Microsoft Dynamics GP, originally called Great Plains, has a lengthier track record than almost any other enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform made for Windows. Microsoft Dynamics GP is a mature, full-featured product and is one of the most popular ERP platforms for small and mid-size businesses, with about 50,000 active customers globally. A number of businesses who have relied on Dynamics GP for years or decades have been able to defer upgrades long enough that they are now running seriously out-of-date software and outmoded IT infrastructure. This can be risky. At the same time, a common theme we hear from prospective clients is that they have trouble locating experienced Microsoft Dynamics GP experts to partner with for in-depth knowledge about how to upgrade their Dynamics GP environment efficiently and extract the maximum benefit from the software.
The longer a business tries to limp along with outdated releases of Dynamics GP, the more challenging the upgrade process tends to be. If server hardware or storage systems fail, there could be no equivalent devices on the market to use as substitutes. When versions of Windows Server used to host Dynamics GP arrive at end-of-support (EOS) status, vital security patches stop being released. Current releases of Microsoft SQL Server may not be compatible with your important GP customizations. Next-generation tools such as Power BI may not run. Organizations considering an update of their Microsoft Dynamics GP deployment can be overwhelmed by the number of components there are to the puzzle. And the price tag suggested for a migration may be through the roof.
Dynamics GP Upgrade and Enhancement Services Available from Progent
Progent has supported Microsoft Dynamics GP and Great Plains for over two decades, and Progent's seasoned professionals have delivered advanced and affordable online consulting for Windows-powered environments to organizations in every state across the U.S. By offering deep experience with all releases of Microsoft Dynamics GP as well as top-tier network integration talent, Progent is uniquely suited to make sure your Alexandria, Virginia business get the most out of GP.
We partner with our clients and start by listening to their requirements. Once we have an understanding of the situation and the areas for improvement we make our recommendations. Recommendations may include a migration to a more current and fully supported version of Microsoft Dynamics GP, simple user education, complete system and individual module configuration including 3rd-party products from a broad range of suppliers that have written add-ons to Dynamics GP, integration with other critical business applications used by organization, custom report creation, and solution analysis to determine whether GP is being used to its fullest. Our objective with every Dynamics GP engagement of whatever size is to optimize strategic value and control cost.
Progent can assist your Alexandria, Virginia business in every phase of your Microsoft Dynamics GP migration or customization process including:
- System Review
Review at what features of Dynamics GP you are now using and propose additional capabilities available on the product that may be suitable for your organization.
- Migration Planning and Timing
Develop a comprehensive upgrade plan and timetable that minimizes business interruption. Plan for pilot testing, live deployment, and training. Identify custom development and add-on products. Predict and resolve integration issues.
- Pilot Testing
Design and configure a pilot environment for validating the migration project.
- Environment Updates
Create backup copies of databases and dictionaries, eConnect automation, and Microsoft Integration Manager database. eMigrate Microsoft Dynamics GP to the latest version to assure continuing support services 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 Professional Services Tools Library (pstl). Prep data and run scripts to address documented issues.
- Management Reporting
Create reports and or custom dashboards for internal and public use. Deploy SQL Server Reporting Services and combine Microsoft Dynamics GP with Power BI for on-demand reporting and for aggregating information from multiple local and external sources.
- Training
Deliver individual or classroom style training for current and first-time users of Microsoft Dynamics GP.
- Support
Act as a single point of contact for support to deliver dependable and affordable handling of problems made possible by familiarity with your particular situation.
Other Microsoft Dynamics GP Consulting Expertise Available from Progent
Progent offers the help of seasoned consultants who have been developing working Dynamics GP and Great Plains solutions since version 1. Progent can do the work you need directly rather than supervising less experienced consultants or in-house staff. Key areas where Progent's consultants can deliver Microsoft Dynamics GP expertise include:
- Recommendations
Recommend the deployment of modules that come with the core GP system but are not currently being utilized. Also, suggest third-party add-ons written specifically for Microsoft Dynamics GP to provide capabilities that GP doesn't offer.
- Integrations
Create custom connections between Microsoft Dynamics GP and other strategic platforms to avoid duplicate entry and increase consistency.
- Customizations
Build big and simple customizations that run with Dynamics GP to handle specific business functions not addressed by standard GP modules or third-party add-ons.
Infrastructure Consulting Services
Progent can assist your business to enhance your infrastructure to support Dynamics GP for any deployment model including on-premises, cloud-based, or a hybrid environment. Network infrastructure services provided by Progent include:
- Requirements assessment and IT asset inventory
- Network architecture design and implementation (local, private or public cloud, or hybrid)
- Configuring firewalls and remote connections and creating security policies
- Managing iOS, Google Android, and Windows smartphones and tablets
- Creating high-availability solutions
- Integration with public cloud services such as Microsoft 365
- Disaster recovery planning
- Performance optimization
The Progent Advantage
An optimized Microsoft Dynamics GP ecosystem incorporates diverse software platforms, local network infrastructure technologies, and cloud services integrated into a seamless enterprise resource planning solution. For more than two decades, Progent has delivered online and on-premises help from Microsoft-certified professionals including Dynamics GP/Great Plains consultants, Windows Server consultants, SQL Server developers, Exchange Server configuration consultants, Microsoft Office consultants, and SharePoint development consultants. Progent's consultants have worked with these products from their initial releases to their latest editions, and Progent supports cloud options by providing Office and Microsoft 365 integration services, Exchange Online integration services, and SharePoint Online deployment and application development services.
Progent also has a long history of delivering support from top-tier Cisco CCIE-certified network consultants, Hyper-V integration consultants, and VMware virtual machine consultants. This background with core IT platforms saves time and costs when guiding organizations through every aspect of upgrading their legacy Dynamics GP deployment. Progent also offers the skills of advanced security and information assurance experts, disaster recovery planning consultants, application programmers, hybrid cloud integration consultants, and SQL Server DBAs who can assist you to design, implement, and manage a modern Dynamics GP solution.
Progent's Consulting Expertise for Dynamics GP/Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning Solutions
For more about Progent's remote and onsite consulting services in Alexandria, Virginia for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP software, refer to:
Read/Download Progent's Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Consulting Services Datasheet
To download a datasheet about the consulting services offered by Progent for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains software, click Download Datasheet: Consulting Services for Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP Software (PDF file).
Contact Progent for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Upgrade Services
If your Alexandria, VA business needs a Dynamics GP/Great Plains deployment consultant or application programmer, call 1-800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.