Microsoft Dynamics GP has been a popular, out-of-box ERP system for small and mid-sized businesses for years. However, in the last couple of years, most Dynamics GP users felt the need for a more feature-rich, modern, and cloud-first ERP system to minimize dependency on physical systems, empower remote working, and speed up operations. And the availability of Dynamics 365 Business Central in Microsoft’s product portfolio makes the decision to upgrade a straightforward one.

In addition, Microsoft and partners like Mentor Consulting Services are committed to helping enterprises make the transition as smooth as possible. Are you considering upgrading your ERP from Dynamics GP (earlier Great Plains) to Dynamics 365 Business Central?

If not, or if you are not convinced, let us look at 5 challenges commonly faced by Dynamics GP users and how Dynamics 365 Business Central can help you overcome them.

Challenges Businesses commonly face with Microsoft Dynamics GP

Challenge 1 – Maintaining Business Continuity 

Natural or man-made disasters can adversely impact your business by causing widespread disruption and making it difficult for businesses to sustain. The Global pandemic was one such scenario where many enterprises found that their on-premises ERP solutions could no longer keep up with the demands of a remote workforce.

The challenges businesses faced during the pandemic include the need for scalable infrastructure and systems to meet the increased workload, the need for modern tools to drive productivity by improving communication and collaboration, the physical interventions required for on-prem systems, and more. This resulted in accessibility issues, a drop in productivity, and delayed resolutions.

Solution

Dynamics 365 Business Central Cloud offers a solution by providing greater accessibility to critical applications and data. So, even if employees work remotely, they can still access the information required to do their jobs. It also minimizes technical errors, software loading delays, and data discrepancies, making it easier for businesses to run smoothly.

Challenge 2 – Processing Speed 

A renowned US-Based IT company hired thousands of people every year. The pandemic forced its workforce to operate remotely. The company used an ERP system that accessed information from multiple databases.  However, they were not designed to handle remote working and slowed down. The application stopped responding and often led to duplication of work. In addition, when batches are locked, it takes longer to process, affecting speed and efficiency. The company needed to find a way to make things work.

Solution

After moving to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, the company could drive productivity levels, saving users valuable time and effort. For example, in the above case, activities that took 10-15 mins earlier, the users were able to finish them in less than a minute.

Additionally, since Business Central offers a high database processing speed, users can easily retrieve vast chunks of data. Similarly, when creating transactions or cash flows, which was done manually before, it was automated and processed much quicker with Business Central.

Challenge 3 – Segmented Chart of Accounts

A CFO from a leading finance firm shared his experience using Dynamics GP – When it came to reporting on our finances, the team had to go through a long process. They could not extract information from fiscal years, making them struggle with producing reports that span more than one year. Even making minor changes was difficult because of the time it took to adjust entries within the database.

Solution  

Dimensional accounting capabilities in Dynamics 365 Business Central helped them address the above challenges. Business Central is a business intelligence tool that helps organizations produce better reports with more information. The ability to add user-defined dimensions is instrumental in Business Central. It allows organizations to see relationships between data points and make better decisions.

Additionally, the visualizations and dashboards in Business Central are easy to use and understand. This makes it simpler for organizations to communicate their findings to others. Overall, Business Central is a powerful tool for any organization that wants to improve its reporting capabilities.

Read more about the advanced features offered by Business Central here.

Challenge 4 – Increased Processing Errors

While working on Dynamics GP, the organization noticed increased processing errors. This was primarily because of working remotely. For instance, they reported frequent SQL bugs which delayed their systems’ functionality and ultimately caused chaos within the business operations.

Solution  

Seamless operations are one of the most significant advantages of moving to a cloud-based ERP like Business Central. It reduces technical errors by automating processes and reducing the need for manual input. This also reduces software-loading delays, as the system can more efficiently handle tasks. In addition, data discrepancy is diminished as Business Central provides a single source of data that authorized users can access.

Challenge 5 – Security Concerns 

As society has become increasingly reliant on technology, the risks posed by disruptive events have also increased. One such event is a tropical storm, which can cause widespread damage and power outages. This can pose a severe security threat to businesses or individuals relying on on-premises systems like GP, as they may be unable to access their data or devices. In addition, physical security means that it needs manual intervention and can be costly and time-consuming to maintain.

As a result, many businesses are turning to cloud-based solutions that are less vulnerable to these types of physical disruptions. For example, Microsoft’s Cloud platforms are some of the most secure in the world. This is because the company has invested heavily in cutting-edge security technologies, translating into a more secure system than an on-premises ERP. In addition, Dynamics 365 Business Central has significantly reduced the need for physical security as it does not require physical servers or hardware devices. As a result, businesses can save on buying and maintaining expensive security systems.

Conclusion 

Microsoft Dynamics GP is a well-established ERP solution. However, Dynamics 365 Business Central is a feature-rich, modern, and cloud-first ERP solution at an affordable price. It offers a lot more than the traditional legacy ERP systems. In addition, because of Microsoft commitment to the cloud, Business Central is at the core of its future strategy. If you are looking for a cloud-based ERP solution with Microsoft’s backing, Business Central is a good option.

Mentor Consulting Services has been in the ERP business for over three decades, and we’ve helped countless companies with their ERP needs. We specialize in Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions. Reach out to us if you are looking to upgrade from Dynamics GP to Business Centralor if you have any questions.