Dynamics GP, previously branded Great Plains, has a longer history than virtually any other enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution made for the Windows OS. Dynamics GP is a proven, feature-rich product and is one of the most popular ERP systems for SMBs, with about 50,000 active installations globally. Many businesses who have depended on Dynamics GP for years or decades have been able to postpone upgrades and maintenance to the point that they are now running seriously out-of-date software and outmoded IT infrastructure. This is dangerous. Meanwhile, a common theme we hear from prospective clients is that they have a hard time locating experienced Microsoft Dynamics GP experts who can provide in-depth knowledge about how to upgrade their Dynamics GP system affordably and extract the most benefit from the software.
The more an organization attempts to limp along with outdated versions of Dynamics GP, the more challenging the migration process tends to be. When server hardware or storage systems break down, there may be no equivalent hardware on the market to use as substitutes. When releases of Windows Server used to host Dynamics GP reach end-of-support (EOS) status, vital security patches stop being developed. The latest releases of SQL Server might not work with your special GP customizations. Next-generation tools such as Power BI may not run. Organizations considering an upgrade of their Dynamics GP deployment can be intimidated by the number of components involved in the project. And the price tag quoted for a migration may be astronomical.
Microsoft Dynamics GP Migration and Customization Services Available from Progent
Progent has offered support for Dynamics GP and Great Plains for over two decades, and Progent's seasoned professionals have delivered advanced and affordable remote consulting for Windows-based environments to organizations in every state across the U.S. By offering deep familiarity with all releases of Dynamics GP as well as world-class network integration talent, Progent is uniquely suited to make sure your Akron, Ohio business get the most out of GP/Great Plains.
We become partners with our clients and start by listening to their requirements. Once we have an understanding of the environment and the areas for improvement we provide our suggestions. Proposed services can involve an upgrade to a newer and supported release of Dynamics GP, basic user training, full system and individual module implementation including 3rd-party modules from a broad array of suppliers that have published add-ons to Dynamics GP, custom integrations with other key business applications within your company, custom report creation, and system evaluations to assess whether GP is being utilized to its fullest. Our goal with every Microsoft Dynamics GP engagement big or small is to maximize business value and minimize expense.
Progent can help your Akron, Ohio business in every phase of your Dynamics GP upgrade or customization process including:
- Deployment Assessment
Review at what modules and features of Dynamics GP you are currently running and propose other features available on the product that may be suitable for your business.
- Migration Planning and Scheduling
Create a comprehensive upgrade plan and schedule that avoids business disruption. Plan for pilot testing, production upgrade, and education. Specify custom development and add-on modules. Predict and resolve integration problems.
- Testing
Plan and implement a pilot environment for validating the upgrade project.
- Environment Upgrades
Create backup copies of databases and dictionaries, eConnect automation, and Microsoft Integration Manager data. eMigrate Microsoft Dynamics GP to the latest version to ensure ongoing support from Microsoft and to make all the latest features accessible to your business. Upgrade SQL Server and compatibility levels for all associated databases. Configure services from the GP Professional Services Tools Library. Prep data and execute scripts to resolve known issues.
- Management Reporting
Develop reports and or custom dashboards for private as well as public use. Deploy SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and combine Dynamics GP with Microsoft Power BI for on-demand reporting and for combining information from diverse on-premises and remote sources.
- Education
Provide one-on-one or group training for current and first-time users of Microsoft Dynamics GP.
- Support
Provide a single point of contact for support to deliver dependable and affordable resolution of problems made possible by close understanding of your specific environment.
Additional Microsoft Dynamics GP Consulting Services Available from Progent
Progent offers the help of seasoned consultants who have been creating working Dynamics GP and Great Plains solutions since version 1. Progent has the skills to do the work you require directly instead of supervising less experienced consultants or internal staff. Key areas where Progent can provide Microsoft Dynamics GP expertise include:
- Guidance
Recommend the use of software modules that come with the core GP system but are not currently being utilized. Also, suggest third-party products designed exclusively for Dynamics GP to provide capabilities that GP skips.
- Integrations
Build custom integrations between Dynamics GP and other strategic platforms to avoid redundant data entry and improve accuracy.
- Customizations
Build big and simple customizations that work with Microsoft Dynamics GP to handle specific business functions not addressed by out-of-the-box GP modules or third-party modules.
Infrastructure Consulting Services
Progent can help your business to enhance your network infrastructure to support Dynamics GP for any architecture including on-premises, private or public cloud, or a hybrid environment. Infrastructure expertise available from Progent include:
- Needs analysis and site inventory
- Network topology design and implementation (on-premises, private or public cloud, or hybrid)
- Setting up security gateways and VPN connections and defining security policies
- Managing iOS, Android, and Windows smartphones and tablets
- Creating high-availability solutions
- Integration with PaaS and IaaS services such as Microsoft 365
- business continuity planning
- Performance tuning
The Progent Advantage
An optimized Microsoft Dynamics GP ecosystem incorporates multiple software platforms, on-premises network infrastructure technologies, and public cloud products combined into a cohesive ERP solution. For over 20 years, Progent has provided remote and onsite help from Microsoft-certified professionals including Dynamics GP/Great Plains integrators, Windows Server specialists, SQL Server developers, Microsoft Exchange configuration experts, Microsoft Office experts, and SharePoint Server development experts. Progent's consultants have supported these products from their first releases to their latest editions, and Progent can help with cloud-based SaaS options by providing Office and Microsoft 365 consulting, Exchange Online support, and SharePoint Online migration and application development expertise.
Progent also has extensive experience providing help from top-tier Cisco CCIE-certified network experts, Hyper-V integration experts, and VMware virtualization specialists. This background with core technologies saves time and expense when guiding businesses through every aspect of updating their older Microsoft Dynamics GP deployment. Progent also offers the skills of advanced security and compliance experts, disaster recovery and business continuity preparedness consultants, application programmers, hybrid cloud planning and configuration experts, and SQL Server DBAs who can assist you to plan, implement, and manage a modern Dynamics GP environment.
Progent's Support Expertise for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP Solutions
For more about Progent's online and on-premises consulting services in Akron, Ohio for Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP product family, see:
Read/Download Progent's Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Consulting Services Datasheet
To download a datasheet describing the consulting services available from Progent for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP software, select Download Datasheet: Consulting Services for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP Platform (PDF file).
Contact Progent for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains Upgrade Expertise
If your Akron, OH business needs a MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains integration consultant or software developer, phone 1-800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.