We don’t know what you heard you have heard about Microsoft Dynamics GP recently, but…
In the last few years, there has been a lot of “noise” about the future of Microsoft Dynamics GP. With the advent of cloud-based solutions and as time draws closer to the end of fixed lifecycles for older product versions of GP, fear-based rumors are getting stronger.
Let’s clear this up immediately to avoid anyone being tricked into leaving GP before they develop a strong business case and to reassure the 47,000 businesses, primarily in North America and Australia, where people buy and use this product the most.
Tens of thousands of customers use Dynamics GP to run their businesses well and need a better reason to switch. There are a lot of GP customers who want to avoid moving to the cloud, can’t, or are legally unable to.
This blog will provide five key points to reassure you and tell you what’s new! Yes, there’s still new stuff coming out – because Microsoft Dynamics GP isn’t going anywhere anytime soon unless you want it to (and breathe and relax).
Point 1 – The modern lifecycle promise
Since the October 2019 release, Microsoft has made the same promise about the Modern Lifecycle for both Dynamics 365 and Dynamics GP.
This change from Fixed Lifecycle support (which had an end date) to Modern Lifecycle support (which has no end date) shows that Microsoft plans to keep improving and supporting the solution.
Make sure your version of Microsoft Dynamics GP is up to date so you can use the Modern Lifecycle Policy and everything else the product has to offer to its fullest. There’s no reason to leave Dynamics GP.
Point 2 – Microsoft Dynamics GP new versions and updates
Microsoft is committed to supporting Dynamics GP customers, including new versions like 18.6, 18.7, 18.8, etc., for the foreseeable future. If you already use Dynamics GP, you can be sure that you can use it to run your business for many years to come.
Microsoft still plans to provide updates in the same way as before. The Microsoft Dynamics GP partner ecosystem has always been robust, and new add-ons that make Dynamics GP better will keep coming out.
What’s NEW in the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics GP? (GP 2023)
- Both Windows Server 2022 and SQL Server 2022 can now be used with GP 18.5
- With GP 18.5, you can choose to Filter selected Navigation Lists by Batch ID or Batch Source and add the display to the navigation list information
- Improved the “redisplay” function in the “Checkbook” window when doing a “Bank Reconciliation”
- You can tell Dynamics GP to send a summary of an EFT or Credit Card batch to Bank Reconciliation
- Print SOP and POP documents and email them at the same time
- Once the Email Approval Workflow is done, have a batch automatically posted
- Users can change how Account Category Lookup and Search are sorted
- Print or email Cash Receipts documents
- Plan to run Check links at a specific time
- Use Mass Modify to change account descriptions
- Summary: Post Accounts Receivable Bank reconciliation for cash receipt
- Click through the sections of your account
- Single Feed is the default for Payables 1099 (USA)
- Payables 1096 form print email address (USA)
- Default Inquiry sort Options (AP, AR, BR)
What’s NEW Dynamics GP 18.4
- Change the numbers for projects and contracts
- Save Filter Settings for All-In-One
- Use GOTO to get from SOP Inquiry to SOP Trx Entry
- Payroll and Human Resources (USA-only)
- SafePay: remove employee name from check (USA)
- Hiding the Social Security number of an employee on Form W2 (USA)
- Cut and paste payroll transactions from Excel (US Payroll)
- Setting the default for Payroll Batch in Transaction Entry (US Payroll)
- Auto-Post Workflow for the whole process from beginning to end
- Table Changes Can Be Seen
- Maintenance of Workflow Get rid of Carbon Copy
- Number of Workflow Approvers
- Reminder 18.3 updated security to support two-factor authentication (2FA) and the new “MORE-secure” TLS 1.2 standards for connecting Dynamics GP to Office 365 for email and other functions.
Point 3 – The ISV Community
Microsoft Dynamics GP is an established and mature product that doesn’t need extensive new features, and the people who use GP do not expect any.
The ISV community is constantly adding new features and improving its products. So that people in the community can add more features and functions.
Many customers need help to tell the difference between what Microsoft built into Dynamics GP and what a customization or ISV product added or changed. They don’t tell the difference between Microsoft code and ISV code because of this. Everything to them is just “Dynamics GP.”
Point 4 – The official plan per Microsoft
In the end, that’s what’s most important. All the noise in the world won’t be able to cover up what Microsoft has said.
Mike Morton, General Manager, Dynamics 365 Business Central, clarified Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the Dynamics GP community following the 2022 Community Summit North America.
Specifically,
- Microsoft is fully committed to helping the people who use Dynamics GP. This will include new releases (like 18.6, 18.7, 18.8, etc.) for the foreseeable future on the exact scheduled timelines we’ve used for the past few years, as described in the GP Modern Support Lifecycle
- If you already use GP, you can be sure that Dynamics GP will help you run your business for many years
- Regulatory (tax) updates, security updates, and hotfixes will be included in new releases. This will keep GP up to date
- New releases will also include updates to make GP easier to use, more reliable, and address top customer issues, among other things that are important for making sure that businesses that use GP do well
- We did say something about “new features” at the Summit. This was meant to show that we don’t think Dynamics GP will get any significant new features, like new modules. Microsoft will put most of its money and time into improving and adding to other Dynamics 365 services
- The ecosystem of GP ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) has always been robust, and new add-ons that extend core Dynamics GP will continue to come out
- If a customer has questions or concerns, we tell them to talk to their current partner, who knows their business best
- Microsoft talked about a few companies that help people move. These services are meant to be a “partner-to-partner” resource, and customers will continue to work directly with their existing partner
To quote Microsoft’s Mike Morton again:
“It is true that most of Microsoft’s ERP investments will go toward Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics 365 Finance + SCM. We encourage customers to talk to their (software) partner about whether one of these products might be a good fit. At the same time, customers can rest assured that Dynamics GP will continue to be updated and supported, giving them the freedom to choose what’s best for their business. Many companies can and will keep using Microsoft Dynamics GP if they get the proper training and buy an add-on product.
Talk to your partner if your company wants to talk about moving to BC or any of the other cloud-based ERP systems. If you have a good partner, they are already getting ready to help your business deal with the coming changes. If your partner isn’t giving you the help you need, you should look for a new one and discuss any changes you want.
Microsoft Dynamics GP works with the latest Microsoft technologies, like Power BI, Power Automate, and Power Apps, that are part of the Power Platform. Also, there are many ways to move GP to the cloud if you want to.”
Point 5 – Talk to your Software Partner; if you don’t have one, you can call us!
If Dynamics GP customers have questions or concerns, we suggest they talk to their Dynamics GP reselling partner.
If you use Dynamics GP and want to move your business to the cloud, contact your Dynamics GP partner. To use the cloud, you can move to either Dynamics 365 Business Central or Dynamics 365 Finance, and your partner can help you move your data.
If you don’t want to move to the cloud, you can use the latest version of Dynamics GP or move to Dynamics 365 on-premises. You can choose either way, and Microsoft will support both.
About the Author
SSG boosts the micro-industries it serves and re-establishes the intelligent enterprise standards for future use in producing and distributing goods in the United States. The executive role that SSG plays in the capacity of a strategic partner for its clients allows it to accelerate and shape the future of each client company. SSG can accomplish this by leveraging its expertise in systems to increase each client’s business efficiency and create a competitive advantage.
SSG leaves a powerful legacy thanks to its passionate and rigorous application of information systems experience, savvy business acumen, and determination to realize SSG’s vision of the business outcomes that are available to each of its client companies.
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