The Fastest Ways for Companies Using Microsoft Dynamics GP to Get to the Cloud

The digital landscape is ever-changing as market demands grow and business needs multiply.

The necessity to stay updated with technology calls for a migration to a faster solution and such is the case of Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Microsoft launched the Dynamics 365 Business Central, which takes its roots from the Dynamics GP. Business Central brought in several advanced features and functionalities as a cloud-based ERP solution. Microsoft shifted its attention towards growing Dynamics 365 Business Central and gradually stopped giving on-stream support to  Microsoft Dynamics GP.

However, GP users who have been using the solution for years now find it challenging to make their minds about moving to the cloud and see the process of migrating complicated. Therefore, we have listed down some tools that can assist you through the process.

The Cloud Migration Tool

This tool quickly brings Dynamics GP data into Business Central. In addition, the BC dashboard hosts an assisted setup guide for the cloud migration tool that helps in migrating the following data to the cloud environment.

The tool is specially engineered for organizations ready to use Microsoft Dynamics BC as their new solution and helps move data altogether in a single take. In addition, to avoid a failed migration, it enables users to create a diagnostics run to check if the data is error-free before the migration process.

• Vendors & open payables transactions
• Items & inventory at the time of migration
• Customers & open receivables transactions
• Chart of Accounts (CoA) master records (Converted to BC Dimensions)
• Supporting data for active accounts — payment terms, sales rep ID, shipping method, etc. (Converted to BC Dimensions)
• Purchasing, inventory, and sales data (Converted to BC extension cables)
• General Ledger (GL) accounts & summary transactions history
• Checkbook master data

 Data replication in the ‘Intelligent Cloud’

In its days, GP was undeniably the best ERP solution in the market, which is why companies using it for decades find it challenging to move to the cloud permanently. In such cases, Intelligent Cloud uses the Azure Data Factory (ADF) to replicate the same GP data in the cloud, allowing companies to keep some data on-premise and use the various other suites of apps that Business Central uses has on the cloud.

However, changes made in the cloud will not sync back to the on-prem GP platform, meaning you would have to re-enter data into the on-premise system and manually run updates to ensure both systems are in sync. The intelligent cloud is only a temporary solution that assists you in managing records and data in setting up your ERP. It comes with its cons and can only be relied upon short-term.

RapidStart

Microsoft designed RapidStart to import more data from GP such as POP, SOP, manufacturing data, and customer data to enhance business performance, increase productivity, and close deals faster. In addition, RapidStart applies automation to recurring processes, shortening deployment times and decreasing the chances of implementation failure.

Users can also customize configuration packages according to their unique needs in Excel to migrate historical transaction data, batch out journal entries, and create custom quick-start templates to accelerate set-up and implementation.

Azure Data Lakes

You would first need to sort out the legacy data before moving from GP to Business Central. The Data Migration Wizard would help you migrate financial data, and Intelligent Cloud helps run the latest reports with additional insights. In addition, Microsoft offers Azure Data Lakes to help users manage and store extensive, complex data in both structured and unstructured formats.

It enables users to store data in a raw format in a long-term storage place – a data lake that also offers a secured, cloud-based environment apart from an ERP used to manage daily operations. As a result, a data lake eradicates the need for an on-premise system for data management, and it also gives you some time to think about what you can do to store your legacy data while you detach from the on-prem system.

DemandDynamics – On-Demand expertise

Moving to the cloud helps you thrive in any situation or any pandemic. Your business deserves an implementation partner with experience and expertise, one that is willing to take the time to understand your, needs, goals, and system environment.

DemandDynamics is a trusted Microsoft Gold partner with many years of Microsoft expertise, providing clients with best-in-class services. The DemandDynamics team works “on demand.” The costs don’t revolve around a subscription model; you pay only for the hours used and the services utilized.

DemandDynamics has been home to successful ERP implementations for years. Perhaps it is time for a quick phone call with one of our experts who can help you decide your next important steps.