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Dynamics 365 | Dynamics GP

  • 1.  Dynamics 365 | Dynamics GP

    Posted Jun 20, 2019 12:01 PM
    I see the latest version of GP is 2018. Is microsoft planning to face out Dynamics GP and transition to Dynamics 365?
    What is the roadmap for Dynamics GP for next couple of years?

    Can someone please help me understand.

    Thanks Venketesh

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    Venketesh Subramony
    U.S. Chamber of Commerce
    Washington DC
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  • 2.  RE: Dynamics 365 | Dynamics GP

    GPUG ALL STAR
    Posted Jun 20, 2019 05:02 PM
    Hi @Venketesh Subramony

    No, Microsoft is NOT in the process of "Phasing Out" GP.

    This is an excellent question and we should pause to clear up confusion.

    YES:  Microsoft is in process of "pushing" Dynamics 365 Business Central since it is a "cloud based" solution
     NO:  Microsoft has no intention within the next few years of phasing out or stopping support of GP.
    YES:  GP is still being "improved" and "developed" and supported by Microsoft
     NO:  You are not required to move off of GP right now, nor are you required to start planning it.​

    There are many advantages to D365BC and it's a good product, but it is not a "GP Upgrade" at all.  

    Feel free to reach out to me if you have any other questions.

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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Dynamics 365 | Dynamics GP

    Posted Jun 21, 2019 09:33 AM
    Venketesh,

    This is an interesting topic and Jo is correct in that GP is not going away.  I have seen the Dynamics GP and SL roadmaps and where in the past there were specific time lines for releases, the newest road map shows what was done in the past and the final image just has the word "Next?"

    I attended a Microsoft Summit recently and there is a big push to Dynamics 365 but most of the other partners I have spoke with indicate that the transition is targeting customers using AX and moving them to Dynamics 365.  Currently, that is the only upgrade path from the traditional ERP software packages.  

    Another thing to consider is that the 2018 release must be supported through 2023 and then there is a 5 year extended support period.  With Dynamics GP having a larger share on the market, I don't believe that Microsoft would eliminate a large portion of that maintenance revenue just to force customers to make a decision.

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    David Callery
    Consultant
    Coe & Company, LLC
    Jefferson LA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Dynamics 365 | Dynamics GP

    TOP CONTRIBUTOR
    Posted Jun 21, 2019 09:50 AM
    Please also note that sometimes the messaging from Microsoft is somewhat confusing.  Dynamics 365 and Dynamics GP are not even remotely the same products.  There is no conversion tooling or path to move from GP to 365.  If you are investigating for new accounting solutions, it is probably worth it to investigate 365.  If you already have Dynamics GP in place, I would ignore 365 entirely.  The last note I would make is that there is an extensive community of third-party products which accentuate GP.  That community is not nearly so robust around 365 and so the functionality that is so fully fleshed out in GP is in many ways still on the drawing boards with 365.

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    Blair Christensen
    Database Administrator
    Oppenheimer Companies, Inc.
    Boise ID
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Dynamics 365 | Dynamics GP

    Posted Jun 22, 2019 06:07 PM

    While Microsoft will continue to support Dynamics GP for at least the next several years, nearly all of Microsoft's mid-market ERP development resources have been reallocated to Dynamics 365 Business Central.  Business Central is now Microsoft's premier mid-market application.

    Our company has been a Dynamics GP partner for over 20 years, and due to Microsoft's change in direction, we have chosen to develop a Business Central practice as well.  Most Dynamics GP partners are starting to work on this transition.

    My suggestion would be to continue using Dynamics GP, but to start to learn more about D365 Business Central.  If you plan to add significant functionality to your Dynamics GP instance in the future, I recommend that you consider migrating to Business Central as an alternative to investing significant dollars into Dynamics GP.  Not to say that you should migrate - just that you should at least look at it as an option.

    Microsoft has developed a data replication tool which will bring GP history into Business Central (except for Project Accounting and Manufacturing data).  However, migrating to Business Central requires significant process changes, retooling, and training.  So it is still a significant project.



