Has Dynamics GP Reached End of Life? What You Need to Know About Microsoft's Announcement

Until September 2024, there has been a great deal of confusion about the future of Microsoft Dynamics GP. 

However, Microsoft has now provided clarity about its plans for the Dynamics GP ERP solution.

In addition to their previously announced end of new perpetual license sales in April 2025 and end of new subscription licenses sales in April 2026, Microsoft has now revealed that with mainstream Dynamics GP support will be coming to an end in 2029 and extended support will wrap up by 2031.

(It turns out that the 70% of companies running GP in 2023 who believed that MSFT would support GP on the Modern Lifecycle Policy for more than 5 years were right on target.)  

So, what does all of this mean for you and your business? Let’s find out:

My business currently uses Dynamics GP. What does the future look like for us?

Honestly? Now is not the time to panic. Now is the time to plan.

Even after Microsoft stops selling new licenses of Dynamics GP, they will continue to provide enhancements, hotfixes, and regulatory updates until September 30, 2029 and they will provide security updates until April 30, 2031. 

If you want a better idea of how to make sure your Dynamics GP is optimized to help guide you into the future or if now is the time to make a change, start with a Roadmap Consultation! In this complimentary 2-hour consultation, an Enavate expert will help evaluate your GP solution and your options for moving forward – whether that includes optimizing your GP, moving your GP to the Cloud, or considering a migration to a cloud-based ERP.

Another way that you can assess your current GP environment and begin mapping out your best next steps is with a Dynamics GP Health Check. 

Find answers to more commonly asked questions by Dynamics GP users here.

My business was considering purchasing Dynamics GP. Is that still a good idea? 

You can certainly purchase a perpetual Dynamics GP license before April 2025 or a subscription license before April 2026. However, just because it is possible to purchase Dynamics GP as your new ERP solution, it might not be the best solution for your business long-term. 

Learn about your options moving forward with Dynamics GP in our eBook.

If you are planning to purchase a new instance of Dynamics GP, you can extend the security and support for it by deploying it in the Enavate Cloud – Powered by Azure. 

Migrating from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365

However, an option with more potential to carry your business into the future would be to migrate from GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central. With Business Central, not only do you get a modern Cloud solution, you get it at a lower cost. You don’t have to buy and maintain a SQL server, a Windows server or any other physical infrastructure. For new customers, Dynamics 365 Business Central is the best option from both a cost and a functionality standpoint.  

I want the functionality of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, however, I feel more comfortable with an on-premises solution. What are my options? 

Business Central is also available as an on-premises version. If you want a perpetual license, you need to act quickly: Just like with Dynamics GP, Microsoft will stop selling them for on-premises Business Central in 2025.  

However, to tap into Business Central’s full potential, we highly recommend the Cloud-based version. We understand why some businesses are hesitant to move away from on-premises solutions. It's important to note that the Cloud is the more secure option. 

Migrating from Dynamics GP to the Cloud sounds like a daunting task. How do I even do that? 

It’s true that migrating from Dynamics GP to a Cloud-based solution is a bit more complex than flipping a switch. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. By partnering with a team of trusted Dynamics GP migration experts like Enavate, you’ll be able to move your business operations to Dynamics 365 Business Central and not have to worry about falling behind or losing Microsoft support for your solution.  

Get a clear picture of where you are today and a roadmap to how your Dynamics GP technology can help your organization get where you want to go next with  a free Roadmap Consultation. 
 
This post was originally published June 6th, 2023 and has been updated for accuracy and relevance.