A lot has been made of Microsoft’s recent announcement about the end of life for Dynamics GP. With all the chatter, you may have questions around what it really means for you. Rest easy! CAL customers will continue to receive the support and services they are used to. We’ll be here to help no matter how long you stay on Dynamics GP. You will want to take a critical look at the ways you are using GP, and what impact the end of life may have on your operations though. We’ve put together this list of key dates and considerations for easy reference.
End of Life Announcement Details
Microsoft has officially announced that Dynamics GP (Great Plains) support and updates will end on September 30th, 2029, with only critical security patches continuing until April 2031. GP won’t suddenly stop working on September 30th, but it does mean GP won’t get any updates, enhancements, or support (except critical security patches) after that date. So, it is important to start thinking about what your business is going to do.
Key Dates for Microsoft Dynamics GP End of Life
Microsoft had made previous announcements on limiting new customers on GP, here is the timeline with the new end-of-life dates included:
- September 30, 2029: End of mainstream support, which includes technical support, product enhancements, regulatory (tax) updates, and service packs.
- April 30, 2031: No more security updates/patches; End of extended support too – this is goodbye.
Important Questions
What About Payroll? If you are using Dynamics GP Payroll and rely on annual payroll updates, as of September 30, 2029, there will be no more updates. This means you will not be able to complete the 2029 year. Contact CAL and we can help find the best fit solution for your business.
Can I purchase more users / modules after the September 30, 2029, date? Yes, provided you are on a current enhancement plan, you can purchase more users and modules.
What happens to my GP renewal after 2029? Your renewal will still be there. It’s up to you if you want to pay for it moving forward knowing the dates Microsoft released and what will and will not be provided.
What happens to GP subscriptions after 2029? If you are a GP subscription customer, your subscription will not end. It will continue as long as you like, and you can purchase more users, but note the dates and end of services from Microsoft.
More questions? Contact CAL to get answers to your questions.
What Should I Do Next?
You have options, and now is the time to start thinking about them. You can either stay on GP for a while, knowing there are no more updates, patches, etc. after September 2029 and CAL will support you the best we can, or you can find another solution for your business. No matter what you decide, we recommend starting your evaluation process very soon. It takes time to research, discuss and plot your path forward. Waiting until the last-minute puts you in a less-than-desirable position and this isn’t a decision that should be rushed.
We are trying to make it easier for you and are looking out for our client’s best interests. We have been putting together resources to give you an overview of your options. CAL understands that you have questions and concerns, and we are here to help guide you through this transition.
Please note, no matter what everyone is stating, there is no “UPGRADE” path from GP to Business Central (BC) or any other replacement solution. It is a new system deployment. However, CAL has tools and experience to help move your data over smoothly.
Here’s some information to start with:
- Watch a few of our recent webinar recordings and discover why we recommend moving to a cloud system, and its benefits.
- ERP Evolution – Cloud ERP Benefits & Considerations – Hear from our very own GP expert, John DiLeo, the benefits of a cloud ERP solution and factors to keep in mind as you explore options.
- ERP Evolution – Take a Look at Acumatica – See how things are done in Acumatica – searching, reporting, navigation, etc.
- ERP Evolution – Take a Look at Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central – See how things are done in Business Central – searching, reporting, navigation, etc.
- Take a look at our own story about moving from Dynamics GP to Acumatica. We learned a lot and want to share that with you.
- Contact us for a one-on-one discussion with our experts. We can discuss your business needs and help you decide what to investigate further.
While 2029 seems far away, it takes time to decide what to do and we want our clients to be in the best possible position to make good choices. Start soon. You’ll be glad you did.
Email the GP team at CAL: sales@calszone.com
Here are a couple additional resources you might be interested in:
- Terry Heley’s Post on discontinuing support for Microsoft Dynamics GP
- The official Microsoft Dynamics GP end-of-life announcement
By CAL Business Solutions, Connecticut Microsoft Dynamics GP / 365 BC & Acumatica Partner, www.calszone.com
