Microsoft Dynamics GP, originally called Great Plains, sports a longer track record than virtually any other ERP platform written for the Windows OS. Microsoft Dynamics GP is a mature, full-featured application and is one of the most popular ERP platforms for small and mid-size businesses, with around 50,000 active customers globally. Many businesses who have relied on Dynamics GP for years or decades have managed to defer upgrades and maintenance long enough that they now find themselves using seriously out-of-date software and outmoded network infrastructure. This can be risky. Meanwhile, a recurring theme we hear from new clients is that they have trouble locating veteran Dynamics GP experts who can provide guidance on how to update their Dynamics GP ecosystem affordably and derive the most benefit from the software.
The longer a business tries to make do with legacy releases of Dynamics GP, the more complex the upgrade procedure tends to be. If physical host servers or disk systems fail, there could be no equivalent devices available to replace them. When editions of Windows Server used to host Dynamics GP arrive at end-of-support status, vital security updates are no longer developed. Current editions of SQL Server may not be compatible with your special GP customizations. Next-generation products such as Power BI may not be an option. Businesses considering an update of their Microsoft Dynamics GP environment are often intimidated by the volume of components involved in the puzzle. And the cost suggested for an upgrade may seem through the roof.
Microsoft Dynamics GP Upgrade and Customization Services Available from Progent
Progent has offered support for Microsoft Dynamics GP and Great Plains for over 20 years, and Progent's seasoned professionals have provided advanced and economical remote consulting for Windows-based networks to organizations in every state in the U.S. By offering in-depth experience with all releases of Dynamics GP as well as top-tier network integration talent, Progent is uniquely qualified to make sure your Birmingham, Alabama business get the most out of GP/Great Plains.
We become partners with our clients and start by listening to their requirements. After gaining familiarity with the IT environment and the areas needing improvement we provide our suggestions. Proposed services may include a migration to a more current and supported release of Microsoft Dynamics GP, simple user training, complete system and specific module implementation including 3rd-party modules offered by a broad array of suppliers that have published add-ons to Dynamics GP, integration with other critical business software used by organization, custom report creation, and system analysis to assess whether GP is being used optimally. Our goal with each Microsoft Dynamics GP engagement big or small is to maximize strategic value and control cost.
Progent can help your Birmingham, Alabama business in each phase of your Microsoft Dynamics GP upgrade or customization initiative including:
- Deployment Assessment
Take a look at what modules and features of Dynamics GP you are currently using and propose other features available on the product that might be suitable for your organization.
- Migration Design and Scheduling
Develop a comprehensive migration plan and timetable that minimizes business disruption. Schedule pilot testing, production upgrade, and education. Identify custom development and add-on modules. Anticipate and resolve compatibility issues.
- Testing
Design and configure a pilot environment for proving the migration process.
- System Updates
Create backup copies of databases and dictionaries, eConnect automation, and Microsoft Integration Manager data. eMigrate Dynamics GP to the latest version to ensure ongoing support services from Microsoft and to have all the latest features available to your organization. Upgrade SQL Server and compatibility levels for all associated databases. Configure services from the GP Professional Services Tools Library. Prep data and run scripts to resolve documented issues.
- Custom Reporting
Create reports and or dashboards for private as well as external use. Configure SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and integrate Microsoft Dynamics GP with Power BI for on-demand reporting and for aggregating data from multiple local and external repositories.
- Education
Provide individual or classroom style training for current and first-time users of Microsoft Dynamics GP.
- Support Services
Provide a single contact for expertise to ensure consistent and affordable resolution of problems thanks to familiarity with your specific situation.
Additional Dynamics GP Consulting Expertise Offered by Progent
Progent offers the support of top-tier experts who have been creating working Dynamics GP and Great Plains environments since version 1. Progent can do the jobs you require directly rather than supervising less knowledgeable consultants or in-house IT personnel. Key areas where Progent's consultants can deliver Dynamics GP expertise include:
- Guidance
Suggest the deployment of modules that come with the basic GP platform but are not currently being used. In addition, recommend third-party add-ons designed exclusively for Microsoft Dynamics GP to deliver capabilities that GP doesn't offer.
- Integrations
Build custom connections between Dynamics GP and other strategic applications to reduce duplicate data entry and increase accuracy.
- Customizations
Build major and simple customizations that run with Microsoft Dynamics GP to perform specific functions that are not handled by standard GP modules or external add-ons.
Infrastructure Consulting Services
Progent can help you to enhance your network infrastructure to support Dynamics GP for any deployment model including local, private or public cloud, or a hybrid network model. Infrastructure services offered by Progent's consultants include:
- Requirements analysis and IT asset inventory
- Network architecture planning and implementation (local, private or public cloud, or hybrid)
- Setting up security gateways and VPN connections and creating security policies
- Managing iOS, Android, and Windows smartphones and tablets
- Creating high-availability (HA) environments
- Integration with public cloud services including Microsoft 365
- Disaster recovery preparedness
- Performance tuning
The Progent Advantage
A modern Dynamics GP ecosystem incorporates diverse application platforms, local network infrastructure technologies, and cloud products integrated into a cohesive ERP solution. For more than 20 years, Progent has provided online and on-premises support from Microsoft-certified experts including Dynamics GP/Great Plains consultants, Windows Server specialists, SQL Server developers, Exchange integration experts, Microsoft Office consultants, and SharePoint Server integration experts. Progent's consultants have worked with these products from their initial releases to their current versions, and Progent supports cloud-based options by providing Office and Microsoft 365 consulting, Exchange Online integration services, and SharePoint Online migration and application development services.
Progent also has extensive experience delivering help from seasoned Cisco CCIE-certified network infrastructure consultants, Windows Hyper-V planning and integration experts, and VMware virtual machine consultants. This background with core technologies saves time and expense when guiding organizations through each aspect of upgrading their older Dynamics GP deployment. Progent also offers the support of senior security and compliance engineers, disaster recovery and business continuity planning consultants, application programmers, hybrid cloud planning and configuration consultants, and SQL Server DBAs who can assist you to plan, implement, and maintain a modern Microsoft Dynamics GP solution.
Progent's Consulting Expertise for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP Solutions
To learn more about Progent's remote and onsite support expertise in Birmingham, Alabama for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning software, visit:
Download Progent's Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains Consulting Services Datasheet
To download a datasheet about the consulting expertise available from Progent for Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP software, select Download Datasheet: Consulting Services for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning Platform (PDF file).
Contact Progent for Dynamics GP/Great Plains Upgrade Expertise
If your Birmingham, AL business is looking for a Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains deployment consultant or application programmer, call 1-800-993-9400 or go to Contact Progent.