Microsoft will end mainstream support for Dynamics GP in 2029. If your business runs on GP today, you need to start planning your migration now.
Dynamics GP, once known as Great Plains, has helped small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) for many years. It offers strong accounting and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) features. Dynamics 365 Business Central, the clear successor, is Microsoft's modern, cloud-based ERP that does everything GP does, plus much more.
Business Central offers the same key accounting functions you use now. It also has big improvements in automation, reporting, and integration. It connects directly to Microsoft 365, Power BI, and the Power Platform. This unifies finance with the rest of your business and reduces dependence on third-party tools.
Microsoft built Dynamics GP decades ago as an on-premises accounting system. Businesses benefited from it for years, but designers did not create it for today's cloud-connected world. Microsoft announced that GP mainstream support ends in 2029. After that date, you'll face security risks, compliance issues, and limited vendor support.
Business Central is Microsoft's answer. It's the modern ERP platform they're investing in and improving every month. When you migrate from Dynamics GP to Business Central, you're not just updating software; you are future-proofing your business.
A Dynamics GP upgrade to Business Central is not a simple software update. It is a strategic ERP migration and involves moving data, redesigning processes, and training your team. But with the right approach and the right partner, you can make this transition smooth and successful.
Business Central works differently from GP. It automates tasks that used to require manual work. It enables real-time collaboration and provides dimensional reporting that GP can't match.
This makes your Business Central implementation the perfect time to ask: What processes should we keep? What should we change? What should we eliminate?
Start by removing outdated customizations and streamlining redundant processes. Design your new ERP around business impact, not around "how we've always done it."
Most GP environments rely heavily on add-ons from independent software vendors (ISVs). You might use separate tools for check printing, payroll, fixed assets, or reporting. Each add-on adds complexity to your migration and creates long-term maintenance issues.
Business Central includes much of this functionality natively. Where you need specialized capabilities, 425 Consulting Group offers modern, cloud-ready solutions that work directly inside Business Central:
These solutions keep your entire financial operation inside the Microsoft ecosystem. You eliminate outside vendors, reduce maintenance costs, and simplify your technology stack.
Data migration is the most time-consuming part of any Business Central implementation. You need to move master records, historical transactions, and opening balances from GP into Business Central. The data must be clean, accurate, and properly structured.
Microsoft offers a basic Data Migration Wizard, but it has serious limitations. It only works with newer GP versions and requires extensive manual cleanup. It often leaves out critical historical data that your business needs.
At 425 Consulting Group, we use 425 BC MigrationPRO for every Dynamics GP to Business Central migration. This proprietary web-based tool transforms, validates, and imports your legacy data in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.
BC MigrationPRO automates the heavy lifting of data migration. It delivers more than 50% faster historical data loading compared to manual methods or Microsoft's basic tools.
The tool validates and loads:
425 BC MigrationPRO checks data integrity before import. It flags issues early. It ensures your data is clean and consistent throughout the process. This reduces rework, minimizes risk, and gives you accurate, audit-ready financials from day one.
✓ BC MigrationPRO — 50%+ faster historical data loading with automated validation
✓ CheckSaverPRO — Modern, BC-native check printing without third-party complexity
✓ ReportingPRO — Standardized Power BI financial reports built on your BC data model
The most successful migrations happen when companies treat Business Central as a business transformation, not just a software change. Your system will be more flexible than GP. You can add modules, change reports, and automate processes more easily.
But technology alone does not create success. Your people and your processes determine how effectively you use the new system. Build a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Every successful ERP migration needs an internal champion. This person should understand finance, operations, and company strategy. They keep the project aligned with business goals. They make decisions when competing priorities arise.
Leadership commitment keeps resources aligned and ensures the migration stays on track. Pair this internal ownership with an experienced implementation partner, and you set yourself up for lasting success.
A skilled implementation partner brings technical expertise and business process knowledge. At 425 Consulting Group, we go beyond basic setup. Our proprietary tools—425 BC MigrationPRO, 425 ReportingPRO, and 425 CheckSaverPRO—extend Business Central's native capabilities. They make your transition faster, cleaner, and more reliable than standard migrations.
With Dynamics GP end of life approaching in 2029, now is the time to plan your migration. The team of ERP consultants has guided dozens of organizations through successful Dynamics GP to Business Central migrations.
We use proven methods and proprietary solutions, including 425 BC MigrationPRO, 425 ReportingPRO, and 425 CheckSaverPRO, built specifically to simplify GP migrations.
Let's modernize your ERP together.
Contact us today for a complimentary migration assessment. Discover how 425 Consulting Group makes your Business Central implementation faster, smoother, and more successful.
In his role as Director of Business Applications, Loren and his team specialize in positioning organizations up for growth by implementing Microsoft centralized platforms like Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Customer Relationship Management (CRM).
Reach out to our experts to discuss your move from Dynamics GP to Dynamics 365 Business Central.
