Dynamics GP, originally called Great Plains, sports a lengthier track record than virtually any other ERP solution written for the Windows OS. Microsoft Dynamics GP is a proven, full-featured application and is one of the most popular ERP systems for SMBs, with about 50,000 active installations worldwide. A number of organizations who have relied on Dynamics GP for years or decades have been able to postpone upgrades long enough that they are now using legacy software and outmoded network infrastructure. This is dangerous. Meanwhile, a recurring complaint we hear from prospective customers is that they have a hard time finding experienced Microsoft Dynamics GP experts who can provide guidance on how to update their Dynamics GP environment efficiently and extract the maximum business value from the software.
The longer an organization tries to limp along with legacy versions of Dynamics GP, the more complex the migration process tends to be. If server hardware or storage systems break down, there may be no equivalent hardware on the market to replace them. When versions of Microsoft Windows Server used to host Dynamics GP arrive at end-of-support (EOS) status, critical security patches are no longer released. Current releases of SQL Server might not work with your special GP customizations. Next-generation tools like Microsoft's Power BI may not be an option. Businesses considering an update of their Dynamics GP deployment can be intimidated by the volume of pieces there are to the puzzle. And the cost quoted for an upgrade may be astronomical.
Microsoft Dynamics GP Upgrade and Enhancement Services Offered by Progent
Progent has supported Dynamics GP and Great Plains for more than two decades, and Progent's tested experts have provided high-level and affordable online integration consulting for Windows-based environments to organizations in every state throughout the U.S. By combining in-depth experience with all releases of Microsoft Dynamics GP along with top-tier network integration talent, Progent is ideally qualified to help your Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia business optimize the benefit of GP.
We partner with our customers and start by listening to their requirements. After gaining an understanding of the IT environment and the areas for improvement we make our recommendations. Recommendations can involve an upgrade to a newer and supported version of Microsoft Dynamics GP, simple user training, full platform and individual module implementation including 3rd-party modules from a broad range of suppliers that have published add-ons to Dynamics GP, integration with other critical business applications used by company, custom report creation, and system evaluations to assess whether GP is being utilized to its fullest. Our goal with each Dynamics GP engagement big or small is to optimize strategic value and minimize cost.
Progent's consultants can help your Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia company in every phase of your Dynamics GP migration or enhancement project including:
- Deployment Assessment
Take a look at what features of Dynamics GP you are currently using and discuss other capabilities of the product that may be suitable for your organization.
- Upgrade Planning and Scheduling
Create a comprehensive migration plan and timetable that avoids business interruption. Schedule solution validation, live deployment, and education. Identify customizations and add-on products. Anticipate and manage compatibility problems.
- Testing
Plan and configure a pilot environment for proving the migration process.
- System Upgrades
Back up databases and dictionaries, eConnect, and GP Integration Manager database. eMigrate Microsoft Dynamics GP to the current version to assure ongoing support services from Microsoft and to have all current features accessible to your business. Update SQL Server and compatibility levels for all associated databases. Activate services from the GP Professional Services Tools Library (pstl). Condition data and run scripts to address documented issues.
- Management Reporting
Develop reports and or dashboards for private as well as public consumption. Configure SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and integrate Dynamics GP with Microsoft Power BI for on-demand reporting and for combining information from multiple local and external repositories.
- Education
Provide one-on-one or group training for existing and first-time users of Microsoft Dynamics GP.
- Support
Provide a single contact for expertise to deliver effective and cost-effective handling of issues made possible by close understanding of your specific situation.
Other Microsoft Dynamics GP Consulting Services Available from Progent
Progent can provide the help of seasoned consultants who have been creating working Microsoft Dynamics GP and Great Plains environments since relerase 1. Progent has the skills to do the jobs you require directly rather than managing less knowledgeable consultants or internal staff. Important areas where Progent can provide Microsoft Dynamics GP support services include:
- Guidance
Suggest the deployment of software modules included with the core GP platform but are not now being utilized. Also, suggest third-party products designed specifically for Dynamics GP to deliver capabilities that GP skips.
- Integrations
Build custom connections between Dynamics GP and other business platforms to avoid redundant entry and improve consistency.
- Customizations
Create major and simple customizations that run with Microsoft Dynamics GP to handle various business functions not addressed by out-of-the-box GP modules or third-party add-ons.
Infrastructure Consulting Services
Progent can help your business to upgrade your network infrastructure to support Microsoft Dynamics GP for any deployment model including on-premises, cloud-based, or a hybrid network model. Network infrastructure expertise offered by Progent's consultants include:
- Needs assessment and site inventory
- Network architecture design and implementation (local, private or public cloud, or hybrid)
- Setting up firewalls and VPN connections and creating security policies
- Managing Apple iOS, Android, and Windows mobile devices
- Creating high-availability (HA) environments
- Integration with public cloud services including Microsoft 365
- business continuity planning
- Performance tuning
Why Progent?
An optimized Dynamics GP environment incorporates multiple application platforms, on-premises network infrastructure resources, and public cloud services integrated into a seamless enterprise resource planning solution. For more than 20 years, Progent has delivered remote and onsite help from Microsoft-certified experts including Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains consultants, Windows Server specialists, SQL Server developers, Exchange Server integration consultants, Microsoft Office consultants, and SharePoint Server integration experts. Progent has supported these products from their first versions to their latest editions, and Progent supports cloud-based SaaS options by offering Office and Microsoft 365 integration services, Exchange Online expertise, and SharePoint Online migration and development expertise.
Progent also has extensive experience providing help from seasoned Cisco CCIE-certified network infrastructure experts, Hyper-V planning and integration consultants, and VMware virtualization specialists. This background with strategic IT platforms cuts time and costs when guiding businesses through each aspect of updating their older Dynamics GP deployment. Progent also can provide the skills of advanced security and information assurance experts, disaster recovery preparedness consultants, application programmers, hybrid cloud architecture experts, and database administrators who can help you to design, deploy, and maintain a modern Dynamics GP solution.
Progent's Support Services for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP Solutions
To learn more about Progent's online and on-premises support expertise in Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP software, visit:
Read/Download Progent's Dynamics GP/Great Plains Consulting Services Datasheet
To download a datasheet about the consulting expertise available from Progent for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains software, click Download Datasheet: Consulting for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP Software (PDF file).
Contact Progent for Dynamics GP/Great Plains Upgrade Services
If your Augusta-Richmond County, GA business is looking for a MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains deployment expert or application programmer, phone 1-800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.