Dynamics GP (Great Plains), an old ERP product from Microsoft, has at least 15,000 active users. The various editions of GP that have been produced include Dynamics GP 2015, Dynamics GP 2016, Dynamics GP 2018, GP 18.2, GP 18.3, and GP 18.4 (also known as GP 2022). The most recent version, 18.5, is also referred to as GP 2023. Microsoft provides support for updated versions of GP, including bug fixes, new features, compliance updates, service packs, ERP productivity, improved security, and more. This includes everything you require to manage your business legally and effectively. Unfortunately, to focus more of its attention on other initiatives, Microsoft has had to stop supporting older versions. If your Dynamics GP is not up to date, there is a possibility that you may miss out on essential security upgrades and features. To get the most out of your GP solution, you need to upgrade to the latest version.
Why Should You Migrate to Microsoft Dynamics GP?
It is important to ensure that your business software includes the latest feature upgrades and enhancements offered by Microsoft Dynamics GP. Unfortunately, not all versions of GP will automatically upgrade to the latest version. You may need to go through a few “hops” or “steps” to reach the latest version. For example, if you wanted to upgrade from GP 2015, you would need to update to GP 2016, then to GP 18.3, 18.4, and finally to GP 18.5.
Each “hop” to a new version requires time and resources. If you don’t upgrade frequently, being on the most recent system could require you to put up with longer downtimes and more expensive upgrades. If you want to modernize your Dynamics GP setup but are unsure about where to start, our Evincible Solution team is ready to help you every step of the way.
Top 5 Reasons For Migrating Your Dynamics GP
It can be difficult to keep up with Microsoft’s continual stream of release updates and new features for your Dynamics GP system. You need to upgrade to the latest version, capabilities, and improved security and support. The recent update for Microsoft Dynamics GP, version 18.5, was released on October 1, 2022. To maximize the value of your GP solution, upgrade to the most recent version.
Here are the top 5 benefits of updating your Dynamics GP:
1.Bug Fixes And Updates To Compliance
The main components of Microsoft’s system upgrades are service packs, hotfixes, and compliance updates. Service packs are regularly released every six months and include fixes for issues that have been reported. Microsoft examines the most common customer concerns about new features. Hot fixes are regular updates that quickly fix small problems.
2. Unique Features And Functionality
New and unique features are added with every GP update. By integrating multi-factor authentication and allowing users to hide social security numbers on human resources reports, the most recent version of GP adds more security precautions. Improvements to features like copy and paste with Payables transactions are also included.
3. The ISV Product’s Features And Functionality Are The simplest To Integrate
Connecting to Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), also referred to as third-party products, is made easier by regular GP upgrades. Are any ISV products that you might be interested in employing compatible with the most recent version of GP? Using the most recent versions of both your GP solution and a third-party product is frequently required.
4.Support
It is likely that Microsoft will discontinue support for older versions of Dynamics GP as each version has an end-of-support date. Therefore, the longer you continue to use an outdated version, the higher the chance of losing support from Microsoft. Without support, there is a higher chance of bugs, compatibility problems, and data security problems. Additionally, old versions are no longer receiving automatic upgrades, which are essential for implementing significant adjustments to payroll and tax laws.
5.Prevent Workarounds And Reduce Costs
It may seem like a tedious task, but keeping up with regular upgrades for Dynamics GP is crucial to ensure optimal performance and access to the latest features. When using outdated technology, employees may resort to workarounds that might put your company’s data at risk.
Regular updates maximize your GP solution, and by keeping your system up to date, the upgrades themselves take less time and have less of an impact on your productivity. Additionally, staying current will minimize your upgrading costs, as the price to upgrade to the most recent version rises the longer you wait.
If you have any questions about extending and upgrading your GP, get in touch with our consultants at Evincible Solutions.
