manufacturing features. NetSuite provides real-time insights, flexible financial management, customer relationship management (CRM), e-commerce, and inventory management in a unified platform. Both systems are highly scalable, supporting growth, multi-subsidiary operations, and international expansion while ensuring security, continuous updates, and enhanced efficiency to future-proof operations.
• Hybrid solutions: For some organizations, a full migration to the cloud may not be ideal due to regulatory or operational reasons. In these cases, a hybrid ERP solution can be adopted with critical functions remaining on-premises while non-core processes move to the cloud. This allows businesses to benefit from cloud scalability while maintaining control over sensitive data.

Migration strategy

As businesses transition from Dynamics GP to a new ERP system, data migration becomes a critical focus. This includes not only transferring data but also cleaning it to avoid clutter in the new system. Managed services can help ensure data integrity, optimize the ERP environment, and facilitate a smooth transfer of essential data.

Recognizing the significant cost and time involved in an ERP transition, early planning is key. Citrin Cooperman’s Digital Services Practice offers a range of services to assess the impact of any changes, create a detailed transition plan, and reduce deployment costs. To support businesses, our team provides professional cloud transition assessment services designed to make the transition from your current Dynamics GP environment as seamless as possible, ensuring that businesses can migrate with confidence. These services, valued at over $3,000, are offered at no charge and with no obligation, regardless of whether you choose a different provider or solution.

Ensuring operational continuity

As Microsoft phases out support for Dynamics GP, businesses need to consider engaging a third-party vendor to sustain operations during the migration process. This is essential to maintaining security and functionality until the transition is fully complete.

Consulting and customization services, like those offered by Citrin Cooperman, help tailor the new ERP system to the specific needs of the business, ensuring it aligns with existing processes. Custom integrations may be required to ensure continuity for systems dependent on third-party solutions, enhancing the effectiveness of the ERP implementation. Alongside these efforts, third-party vendors can provide ongoing maintenance and patches during the transition as Microsoft phases out its support for Dynamics GP, ensuring operational stability.

Navigate a smooth ERP transition with Citrin Cooperman

The end of life for Microsoft Dynamics GP is an opportunity for businesses to transition to more modern, efficient, and scalable ERP systems. Whether migrating to the cloud, adopting a hybrid solution, or upgrading on-premises systems, careful planning and execution will allow organizations to capitalize on new technology while minimizing disruption. By taking advantage of managed services, consulting expertise, and robust change management strategies, businesses can ensure a smooth transition and position themselves for future success.

Transitioning from Dynamics GP may seem daunting, but with the right support and strategy, it can lead to significant improvements in business operations and long-term growth potential. Speak to our ERP professionals in Citrin Cooperman’s Digital Services Practice to discover strategies to navigate the transition smoothly and explore our exclusive service offerings designed to ensure a seamless, cost-effective migration with minimal disruption to your operations.