Advantages of Moving From Dynamics GP to a Microsoft ERP Solution
Microsoft (MS) Dynamics GP (Great Plains) has been a trusted financial and operational management solution for years. However, as businesses scale, so should their enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
Many are finding that GP no longer meets their needs. With Microsoft’s focus on cloud-based ERP solutions, like Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC), now is the perfect time to consider making the jump.
So why should businesses consider moving from GP to a Microsoft ERP solution? There are 10 key advantages — let’s discuss them.
1. Cloud-based flexibility
One of the biggest drawbacks of Dynamics GP is its reliance on on-premise infrastructure. When you choose a new ERP system from MS, like Business Central, it’s no longer a constraint thanks to the cloud.
With a cloud-based infrastructure, businesses can:
- Access data anytime, anywhere, on any business device.
- Automatically receive updates and security patches.
- Lower IT costs related to maintenance and infrastructure.
2. Full integration with the Microsoft ecosystem
Another advantage of moving from GP to Business Central is seamlessly integrating with other MS products.
So, if you use Dynamics Business Central as your ERP, it automatically integrates with Microsoft’s productivity suite of products and applications. A few of these include:
- Microsoft 365: Simplify your workflow and collaboration with Microsoft 365. Previously known as Office 365, this product includes Teams, OneDrive, Word, and Outlook.
- Microsoft Azure: Enhance your scalability and security with Microsoft Azure — the power behind any Microsoft application.
- Power Platform: Quickly, easily, and cost-effectively build apps and manage data. This platform consists of Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Pages, and Copilot Studio.
Best of all, each product and app can connect or pull data from each other. This eliminates the need, in many cases, to take on the expense of large, time-consuming customization or development efforts. If you’re already using the Microsoft platform, you can build on this investment with additional solutions. Also, prior experience with MS tools makes user adoption and training faster.
3. Scalability for business growth
As businesses expand, they’ll need an ERP that can scale with them. Microsoft solutions are built to be scalable, so you can make an investment and get the most out of it for years to come. Easy to customize and configure, MS products scale to support your needs as you change and grow.Â
For instance, GP may have limitations, whereas Dynamics 365 offers:
- Cloud-based scalability
- Customization options
- AI-driven insights
A monthly subscription model makes it easy to scale up or down as needed — and very quickly. However, this depends on growth, seasonality, and unexpected changes in the market.
4. Reliability, security, & compliance
Security is a top priority for any business handling sensitive financial data. Luckily, MSÂ solutions are built on a platform that is used more than any other because it is trusted more than any other.Â
With enterprise-grade security features backed by MS Azure, you can be assured your data is secure, and all compliance laws and regulations are adhered to. When combining this with automated backups and disaster recovery solutions, there’s no doubt in Microsft’s ERPs.
5. Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
While the initial investment in Dynamics 365 may seem higher, businesses may experience the benefit of a lower TCO. Because MS solutions offer robust, built-in functionality that integrates efficiently with your other MS infrastructure products, your total cost of deployment is reduced.Â
How? This is mainly due to the:Â
- Elimination of server maintenance and reduction of upgrade costs
- Subscription-based pricing model for predictable costs
- Reduced requirements for IT resources
6. Streamlined user experience
The advantage of staying with Microsoft for your ERP needs is simply the amount of time you save. Modern MS ERPs are designed with user-friendliness in mind. Your and your team’s user experience is streamlined, which can also lead to faster user adoption. It’s the intuitive, role-based interfaces and familiarity at play.
7. Decades of experience
There is perhaps no software vendor or partner network with a stronger reputation than Microsoft. Microsoft provides stable, fully functional foundational software and systems, and your local delivery partner has the experience and training to design a solution using those products and then implement and optimize it.
In short, you can count on Microsoft and Microsoft partners like ArcherPoint for quality products and services.Â
8. Applications for every requirement
With Microsoft’s huge network of Independent Software Vendors (ISV), you have access to a substantial amount of add-on applications available for specific needs — typically industry-specific.Â
These apps are vetted by Microsoft before they’re listed in AppSource, Microsoft’s online marketplace, so it’s very easy to find an app for a specific business requirement.Â
9. Future-proofing your business
Microsoft continuously invests in its platform, products, and apps for long-term viability and innovation. Staying with MS can help future-proof your business.
If you’re moving from Dynamics GP to another Microsoft ERP, you can:
- Stay ahead of competition and industry trends.
- Adapt quickly to market changes with agile cloud solutions.
- Get access to the newest features for business-critical processes.
- Leverage Microsoft’s support and development.
10. GP-to-BC migration tools
Microsoft provides tools to help migrate Dynamics GP data and transaction history to Business Central, plus ArcherPoint has additional tools, simplifying the process of changing systems.
Discover more about migrating from Dynamics GP to Business Central
ArcherPoint is staffed with Business Central veterans who can assist as you consider your options and make your plan for moving from GP to another ERP. Whatever you decide, we can help you make a smart plan and execute it to make the transition as smooth as possible while taking full advantage of a modern cloud ERP.
Download our free eBook to learn more about switching from GP to Business Central. Complete our online contact form, and an expert will contact you soon to discuss your options, questions, and concerns. You can also take advantage of our free assessment to help you determine the right path for business.
