By Business Development Manager Matt Fleming
Date: Monday 17th March 2025
The End of an Era
Announcing End of Support for Dynamics GP – Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog
In the words of Mark Twain, “The report of my death was an exaggeration”, which was what I told Microsoft Dynamics GP users in a User Group meeting about 10 years ago, re-assuring them that the product would be about for some time to come, and it was.
All good things must come to an end and with Microsoft’s announcement about the end of Support for Microsoft Dynamics GP the lid is now starting to close on the fabulous product that was Microsoft “Great Plains”.
Dynamics GP product support will now end on December 31st, 2029, with security patches continuing until April 30, 2031.
So where do you go from here?
How do you replace a product like Microsoft Dynamics GP which was functionally rich in terms of manufacturing, multi-company and multi-currency features?
If you want to stay in the Microsoft stable and the benefits that brings in terms of the Microsoft Ecosystem (Azure, Power Platform, SharePoint, Office, Outlook and Teams) your first answer would probably be D365 Business Central (BC), but manufacturing isn’t as comprehensive as D365 Finance & Supply Chain (F&SCM) and multi-company, currency and country features including consolidation aren’t as capable.
So why don’t more Microsoft Dynamics GP customers needing these features, consider Microsoft D365 F&SCM?
Why a Microsoft Dynamics GP Customer Should Upgrade to D365 Finance
While both D365 F&SCM and D365 BC both offer robust features, there are many reasons why a Dynamics GP customer might prefer upgrading to Dynamics 365 Finance.
1. Enhanced Financial Management Capabilities
D365 F&SCM is designed to cater to the complex financial needs of larger enterprises. It offers advanced financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting tools that are essential for managing intricate financial operations. With features like intelligent budget proposals, AI-driven insights, and comprehensive financial reporting, D365 F&SCM provides a level of sophistication that surpasses BC.
2. Manufacturing
D365 F&SCM offers World Class, integrated Finance, Warehousing and Manufacturing all on one Microsoft platform. No need for third party bolt-on solutions to address more complex manufacturing requirements.
3. Scalability and Flexibility
One of the standout features of D365 F&SCM is its scalability. Unlike Dynamics GP, which has certain limitations, D365 Finance is built to support the growth of large enterprises and can easily be adapted as business needs evolve. This scalability ensures that businesses can expand without being constrained by system limitations wherever they want in the World.
4. Access the entire suite of Microsoft business applications
D365 F&SCM leverages cloud technologies to offer better collaboration, real-time analytics, and secure data storage. It lets you combine Finance, Manufacturing, Warehouse Management, Customer Engagement, Project Operations, Commerce, Field Service and HR all within your Microsoft Azure environment.
5. Integrated Cloud Capabilities
The cloud-based nature of D365 F&SCM allows businesses to access the platform from anywhere, making it more adaptable to modern working conditions. This is particularly beneficial for organisations with remote or distributed teams.
6. AI and Data Analytics
D365 F&SCM harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (Copilot) and machine learning to provide businesses with powerful insights that can drive better decision-making. Features like intelligent forecasting, predictive analytics, and automated financial processes help organisations stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions, not available in D365 BC.
7. Continuous Updates and Support
Microsoft provides regular updates and features for D365 F&SCM, ensuring that the system is always current with the latest technological advancements. This continuous support means that businesses can benefit from new features and improvements without the need for major upgrades or disruptions.
8. Comprehensive Compliance and Global Reach
D365 F&SCM offers extensive compliance capabilities, supporting tax regulations, multi-currency transactions, and global payments in numerous countries and languages. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses operating in multiple regions, ensuring that they remain compliant with local laws and regulations.
SNCL has considerable experience of Microsoft Dynamics GP within the team, which should make the migration easier and we are now offering a migration tool to take you from Microsoft Dynamics GP to D365 F&SCM, significantly reducing the costs of the migration.
While D365 BC is a robust solution for small and mid-sized businesses, D365 F&SCM offers the advanced features, scalability, and global capabilities that larger enterprises require. For Dynamics GP customers looking to upgrade, D365 F&SCM provides a comprehensive and future-proof solution that can support their growth and evolving business needs.
By making the transition to D365 F&SCM, businesses can enhance their financial management, leverage cutting-edge technologies, and ensure continuous compliance and support.
This upgrade not only streamlines operations but also creates a foundation for organisations for long-term success, expansion and growth in an increasingly competitive landscape.
