Support and updates will go away September 2029
Microsoft has officially announced the end of Dynamics GP. As of Sept. 30, 2029, GP support and updates will no longer be available. Security patches only will continue through April 2031.
Of course, 2029 is still five years away and if we’ve learned anything about GP, it’s that the popular ERP is a workhorse that just keeps working. For that very reason many GP clients won’t even bat an eye at the news.
We get that. GP has long been a powerhouse ERP, capable of doing so much. Its versatility and extensive capabilities made it the perfect choice for mid-sized companies in multiple industries. It was — and still is — a great product!
There’s just one problem: It’s not on the cloud, and the cloud is the future of Microsoft. This latest announcement is just another sign of that trend.
What does the GP announcement mean?
First of all, you should know that Microsoft has two types of support: mainstream and extended. This latest announcement means that GP’s mainstream support, which includes crucial bug fixes and tax updates, will end in 2029. Extended support, or any critical security patches, will end in 2031.
Rest assured that your GP system will not simply quit working on that 2029 end-of-life date — or even in 2031. However, as time goes on, you will eventually have a harder time keeping your outdated system working at optimum level.
Microsoft support will no longer answer your tickets, but partners like Boyer will still do their part to keep your system running as smoothly as possible for as long as you choose to keep Dynamics GP.
Microsoft’s latest announcement does not mean you need to rush out today and buy a flashy new cloud ERP, but it does mean you should start thinking about your company’s future after GP.
What Boyer recommends for GP clients
Microsoft’s shift to focusing on the cloud is nothing new. This latest news simply reiterates what we already knew. Boyer has been and will continue to recommend the following for our GP clients:
DON’T:
- Panic. GP is not going away tomorrow.
- Assume your existing system will last forever as is. Tax updates in particular are a big deal for GP clients who use payroll, so that 2029 date is key to remember.
- Let your GP system lag on old versions just because it’s going away. Staying current is still your best option to keep it working well longer.
DO:
- Start thinking about an ERP migration, whether that’s for next year or part of your five-year plan.
- Talk to Boyer’s experts on what a migration to the cloud would look like for you. We can help you put together a comprehensive plan.
- Take advantage of Microsoft’s discounts for on-premise clients considering a move to the cloud. Trial licenses are available for you to get a feel for GP’s cloud counterpart, Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Planning your future GP cloud migration
Boyer has already helped many of our GP clients transition to the cloud. We’re working with others to plan out their future migration on a timetable that works well for them.
Some love their current ERP and want a cloud-based system that resembles Dynamics GP as closely as possible. Others see the migration as a chance to review their current operations and tweak processes along the way.
No matter your preference, planning for the future is key to ensuring your company doesn’t lag behind the competition. Contact Boyer today for a free Masterful Migrations assessment. We will:
- Review your business processes
- Assess your current system, including customizations and ISV integrations
- Assess the complexity and risk of your integrations, database, code, processes, reporting and licensing
- Recommend the type of cloud migration that will work best for your organization
Even if you’re not ready to migrate now, putting a plan in place will help you future-proof your business. Contact us today to get started.
