Microsoft Dynamics GP, originally called Great Plains, has a lengthier heritage than almost any other ERP platform made for Windows. Dynamics GP is a proven, feature-rich product and is one of the most popular ERP systems for small and mid-size businesses, with around 50,000 active installations worldwide. A number of businesses who have relied on Dynamics GP for years have managed to defer upgrades and maintenance long enough that they are now using legacy software and rickety IT infrastructure. This is risky. Meanwhile, a common theme we hear from prospective clients is that they have a hard time finding experienced Microsoft Dynamics GP consultants who can provide in-depth knowledge about how to update their Dynamics GP environment affordably and get the maximum business value out of the application.
The more a business tries to limp along with outdated releases of Microsoft Dynamics GP, the more challenging the upgrade procedure becomes. If server hardware or disk systems break down, there may be no equivalent devices on the market to use as substitutes. When releases of Microsoft Windows Server used to host Dynamics GP reach end-of-support (EOS) status, vital security updates stop being distributed. The latest editions of Microsoft SQL Server might not be compatible with your special GP customizations. Innovative tools like Power BI may not run. Organizations investigating an update of their Dynamics GP deployment are often overwhelmed by the volume of components involved in the project. And the price tag suggested for a migration may be astronomical.
Dynamics GP Migration and Enhancement Expertise Offered by Progent
Progent has supported Microsoft Dynamics GP and Great Plains for over two decades, and Progent's tested experts have delivered high-level and affordable online integration consulting for Windows-powered environments to organizations in every state in the U.S. By combining deep experience with all editions of Microsoft Dynamics GP along with top-tier network integration skills, Progent is ideally suited to help your Chesapeake, Virginia business get the most out of GP.
We partner with our customers and start by understanding their requirements. After gaining familiarity with the environment and the areas needing improvement we make our suggestions. Recommendations may include an upgrade to a newer and fully supported version of Dynamics GP, simple user training, complete platform and specific module implementation including 3rd-party modules from a wide array of vendors that have written add-ons to Microsoft Dynamics GP, custom integrations with other key business applications within your company, custom report writing, and system analysis to determine whether GP is being utilized optimally. Our goal with every Microsoft Dynamics GP engagement of whatever size is to optimize strategic value and manage cost.
Progent's consultants can help your Chesapeake, Virginia company in each facet of your Dynamics GP upgrade or enhancement initiative including:
- Deployment Review
Review at what features of Microsoft Dynamics GP you are currently using and discuss additional features of GP that may be helpful to your business.
- Migration Planning and Scheduling
Develop a comprehensive upgrade plan and schedule that avoids business interruption. Plan for pilot testing, live deployment, and education. Identify customizations and add-on modules. Predict and manage compatibility issues.
- Testing
Plan and configure a pilot environment for proving the upgrade process.
- System Upgrades
Create backup copies of databases and dictionaries, eConnect, and GP Integration Manager database. eMigrate Microsoft Dynamics GP to the current version to ensure continuing support services from Microsoft and to make all current features accessible to your business. Upgrade SQL Server and compatibility levels for all databases. Implement services from the Professional Services Tools Library (pstl). Condition data and run scripts to resolve documented issues.
- Management Reporting
Develop reports and or custom dashboards for internal and public use. Deploy SQL Server Reporting Services and combine Microsoft Dynamics GP with Power BI for self-service reporting and for combining data from multiple local and remote sources.
- Education
Provide individual or group training for existing and first-time users of Dynamics GP.
- Support Services
Act as a single point of contact for support to deliver dependable and affordable resolution of problems thanks to familiarity with your specific environment.
Additional Microsoft Dynamics GP Consulting Expertise Available from Progent
Progent offers the help of seasoned experts who have been developing working Dynamics GP and Great Plains solutions since version 1. Progent has the skills to do the work you require directly rather than supervising less experienced consultants or in-house staff. Important areas where Progent's consultants can provide Dynamics GP support services include:
- Guidance
Suggest the use of software modules that come with the core GP system but are not currently being used. In addition, suggest third-party add-ons written specifically for Dynamics GP to deliver capabilities that GP skips.
- Integrations
Build special connections between Microsoft Dynamics GP and other strategic platforms to reduce redundant entry and improve accuracy.
- Customizations
Create big and simple customizations that run with Dynamics GP to perform various business functions that are not addressed by out-of-the-box GP modules or third-party add-ons.
Infrastructure Consulting Services
Progent can assist you to upgrade your network infrastructure to accommodate Microsoft Dynamics GP for any architecture including local, private or public cloud, or a hybrid environment. Network infrastructure expertise available from Progent's consultants include:
- Needs analysis and IT asset inventory
- Network topology design and deployment (local, cloud-based, or hybrid)
- Setting up firewalls and VPN connections and creating security policies
- Managing iOS, Android, and Windows smartphones and tablets
- Developing high-availability (HA) solutions
- Integration with PaaS and IaaS services including Microsoft 365
- Disaster recovery and business continuity preparedness
- Performance optimization
The Progent Advantage
An optimized Microsoft Dynamics GP ecosystem incorporates multiple software platforms, on-premises network infrastructure technologies, and cloud products combined into a cohesive ERP solution. For more than 20 years, Progent's consultants have delivered online and onsite support from Microsoft-certified experts including Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains consultants, Windows Server consultants, SQL Server developers, Microsoft Exchange integration experts, Microsoft Office experts, and SharePoint Server integration experts. Progent's consultants have worked with these products from their first releases to their latest versions, and Progent can help with cloud options by offering Office and Microsoft 365 consulting, Exchange Online integration services, and SharePoint Online deployment and application development expertise.
Progent also has a long history of delivering support from seasoned Cisco CCIE-certified network consultants, Hyper-V integration experts, and VMware virtualization specialists. This experience with strategic IT platforms cuts time and costs when guiding businesses through every aspect of upgrading their legacy Dynamics GP environment. Progent also offers the skills of senior cybersecurity and information assurance experts, business continuity planning experts, application developers, hybrid cloud architecture consultants, and SQL Server DBAs who can help you to design, implement, and maintain a productive Dynamics GP solution.
Progent's Consulting Expertise for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP Solutions
To find out more about Progent's online and onsite support expertise in Chesapeake, Virginia for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP product family, see:
Download Progent's MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains Consulting Datasheet
To download a datasheet about the consulting expertise offered by Progent for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains software, select Download Datasheet: Expertise for Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains ERP Software (PDF file).
Contact Progent for MS Dynamics GP/Great Plains Migration Services
If your Chesapeake, VA business is looking for a Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains deployment consultant or software developer, phone 1-800-993-9400 or go to Contact Progent.