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    Janelle Riley
    CEO
    Syvantis Technologies, Inc.
    Baxter MN
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Dynamics 365 | Dynamics GP

    TOP CONTRIBUTOR
    Posted Jun 24, 2019 08:47 AM
    Janelle,

    Does the data replication tool you mentioned handle 'open' transactions/balances, or just history?

    Has anyone used it for a system migration?

    Chris


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    Chris Donnelly
    Sr Mgr of Info Systems and Financial Reporting
    Healthmark Industries
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Dynamics 365 | Dynamics GP

    Posted Jun 24, 2019 09:25 AM
    @Chris Donnelly  there are really two different tools that would be used to move data to Dyn365 from GP.   One will do "open" transactions and one will do "historical".  The "historical" one is still relatively new and my understanding that it is being tweaked as they go.

    If you are considering a move, i'd suggest having a serious conversation with your partner as your data is only a piece of the implementation.   BC requires substantial process changes and users need to get used to a new way of processing.
    ​

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    Michael Gummel
    Prod Engineer
    Paradigm Technology Consulting
    Allentown NJ
    mgummel@ptcllc.com
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Dynamics 365 | Dynamics GP

    GPUG ALL STAR
    Posted Jun 24, 2019 10:33 AM
    Edited by David Musgrave Jun 27, 2019 01:43 AM
    Hi All

    Disclaimer: This is my opinion only.

    While Business Central is being developed at a rapid rate, it does not have the maturity and functionality of Microsoft Dynamics GP. If you have a plain GL, AR, AP system then it might be an option for you (as long as you have fast and reliable internet).

    If you have other modules from Microsoft (such as Project Accounting, Field Service, Manufacturing, etc.) or modules from ISVs (Independent Software Vendors), then moving to Business Central is likely to be a downgrade with much functionality lost. It would also probably be a re-implementation as there is no one-click migration.

    Microsoft Dynamics GP has a new version scheduled for release before the end of the year (not sure of exact dates yet), It is not confirmed, but I hope it will be labelled as "Microsoft Dynamics GP 2020". When this new version releases there will be at least 5 years of full support and another 5 years of maintenance support. That gets us to at least 2030 and probably beyond...

    Please read my article on the topic:


    Microsoft Dynamics GP is a cash cow for Microsoft and they will not want to kill the cash cow, even though their sales and marketing team have been spreading misinformation (or at least giving the wrong impression) about the future of Microsoft Dynamics GP.

    At this stage what I have been hearing on the grapevine is that Microsoft Dynamics GP customers who believe the hype (possibly because of their partners scaring them) are more likely to move to a non-Microsoft product than Business Central.

    Regards

    David

    PS: I wonder if my MVP Status will be renewed on the 1st July?



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    David Musgrave MVP, GPUG All-Star

    Managing Director
    Winthrop Development Consultants

    Perth, Western Australia

    http://www.winthropdc.com
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Dynamics 365 | Dynamics GP

    Posted Jun 24, 2019 02:17 PM
    There are functionality differences between the two applications.  Some things are better in GP (Smartlists) and some are better in BC (Edit in Excel).  Our own company migrated from GP to Business Central nearly a year ago.  We have found that GL, AR, AP, SOP, and POP have comparable functionality in the two systems. We also use Project Accounting from Progressus, and it has been working well.  ISVs have been rapidly building functionality in Business Central so many of the previous gaps have been filled. 

    The GP replication tool that Microsoft built is called the Intelligent Cloud Wizard.  It replicates all GP historical data to custom tables in BC for query.  After migration, GP historical data is queried from one set of tables in BC, and new transactions are queried from the BC tables.  Project Accounting and Manufacturing data need to be migrated using another tool such as SmartConnect or Logic Apps.  Open transactions need to be migrated using another tool as well - usually Config Packages.

    As David noted:  GP is not going to just disappear, as it has a large and secure client base.  Microsoft is committed to continue to support it for many years to come.

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    Janelle Riley
    CEO
    Syvantis Technologies, Inc.
    Baxter MN
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Dynamics 365 | Dynamics GP

    Posted Jun 25, 2019 01:56 AM