Planning Your Move from Microsoft Dynamics GP to Business Central
- Connor Chavez
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Is your organization still running on Microsoft Dynamics GP? With Microsoft investing heavily in cloud-first solutions, many businesses are considering the move to Dynamics 365 Business Central—a modern, scalable ERP platform built for the future.
Transitioning from GP to Business Central is not just an upgrade; it's a strategic shift that positions your business for long-term growth.
A Shift in ERP Strategy
Moving from Dynamics GP to Business Central involves more than just a software update—it’s a fundamental change in your technology infrastructure. Business Central is a cloud-native solution, evolving from Dynamics NAV, not GP. While GP was built with on-premises infrastructure in mind, Business Central is designed for today’s cloud-connected business world.
GP has served a wide range of industries, particularly in North America, with a focus on financial management. Business Central, on the other hand, provides a full suite of ERP (enterprise resource planning) and CRM (customer relationship management) capabilities tailored to growing companies needing flexible, integrated systems.
Key Differences Between Dynamics GP and Business Central
1. Cloud Readiness
Business Central is fully cloud-based and hosted on Microsoft Azure. There’s no need for local servers or third-party hosting, resulting in lower IT overhead and enhanced scalability.
2. User Experience
The interface in Business Central is modern and intuitive, but users coming from GP may face a learning curve. However, most find it to be a UX improvement once trained.
3. Licensing Model
GP offers both perpetual and subscription licensing. Business Central is available only as a SaaS product, offering predictable monthly costs and automatic updates.
4. Support Lifecycle
While Microsoft has committed to supporting GP through 2029 (and security patches until 2031), development is now focused on cloud solutions like Business Central. This means more frequent updates, new features, and ongoing innovation for BC users.
5. AppSource and Add-On Ecosystem
GP has a more mature add-on ecosystem, but Business Central is catching up fast with AppSource, Microsoft’s official marketplace of integrated business apps.
6. Dimensional Accounting
Business Central uses Dimensions instead of account segments. This simplifies your chart of accounts and provides more powerful reporting capabilities. It’s a major shift, especially for accounting teams.
Accounts Payable: What Changes in Business Central?
If your team handles a high volume of invoices or vendor interactions, expect some important improvements in Business Central:
Advanced Workflows: Configure customizable approval workflows.
Improved Search: Find AP invoices or vendors quickly using global search.
Power Automate Integration: Automate repetitive tasks and streamline approvals.
Purchase Order Matching: Supports 2-way and 3-way matching out-of-the-box.
Enhanced Reporting: Integrates seamlessly with Power BI for advanced reporting and dashboards.
Global Tax Management: More robust capabilities for handling tax, VAT, and GST.
Is Dynamics GP Really Ending?
While Microsoft has not announced an exact end date for GP, their roadmap indicates a clear shift away from on-premises ERP. The final security updates are scheduled through April 2031. Businesses that rely on GP should start planning for the future now to avoid rushed transitions later.
CBR Technology Can Help
At CBR Technology, we specialize in helping businesses migrate from Dynamics GP to Business Central. Our team understands the unique differences between the systems and will guide your business through every step of the process—from assessment and planning to data migration and training.
Schedule a free consultation today to begin your upgrade with confidence!
Phone: 855.227.0700
Email: sales@cbrtechnology.com
Website: cbrtechnology.com
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