FAQ: Moving From Dynamics GP to Business Central

Posted on: December 17, 2020 | By: Guy Logan | Microsoft Dynamics GP

Microsoft continues to invest in both Dynamics GP and Dynamics 365 Business Central. However, the leaning of these investments toward Business Central has prompted a number of questions from companies with Dynamics GP — Do we have to move to Business Central? What is the cost?

Because Logan Consulting has received so many of these questions, we thought we should address them in a blog post. Below, we will answer some of our most frequently asked questions about moving from Dynamics GP to BC.

 

Q: Are current GP customers required to move to Business Central?

A: No, there is no requirement to move from Dynamics GP to Business Central; Microsoft has committed to releases of Dynamics GP through 2024. However, Microsoft isn’t investing heavily in Dynamics GP, as Microsoft’s go-forward solution is Business Central. Microsoft is investing heavily in Business Central by integrating it with Office 365 and Power BI and consistently delivering new features. In fact, Microsoft has two releases each year with minimal to no upgrade costs, as Business Central is delivered in the cloud.

Q: Will Logan Consulting continue to support Dynamics GP?

A: Yes, Logan Consulting will continue to support Dynamics GP and will not force any client to move to Business Central. We have supported Dynamics GP for almost twenty years and have no intention of stopping.

Q: If I want to explore Business Central, how can I try it out?

A: You can always sign up for a 30-day trial of Business Central, which can be extended if required. However, you can also purchase a few Business Central licenses and create a full production environment. There is no contract required, and you can cancel at any time.

Q: If I do move to Business Central, can I get a discount?

A: Yes — If you have Dynamics GP and are active on your maintenance, you can receive a discount on Business Central licensing. The exact price and discount will depend on your specific circumstances, but discounts tend to range from 40% to 60%.

Q: How much do Business Central licenses cost?

A: Team Member licenses are offered at $8 per user per month. Full licenses are priced at $70 per user per month for the Essentials edition and $100 per user per month for the Premium edition, with the main difference being that the Premium Edition allows for manufacturing and service management. Because you can’t have both Essentials and Premium in the same deployment, all full users must choose one edition or the other. To find out which BC edition is more suited to your business needs, click here.

Q: My GP maintenance is pretty inexpensive; why does BC seem more expensive?

A: BC’s “per user per month” pricing scheme can seem expensive. However, the licensing fees are all you need to run Business Central – You won’t need a server, SQL/Database licensing, Windows Server licensing, or back up tool licensing. Once you take into account these additional costs, Business Central often comes out to be cheaper. If you are interested in seeing a GP vs. BC cost comparison for your business needs, please feel free to contact us.

Q: What happens to my data if I convert from GP to BC?

A: Microsoft has great, easy-to-use tools that allow for the conversion of data from Version 2015 and up. For instance, Master Records, Transactional Records, and Historical Records can all be converted. That being said, each environment is different and should be explored prior to conversion. Please contact us if you would like to discuss what data conversion would look like for you.

Q: I’m unsure about using the Cloud – Can Business Central be deployed on-premises?

A: Yes, Business Central can be deployed on-premises. Cloud and On-Premises BC have the same features.

 

Although we have addressed some of our most frequently asked questions, there are surely others that have not been covered. If you would like to explore a move from GP to Business Central, or if you would like to find out how Logan Consulting can support your GP environment, please feel free to contact us with any questions.



2020 Nucleus Research Report on ERP Technology

Free Download:

2020 Nucleus Research Report on ERP Technology

Download the guide ›