Microsoft Dynamics GP Upgrade Thoughts - Advanced Strategies
May 12, 2022
The second blog in our GP Upgrades collection is aimed at providing senior functional and technical resources for Microsoft Dynamics upgrade and rescue projects.
The messaging from Microsoft and the general Microsoft Dynamics GP (GP) partner community is that the optimal upgrade option for GP users is a natural choice: upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics Business Central (BC). Here we discuss how that message misses several vital
options that lead to a better solution
based on your business requirements and plans. Read on as industry veterans
Karen Riordan
and
Peter Joeckel
discuss GP to BC upgrade strategies from their unique perspective and provide a more complete and nuanced approach to the GP to BC upgrade question.

A COMPLETE STRATEGY
A more realistic GP to BC decision tree looks like the following and contains three significant decisions forks to help will determine the optimal “upgrade route” or strategy:
DECISION 1 – UPGRADE?
Our guidance suggests that the first question a Dynamics GP customer should ask is, “why am I upgrading”? The answer could be one or more of the following:
- I have outgrown my GP software, and it is hindering the growth of my business.
- I want to move my ERP solution to the cloud.
- I am following Microsoft’s or my GP partner’s messaging.

DECISION 2 – CLOUD?
Is the primary motivation for a GP upgrade is to move your on-premise implementation to the cloud? Assuming that you are happy with the business functionality that you are currently getting, that leaves us with three options:
- Locate your existing servers (or upgrade) in a co-hosting environment
- Move your GP to hosted servers
- Have your GP hosted by a company specializing in hosting your existing GP system
These solutions can buy critical time before making a move to a new ERP system or can be a permanent solution if the proposed Microsoft life span for GP fits your requirements.
DECISION 3 – REQUIREMENTS?
It is critical to understand that there are no simple upgrades to a new ERP platform in the SMB world. With today’s complex ERP systems, “upgrade” is more of a marketing term than an exact technical definition. Even within product lines themselves, upgrades are now some flavor of re-implementations.
Upgrade toolsets are becoming more powerful and user friendly but come with limitations that may be critical, especially in larger, more sophisticated implementations that require enterprise-level ERP platform capabilities.
There are significant functional and technical reasons why companies outgrow GP. If that is the case, then it is critical not to make an incremental ERP move that does not address all of those technical and functional issues.
The most important takeaway is that all upgrades are complicated and expensive. The real cost of the upgrade is never the cost of the new software, that is just the tip of the iceberg. In making that decision for your company, consider all of your options carefully and do not base that critical business decision on marketing materials promoting the latest shiny toy.
The next article, Cloud Options and Strategies , will delve into the specifics behind each decision and provide valuable insights to help you make a more informed choice.
Contact us today at Pelorus Technology to elevate your business operations with our expert Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions and Services. As a Global Microsoft Partner, we are committed to streamlining your processes and delivering top-tier services tailored to your needs. Let’s get started on your transformation journey!

April 21, 2025
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365 BC) continues to be a leading cloud-based ERP solution for small and mid-sized businesses. Its comprehensive features span finance, supply chain, sales, and operations, making it a pivotal tool for organizations aiming to enhance efficiency and scalability.

December 5, 2023
In our commitment to providing insightful business guidance, we emphasize the significance of transitioning to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or Finance and Supply Chain Management , strategically avoiding challenges associated with the scheduled end-of-life of Microsoft Dynamics GP in 2025. This proactive move ensures cost efficiency, modern cloud features, and steadfast support, allowing businesses to align systems with growth ambitions for sustained success at this crucial juncture. Introduction: In the agile world of Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains) upgrades to Business Central (BC), decision-making is not always simple. Amidst the flurry of the GP to BC marketing campaigns, our consulting team has been inundated with customer queries. This surge prompted us to delve deeper into the intricacies that marketing materials often obscure. We created a roadmap to help guide GP users with the questions needed to address their business. You can find our complete roadmap here , or read a great overview of the guide below.