What is the Future of Microsoft Dynamics GP? All You Need to Know

Oct 26, 2022 | ERP, Microsoft Dynamics

Post updated on January 10 2025. 

Is Microsoft Dynamics GP being discontinued? We finally have an answer about the future of Dynamics GP. Microsoft has confirmed that support for Dynamics GP will end on December 31, 2029.

With the rise of AI and cloud computing, technology has changed. Microsoft is now shifting focus to its cloud solutions like Dynamics 365 to offer businesses a modernized ERP. GraVoc has been a long-time fan of Dynamics GP, innovating the product and supporting a large user base for many years. Now, we are committed to helping Dynamics GP users navigate this transition and stay competitive in an evolving market.

To start, we have put together this guide to the future of Dynamics GP, including what end of support will mean for Dynamics GP users, risks of staying on an unsupported Dynamics GP system, and what steps to take in the next 5 years.

How Long will Microsoft Support Dynamics GP?

Microsoft will support Dynamics GP till December 31, 2029. After this deadline, security updates and patches will be available, as needed, for another 2 years, until April 30, 2031. Read more about the Dynamics GP end-of-support deadlines in our updated blog post, ‘Understanding the Support Lifecycles of Dynamics GP.’

What does end of support mean for Dynamics GP users?

Once Dynamics GP reaches end of life, users will no longer receive feature enhancements, regulatory and tax updates, security fixes, and technical support. If you are wondering whether Dynamics GP will continue to work after the end-of-support deadline, the answer is yes! Dynamics GP is supported by a thriving community of partners and ISVs that will continue to extend the capabilities of the product.

However, there are risks to staying on an unsupported software. As Dynamics GP becomes more outdated, users who stay on the aging software risk losing out to competitors who modernize their ERP. Users also become vulnerable to system compatibility issues and security risks.

Our Director of Software Solutions, David Laster, recently appeared on a Dynamics Compass podcast to talk about the implications of Dynamics GP’s end of life. During the podcast, he provided insight around:

  • Risk of being on unsupported GP
  • What if you use GP Payroll? What if you don’t?
  • Is Business Central the default go-to?
  • What should the next 5 years look like for GP customers?

Having worked with Dynamics GP since 1999, David is a great resource on our team for users looking for guidance and expertise on navigating these upcoming changes. Check out the full episode below.

As a Dynamics GP user, what are your options?

 

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Upgrade your Dynamics GP system

Microsoft has given Dynamics GP users sufficient time – at least 5 years – to prepare and plan for next steps as the software approaches end of life. If you need time to consider your options or plan a move away from Dynamics GP, make sure you at least upgrade to the latest version of Dynamics GP, which is GP 18.7. Check out our blog post for more information on what’s new in GP 18.7.

GP 18.1 and later are governed by the Modern Lifecycle, which allows for continuous updates and support as long as users stay current by implementing at least one of the three all-inclusive Dynamics GP updates provided in a year. To maintain support for and optimize all that Dynamics GP has for you, the Dynamics GP environment cannot be more than two updates behind, so if you are running 18.5 or lower, make sure you upgrade your Dynamics GP system in the interim.

Older versions of Dynamics GP, such as Dynamics GP 2016 and GP 2016 R2, follow the fixed lifecycle policy with defined dates for end of mainstream and extended support. If you are running these older versions, get started on a Dynamics GP upgrade.

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Move to Dynamics 365 Business Central

For most Dynamics GP users, moving to Dynamics 365 Business Central is a no-brainer. Our team has been working with Dynamics 365 Business Central since it was launched, and we have watched it mature over the years. This next-gen cloud ERP offers powerful reporting solutions right out of the box, along with AI automations, better interoperability with other Microsoft products, and much more. It is the logical next step for Dynamics GP users looking to modernize their ERP.

However, we want to emphasize that migrating to Dynamics 365 Business Central is not just an upgrade for Dynamics GP users – it’s a re-implementation that requires planning, user training, and data migration. So start now to ensure your Dynamics 365 Business Central system is up to date and running by the time Dynamics GP is phased out.

Watch the video below for David Laster’s insights on the top reasons to migrate from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central.

GraVoc is Your Dedicated Dynamics GP Partner

GraVoc’s expert ERP specialists are fully committed to supporting the Dynamics GP community through this transition. Our team has made major investments in Dynamics GP, such as designing custom Power BI dashboards to streamline GP operations as well as developing external software integrations such as our Bullhorn One Connector for GP to extend the product’s scalability and functionality.

Our expert team is here to help you navigate any Dynamics GP upgrades or migrations. We’re experts at scoping, planning, testing, execution, and go-live phases that accompany the required upgrade or migration, regardless of how many companies, integrations, customizations, or ISV products you have in your environment.

If you want to learn more about upgrading Dynamics GP to the latest version or migrating to Dynamics 365 Business Central, check out our services or contact us to start discussing your options!

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